Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Office 2013 vs. Office 365 bout benefits business

  Microsoft has made many changes in its suite, and some desktop admins have made surprising choices after comparing Office 365 vs. Office 2013. Continue Reading

• Office Telemetry reports on Office 2013 docs and apps

  If IT administrators need information on document and application usage, they can use Office Telemetry, an Office 2013 feature that gathers such data. Continue Reading

• New Microsoft Office 2013 features you need to know about

  Skeptical IT admins may reconsider an upgrade after looking at these Microsoft Office 2013 features, including links to OneDrive and the cloud. Continue Reading

• How to perform a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1

  As organizations must now implement a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1, they should understand that Windows 8 and 8.1 aren't identical and use the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant. Continue Reading

• Netbook features influenced modern mobile computing

  The netbook may have been left in the dust by smartphones and tablets, but netbook features led to today's BYOD and the cloud, says our columnist. Continue Reading

• Five laptop finder products offer security after a device loss

  Lost laptops pose obvious risks to enterprise data and systems, but a variety of laptop finder products can help put admins' minds at ease.Continue Reading

• The Rufus USB tool may ease building bootable Windows flash drives

  Find out about a quick, free alternative to the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool -- the open source Reliable USB Formatting Utility.Continue Reading

• Free Sysinternals tools can be IT's friends

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• The Sysinternals Disk Usage tool is a simple way to assess free space

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• Windows 8.1 user interface improves on previous Windows 8 features

  Several small but significant changes in the Windows 8.1 user interface may placate those who were annoyed by Windows 8's limitations.Continue Reading

• Where will XP stalwarts go after the end of Windows XP support?

  Despite the end of Microsoft's Windows XP support, many IT shops are sticking with the OS, and there are third-party options for security support.Continue Reading

• Microsoft licensing changes with standalone Windows Enterprise upgrade

  Microsoft launched a standalone Windows Enterprise upgrade SKU, but is it a true value or simply a way to lure IT pros to Windows 8?Continue Reading

• The open source GIMP editor has lots of support and useful features

  The free GIMP editor is not only a potential Adobe Photoshop alternative, but it also has a host of useful features and an online support community.Continue Reading

• Consider GIMP as an Adobe Photoshop alternative for graphics editing

  Adobe Photoshop and other expensive graphics editors may suit power users, but there are good reasons to test the GNU Image Manipulation Program.Continue Reading

• Process Monitor eases Windows troubleshooting of performance problems

  Microsoft's built-in tools may not be enough for Windows troubleshooting, so try Sysinternals Process Monitor to find desktop performance problems.Continue Reading

• More remote Group Policy Object settings and checking refresh status

  Admins can refresh Group Policy Object settings across multiple computers, but they must verify that Group Policy settings have successfully changed.Continue Reading

• Excel pivot tables can help IT admins track support, costs

  Excel isn't just for end users. If you know how to properly filter data with Excel pivot tables, you can track expenses and create detailed reports.Continue Reading

• Before you clone HDD to SSD, know the benefits and danger to data

  Which type of drive is better: hard disk drive or solid-state drive? HDD to SSD cloning can ease data access, but SSDs aren't without risks to data.Continue Reading

• If you're not using Windows Sysinternals tools, you should be

  Windows Sysinternals tools can make work a lot easier for IT administrators, but many people don't even know the suite exists. Get with the program!Continue Reading

• IT turns to third-party Active Directory audit tools for Windows data

  Microsoft's built-in audit tools may not be enough for regulatory compliance, but there are lots of Active Directory alternatives that can help.Continue Reading

• Sluggish file copying gets spurred on by RoboCopy and other tools

  File copying is usually an onerous task, but a file copy utility within Windows and add-ons like RoboCopy could make it easier.Continue Reading

• Windows 8.1 biometrics support increases security, but do you need it?

  The Windows 8.1 Preview features more biometrics support, such as built-in fingerprint authentication, which could be useful for mobile security.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Safety Scanner and MSRT can complement malware defenses

  The Malicious Software Removal Tool and Microsoft Safety Scanner are free Windows security tools that help, but do not replace, anti-malware software.Continue Reading

• What's old, what's new for the enterprise with the Windows 8.1 update

  Microsoft's Windows 8.1 update has stirred controversy among users who still hate its interface. Features such as BYOD support may change some minds.Continue Reading

• Comparing Windows Defender in Windows 8 vs. third-party malware tools

  Microsoft has strengthened Windows Defender for Windows 8, but IT may find third-party anti-malware products more useful than Windows 8 Defender.Continue Reading

• Windows tools and terminology for desktop admins

  There are a number of Windows tools that desktop admins can use, but before you can use them you have to know what the terms actually mean.Continue Reading

• Using Active Directory activation and other new Office 2013 tools

  Among the new Office 2013 tools for IT admins are a method for volume activation, administrative template files and files for custom installations.Continue Reading

• UEFI vs. BIOs in Windows 8 for desktop startup

  The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface can speed and secure startup for today's computers, but systems that dual-boot into Linux spur controversy.Continue Reading

• How to find and use the Windows 8 start menu and admin tools

  Users who miss Windows 7's interface shouldn't despair; the Windows 8 start menu can still be found. Get help tracking down Windows admin tools.Continue Reading

• Comparing Office 2013 and Office 365 pricing, packages

  We explain the differences between Microsoft Office 365 and Office 2013, including the evolution of Office and Microsoft Office pricing.Continue Reading

• Microsoft USMT (User State Migration Tool)

  The Microsoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a command-line utility used to transfer user files and settings between computers.Continue Reading

• Third-party Windows desktop management tools to consider

  IT admins who are eyeing Windows desktop management software beyond Microsoft’s products have many options. Our expert looks at three of the best tools.Continue Reading

• Windows 7 improvements: Hype vs. reality

  It has been almost three years since Microsoft's previous OS release, so it's time to see if Windows 7 improvements, such as the Aero user interface, have lived up to IT expectations.Continue Reading

• Full-system encryption with BitLocker vs. third-party alternatives

  The BitLocker feature in Windows allows for full-system encryption, but it may not do everything you need. Consider third-party encryption products, but be aware of their costs.Continue Reading

• Sysinternals tools can help clean your Windows systems

  PC cleanup is no one's favorite task. Process Monitor and Process Explorer are two Sysinternals tools that can help make your systems tidy again.Continue Reading

• A comparison of Windows 7 migration tools

  The results are in. Our expert tested five Windows 7 migration tools from a variety of vendors. Check out the findings.Continue Reading

• A guide to Windows 7 migration tools

  Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP is no easy task, but several tools from Microsoft and third-party vendors can simplify the process.Continue Reading

• Using Sysinternals tools in security management scenarios

  Discover three valuable Sysinternals tools and common Windows security management scenarios in which these tools would be used.Continue Reading

• Sysinternals tools: A must-have for every Windows security toolbox

  Learn about the free Sysinternals tools that make managing and troubleshooting Windows-based PCs almost effortless for administrators.Continue Reading

• Top Windows client security tools for end users

  Tony Bradley helps narrow down the field of client security tools on the market and gives his top four picks.Continue Reading

• Unauthenticated vs. authenticated security testing

  Security testing as a user signed into the network can yield different results. Use unauthenticated and authenticated testing and learn the pros and cons of each method.Continue Reading

• Tools for virus removal and detection

  Learn about antivirus tools and best practices for removing viruses from your system in this section of our malware learning guide.Continue Reading

• Hacking Exposed Windows: Windows security features and tools

  In Hacking Exposed Windows, by Joel Scambray, you can learn how to prevent malicious attackers from hacking into your network and damaging or stealing the business critical data you have stored in your Windows machines.Continue Reading

• Microsoft patch management tools

  Check out some Microsoft patch management tools, including our entirely free patch management toolbox.Continue Reading

• Using port scanning tools to test network security

  A proper tool belt is necessary for the security of your Windows network. In this excerpt from Hacking for Dummies, read about some port scanning tools that will allow you to get the information you need to run a secure network.Continue Reading

• Secret Windows command line tools can boost security

  Believe it or not, you've already paid for -- but may not know about -- a bunch of command line tools that will broaden the security of your hard drives, remote hosts, connections, directories and more. Check out this list of easy-to-use commands ...Continue Reading

• Metasploit 3.0 security testing tool -- free, easy and improved

  An easy and free security testing tool for Windows users, Metasploit 3.0 is Kevin Beaver's recommendation for you. Read why in this security expert's tip.Continue Reading

• Harden your file servers with Windows wizard tool

  Jonathan Hassell explains how to secure your file servers that are running Windows Server 2003 using the Security Configuration Wizard; both in an automated fashion and through manual tweaks to the configuration.Continue Reading

• Patch management tools: Different types, different approaches

  Patch management tools seem pretty simple, but there are a couple different types with unique functionalities. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp takes a look at different types of tools and offers advice to companies trying to settle on a single product.Continue Reading

• Fast Guide: Hardening Remote Desktop

  Remote Desktop allows users to access their work computers from virtually any computer they can get their hands on. With such functionality, however, comes great security risk. Check out this collection of tips, guides and expert advice to see how ...Continue Reading

• Top 15 security tools for testing Windows

  Being proactive with security assessments can find unexpected vulnerabilities and ease pressure on patch Tuesday. Contributor and security testing guru Kevin Beaver discusses his 15 favorite security testing tools.Continue Reading

• WinDump: The tcpdump tool for Windows

  WinDump, the Windows version of tcpdump, can help you analyze network traffic to look for signs of active malware. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains how to use WinDump and some of its applications.Continue Reading

• Metasploit: A penetration testing tool you shouldn't be without

  Penetration testing is an invaluable way to make sure your systems are secure as well as prove to management that they aren't and you need to increase your security budget. In this article Kevin Beaver examines a useful penetration testing tool ...Continue Reading

• Patching Windows compared to Linux

  When it comes to Windows versus Linux, patching vulnerabilities is an often overlooked arena of comparison. In many ways, though, ease of patching can determine overall security, says security guru Jonathan Hassell. In this article, Hassell compares...Continue Reading

• Rootkit battle: Rootkit Revealer vs. Hacker Defender

  Although rootkits have been threatening various platforms for years, only recently did a major battle develop between the rootkit creators and eradicators: Holy Father's Hacker Defender vs. Sysinternals' Rootkit Revealer. Microsoft's Kurt Dillard ...Continue Reading

• Manual vs. automated patch tracking

  With new patches coming at you seemingly a mile a minute, you may wonder what the best way is to manage them. Get help comparing manual vs. automatic patch tracking.Continue Reading

• What are user-mode vs. kernel-mode rootkits?

  All modes of rootkits are difficult to detect, but one type is preferred by hackers over another. Read about different rootkits in this tip.Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2003 management tools: Remote Desktop for Administration

  Remote Desktop for Administration is one of the new server features in Microsoft's management initiative for Windows Server 2003. Find out what benefits it offers.Continue Reading

• Choosing your spyware weapons: Ad-Aware vs. Spybot

  Get help comparing the two most effective spyware tools, learn why they play well together and get one expert's two cents on how to ultimately solve the spyware dilemma here.Continue Reading

• Windows XP's built-in administration tools

  Take a look at the various administration tools built into Microsoft's latest desktop OS.Continue Reading

• What are the advantages and disadvantages to having users logon to the domain vs. the local machine?

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