Microsoft Windows software
Microsoft Windows is the most successful and ubiquitous enterprise software product ever created, and its future developments affect nearly every IT manager in some way. Browse all the latest news and analysis about Microsoft Windows software and the issues around buying, implementing and delivering benefits from Windows.
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News
23 Apr 2025
Amid uncertainty, Armis becomes newest CVE numbering authority
Amid an uncertain future for vulnerability research, exposure management company Armis has been given the authority to assign CVE IDs to newly discovered vulnerabilities Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2025
Microsoft at 50: Enterprise IT for the masses
On 4 April 1975, Paul Allen and Bill Gates formed Microsoft, a company that defined the PC era and opened up computing for all Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Apr 2025
What is an executable file (EXE file)?
An executable file (EXE file) is a computer file that contains an encoded sequence of instructions the system executes when the user clicks the file icon. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2025
Microsoft at 50: Enterprise IT for the masses
On 4 April 1975, Paul Allen and Bill Gates formed Microsoft, a company that defined the PC era and opened up computing for all Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Apr 2025
What is Microsoft Windows System Image Manager (SIM)?
Microsoft Windows System Image Manager (SIM) is a tool in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit that IT professionals can use to create and manage unattended setup answer files for Windows before installing the operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Mar 2025
What is Microsoft Outlook?
Microsoft Outlook is an email, contacts and calendar program from Microsoft. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2025
March Patch Tuesday brings 57 fixes, multiple zero-days
The third Patch Tuesday of 2025 brings fixes for 57 flaws and a hefty number of zero-days Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2025
How to perform a factory reset on a Windows 11 desktop
A factory reset may be necessary when a device has performance issues or is set to go to a new user. IT can execute this process in Windows 11 while avoiding unwanted data loss. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Mar 2025
What is BitLocker?
BitLocker Drive Encryption, or BitLocker, is a Microsoft Windows security and encryption feature included with certain Windows versions. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2025
CVE volumes head towards 50,000 in 2025, analysts claim
Many trends, notably a big shift to open source tools, are behind an expected boom in the number of disclosed vulnerabilities Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2025
How to troubleshoot Intune enrollment with Autopilot
Most devices go through Intune Autopilot enrollment without any issues, but when problems arise, IT needs to be ready to act. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Feb 2025
What is Microsoft?
Microsoft is the world's largest vendor of computer software and a leading provider of cloud computing services, video games, computer and gaming hardware, search and other online services. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Feb 2025
Secure software procurement in 2025: A call for accountability
Outgoing CISA chief Jen Easterly called on buyers to demand better security standards from their software suppliers. The Security Think Tank considers what better means, and what best practice for secure software procurement looks like in 2025. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2025
Biggest Patch Tuesday in years sees Microsoft address 159 vulnerabilities
The largest Patch Tuesday of the 2020s so far brings fixes for more than 150 CVEs ranging widely in their scope and severity – including eight zero-day flaws Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Dec 2024
My 2 months switching from Mac to Windows
As a longtime Mac user, I thought it would be worthwhile to try out an extended trial period with Windows. These are my takeaways after two months. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Dec 2024
What is File Allocation Table (FAT)?
File Allocation Table (FAT) is a file system that was developed by Microsoft to support small disks and simple folder structures. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Dec 2024
Using AI to build stronger client relationships in 2025
On the Twelfth Day of AI, we explore the key benefits of Copilot, the potential risks, barriers to adoption, and strategies for ensuring successful implementation. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2024
Top 10 end user computing stories of 2024
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 end user stories of the year, overlooking the growth of new PC form factors and devices equipped with neural processing units for AI acceleration Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2024
7 steps to fix a black screen in Windows 11
A black screen can be a symptom of several issues with a Windows 11 desktop. Knowing where to look for the source of the problem can simplify the troubleshooting process. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2024
Dangerous CLFS and LDAP flaws stand out on Patch Tuesday
Microsoft has fixed over 70 CVEs in its final Patch Tuesday update of the year, and defenders should prioritise a zero-day in the Common Log File System Driver, and another impactful flaw in the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2024
Microsoft Ignite: A $4m zero-day reward plus $349 thin client
A $4m cyber hackathon prize was revealed at Ignite as part of Microsoft’s latest IT security efforts, as well as a new locked-down client device called Windows 365 Link Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2024
Microsoft fixes 89 CVEs on penultimate Patch Tuesday of 2024
High-profile vulns in NTLM, Windows Task Scheduler, Active Directory Certificate Services and Microsoft Exchange Server should be prioritised from November’s Patch Tuesday update Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Oct 2024
Microsoft ushers in a new era of secure printing
Microsoft is ushering in a new era of secure printing with the biggest change to the Windows print stack in more than 20 years. On 1 October 2024, Microsoft launched Windows Protected Print Mode ... Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2024
AI becomes Microsoft’s fastest-growing business
Artificial intelligence has delivered $10bn to Microsoft’s bottom line, but the business is not in cloud GPUs for third-party inference engines Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2024
Five zero-days to be fixed on October Patch Tuesday
Stand-out vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s latest Patch Tuesday drop include problems in Microsoft Management Console and the Windows MSHTML Platform Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Sep 2024
The cyber industry needs to accept it can't eliminate risk
The Computer Weekly Security Think Tank panel considers incident response in the wake of the July CrowdStrike incident, sharing their views on what CrowdStrike got wrong, what it did right, and next steps Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2024
CrowdStrike apologises to US government for global mega-outage
CrowdStrike executive Adam Meyers appears before a US government committee to explain the series of errors that led directly to one of the biggest IT outages in history Continue Reading
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News
23 Sep 2024
Microsoft shares progress on Secure Future Initiative
Microsoft has published a progress report on its Secure Future Initiative, launched last year in the wake of multiple security incidents, and made a series of commitments to improve its internal cyber culture Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2024
September Patch Tuesday: Update before 1 October
Four critical remote code execution bugs in Windows and three critical elevated privileges vulnerabilities will keep admins busy Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2024
Popular Microsoft apps for Mac at risk of code injection attacks
Researchers at Cisco Talos turn up evidence suggesting that Microsoft apps running on the Apple macOS operating system are not as secure as they seem Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2024
August Patch Tuesday proves busy with six zero-days to fix
Microsoft patches six actively exploited zero-days among over 100 issues during its regular monthly update Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2024
Microsoft and CrowdStrike hit back at Delta’s legal threats
Microsoft and CrowdStrike have rejected claims by Delta Air Lines that it was left high and dry amid thousands of flight cancellations during July’s software outage, accusing the airline of ignoring their offers of help and running out-of-date IT systems Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2024
Chinese cyber attack sparks alert over six-year-old MS vuln
After a proof-of-concept for a six-year-old Microsoft vulnerability emerged in a Chinese APT attack chain, defenders should be on the look-out for exploitation of CVE-2018-0824 Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2024
CrowdStrike shareholders sue, alleging false security claims
A US pension fund is lining up a lawsuit against CrowdStrike, claiming the cyber company lied about the integrity of its systems, leading to failings that caused a worldwide IT outage Continue Reading
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E-Zine
30 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike blue screen bug serves a stark warning
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we analyse the lessons from the global IT outage caused by the blue screen bug in CrowdStrike security software. We talk to the data chief of Barilla, the €4bn pasta maker, about the benefits of asking, “So what?” And we find out how Finland is taking a lead on quantum computing. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike update chaos explained: What you need to know
A botched software update at cyber security firm CrowdStrike has caused IT chaos around the world. Learn more about the global CrowdStrike update outage as it develops Continue Reading
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Video
29 Jul 2024
An explanation of the CrowdStrike outage
A botched CrowdStrike update triggered a massive outage, affecting airlines, healthcare, banking and transit. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2024
Scam CrowdStrike domains growing in volume
Hundreds of malicious domains exploiting CrowdStrike’s branding are appearing all over the web in the wake of the 19 July outage. Experts from Akamai share some noteworthy examples, along with guidance on how to avoid getting caught out Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike says most Falcon sensors now up and running
The vast majority of CrowdStrike Falcon sensors affected by a coding error have now been recovered, with a final resolution expected this week Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2024
Why is CrowdStrike allowed to run in the Windows kernel?
Microsoft has pointed the finger at EU regulators, blaming them for a ruling that means it needs to offer third parties access to the core Windows OS Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike blames outage on content configuration update
CrowdStrike publishes the preliminary findings of what will be a lengthy investigation into the root causes of the failed 19 July update that caused Windows computers to crash all over the world Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike reveals Windows weakness
The bug that impacted 8.5m PCs last week was, says, CrowdStrike due to an update it refers to as “Rapid Response Content”, which is delivered as a “template instance”. This is data stored in a ... Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2024
Why did CrowdStrike cause the Windows Blue Screen?
The ‘blue screen of death’ signals a catastrophic Windows failure, which is exactly what many people faced on 19 July 2024 – but why did it happen? Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike chaos shows risks of concentrated ‘big IT’
The concentration of so much mission-critical technology in the hands of a few large suppliers makes incidents like the Microsoft-CrowdStrike outage all the more dangerous Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2024
Global Microsoft outage hits NHS GP IT system
The Emis Web IT system used by more than half of GP practices in the UK is down, following the worldwide Microsoft outage Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2024
What happens when the IT infrastructure is too big to fail?
Today’s global outage of Microsoft is rapidly sending shockwaves across all sectors, demonstrating the risk of having a single point of failure Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2024
CrowdStrike security update fails Windows PCs globally
An update to the security firm’s Falcon service has led to many Windows users being unable to work this morning. Microsoft 365 is also affected Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2024
How to plan a Windows 11 upgrade project
The process of an upgrade to Windows 11 -- or any new desktop OS -- is a massive undertaking. IT professionals must plan out each phase carefully and test the system thoroughly. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2024
Schools hit with cost hike as free Microsoft licences end
The A1 Plus academic licence, which gave teachers and pupils access to the Microsoft productivity suite, stops in August Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2024
Hyper-V zero-day stands out on a busy Patch Tuesday
Microsoft has fixed almost 140 vulnerabilities in its latest monthly update, with a Hyper-V zero-day singled out for urgent attention Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jun 2024
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a Windows server role that can plan, manage and deploy updates, service packs, patches and hotfixes for Windows servers, client operating systems (OSes) and other Microsoft software. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jun 2024
Group Policy
Group Policy is a management feature in Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) that enables network and system administrators to configure and assign user and computer settings in an AD environment. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2024
Black Basta ransomware crew may be exploiting Microsoft zero-day
A Microsoft vulnerability that was addressed without fanfare in March may in fact have been exploited as a zero-day by the notorious Black Basta ransomware gang, threat hunters warn Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Jun 2024
Drilling into data to help the UK’s energy transition
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how data is accelerating the UK’s energy transition to net zero. With Windows 10 support ending next year, we examine the issues around preparing to upgrade to Windows 11. And we explore the key considerations when deploying artificial intelligence infrastructure to harness its full potential. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jun 2024
An IT admin’s guide: Windows 10 end of support explained
In this guide, we look at what issues end user computing IT teams need to consider when migrating from Microsoft Windows 10 to Windows 11 Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2024
The challenges of supporting Copilot+ PCs in the enterprise
Windows PCs generally use x86 compatible hardware, with Intel or AMD processors. Microsoft is now propelling Windows on Arm for AI Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2024
IT strategy: Supporting a distributed workforce
The idea of supporting hybrid or fully remote workers has changed the dynamics of end-user computing support. We explore the challenges Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2024
Critical SharePoint, Qakbot-linked flaws focus of May Patch Tuesday
A critical SharePoint vulnerability warrants attention this month, but it is another flaw that seems to be linked to the infamous Qakbot malware that is drawing attention Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2024
Microsoft beefs up cyber initiative after hard-hitting US report
Microsoft is expanding its recently launched Secure Future Initiative in the wake of a hard-hitting US government report on recent nation state intrusions into its systems Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2024
Microsoft sees datacentre investments key to AI leadership
Microsoft is reportedly spending between $50 to $100m to build out AI infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2024
Patch Tuesday: Windows Server 2008 receives emergency security patch
Support for the OS ended in 2020, but four years on and there's a live exploit of a security flaw that impacts all Windows users Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2024
March Patch Tuesday throws up two critical Hyper-V flaws
Two critical vulnerabilities in Windows Hyper-V stand out on an otherwise unremarkable Patch Tuesday Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Windows 11: Not as big a priority in EMEA compared with North America
Survey shows that IT decision-makers are prioritising desktop productivity and PC refreshes this year, with more in the US prioritising spending on PCs and Windows 11 upgrades Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Feb 2024
Microsoft’s ‘unfair’ cloud licensing under scrutiny
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine claims that Microsoft’s licensing policies are damaging competition in the cloud. Our latest buyer’s guide asks if hybrid cloud is now CIOs’ end goal, and not just an interim step on the journey. And we look at how the focus on customer experience is impacting the unified communications market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Feb 2024
How does Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing and licensing work?
Getting access to Copilot for Microsoft 365 may be a simple process or almost completely unfeasible at this time, depending on the organization that wants to deploy it. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2024
Microsoft patches two zero-days for Valentine’s Day
Two security feature bypasses impacting Microsoft SmartScreen are on the February Patch Tuesday docket, among more than 70 issues Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2024
How legal disclosure failures disrupted the Post Office Horizon inquiry
From overly narrow search terms, overzealous deduplication of documents and failed email migrations, poor management of legal discovery has delayed justice for postmasters in the Horizon inquiry Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2024
Windows Kerberos, Hyper-V vulns among January Patch Tuesday bugs
Microsoft starts 2024 right with another slimline Patch Tuesday drop, but there are some critical vulns to be alert to, including a number of man-in-the-middle attack vectors Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Dec 2023
Windows Imaging Format (WIM)
Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is used for the creation and distribution of disk image files. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2023
Microsoft’s Christmas present for cyber teams: no zero-days
Barely 30 vulnerabilities, and no zero-days, have been fixed in the final Patch Tuesday drop of 2023 Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2023
November Patch Tuesday heralds five new MS zero-days
Microsoft pushes fixes for five new zero-days in its latest monthly update Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Oct 2023
Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)
Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool that allows IT administrators to service Windows desktop images and virtual hard disks prior to deployment to users. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Oct 2023
kiosk mode (Windows assigned access)
Kiosk mode is a feature in Windows operating system (OS) that allows a device to run only specified applications and settings. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2023
Using the Intune management extension for PowerShell scripts
Intune and PowerShell have a lot of unique management actions they can take, but with the help of the Intune management extension, they can communicate and manage more efficiently. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Storm-0324 gathers over Microsoft Teams
An initial access broker associated with several different ransomware operations is now conducting Microsoft Teams phishing attacks Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Patch Tuesday: Microsoft fixes zero-days in Word and Streaming Service
September 2023 brings a light Patch Tuesday, with two zero-days and five critical vulnerabilities listed in the latest release Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
Microsoft finds Storm-0558 exploited crash dump to steal signing key
Microsoft has published new information on how the Chinese state threat actor Storm-0558 was able to exploit a rare race condition following a crash dump in order to acquire a consumer signing key Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Aug 2023
Google builds Cameyo app virtualization into ChromeOS
Google removes a significant barrier to ChromeOS adoption by partnering with Cameyo to deliver Windows applications -- SaaS, legacy, custom or otherwise -- natively to Chromebooks. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Aug 2023
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) refers to a set of tools from Microsoft that enable IT administrators to remotely manage roles and features in Windows Server from a computer that is running Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2023
Cameyo offers Windows apps delivery on Chrome devices
The company claims access to Windows and Linux apps without the need to install desktop virtualisation infrastructure and VPNs Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager)
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager) is a set of tools for infrastructure monitoring and application performance management. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Exchange Web Services (EWS)
Microsoft Exchange Web Services (EWS) is an application program interface (API) that lets applications access items in a Microsoft Exchange email mailbox, such as calendars, contacts, and messages. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2023
How to perform an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) migration
An Azure Virtual Desktop migration begins in the planning stages, which should entail weighing the options for moving to AVD, including alternatives to direct migration. Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
Microsoft addresses Office vulnerability attacked by Russian spooks in latest update
Microsoft has issued fixes for over 70 vulnerabilities in its August Patch Tuesday drop, including remedies for CVE-2023-36884, which was disclosed without a fix in July and has been the subject of Kremlin-backed cyber attacks Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2023
NHS trust suspends two governors as whistleblower email dispute continues
Governors at an NHS trust have been suspended after asking questions about emails used to bring a General Medical Council investigation against a whistleblower Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2023
Microsoft attacked over ‘grossly irresponsible’ security practice
The CEO of Tenable has launched a scathing attack on Microsoft, asserting that the organisation is deliberately keeping its Azure cloud customers in the dark about dangerous vulnerabilities and accusing it of a culture of ‘toxic obfuscation’ Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2023
European Commission starts investigation into Microsoft Teams bundling
The commission will investigate if the bundling of Microsoft’s collaboration software with its office productivity suite breaks competition rules Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Jul 2023
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is Microsoft's email, calendaring, contact, scheduling and collaboration platform. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
We have lift off… The opportunities and risks of generative AI
How you can use AI to benefit your business while navigating the risks Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2023
Microsoft’s Nadella sees massive growth opportunity in AI
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella uses his keynote at the company’s Inspire partner conference to discuss the economic potential of artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP)
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) refers to all the group policies applied to a user and computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jul 2023
Microsoft System Center
Microsoft System Center is a suite of software products designed to simplify the deployment, configuration and management of IT infrastructure and virtualized software-defined data centers. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
Microsoft users on high alert over dangerous RCE zero-day
A serious RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Office and Windows is among several zero-days disclosed in Redmond’s July Patch Tuesday update, but this one does not have a patch yet Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2023
Microsoft Windows File Explorer
Microsoft Windows File Explorer is a graphical file management utility for the Windows operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2023
Software spending grows fastest as finance firms spend $652bn on tech in 2023
Banks and investment firms are increasing their spending on IT despite gloomy economic outlook, but priorities have changed Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2023
No zero-days for June Patch Tuesday, but plenty to chew over
On the face of it, Microsoft’s monthly round of updates is a lighter-than-usual load for security teams, with no zero-days in evidence, but there are still plenty of issues needing attention Continue Reading
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Definition
15 May 2023
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA) is a service used to watch and report on application and system health on a Windows computer. Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2023
MS macro-blocking has forced cyber criminals to innovate
One year after Microsoft started blocking VBA and XL4 macros by default, the cyber criminal ecosystem has all but stopped exploiting macros in their attacks. They’re instead innovating at an unprecedented rate Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2023
Secure Boot vulnerability causes Patch Tuesday headache for admins
Applying the fix for a security bypass zero-day affecting the Windows Secure Boot feature will be a long process that will drag into 2024, but for good reason, says Microsoft Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2023
glyph
In information technology, a glyph -- from a Greek word meaning carving -- is a graphic symbol that provides the appearance or form for a character. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2023
Thousands at risk from critical RCE bug in legacy MS service
Thousands of organisations worldwide are at risk from three vulnerabilities – one critical – in a legacy Microsoft service that they may not be aware they are running Continue Reading