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• MS Win7 Cert Exams Expire July 31

  When S Win7 Cert Exams expire July 31 they signal that today's reigning Windows version is nearing the end of its lifecycle. With 900-plus million devices still running Win7, lots of change is at hand. Continue Reading

• DISM Cleans Up After Windows Update

  Because DISM cleans up after Windows Update adds new items to Win10, it's a good idea to use its AnalyzeComponentStore and CleanupComponentStore directives from time to time. Here's how! Continue Reading

• Strange Display Behavior Gets Workarounds

  Strange display behavior gets workarounds in Windows 10: right-click the taskbar entry, Alt+Space to restore the original window, or force-change then restore screen resolution. Very interesting! Continue Reading

• Take the Windows 10 migration tools pop quiz

  Microsoft offers a host of tools IT pros can use to make the move to Windows 10 a little easier. See how well you know your options with this quiz. Continue Reading

• WUMT Resolves Update Woes Yet Again

  When one of my laptops balks at completing the update check for a current cumulative update, WUMT resolves update woes yet again for Windows 10. Continue Reading

• Win10 Hyper-V VMs Benefit from More VRAM

  Depending on the workload and applications in use Win10 Hyper-V VMs benefit from more VRAM (virtual RAM), easily allocated using the Hyper-V manager.Continue Reading

• UWP Win10 Sticky Notes Backup

  Making a UWP Win10 Sticky Notes backup translates into finding and copying the file named plum.sqlite to a safe place. Easy-peasy!Continue Reading

• Grab New DriverStore Explorer from GitHub

  Whether you're a first-time user or are running an older version, please take the time to grab new DriverStore Explorer from GitHub. It's worth using!Continue Reading

• AI Drives Win10 Update Access

  AI drives Win10 Update access, and uses telemetry and feedback data to target updates PCs likely to have a positive experience. Over time, MS extends updates to more PCs as the likelihood of ...Continue Reading

• Sysprep Audit Mode Alternate Key Sequence

  When the default Ctrl+Shift+F3 won't do it, try the Sysprep Audit Mode alternate key sequence instead: Ctrl+Fn+Shift+F3. Works for me!Continue Reading

• Discover three key exploit protection features in Windows 10

  To defend against memory-based attacks, Microsoft introduced three key features to Windows Defender Exploit Guard, including Address Space Layout Randomization.Continue Reading

• Ctrl+Winkey+C Toggles Win10 Display to Grayscale Mode

  For some people, learning that Ctrl+Winkey+C toggles Win10 display to grayscale mode comes as an unpleasant surprise. Fortunately, it's easy to reverse.Continue Reading

• How well do you know your Windows 10 update options?

  Microsoft offers three Windows 10 servicing channels, a host of tools for managing updates and different update types. See if you can sort it all out with this Windows 10 update quiz.Continue Reading

• How do the Windows 10 servicing channels work?

  IT can use the servicing channels for Windows 10 to assign different deployment cadences to different devices and defer updates where necessary.Continue Reading

• NirSoft NetBScanner Offers Win10 LAN Insights

  After the 1803 upgrade monkey with LAN visibility for some nodes, NirSoft NetBScanner offers Win10 LAN insights to help get things running again. Good stuff!Continue Reading

• How to create an effective PC lifecycle policy

  For IT to master enterprise PC management, it must weigh the productivity needs of its organization and employees against the costs of purchasing new PCs.Continue Reading

• Set Win10 RS5 Rollback Retention Interval

  I don't normally write much about the Insider Preview builds for this blog post. Practicing Enterprise admins have enough on their hands keeping up with current branch versions of the OS. But when ...Continue Reading

• Two Win10 Setup.exes Offer Differing Capabilities

  If you build conventional Win10 installation media, you'll find two Win10 Setup.exes offer differing capabilities. One is good to upgrades or repair an existing Win10 install, the other for ...Continue Reading

• Tread carefully with modern Windows application management

  With the Windows winds changing, IT pros must consider whether it's time to transition from SCCM to modern management via the cloud.Continue Reading

• Use Windows Analytics to better support Windows 10 desktops

  With the help of Windows Analytics, IT can improve its Windows 10 desktop support with tools such as Device Health, which monitors desktop performance and identifies underperforming devices.Continue Reading

• Win10 NetBIOS Names Get Weirder

  When I say Win10 NetBIOS names get weirder I mean two things: they are indeed case sensitive, and sometimes the actual defined case-correct name string won't resolve properly.Continue Reading

• Win10 1803 Gets New Bluetooth Version

  Amidst a raft of other changes, enhancements and additons, Win10 1803 gets new Bluetooth version that leaves some users in the lurch, functionality-wise.Continue Reading

• Win10 DCOM 10016 Errors Are Mostly Benign

  Finally! A Microsoft Support note explicitly confirms what I've long suspected: Win10 DCOM 10016 errors are mostly benign. They occur by deliberate design, in fact.Continue Reading

• Bring Back Basic Win10 1803 Networking

  The demise of HomeGroup makes it necessary to bring back basic Win10 1803 networking for Workgroup based Windows networks. Here's how!Continue Reading

• MS Publishes Big Free Command Line Reference

  Last Friday, my partner in crime at Win10.Guru, Kari Finn, sent me a link to a very interesting document. It comes from the Microsoft Download Center and shows up with very little descriptive ...Continue Reading

• Win10 1803 Sometimes Creates Phantom Recovery Drive

  Thanks to a minor but annoying error, Win10 1803 sometimes creates phantom Recovery Drive during the upgrade process. Here are two easy fixes to make it go away.Continue Reading

• Tune Into PortableApps.com

  If you tune into PortableApps.com and use their platform, you'll find a great way to take tools, utilities and applications with you onto any PC. Great stuff!Continue Reading

• Conquer the end-user productivity balancing act

  Keeping users productive is one of the most critical jobs IT pros have. But there are some hurdles to jump, including understanding the risks with collaboration tools.Continue Reading

• Finding Windows Defender Security About Info

  It turns out that finding Windows Defender Security About info is a little convoluted, but checking its Settings will point you in the right direction.Continue Reading

• Are you prepared for a Windows 10 transition?

  When IT executes a transition to Windows 10, it must understand all the potential pitfalls inherent in an OS migration. Quiz yourself to see if you are ready for this challenge.Continue Reading

• Four Windows 10 built-in security features to know

  IT needs an effective plan to maximize security for Windows 10 and get the most out of its built-in features.Continue Reading

• Maximize PC lifespans with effective PC lifecycle management

  Effectively managing PC lifecycles can lead to significant cost savings via prudent distribution of high-performance hardware and purchasing new devices only when it is critical.Continue Reading

• Intel Excludes Older CPUs from Spectre Updates

  Intel excludes older CPUs from Spectre updates. I summarize the charts to identify newly-added microcode updates, and CPUs for which updates will not be available.Continue Reading

• Support for Macs in the enterprise: Three factors to consider

  There's no way around it: Many users just love Apple products. IT pros that want to support Macs in the workplace must take into account several considerations.Continue Reading

• KB4089848 Poses Widely Reported Win10 Problems

  With oodles and scads of users reporting issues, KB4089848 poses widely reported Win10 problems that occur often enough and with severity sufficient to make it advisable to block this update outright.Continue Reading

• Script Out Your Win10 Build History Using PowerShell

  A nifty pair of carefully crafted commands let you script out your Win10 build history using PowerShell for each PC you run it on.Continue Reading

• Reducing Win10 Upgrade Offline Time

  MS says a key goal in improving feature upgrades is reducing Win10 upgrade offline time. Personally, I find their current list of upgrade/install steps more informative.Continue Reading

• Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10

  Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10 means knowing that those files capture user profile settings and preferences, and are best left alone and untouched for proper OS operation.Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft Near Share for browser file sharing work?

  Microsoft Edge, Windows 10's default browser, includes a file-sharing tool called Near Share, which is helpful, if not truly groundbreaking.Continue Reading

• Check Current Win10 for In-place Upgrade Repair

  If you carefully check current Win10 for in-place upgrade repair, you'll be able to choose and download the proper ISO to attempt such repairs every time, without fail.Continue Reading

• MS Offers New Spectre Updates

  As MS offers new Spectre updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog, I realize that it's going to be a long slog to get those vulnerabilities patches on all my PCs.Continue Reading

• MS Foils Coin Mining Compelling Telemetry Case

  Through clever and effective use of telemetry data, AI and machine learning, MS foils coin mining in a big way in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.Continue Reading

• How to take advantage of SCCM and Intune co-management

  IT can combine Microsoft Intune and System Center Configuration Manager to manage users' mobile devices, as well as any legacy systems in its network.Continue Reading

• Day 1: Global Microsoft MVP Summit

  During Day 1: Global Microsoft MVP Summit I learn that proper feedback is the real reason why Microsoft operates the Insider program, and provide tips on how to provide quality feedback on Windows.Continue Reading

• MS Offers Spectre Meltdown Updates Via Catalog

  Is is because OEM are taking too long to pony up that MS offers Spectre Meltdown updates via catalog downloads? I don't know, but I'm glad somebody's doing something!Continue Reading

• Firmware Update Proceeds at Glacial Pace

  Given that the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities created such a furor, one can only observe that the attendant firmware update Proceeds at glacial pace.Continue Reading

• Win7 Still Activates Win10 2/27/18

  After skipping key entry on a clean Windows 10 install, I learn that Win7 Still Validates Win10 for activation. Woo hoo: my sister's HP Pavilion Dv6 is back in action.Continue Reading

• How to establish Windows 10 security baselines

  IT should consider following Microsoft's Windows 10 security recommendations in the Security Compliance Toolkit to better protect the operating system.Continue Reading

• Can IT make the transition to Windows 10 smooth for users?

  IT can take a few steps to make the move to Windows 10 easier on users, including considering an in-place upgrade and holding off on any other major changes.Continue Reading

• Three PC lifecycle management options IT should consider

  IT pros can use PCs and laptops until they stop working, or they can set up a lifecycle management plan that retires them after a certain period of time.Continue Reading

• Skip Product Key When Sysprepping Win10

  To skip Product Key when Sysprepping Win10, you must supply a generic product key instead. Here's a list of same to use.Continue Reading

• Intel Now Advises Against Installing Spectre Patches!

  Because of widely-reported issues with reboots and system stability, Intel now advises against installing Spectre patches!Continue Reading

• OneDrive File Attributes Uncovered

  A careful look at help information leads to new OneDrive File attributes uncovered, and a better understanding of how OnDemand files work.Continue Reading

• MDT PS Wizard Covers MS Deployment Toolkit Wizards

  Damien Van Robaeys excellent MDT PS Wizard covers MS Deployment Toolkit wizards within the pleasing GUI of a single, comprehensive scripted environment. Great stuff!Continue Reading

• Win10 PC Brick-Avoidance Techniques

  When updating BIOSes or firmware, or upgrading Windows 10, it's wise to practice Win10 PC brick-avoidance techniques.Continue Reading

• Undoing 7Zip ISO Association

  Undoing 7Zip ISO association means right-clicking, choosing "Open with", selecting File Explorer, and checking the "Always use" box.Continue Reading

• Win10 Settings System Storage Sense File Clean-up

  The Win10 Settings System Storage Sense file clean-up provides a UWP method for reclaiming potentially unneeded disk space. Check it out!Continue Reading

• Net User Command Controls User Access Hours

  Properly used, the Net User command controls user access hours for Windows users with surprising flexibility and reach.Continue Reading

• CapsLock Indicator Shows Key States

  Jonas Kohl's excellent, compact utility CapsLock Indicator shows key states for Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys onscreen in the taskbar.Continue Reading

• When Updating Drivers Check Vendor Support

  When updating drivers check vendor support is a truism that provides insight (and driver files) for all kinds of Windows devices and components.Continue Reading

• Adguard Offers Win10 ISO Alternative

  Adguard offers Win10 ISO alternative source for downloads, and includes evaluations and MS Office ISOs as well.Continue Reading

• More MEI Weirdness

  When I install what I think is a fix for a recent Management Engine (MEI) vulnerability, I encounter more MEI weirdness.Continue Reading

• How to use Sysprep to install a custom Windows 10 image

  Walk through the process of adding custom software, apps and assets to your Windows 10 image in audit mode.Continue Reading

• Default Switch Makes Hyper-V Networking Dead Simple

  The predefined Default Switch makes Hyper-V networking dead simple in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update aka Version 1709.Continue Reading

• Another Intel ME Security Flaw Discovered

  As details surrounding another Intel ME security flaw discovered emerge, it's time to grab a detection tool. If you're affected a BIOS fix is needed.Continue Reading

• Win10 Full Flash Update

  Full Flash Update's FFUTOOL.exe works with DISM to apply Windows images to target drives (and PCs) faster and more reliably than either WIM or VHD.Continue Reading

• New Win10 Means New MCT

  Because a new Win10 means new MCT too, the safest way to use the Media Creation Tool is always to download a fresh copy.Continue Reading

• Get to know the latest Windows 10 security updates

  The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update brings new features to the OS, including in the realm of security. Windows Hello includes user-proximity signals now, for example.Continue Reading

• How modern application delivery affects IT infrastructure

  When it comes to application deployment, IT must rethink its back-end infrastructure decisions in the face of modern apps.Continue Reading

• Bogus Win10 Printer Update Alerts

  Those using deployment tools that automate Windows Update checks may see bogus Win10 Printer update alerts for PDF and XPS printer drivers.Continue Reading

• Turn Off IE Edge Ad

  For Creators Update versions of Win10 you can turn off IE Edge ad with a simple group policy edit tweak.Continue Reading

• Five Windows 10 security tips to know

  It is vital that IT understand the top Windows 10 security tips to protect corporate data and users from lurking cyber threats.Continue Reading

• Win10 ISO Mount Trick

  When double-clicking an ISO file in Windows Explorer fails to mount it as a virtual disk drive, a Win10 ISO mount trick is necessary (and described herein).Continue Reading

• Follow the definitive Windows 10 migration checklist

  Making the move to Windows 10 can be complicated unless IT follows some critical steps, including verifying application compatibility and training its users in the new OS.Continue Reading

• Rolling Build 1709 Out

  When it comes to rolling Build 1709 out, admins and power users will find lots of options available to upgrade Win10 PCs. The phased rollout is rolling faster, too.Continue Reading

• Win10 Build 1709 Unleashed

  With the Win10 Build 1709 unleashed on 10/17/17, there's no reason for IT pros not to grab and install a copy so they can kick the tires and start thinking about migration.Continue Reading

• Fall Creators Update Gets Simultaneous ADK

  For Windows 10, the Fall Creators Update Gets Simultaneous ADK (Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit) access when the new release goes live on October 17.Continue Reading

• Build 1709 Gains Easier Update Log Access

  The next upcoming Win10 release Build 1709 gains easier Update log access, thanks to automatic symbol resolution for event trace log files.Continue Reading

• Will IT ever untie from legacy systems?

  Digital transformation shouldn't just mean loosening ties with old systems. IT departments and businesses themselves must get out of their comfort zones, invest in cloud services and focus on user ...Continue Reading

• New Reflect Needs New Rescue Media

  With a new major version out, Macrium's new Reflect needs new Rescue Media. Don't forget to update existing such media, or to create fresh new media.Continue Reading

• Device Cleanup Tool Works

  Uwe Sieber's excellent Device Cleanup Tool works like a charm to display and remove unwanted or missing Windows device drivers.Continue Reading

• Driver Store Explorer Shows Driver File Names

  Because Driver Store Explorer shows driver file names you can use it to target updates explicitly when Device Manager can't find them by itself.Continue Reading

• Chocolatey Windows Package Manager

  The Chocolatey Windows Package Manager works with PowerShell to provide hands-off installation of over 5,000 applications.Continue Reading

• Virtualization Means CPU Microcode Matters

  Virtualization means CPU microcode matters; it also means that if BIOS updates don't address microcode issues, manual updates may be needed.Continue Reading

• Businesses Should Wait On Fall Creators Update

  With the next release scheduled for October 17 or thereabouts, businesses should wait on Fall Creators Update for deployment.Continue Reading

• Add Precision Touchpad Drivers Anywhere

  With the right technique, you can add Precision Touchpad drivers anywhere on any device with a Synaptics or Elan touchpad.Continue Reading

• PowerShell Illuminates System Components

  Among it myriad of capabilities, PowerShell illuminates system components in scripts and in its command-line interface.Continue Reading

• Build Install ISO for Current Win10 Image

  To build Install ISO for current Win10 image requires careful, crafty use of readily available Windows tools and media.Continue Reading

• Configure surefire Windows 10 security settings

  It is possible for IT administrators to create a close-to-perfect Windows 10 security setup, as long as they know where to look and what tools to use.Continue Reading

• LockHunter Reports Locked Windows Files

  The freeware utility LockHunter reports locked Windows files, and provides various ways to unlock or delete them. Exercise care when using the tool to avoid self-inflicted harm.Continue Reading

• MS Stops Insider Preview Issues Lists

  With the Fall Creators Update weeks away from public release, MS stops Insider Preview issues lists in its release notes. I hope this is only temporary.Continue Reading

• Office 32-bit versus 64-bit

  In exploring Office 32-bit versus 64-bit versions, it seems that "small is beautiful" applies, or perhaps better guarantees of backward compatibility prevail.Continue Reading

• MS Press Samples Autoruns Coverage

  In its August round-up blog post, MS Press samples Autoruns coverage in the free chapter from the Sysinternals Troubleshooting book. Good stuff!Continue Reading

• Win10 PowerShell Chkdsk Alternative

  For most command-line program's there's a PowerShell alternative. The Win10 PowerShell Chkdsk alternative is named Repair-Volume.Continue Reading

• Great Win10 Date/Time Calendar Trick

  Once again, Ed Bott strikes gold as he explains a great Win10 Date/Time Calendar trick: fast, easy, and instantly available.Continue Reading

• Set up a virtual hard disk and perform a Windows 10 dual boot

  Dual booting Windows 10 can come in handy in a variety of ways. The process requires that IT knows how to build a virtual hard disk and install Windows 10 on it.Continue Reading

• Numbering Decimal Versus Binary Bytes

  When it comes to numbering Decimal versus Binary bytes for disk sizes, what drive manufacturers claim to deliver is more than what shows up when a drive gets mounted.Continue Reading

• MVA Offers Free Win10 Security Course

  Thanks to the MS Learning email blast, I can report that MVA offers free Win10 security course. Over 2-1/2 hours of free video training, in fact.Continue Reading

• Using MS Search Effectively

  For many users the secret to using MS Search effectively comes from selectively indexing file contents as well as file properties. Here's how!Continue Reading

• How IT can address the cybersecurity skills gap

  Many organizations lack top-flight cybersecurity skills in the IT department, but with the right focus on the basics, they can still keep Windows 10 safe.Continue Reading