Microsoft messaging and collaboration
Exchange Server is a difficult product to manage. Get tips to sort out issues related to connectivity and client issues to keep email flowing in the on-premises messaging platform. For enterprises on Office 365, find advanced tutorials designed to ease the management of Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams with PowerShell and Microsoft Graph.
Top Stories
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Tip
01 Feb 2023
What's new with the EXO v3 module for Exchange admins?
Microsoft made several significant improvements in the Exchange Online PowerShell v3 module for added reliability and performance when managing the hosted email platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2022
Follow these steps to remove the last Exchange Server
Organizations that were unable to uninstall their last Exchange Server from the on-premises environment can now do so if they fulfill the requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Consider Azure AD group-based licensing for Office 365 users
Administrators who manage many users can go one step further toward streamlining license assignments by taking advantage of a new feature from Microsoft. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Do you meet all the modern authentication requirements?
Microsoft's push to a more secure method for user authentication and authorization could catch some enterprises flat-footed if IT hasn't done its homework. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Jun 2022
How to set up Exchange Online modern authentication
Microsoft plans to tighten up security on its hosted email platform to prevent attackers from gaining access to user credentials. Is your organization ready? Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Microsoft cloud certifications Windows admins should pursue
The surge in remote work means admins with skills with Microsoft's cloud technologies are in demand. You can prove your proficiency by acquiring these Microsoft certifications. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2022
Deploy an information barrier policy for Microsoft Teams
Mistakes happen, but can be costly when they involve compliance. Office 365 information barriers can prevent inadvertent sharing to protect the organization's sensitive data. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2022
Paid and free Office 365 administration tools to consider
Newcomers to Microsoft's cloud services can use the admin portal for most tasks, but you should investigate these options to reduce the work involved with tenant management. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Dec 2021
Microsoft Teams lifecycle management with PowerShell and Graph
A rushed Microsoft Teams deployment could lead to unintended gaps in security and governance. Here's how to use PowerShell and the Microsoft Graph to regain control. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Nov 2021
Try these PowerShell Start-Job examples for more efficiency
It might take some effort to rework scripts to take advantage of PowerShell jobs capabilities, but it will free you to handle other work while running code behind the scenes. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2021
Exchange zero-day corrected on November Patch Tuesday
Microsoft released a security update to shut down a publicly exploited vulnerability in the beleaguered on-premises messaging platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2021
Why you should consider an upgrade from PowerShell 5.1 to 7
A switch to PowerShell 7 will bring performance benefits along with expanded functionality to help administrators keep pace with changing needs in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2021
These Posh-SSH examples pave the way to Linux management
Need to work with remote Linux systems? A PowerShell module with file-handling functionality can help Windows shops looking for a reliable management platform. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Nov 2021
Slow Office 365 admin portal problems? Give PowerShell a try
IT work is frustrating enough without having to deal with sluggish admin center performance. See how PowerShell makes Microsoft service management less of a chore. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2021
Microsoft Azure Stack HCI adds Arc, virtual desktop support
Azure Stack HCI users now have more management features, better integration with Arc and the ability to run Windows virtual desktops. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2021
Microsoft earnings soar on the wings of Azure, Office
Microsoft reported revenues of $45.3 billion, a 22% gain over last year's first fiscal quarter. The company saw cloud revenue for the quarter surpass $20 billion for the first time. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2021
Control restricted content with Office 365 sensitivity labels
Learn to work within the compliance portal or use PowerShell to create and publish the labels your organization needs to maintain control over restricted content. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Sep 2021
How to assign Microsoft Teams policies with PowerShell
The admin center lags behind PowerShell when it comes to Microsoft Teams policy management due to the automation tool's superior logging and visibility features. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
More printer spooler bugs resolved on August Patch Tuesday
Microsoft corrects a Windows zero-day and two publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Aug 2021
Working with PowerShell Secret Management and Secret Vault
The two new PowerShell modules put API keys, credentials and other secrets under lock and key to protect sensitive information in automation and remoting scenarios. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jul 2021
Use command-line options to edit registries with regedit.exe
Did you know this venerable Windows GUI tool has several switches for basic registry editing tasks? See what tweaks Microsoft inserted in regedit for administrative use. Continue Reading
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News
14 Apr 2021
Exchange Server bugs continue to bite on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft resolves 110 vulnerabilities, including a zero-day and four public disclosures, but the company says admins should prioritize four critical bugs on Exchange Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Feb 2021
Level up with these advanced PowerShell commands to copy files
Take a closer look at Copy-Item cmdlet coding examples to build advanced PowerShell scripts that copy files with safety measures to ensure the duplicates reach their destinations. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Dec 2020
Azure AD Premium P1 vs. P2: Which is right for you?
Azure Active Directory is more than just Active Directory in the cloud. See how the premium editions of the directory service stack up to find the best fit for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2020
Boost Windows Server performance with these 10 tips
A small investment in time to execute these Windows Server performance tuning tips and techniques can optimize server workloads for more satisfactory results. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2020
Find and filter Windows event logs using PowerShell Get-EventLog
Use the Get-EventLog cmdlet in PowerShell to pinpoint problems among thousands of entries in Windows logs, on both local and remote systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2020
25 basic PowerShell commands for Windows administrators
Getting started with PowerShell or just need a quick refresher? This tip lists the most common PowerShell commands, with details on when to use them. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
January Patch Tuesday fixes cryptography bug found by NSA
The U.S. National Security Agency shared information with Microsoft about a significant spoofing vulnerability in Windows that enterprises should make a patching priority. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Jan 2020
How to set up Windows Server 2019 virtual network encryption
Microsoft tightens the security on its virtualization platform, even if a breach occurs, to prevent intruders from eavesdropping on traffic between VMs. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Dec 2019
On-premises server monitoring tools meet business needs, budget
Compare these eight on-premises network, server and application monitoring tools to determine which best fits your organization's specific use cases, business needs and budget. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2019
How to repair Windows Server using Windows SFC and DISM
Administrators can diagnose and treat a buggy server operating system by using the Windows SFC and DISM utilities for image analysis and repairs. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2019
Microsoft's history and future strategy beyond 2020
Microsoft's history over the past 20 years is marked by the pivot from closed software models to support for open source and cloud. Quantum computing will shape the next decades. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2019
Windows Server 2008 end of life: Is Azure the right path?
Time is almost up for support for your Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 workloads. Microsoft would like you to migrate those VMs to Azure, but is that the best choice? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Nov 2019
Azure Bastion brings convenience, security to VM management
This cloud service gets around the problem associated with jump servers and cloaks the identity of your VMs to avoid potential security issues. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Oct 2019
Set up PowerShell script block logging for added security
Learn how to set up your systems to capture abnormal PowerShell behavior as one way to shore up your defenses. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI features?
An Azure Stack HCI system relies on Windows Server 2019 to deliver the software-defined compute, storage and networking technologies that integrate with the OEM hardware. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2019
How to plan for an Azure cloud migration
A Windows Server migration into the Microsoft cloud comes with several administrative benefits, but it also means there are new management aspects to worry about. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2019
The future of PowerShell begins to sharpen in focus
PowerShell's promise as a cross-platform management tool has come a long way, but much work still needs to be done for both Linux and Windows admins to pick up adoption. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module
The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Sep 2019
Implement automated employee onboarding with PowerShell
Your time is precious and you shouldn't waste it by clicking through menus to set up a new user. Look at these code examples to put together your own provisioning script. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2019
How to rebuild the SYSVOL tree using DFSR
Active Directory is the key component in many organizations to keep tabs on access and identity. If the SYSVOL directory disappears, these steps can get the system fixed. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2019
Know your Office 365 backup options -- just in case
A move to Exchange Online in the Office 365 platform removes some administrative obligations but does require more work to set up proper email protections. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2019
How to keep VM sprawl in check
Virtualization improves hardware use, but the pendulum can swing the other way and result in an overallocation of resources. Here's how to maintain the balance. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Sep 2019
Lessons learned from PowerShell Summit 2019
Want to refine your automation abilities? Learn about some of the insights gleaned from the advanced sessions held at the PowerShell Summit. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2019
September Patch Tuesday addresses 2 Windows zero-days
Microsoft issues fixes for 79 unique vulnerabilities, including three public disclosures, as part of its monthly security updates. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Sep 2019
Learn to set up and use PowerShell SSH remoting
Remoting over SSH in PowerShell Core has some advantages over the traditional Windows PowerShell remoting method, but it will require a fair amount of manual configuration work. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Aug 2019
Exchange troubleshooting tools help unclog email issues
When problems with email occur, they can stem from an improper configuration of the Exchange Server system. Here's how to unravel some common messaging platform problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2019
How to handle service downtime in the cloud age
You know what happens when you assume. Don't set and forget those critical IT infrastructure services in the cloud without putting together a contingency plan. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Aug 2019
Using the Sysinternals Sysmon tool to check DNS queries
A recent update to the Sysinternals Sysmon utility adds DNS query logging to give deeper insights into the connections made by your Windows machines. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Aug 2019
Pester tests help pinpoint infrastructure issues
The Pester testing framework gives IT pros a way to develop sophisticated and consistent testing routines that monitoring tools just can't duplicate. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
16 Aug 2019
How to transfer FSMO roles with PowerShell
You might need to shift Active Directory FSMO roles for a few reasons. If you need to do it more than once, there's a way to automate the procedure with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Jul 2019
Use PowerShell printer management for quicker setups
Don't fiddle with printer configurations and tiresome upkeep work from the GUI when you can automate a lot of the tediousness with PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2019
How to plot out an Office 365 tenant-to-tenant migration
IT pros in organizations on Office 365 that undergo a merger or acquisition will have their work cut out for them to successfully execute a data migration plan between tenants. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2019
Construct a solid Active Directory password policy
Most user authentication still relies on a strong password to keep attackers at bay. Here's how to keep your guard up without adding to your administrative workload. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jul 2019
How to manage Windows with Puppet
Administrators can modernize their organization's management model for both Linux and Windows operating systems with Puppet, a code-based tool, and available community support. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Jul 2019
Try these PowerShell networking commands to stay connected
Ping has its place, but PowerShell gives you a way to dive deeper into a networking issue when a server drops its connection or starts to drop packets. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2019
Exchange Online vs. Office 365: Which plan is a better fit?
A switch from Exchange Server to Exchange Online might make financial sense, but it might not fit the needs of your organization. Here are some common migration mistakes to avoid. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Jun 2019
What's new in hybrid Azure services in Windows Admin Center?
Trying to get the most out of Azure hybrid services? Discover Microsoft's latest developments to further centralize management in Windows Admin Center. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2019
Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?
While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
How to locate privileged accounts in Active Directory
IT administrators must be able to identify privileged accounts in Active Directory for a more secure enterprise; two methods can make the task easier. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2019
How to keep an Office 365 outage from ruining your day
Stay on top of any potential problems with your Office 365 deployment through the monitoring dashboard and a break glass account to avoid Azure authentication outages. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2019
How to test the PowerShell pending reboot module
Learn how to check if your machines have pending reboots with a simple PowerShell module to ensure changes to files do not cause stability issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jun 2019
Install Exchange Server 2019 on Server Core 2019 to boost security
If you don't know how to manage servers without GUI, there may be a bit of a learning curve to get the benefits of running Exchange on Server Core. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2019
Microsoft plugs 4 zero-day exploits for June Patch Tuesday
Despite multiple warnings from Microsoft, the threat of the BlueKeep RDP vulnerability to unpatched Windows systems continues to loom following its May Patch Tuesday disclosure. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Jun 2019
Tech communities offer more than just a quick fix
IT professionals who join tech meetups and online communities might find there's more than just troubleshooting help available when they invest their time in a group. Continue Reading
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Quiz
07 Jun 2019
Can you ace this quiz on Windows Server 2019 HCI?
With each new server release, Microsoft gives administrators a whole new slew of features to learn. Challenge yourself on how well you know the Windows Server HCI features. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2019
How do I avoid Exchange disk space issues?
Exchange Server log files tend to chew up a lot of space, particularly on the later versions. Here's how to keep the mail flowing when a hard drive fills up. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2019
System administrator resources you'll actually use
The learning resources available for IT administrators are more plentiful than the technology that admins manage. How do they sift through the inundation of information? Continue Reading
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Answer
30 May 2019
Hyper-V vs. vSphere: How do the latest versions stack up?
Microsoft recently released Windows Server 2019, so how do the features in this version of Hyper-V compare to VMware's virtualization platform? Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2019
How to add the App Compatibility Feature on Demand to Server Core
Microsoft closed the functionality gap between Server Core and full desktop deployments with the App Compatibility feature, but will it entice admins to the GUI-less server? Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2019
May Patch Tuesday fixes zero-day, new Intel CPU bugs
Microsoft fixed 23 critical vulnerabilities in its latest monthly security updates, as well as patches for supported and unsupported Windows systems to ward off a worm that has the potential to be the next WannaCry. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2019
System administrator skills you need to succeed in the cloud
Cloud technology gives IT administrators more tools to manage enterprise resources than ever before, but the expanding technology also requires admins to develop a new skill set. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2019
Is Windows Server troubleshooting on the way out?
When a Windows Server workload starts to falter, what's the best way to proceed before it keels over? Once upon a time, you would try to fix it, but times have changed. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2019
Windows Compatibility module expands PowerShell Core reach
The PowerShell team closed the cmdlet coverage gap with a compatibility module release for PowerShell Core, but its use requires some caution. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Apr 2019
How will Microsoft role-based certifications affect admins?
IT administrators should already know that the only constant for Microsoft products is change. Certifications are the next thing to get an overhaul. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2019
Potential PowerShell telemetry raises security concerns
When admins discovered the PowerShell team proposal for additional telemetry, some bristled; however, the data collection could mean a better management language for IT pros. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Apr 2019
How should you handle Exchange Server updates?
Microsoft changed its release model after Exchange 2010, which has caused some confusion for administrators who work on newer versions of the messaging platform. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Apr 2019
What service does the Microsoft WSSD program provide?
A do-it-yourself approach with hyper-converged infrastructure can lead to trouble when software-defined features just won't work. See how the WSSD program can prevent issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Apr 2019
How to automate with PowerShell in Windows Server 2019
Microsoft developed many tools to simplify tasks in Windows Server 2019, but PowerShell skills still remain a staple of an administrator's tool set. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Apr 2019
How to uninstall Exchange 2013 after a cutover migration
Don't throw a retirement party for that Exchange 2013 server and pull the plug prematurely without going through this checklist to avoid any issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Windows Server cluster sets add more protection to workloads
Microsoft stepped up its high availability game with its cluster sets technology in Windows Server 2019 to give on-premises workloads more cloudlike resiliency. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Server 2008 R2 end of life hitting home for many in IT
As Microsoft support for Server 2008 R2 nears its sunset, a raft of complications make it difficult for many in IT to get on board with the Azure platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Got infrastructure needs? These PowerShell tutorials can help
From streamlining remote sessions to setting up an SSL certificate, these PowerShell tutorials show IT admins how to get more done with the management tool. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Understand Azure Update Management basics
Microsoft provides a variety of tools that IT administrators can use to simplify update deployment, including Azure Update Management. Find out if the service will work with your systems. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Mar 2019
What are some potential Windows Server cluster set snags?
Windows Server 2019 cluster sets bring some Azure-like capabilities into the data center, but new features also bring new challenges for administrators. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Mar 2019
What are some Microsoft SDDC integration challenges?
Microsoft added a number of new software-defined features in Windows Server 2019, but deploying a fully virtualized data center remains a challenge for several reasons. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Mar 2019
How is the Microsoft SDDC concept becoming a reality?
The promise of a software-defined infrastructure and its ability to pool resources require the right administrative tool to keep the virtualized fabric from fraying. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Mar 2019
How do you build Windows Server 2019 cluster sets?
Microsoft debuted cluster sets in its Windows Server 2019 release. Here's a rundown on how to deploy this high availability feature in your organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2019
Understanding the three main goals of PowerShell Core 6
The book 'Learn PowerShell Core 6.0' offers a closer look into the history of PowerShell and its evolution into the PowerShell Core open source project. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2019
March Patch Tuesday shuts down two zero-day exploits
In addition to the March Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft's attempts at improving performance following Spectre variant 2 patches backfire for some users on Windows 10. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2019
Lessons learned during a migration to Exchange Online
There are a number of perks for administrators who move to Exchange Online, but there are spots of frustration that will require a few workarounds to ease the transition process. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2019
What Windows Server 2019 SDN features should I know about?
Administrators in highly virtualized environments can tap into enhanced Windows Server 2019 SDN functionality to run Hyper-V VMs more efficiently. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2019
What features make up Windows Server 2019 cluster sets?
Windows Server 2019 takes clustering to a new level with the cluster sets feature that wraps another layer of high availability around critical VMs. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Feb 2019
Set up users with key PowerShell Active Directory commands
User management in Active Directory doesn't have to fill you with click-induced anxiety. Try these PowerShell tips for a more efficient way to get this work done. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Feb 2019
What advantages do Windows Server cluster sets offer?
Administrators don't need to stress about workload uptime with a new Windows Server 2019 clustering feature, which makes sharing resources and moving VMs easier. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2019
The clock is ticking on the Exchange Web Services change
Another change that might affect your Exchange environment is coming in 2020. Here's what you need to know to prepare. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Feb 2019
Server Core vs. GUI: Is Server Core ready for prime time?
IT Director Christopher Rivers says the Windows Admin Center is a step in the right direction to boost adoption of Server Core, but administrators will still encounter challenges. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Feb 2019
What are some common Windows Server 2019 SDN errors?
The complexity of setting up and managing Microsoft SDN can increase the risk of administrators facing common networking errors that are difficult to troubleshoot. Continue Reading
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Quiz
25 Jan 2019
How well do you know open source PowerShell Core?
Do you know how PowerShell Core differs from Windows PowerShell? Find out with this quiz on the open source PowerShell management utility. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Jan 2019
What are some Microsoft SDN features in Windows Server?
SDN functionality helps administrators shape network traffic to reduce congestion and boost security. Discover what other SDN features Microsoft added to its Windows Server offerings. Continue Reading