Windows Server OS and management
Windows Server is the foundational technology that supports the services and handles resources relied on by enterprises worldwide. Get administrative tips that explain how to troubleshoot, migrate, monitor and improve the security on Windows Server workloads.
Top Stories
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Tutorial
14 Mar 2023
Using PowerShell for Azure service principal authentication
With help from the Azure PowerShell module, you can avoid login prompts and automate the authentication process when using service principals on Microsoft's cloud platform. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
09 Mar 2023
PowerShell Move-Item examples for file, folder management
You can take the pain out of regular administrative tasks, such as migrating and organizing data from your users, with these advanced automation scripts. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Nov 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI hardware and support costs?
Organizations can cap their hyper-converged infrastructure costs when they deploy the Azure Stack HCI platform, but once they plug into the cloud, it's a different story. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Oct 2019
How to manage Server Core with PowerShell
New PowerShell users will need to overcome a learning curve to work with Server Core, but the tool has some built-in aids to help you progress. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Oct 2019
Consider these Office 365 alternatives to public folders
Public folders in Exchange still exist, but they're considered legacy features that haven't kept up with the times. See what Office 365 alternatives might be a better fit. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2019
Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs
Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Oct 2019
What are the Azure Stack HCI deployment, management options?
While the Windows Admin Center is one way to manage the Azure Stack HCI platform, you can also use traditional, battle-tested tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Oct 2019
What's new with the Exchange hybrid configuration wizard?
The Exchange configuration wizard continues to evolve into a refined utility with enhanced capabilities that administrators should explore when considering a hybrid deployment. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Oct 2019
Do you know the difference in the Microsoft HCI programs?
Hyper-converged infrastructure that runs on Windows Server is not a new concept, but Microsoft's Azure Stack HCI program has one big difference from earlier HCI incarnations. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Oct 2019
Top Office 365 MFA considerations for administrators
A complex password only goes so far to stop a breach. Implementing multifactor authorization can help, but make sure the product you select fits your current and future needs. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2019
October Patch Tuesday resolves 59 vulnerabilities
Microsoft attempts to stamp out printing issues that originated from a faulty out-of-band patch for an Internet Explorer zero-day. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2019
Are you ready for the Exchange 2010 end of life?
Whether you want to stay on premises with a newer version of Exchange Server or lift that workload into Microsoft's cloud version, there are pros and cons to weigh on each end. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Aug 2019
How to automate patch management in Windows
Automating Windows updates with PowerShell will ease some of the labor associated with the routine patch deployment process. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
How Windows Admin Center stacks up to other management tools
Microsoft is putting a lot of resources into this relatively new tool to manage Windows systems, but is it ready for prime time when compared with more seasoned offerings? Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2019
Sizing up the Office 365 protection options
Get serious about protecting your organization from ransomware and phishing attacks by taking a closer look at the leading Office 365 security offerings. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2019
August Patch Tuesday corrects new 'wormable' exploits
Administrators weighed down by news of the BlueKeep vulnerability will have to contend with a similar bug some are calling DejaBlue. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2019
Check Office 365 usage reports for user adoption insights
Microsoft gives administrators access to many Office 365 reports to pinpoint ways to improve user adoption rates and tighten up potential security leaks. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2019
Microsoft patches two Windows zero-days in July Patch Tuesday
Microsoft fixed two Windows zero-day flaws as part of the July 2019 Patch Tuesday release, which also saw the remediation of 75 other vulnerabilities across Microsoft products. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2019
How to deal with the on-premises vs. cloud challenge
Some tools and applications aren't a good fit outside of the data center. Try these tactics to cope as more tools and application vendors start to migrate to the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2019
Office 365 multiple tenants vs. single tenant considerations
A migration to Office 365 will require the IT staff to adjust how it manages the collaboration platform, which can get complicated if more than one tenant is involved. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2019
3 steps to prepare for Exchange updates
If you dread the process of updating Exchange and the possibility that patches will break the servers, you can take control by putting best practices in place with three steps. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2019
Linux on Windows helps systems administrators gain new skills
The line between Windows and Linux is starting to blur in most organizations. Here's what systems administrators need to know about working with Linux and Windows. Continue Reading
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Guide
13 Jun 2019
Stay informed about Microsoft security patches in 2019
Administrators can get up-to-date information about Microsoft security updates and expert advice on patch prioritization to ensure a smooth Patch Tuesday process all year long in this guide. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 May 2019
7 Windows Server 2019 features to know
If administrators want to get the most from Windows Server 2019 features, they should familiarize themselves with this cheat sheet of the improvements Microsoft has made. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2019
Explore Office 365 phishing protection updates
Administrators who move to Exchange Online or the entire Office 365 platform will have a veritable arsenal of antiphishing tools, but their use requires attention to detail. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 May 2019
Painlessly deploy Azure File Sync with PowerShell
Have you ever run low on file server capacity or struggled to access files? Setting up Azure File Sync can give your organization centralized file shares with local accessibility. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 May 2019
Windows Admin Center brings server management under one roof
Microsoft built Windows Admin Center to make administrators' jobs easier, but the tool has many facets to learn to expertly manage Windows servers. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 May 2019
Why should I use Exchange Server maintenance mode?
When applying security updates or cumulative updates to Exchange Server, it's important to take your time and use maintenance mode to avoid disruption and data corruption. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Apr 2019
How to successfully migrate Exchange Servers
Admins have a few options to upgrade their servers, but whether they choose cloud or on premises, the update process involves the same steps to transition old servers and avoid issues. Continue Reading
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Guide
19 Apr 2019
Latest Microsoft SDDC updates improve security, performance
Microsoft enhanced Windows Server 2019 software-defined networking and other virtualization facets of its latest server OS to improve security and increase workload performance. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2019
4 Windows Server 2019 storage features to ease management
Microsoft includes storage features in Windows Server 2019 to ease migration and create highly available and scalable software-defined storage in data centers. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Apr 2019
How do I avoid Exchange security certificate issues?
Exchange SSL certificates keep communications secure, so it's important avoid the bargain bin when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Apr 2019
How to upgrade Windows Server 2008 before support ends
With the end of Windows Server 2008 support drawing closer, administrators must navigate multiple obstacles, from locating old software to ensuring hardware compatibility. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2019
April Patch Tuesday closes 2 zero-day exploits
In addition to Microsoft's fixes, administrators should patch holes in several Adobe products to keep attackers from creating havoc in their systems. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
28 Feb 2019
Windows Server 2019 features admins should explore
This slideshow of Windows Server 2019 features highlights some of its key additions built to bring more flexibility and reliability to the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2019
IT pros must adapt to Azure certification path changes
Microsoft reworked its Azure certifications recently and offers an upgrade path for IT pros with older credentials, but there is little time before the transition tests expire. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jan 2019
Migrate Exchange to Office 365 with these tips
Check this list of common issues that can occur during an Exchange migration to steer the organization away from potential mishaps during the messaging platform's relocation. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Dec 2018
How does Azure Update Management handle patching?
Microsoft built Azure Update Management for administrators who require a centralized tool to automate patches for systems both on premises and in the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2018
December Microsoft security patches bring a light end to 2018
Microsoft resolved a zero-day and a public disclosure this December patch Tuesday, while experts revisit 2018 in patching and what needs improvement. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2018
Windows Admin Center lures IT pros with Azure integration
If System Center is overkill for your needs and the older tools aren't up to task, then the Windows Admin Center just might be the tool to manage your data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2018
Stay in control with these Active Directory basics
Administrators have an ever-increasing number of resources to handle and permissions to track, but they can cut this seemingly impossible task down to size with Active Directory. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Nov 2018
Resolve an Outlook outage when using Office 365
When administrators get reports about an Outlook outage, they must work quickly to identify the affected accounts, research the causes and know where to turn for support. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Hyper-convergence forms core of Windows Server 2019 features
The latest server OS release from Microsoft upgrades many of its software-defined features to make it easier to use a hybrid cloud model. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2018
Understanding what Azure AD federation really means
A company that adopts SaaS apps to get work done can ease the transition by implementing a single sign-on method. Learn how to set up this arrangement in a secure manner. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2018
Windows zero-day fix highlights November Patch Tuesday
In addition to the November Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft offered assistance to combat a new side-channel attack and rereleased a Windows 10 update and Windows Server 2019. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Nov 2018
Hunt down zombie VMs to trim Windows Server licensing costs
Temporary workloads can cause organizations to buy more Windows Server licenses than they need, but admins can track down zombie servers to consolidate workloads and keep costs down. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2018
Handy PowerShell ISE add-ons for server administrators
PowerShell ISE might be on the way out, but these extensions continue to sustain the development of management scripts for many Windows administrators. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2018
PowerShell Core 6.1 offers many small improvements
New PowerShell Core functionality includes the addition of Windows PowerShell 5.1 modules, making this version worth a closer look for administrators. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Oct 2018
How to use PowerShell JEA for task delegation
System administrators don't have to do every mundane task themselves anymore with help from Just Enough Administration. Get started with these instructions using PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Quiz
17 Oct 2018
Can this Active Directory quiz stump you?
How much do you know about Active Directory? Find out with this Active Directory quiz on the service's basics, structure and capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2018
Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging change presents dilemma
The arrival of Exchange 2019 also means the end of unified messaging in the on-premises offering. Admins who use voicemail in Outlook should explore their options. Continue Reading
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Video
11 Oct 2018
Working with the VSCode PowerShell extension
PowerShell ISE remains one of the more popular PowerShell editors, but admins should explore the capabilities of VSCode if they want to manage more than just Windows systems. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Oct 2018
How to manage Active Directory groups with 7 PowerShell commands
Managing users, devices and other resources with Active Directory doesn't always require a GUI tool. Try PowerShell to streamline some of your administrative workload. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2018
October Patch Tuesday grounds JET Database Engine flaw
Administrators have a relatively light workload for October Patch Tuesday, but IT workers should pay attention to multiple workstation fixes and issues with older patches. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Sep 2018
How to deploy a Windows Server 2016 domain controller
Follow these tips to create a domain controller in Windows Server 2016 with these instructions, from server setup to adding users. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2018
Microsoft shuts down zero-day exploit on September Patch Tuesday
Administrators should prioritize patching systems affected by four public disclosures resolved by the Patch Tuesday updates. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
07 Sep 2018
Microsoft Ignite 2018 conference coverage
Keep up to date on the latest developments from the Microsoft Ignite 2018 conference and get a closer look at the latest software and hardware offerings from the company. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2018
Windows troubleshooting tools to improve VM performance
Fine-tune virtualized workloads and diagnose performance issues with help from these Windows troubleshooting tools every server administrator should know. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Sep 2018
How does AD DS differ from Microsoft Azure Active Directory?
On-premises Active Directory or Azure AD? It doesn't have to be an either/or situation, as more cloud services are making their way into traditional data center environments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Aug 2018
How to start using Ansible for Windows management
Ansible is a configuration management offering that runs on Linux but controls Windows systems with PowerShell. Find out how to get the tool running in your data center. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Aug 2018
PowerShell logging boosts security in the enterprise
Want to track any suspicious PowerShell activity across your network? Use these PowerShell logging techniques to curb potential threats that originate from scripts. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Aug 2018
Understand Active Directory basics for enterprise success
You can't get the most out of a tool unless you understand its features. This tip explains the basics of Active Directory and how it controls access and maintains order. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2018
August Patch Tuesday closes CPU bug, two zero-day exploits
Administrators have their work cut out for them, with more than 60 vulnerabilities to handle for August Patch Tuesday, after reeling from the effects of a bad batch of July updates. Continue Reading
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Guide
26 Jul 2018
Plan your Exchange migration to Office 365 with confidence
Make your move to Office 365 with help from our experts who explain how to prepare before the transition and provide checklists to make sure the migration goes as planned. Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Jun 2018
How is the future of PowerShell shaping up?
Microsoft no longer develops PowerShell behind closed doors. While there are perks to the tool's move to open source, users must cope with the consequences of the shift. Continue Reading
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Video
25 Jan 2018
Office 365 labels help keep content under control
Labels in Office 365 take data governance tasks out of the users' hands through the automatic designation of policies to meet regulations or internal procedures. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
16 Nov 2017
Microsoft roadmap covers practical and wishful technology
The latest innovations on the Microsoft roadmap include familiar enterprise products, but its wager on an ambitious technology could one day alter the face of computing. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2017
Use eseutil for Exchange database repair with care
If Exchange crashes and you lack valid backups, just stay cool. The eseutil tool can be powerful, but if used improperly, it can do more harm than good. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
29 Aug 2017
Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference coverage
Check all the developments from the Microsoft Ignite 2017 conference in Orlando and track the company's strategic moves in its hardware, software and services businesses. Continue Reading
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Video
28 Jul 2017
Construct a chain of commands with the PowerShell pipeline
The pipeline in PowerShell connects multiple cmdlets to assemble complex commands to give administrators advanced management control over their systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2016
Understanding Exchange Online's Role-Based Access Control model
The Role-Based Access Control model manages and evaluates permissions in Exchange Online. Admins can explore the model, create new permissions and customize roles. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Sep 2016
These Windows configuration management tools can prevent mishaps
It's a challenge to limit downtime and speed up deployments in the data center. Configuration management tools can help IT maintain control. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
25 Aug 2016
Microsoft Ignite 2016 conference coverage
Find all the independent reporting and analysis from the Microsoft Ignite conference 2016 in one place. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
29 Feb 2016
Eight influential Microsoft experts to follow on Twitter
Stay up to date with all things Microsoft by following some of the most knowledgeable experts on Twitter, including CEOs, CTOs and MVPs. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Sep 2015
Check your hybrid Outlook Autodiscover performance
IT shops with hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange mailboxes need to know how Outlook Autodiscover works when mailboxes haven't migrated. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
28 Mar 2013
A closer look at Outlook 2013
Considering an upgrade to Outlook 2013, but unsure if it's worth it? Get a close look at the sleeker interface, new features and more in this slideshow. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
29 Oct 2012
Windows Server 2012 interface tour
The new user interface in Windows Server 2012 seems scary, but it's easier to use than it looks. These are some of the best ways to work with it. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
27 Feb 2012
Top 10 Microsoft Hyper-V tools to consider
When it comes to improving Hyper-V performance, Microsoft and third parties provide many useful tools. Here are 10 to pay attention to. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Mar 2008
How to create a cross-forest trust in Active Directory
Building a cross-forest trust in Active Directory allows a trust to be created between the root domain of two forests. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 Jun 2007
A Windows administrator's guide to file management
File management in Windows is not just about finding the right places for user data and application data, but also anticipating and planning for changes that may need to be made in how things are stored—all the while, dealing with quirks of the Windows file systems that can pop up in unexpected ways. It's also about understanding the technologies used to perform file storage. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2007
Diskpart utility scans for newly added disks
Use the Windows Diskpart utility to scan for newly added disks, instead of Windows' Disk Administrator tool. Continue Reading