News
News
- February 17, 2015
17 Feb'15
Windows 10 adoption will follow smaller, quicker updates
Enterprise adoption of Windows 10 isn't likely to follow the same pattern as for Windows 7, and that's a good thing, writes columnist Brian Madden.
- February 13, 2015
13 Feb'15
Puzzling Intel Chipset Situation
I've been a big fan of the Intel Driver Update Utility for years, especially since the company published the standalone program version (v2.0) in mid-2014. With the introduction of the 10.x.x.x ...
- February 11, 2015
11 Feb'15
KB 3001652 Goes Bad on Update Tuesday
Oho! Yesterday was "Update Tuesday," the second Tuesday of the month. Tuning into Windows Update just after lunch I noticed a big batch of updates (38 on Windows 8.1 systems with MS Office 2013 ...
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- February 09, 2015
09 Feb'15
Windows 8.* Slowly Overtaking XP, 7 Still on TOP
Every now and then, I have to check in over at NetMarketShare.com, to see what's happening with the distribution of desktop OSes that the company detects on the Internet. This morning, I couldn't ...
- February 06, 2015
06 Feb'15
Win10 Gets Smart About Paging Files
In working on a Windows 10 story for SearchEnterpriseDesktop this week, I came to an interesting realization. In Windows 10, MS has finally broken with tradition when it comes to sizing the paging ...
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Sponsored News
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How IT and HR Will Promote Corporate Culture in a Remote-Work Reality
Sponsored by Citrix - The pandemic crisis has fundamentally changed how corporate culture is managed and has created a new need to focus on digital “wellness.” As remote work becomes the norm—in some cases, it’s how the bulk of work is done now—the digital experience becomes a key determinant of how corporate culture is demonstrated and the quality of the employee experience. See More
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The Business Case for Embracing a Modern Endpoint Management Platform
Sponsored by Microsoft - By taking a modern approach to endpoint management, IT teams have an opportunity to reduce complexity, lower costs, make their organizations more secure, enhance the user experience and support the shift to a more distributed workplace whereby teams can be productive anywhere. See More
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Real-world use cases for FlashStack
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Reduce Risk With a Consistent Hybrid Cloud That Strengthens Security and Business Continuity
Sponsored by Dell Technologies - We are at the beginning of a new decade, but some things never change. When it comes to cloud computing, security remains the number one priority for decision-makers across business, IT and cybersecurity functions. See More
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- February 04, 2015
04 Feb'15
Universal Office apps for Win10 Now Up
Drat! It was with interest and curiosity that I jumped up to the Windows Store (beta) a few minutes ago, hoping to download and install the latest so-called "Universal Office apps for Windows 10" ...
- February 03, 2015
03 Feb'15
Next Win Server Release Breaks Lockstep with Win10
Amidst the TechNet blogs let loose last weekend, this interesting little item from the Server & Cloud Blog let it be known that, for the first time since the Windows Vista era, the next release ...
- January 22, 2015
22 Jan'15
Subduing the Wily and Recalcitrant Windows.edb in Win8.1
I am a great fan of checking in on my disks from time to time, especially my system/boot disk, which goes by C: on my system. The last time I fired up WinDirStat on my production system, my eyes ...
- January 19, 2015
19 Jan'15
TechNet Solution Guide Addresses WinDeployment Best Practices
From the "better late than never" school of information sharing, I just found an October 2014 TechNet Solution Guide that many Windows administrators are likely to find captivating. It's entitled ...
- January 17, 2015
17 Jan'15
Seismic Shift in Windows Punditsphere
Huh? What's a "Punditsphere?" Glad you asked! It's the group of industry insiders, experts, gurus, and gadabouts that attach themselves to specific technology platforms, tools, and operating ...
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- January 14, 2015
14 Jan'15
Windows 7 Now Off Mainstream Support
OK folks, here's a transition point for you to note. As of today, January 14, Windows 7 is no longer on mainstream support at Microsoft. Going forward, it will get no new functionality, no new ...
- January 12, 2015
12 Jan'15
Dell Venue 11 Pro Shows Promise of Broadwell Tablets
About two months ago, I purchased a Dell Venue 11 Pro model 7130, when I read that it featured a Broadwell "M" class CPU in a compact 11" format. By the time all was said and done I spent around ...
- January 10, 2015
10 Jan'15
Update Tuesday: Evolving from Advance Notification to myBulletins
For the past year or so, Patch Tuesday has been remonikered Update Tuesday. In a blog post from the Microsoft Security Response Center on Thursday, January 8, Chris Betz discussed the topic of ...
- January 05, 2015
05 Jan'15
CES Is On: Hope the Hype Hits!
Now that the holidays are behind us, and the New Year is unrolling before is, it's time for that annual technology extravaganza known as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), still one of the ...
- January 02, 2015
02 Jan'15
Yes, Virginia: Windows *DOES* Defrag SSDs (Sometimes)
Two persistent myths that attach to SSDs running under "modern" Windows OSes (version 7 and higher) are as follows: (a) defragging such disks is a bad idea (b) Windows doesn't defrag such disks by ...
- September 15, 2014
15 Sep'14
Grab the Latest Sysinternals Suite (FREE)
For those not already in the know, Sysinternals is the name of a former company that's now part of Microsoft that's long been a source for some of the very best Windows monitoring, management, and ...
- August 22, 2014
22 Aug'14
Two-year PC replacement saves cost, raises productivity
IT pros debate whether companies should replace PCs every two years instead of following conventional wisdom of three to four years. In today's world, one size doesn't fit all, and a two-year cycle may work in some cases.
- April 30, 2014
30 Apr'14
Fast moving Microsoft Windows 8.1 update train railroads IT
Microsoft's faster Windows 8.1 update cadence has a major impact on IT pros who don't have time to test applications and third-party software.
- April 01, 2014
01 Apr'14
Why was the Windows XP lifespan so long?
There are many reasons why the Windows XP lifespan lasted longer than those of most operating systems. Our columnist looks at three major reasons.
- March 04, 2014
04 Mar'14
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?
- February 12, 2014
12 Feb'14
Microsoft's cloud initiative, streamlined transition gives hope
Microsoft's cloud transformation to a mobile and services company may be exciting, but can it retain its bread-and-butter enterprise IT customers?
- February 12, 2014
12 Feb'14
Microsoft mobile, cloud strategy hold key to transforming its future
Microsoft is undergoing a transformation to focus on mobile and the cloud, but will the industry continue to stick with the software giant?
- January 16, 2014
16 Jan'14
Windows XP anti-malware support extended until 2015, buys IT time
Microsoft will extend anti-malware support for Windows XP until July 2015, giving a slight reprieve for those who have yet to migrate from the aging OS.
- October 28, 2013
28 Oct'13
Thurrott Previews the Surface Docking Station
The much-awaited and anticipated Surface Docking Station from Microsoft gets a once-over in a recent piece from Paul Thurrot. The piece is entitled "Surface Docking Station: First Impressions and ...
- October 22, 2013
22 Oct'13
Mobile workstations deliver high-end computing power -- for a price
Mobile workstations from Dell, Toshiba and HP pack plenty of computing power and weigh less than their predecessors, but prices may limit adoption.
- October 16, 2013
16 Oct'13
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.
- September 30, 2013
30 Sep'13
Best practices for a Windows XP migration to Windows 7 or Windows 8
Windows XP support ends on April 8, 2014, and businesses that haven't upgraded should follow best practices to move ahead with a Windows XP migration.
- September 20, 2013
20 Sep'13
Ballmer confesses Microsoft mobile device missteps in final financial call
Departing CEO Steve Ballmer admits that Microsoft missed a huge opportunity to be competitive in the now lavishly successful mobile device market.
- August 19, 2013
19 Aug'13
"Run as Administrator" Adds to WinDirStat File Visibility
I've written repeatedly about a great, free SourceForge utility called WinDirStat for this blog over the years. But just this morning, I learned something about the program I didn't know -- namely ...
- August 01, 2013
01 Aug'13
Can Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview entice business users?
Microsoft ships Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview on the heels of Windows 8.1 Preview and Windows RT 8.1 Preview updates.
- July 29, 2013
29 Jul'13
Lines between tablets, notebooks and ultra-mobile PCs blur
How does a tablet differ from a notebook or an ultra-mobile PC? Here's how to determine which is which.
- June 11, 2013
11 Jun'13
In mobile device era, Hewlett-Packard recommits to PCs at HP Discover
IT pros are encouraged by Hewlett Packard's new support services plan for PCs, but would like to see mobile devices from the company.
- June 06, 2013
06 Jun'13
Rufus Beats Windows 7 USB Download Tool, Hands Down
These days ultrabooks and tablets make DVDs passé for Windows installs. UFDs (USB Flash Drives, that is) are the way to go. I'd discovered the free Microsoft Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool at the ...
- April 15, 2013
15 Apr'13
Standardizing on Windows tablet PCs to simplify device management
The enterprise can learn a thing or two about managing mobile devices from the education industry's standardization on Windows-based tablet PCs.
- April 05, 2013
05 Apr'13
Is a subscription for Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus too much change?
To guarantee its revenue stream, Microsoft must convince businesses that subscribing to Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus is worth the monthly cost.
- March 28, 2013
28 Mar'13
Microsoft hints at Windows Blue agenda, speeds Windows updates
Microsoft finally acknowledges Windows Blue, but is not forthcoming with details on the initiative's operating system updates.
- March 08, 2013
08 Mar'13
Enterprise IT shops put off Windows 8 migrations
Windows 8 migrations have stalled as IT shops grapple with decisions over hardware and software upgrade costs, Windows security issues and more.
- October 25, 2012
25 Oct'12
Microsoft's latest 'bet the farm' operating system wager debuts
Windows 8 will finally launch this week, but whether IT pros embrace it remains to be seen.
- September 17, 2012
17 Sep'12
SATA II ICH10R vs. SATA III Marvel 9128 Controllers
Last week, after upgrading my 119 GB (actual) SATA II OCZ Vertex-2 SSD to a 167 GB (actual) SATA III Intel 520 SSD, I quickly realized that the SATA III Marvell 9128 controller on my Asus P6X58D-E ...
- May 27, 2012
27 May'12
Dealing with the "Bezel Issue" and Windows 8
Almost any of the touchscreens you might buy today (especially those offered at more reasonable prices) will have bezels around the edge. By definition, a bezel forms a raised edge around the ...
- October 21, 2011
21 Oct'11
Turn off Random IPv6 Address Generation in Windows 7
If you read this blog regularly, you already know that a team of authors -- including Jeff Carrell (the lead), James Pyles, Tom Lancaster, Mark Mirrotto, and myself -- are reworking a college ...
- September 19, 2011
19 Sep'11
The Real Secret Behind SLAT and Hyper-V for Windows 8
So now that I've been introduced to Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) as a requirement for Hyper-V on the upcoming release of Windows 8 (see my recent blog on this discovery at edtittel.com: ...
- July 27, 2011
27 Jul'11
Auto-Update for KB2310138 Spreads Consternation for MSE Users
OK, so if you're running Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) installed then you must figure out what to do with an update that Microsoft pushed yesterday in its increasingly typical "2nd Patch ...
- January 05, 2011
05 Jan'11
Visio 2010: An improvement over 2007, but still flawed
The latest version of Microsoft's diagramming program offers a plethora of new features -- and reintroduces a former flaw.
- October 19, 2010
19 Oct'10
Creating an IT admin's PowerShell toolbox
The PowerShell scripting tool in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 should be the staple of any IT administrator's toolbox. Learn how it can help you.
- October 19, 2010
19 Oct'10
Microsoft counters Google Apps with Office 365
Checkmate! Microsoft hopes its Office 365 online software suite will help retain customers considering a move to Google Apps.
- June 22, 2010
22 Jun'10
"Please Wait" Can Mean "Wait Forever..."
According to MS KB Article 983551 (6/10/2010; Rev: 2.0) some computers running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 can freeze at the "Please wait" display that precedes appearance of the desktop on ...
- May 12, 2010
12 May'10
Beware the TDSS Rootkit Removal Tool!!!
In the latest (May 2010) issue of Virus Bulletin, I read Alisa Shevchencko's story "TDSS Infections - Quarterly Report" with some interest and a lively appreciation of the TDSS rootkit malware and ...
- April 13, 2010
13 Apr'10
Google makes Docs more like Microsoft Office
Google Docs is getting better in some ways, but in other ways, Office still rules. Collaboration features remain strong, but Office 2010 is just around the corner.
- February 21, 2010
21 Feb'10
Making SSDs Work on Windows 7
By now, everybody's aware of the speed and power consumption or battery life benefits that solid state drives (SSDs) can confer on desktop and notebook PCs, respectively — at least, for those ...
- September 14, 2009
14 Sep'09
Eight is too many characters for strong passwords
Passwords that are eight characters long are easily cracked. Learn how a seven-character complex password can provide better security, and passphrases can be stronger still.
- February 21, 2006
21 Feb'06
Learning Guide: End-user education
With changes occurring so frequently in the computer world, especially the world of computer security, it is difficult for anybody outside of the IT industry to keep up with all of the latest security information that they need. That's where the ...
- August 03, 2005
03 Aug'05
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 ...
- May 08, 2005
08 May'05
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.
- January 13, 2005
13 Jan'05
10 tips in 10 minutes: Password policy considerations
The following 10 quick tips offer expert advice on password policy considerations, from educating users on the importance of a password policy to enforcing minimum length passwords.
- December 21, 2004
21 Dec'04
Definition of Microsoft patches
Find out what types of new code introductions are included in Microsoft patch management in this book excerpt from Chapter 1 of "The complete patch management book."
- October 22, 2004
22 Oct'04
Close all unused ports
This excerpt from "The administrator shortcut guide to patch management" describes how to restrict traffic by only allowing it through certain firewall ports.