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.
-
News
04 Aug 2020
Nordic enterprises look for SAP price reductions as they navigate Covid-19
Businesses in the Nordics are using SAP Cloud Platform to address Covid-19 challenges and are also seeking price reductions Continue Reading
-
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
-
News
17 May 2018
Why Microsoft's AI is about helping anyone's intelligent agent
Microsoft believes businesses need to be connected to AI innovation. The way it wants to achieve this is through its AI platform for developers Continue Reading
-
News
08 May 2018
Build 2018: Microsoft addresses the role of Windows in mobile-first era
Windows 10 Phone may be dead, but now Microsoft wants to make Windows 10 the best partner operating system for smartphones Continue Reading
-
News
08 May 2018
Nadella opens Build 2018 with cross-platform push
Microsoft’s developer conference has kicked off with a renewed focus on making Microsoft products and services work well with other offerings Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 May 2018
Four Windows 10 migration tools to consider
With the right tools -- such as the Windows ADK or MAP -- at their disposal, IT pros can take some of the headaches out of a move to Windows 10. Continue Reading
-
News
01 May 2018
Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 focuses on IT admins
While it will stop those annoying taskbar InBox and social media messages, at the heart of the April 2018 Windows 10 update is an effort to simplify management Continue Reading
-
News
30 Apr 2018
Security industry welcomes NHS move to Windows 10
Representatives of the security industry have welcomed the announcement that the NHS will be migrating to Windows 10 as part of a multi-million pound deal with Microsoft, but warn that the move will not be without its challenges Continue Reading
-
News
27 Apr 2018
Microsoft releases Windows 10 security pack
Microsoft has released a download pack that incorporates NCSC guidance to save UK companies weeks of work to secure Windows 10 and comply with government guidelines Continue Reading
-
News
27 Apr 2018
GDPR: Put your data in Azure cloud, says Microsoft chief
Tech giant reports strong growth in its cloud business in third-quarter 2018 fiscal results Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
26 Apr 2018
The life of macro
Kanye West’s recent Twitter meltdown, in which he professed his love for Donald Trump, has seen many fans turn on him, but our interest lies more with his denunciation of Microsoft Excel. The ... Continue Reading
-
News
23 Apr 2018
Executive interview: Werner Knoblich, Red Hat
Red Hat is 25 years old. We speak to its European chief about how open source, containers and hybrid cloud computing represent the foundation for IT Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
20 Apr 2018
Growth mindset lets Microsoft love Linux
Timed to coincide with the RSA security conference, Microsoft has announced Azure Sphere, a new solution for creating highly-secured, Internet-connected microcontroller devices. But there's a bit ... Continue Reading
-
News
09 Apr 2018
Security professionals admit patching is getting harder
Vulnerable systems need patching to avoid being attacked by security exploits, yet many businesses find it hard to apply patches quick enough Continue Reading
-
News
09 Apr 2018
US tax cuts and dollar’s decline propel datacentre spending
Gartner’s latest spending forecast shows the strongest growth in IT spending, which it expects to total $3.7tn in 2018, up 6.2% from 2017 Continue Reading
-
News
05 Apr 2018
Microsoft plans to invest $5bn to boost IoT business
Its vision involves sensor data from IoT devices being processed across a distributed computing infrastructure from the edge to Azure Continue Reading
-
News
29 Mar 2018
UK government secures public sector discounts on Microsoft cloud products to April 2021
Government procurement chiefs have secured ongoing preferential pricing on Microsoft cloud products for the public sector through Digital Transformation Agreement Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
28 Mar 2018
A month with the Google Pixelbook
We assess how well Google's Pixelbook premium Chromebook works in the enterprise Continue Reading
-
News
21 Mar 2018
Microsoft readies Windows Server 2019
As it pushes Azure for the cloud and Azure Stack as an on-premise bridge, Microsoft still believes there is life in Windows Server Continue Reading
-
News
14 Mar 2018
Cost and compliance deter users from public clouds
Hyper-converged server provider Nutanix argues that Azure and AWS are not the best option for running predictable workloads Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Mar 2018
Why the browser is the computer
When he was CEO of Sun Microsystems, Scott McNealy once said that the network is the computer. Today, users spend most of their time in a browser Continue Reading
-
News
12 Mar 2018
Fileless attacks surge as hackers exploit PowerShell scripts
Malicious scripting through Microsoft’s PowerShell IT admin tool is being used to take control of Windows machines and Apple Macs Continue Reading
-
News
07 Mar 2018
Click and collect comes to desk-side IT support
Velocity Smart is a new company hoping to revolutionise desk-side support by removing the need for IT staff to physically visit employees’ desks Continue Reading
-
News
22 Feb 2018
Google calls out Microsoft for failing to fix reported flaw
Google’s Project Zero has gone public with a Windows 10 flaw that Microsoft claimed to have fixed in its February security update Continue Reading
-
News
19 Feb 2018
Prepare for Y2K style Meltdown strategy
The days of fixing the date bug in legacy systems may be long gone, but IT now has as much of an effort mitigating the Spectre/Meltdown processor flaw Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Feb 2018
Chrome OS: Why it may be time to approach desktop IT in a different way
The managed desktop has been running for nearly 20 years. Surely there must be a better way? We investigate Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
15 Feb 2018
How to introduce Chrome OS in the enterprise
We test a corporate desktop IT environment, running on CloudReady, a version of Chrome OS that can run on PCs and Macs Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
02 Feb 2018
Microsoft's challenge for 2018: mindshare & market relevance
Microsoft's revenues are up, but compared to its biggest competitors -- Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook -- its mindshare and perceived market relevance are down. Satya Nadella's Microsoft is ... Continue Reading
-
News
01 Feb 2018
IT Priorities 2018: Where senior IT managers plan to spend their budget
It is the year when IT departments migrate to Windows 10, upgrade to Windows Server 2016, architect microservices and deploy cloud management Continue Reading
-
News
01 Feb 2018
Microsoft results show a distributed computing future
While it has paid a massive US tax bill, the company's results show Microsoft is making progress on its intelligent cloud hybrid strategy Continue Reading
-
News
31 Jan 2018
IT Priorities 2018: Why IT must change its approach to Windows 10
Windows 10 is set to be a top priority for IT departments this year, but it should be seen as more than just a desktop operating system upgrade Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jan 2018
Leak confirms CEO dumped Intel shares after Meltdown and Spectre processor flaw
Leaked document show that Intel’s CEO sold his shares the very day the company told hardware makers of its processor flaw Continue Reading
-
News
25 Jan 2018
Robots are needed to manage the automation robots
The next decade will see robots transform from invisible forces obeying our commands to lifelike objects interacting with humans on a daily basis Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jan 2018
Many councils admit they are not ready to upgrade from Windows 7
With less than two years to go before Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7, a study has found many councils may struggle to meet this deadline Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jan 2018
Demand for cloud services drives increase in IT outsourcing
Cloud services spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa offset a drop in traditional IT outsourcing in 2017 Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre: to patch or not to patch
As IT recoils from the Spectre and Meltdown chip exploits, companies face patches that are incompatible, leading to crashes, reduced performance and lock-ups Continue Reading
-
News
16 Jan 2018
Financial savings just the beginning for CIOs who understand code quality
Businesses need to understand the quality of the code in their applications if they are to avoid unnecessary costs and glitches Continue Reading
-
News
19 Dec 2017
Top 10 enterprise IT in the Nordics stories in 2017
The Nordic region might be best known in IT circles for its startup communities – but it has much more to offer Continue Reading
-
News
06 Dec 2017
Mayor of London opens Bangalore office to strengthen links with Indian businesses
City of London’s office in India’s tech hub aims to promote Indian investment and IT jobs in UK capital Continue Reading
-
Video
28 Nov 2017
Lauri Love: how reformed hackers halted the WannaCry virus
Lauri Love presents a compelling story of the WannaCry malware that nearly brought down the NHS, and the behind the scenes work of former hackers, and security researchers that helped to prevent lives being lost. Love is facing extradition to the US after allegedly taking part in a hacking protest over the death of internet pioneer Aaron Swartz, who faced jail for using a hidden computer to downloading academic journals at MIT. Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
17 Oct 2017
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on empathy and innovation
In this week’s Computer Weekly, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella explains why he has made empathy a key part of technology innovation at the software giant. We examine the latest developments in the debate over the tax status of IT contractors in the public sector and the IR35 reforms they claim are hampering digital government projects. And we ask if an emphasis on creativity will help attract more young people to work in IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Oct 2017
What is the future of Windows Server?
At its annual Ignite event, Microsoft presented a number of features that give an insight into its strategy Continue Reading
-
News
25 Sep 2017
Microsoft Ignite kicks off with cross-platform SQL and on-premise Azure
Microsoft announces completion of cross-platform SQL Server, GDPR compliance for Office 365, plus Azure Stack Continue Reading
-
News
19 Sep 2017
Outlook outage: Microsoft blames European Hotmail downtime on load-balancing fault
Microsoft claims connectivity issues that blighted Outlook and Hotmail users for much of Monday 18 September have now been largely resolved Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
12 Sep 2017
IT transformation takes the lead at Dogs Trust
In this week's Computer Weekly, we speak to the head of IT at the Dogs Trust about its use of cloud computing and data analytics. We also look at the societal challenges of AI and investigate how to get a good Office 365 deal. Plus our buyer's guide checks out DevOps tools. Download the issue now. Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
05 Sep 2017
Dutch startup wants to revolutionise online food shopping
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how Dutch startup Picnic hopes to revolutionise the online food shopping market using artificial intelligence and data analytics. We take a look at the latest updates to Microsoft’s Office 365 cloud-based productivity tools. And we assess the prospects for AMD’s latest line-up of server processors and ask if they can challenge market leader Intel. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Aug 2017
Open source helps Schiphol fly to multi-clouds
Amsterdam airport Schiphol is utilising open source software to create and use a multi-cloud platform with an open API Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
15 Aug 2017
Tech takes the lead in the Tour de France
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how the Tour de France – the world’s greatest bike race - is transforming its relationship with fans thanks to internet of things, data analytics and machine learning technology. We analyse industry reaction to the UK government’s new data protection laws. And our new buyer’s guide looks at Microsoft’s cloud-based Office 365 software suite. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Aug 2017
Integration is key to Office 365’s progress
We look at how Microsoft Office 365 works and how far it has gone towards becoming a platform for integrating other tools Continue Reading
-
News
08 Aug 2017
Top tips to avoid a costly Office 365 subscription bill
The Office 365 cloud-based productivity suite is Microsoft’s next strategic platform. We explore the licensing implications Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
04 Jul 2017
Be better connected in a wireless world
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the latest developments in wireless technology and discover how enterprises can deliver secure and reliable wireless networks for staff and customers. We examine Microsoft’s PowerShell scripting language to understand why it’s become such an important tool for automating system administration. And we ask CIOs what it’s like to cross the divide and work for IT suppliers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Jun 2017
Microsoft admits Windows 10 disables third-party security software
Microsoft has admitted Windows 10 disables some third-party security software, but claims this is purely because of compatibility issues Continue Reading
-
News
21 Jun 2017
Pirated software used to spread malware in APAC
A regional study by a Singapore university has found that counterfeit software distributed through discs and file-sharing networks is plagued by malware Continue Reading
-
News
24 May 2017
SAP aligns with Saudi Arabia’s IT transformation agenda
Global software giant SAP sees an opportunity for its wide portfolio in Saudi Arabia as the Middle Eastern country transforms Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
23 May 2017
Global ransomware attack could be a security wake-up call
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the global WannaCry ransomware attack that struck the NHS and spread across 150 countries – will it be the wake-up call that finally makes organisations take cyber security seriously? We find out how Moscow is leading the way in smart city digitisation. And our latest buyer’s guide examines customer experience management. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
16 May 2017
Introducing Microsoft PowerShell
Real sys admins never use GUI tools. PowerShell offers command line tools for managing and automating Windows servers and Microsoft online services Continue Reading
-
News
15 May 2017
Why IT needs effective monitoring for cloud applications
IaaS and PaaS free up IT from running day-to-day administration tasks, but the cloud can become a black box, limiting visibility Continue Reading
-
News
15 May 2017
How Microsoft is extending the benefits of Office 365
There are now over 100 million corporate users of Office 365, which provides a great developer opportunity. We find out why Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2017
Hotel booking site Trivago powers collaboration with Dropbox
A Slack group and a workshop day helped Trivago deploy Dropbox for Business to 1300 users Continue Reading
-
News
28 Apr 2017
Microsoft chief reveals Azure upsell strategy
Azure competes with AWS on price as an IaaS, but Satya Nadella sees this as a way to get CIOs to buy higher-level services Continue Reading
-
News
27 Feb 2017
Santander bank to work with IBM developing mobile apps for staff
Santander bank wants to make its staff more productive through mobile apps, which it will create alongside IBM Continue Reading
-
News
22 Feb 2017
Microsoft issues critical patches but not for zero days
After missing the monthly security update for 14 February, Microsoft has issued some patches but not for zero-day vulnerabilities despite the availability of exploit code Continue Reading
-
News
13 Feb 2017
Autodata turns to big data to predict vehicle failures
Vehicle data company sees 30% jump in revenue after moving to open source software and opening its data to garages, insurers and parts companies Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jan 2017
Singapore and Indonesia stand out for IT spend in Apac banking sector
Singapore is the top spender on IT for banking of all developed economies in the Apac region, while Indonesia has the fastest growth rate in IT spending Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
17 Jan 2017
RAC digitises driver assistance
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we speak to the RAC about its modernisation initiative, where it is using Microsoft Azure to digitise older cars and gather real-time data to alert members of faults before they result in roadside breakdowns. We also look at how a lack of diversity in organisations is costing the UK economy money, and how attacks against IoT devices are highlighting the vulnerabilities of specific devices but failing to provide a complete picture of the security challenges. Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 Jan 2017
Secure IoT before it kills us
Experts say more must be done to mitigate the potentially catastrophic threats presented by connected devices Continue Reading
-
News
05 Dec 2016
Top 10 ANZ enterprise IT stories of 2016
Here is a rundown of Computer Weekly’s most popular ANZ enterprise IT articles for 2016 Continue Reading
-
News
23 Nov 2016
Case study: How the RAC is digitising roadside assistance
The RAC, an organisation steeped in tradition, is on a modernisation drive. We look at how Microsoft Azure is helping it digitise older cars Continue Reading
-
News
16 Nov 2016
UK almost bottom of OECD pile for ICT investment
The UK ranks low in terms of how much it invests in the ICT infrastructure as a proportion of GDP Continue Reading
-
News
15 Nov 2016
Amber Rudd orders Lauri Love extradition to US to face hacking charges
Engineering student Lauri Love faces trials in three US states and a possible 99-year jail sentence for allegedly hacking into US government computer systems as part of a political protest, despite concerns over his health Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
13 Oct 2016
Windows Server 2016: A first look
Windows Server 2016 is a major release of Microsoft's server operating system, with more changes than in Windows Server 2012 R2 back in 2013 Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
04 Oct 2016
How Microsoft aims to tackle information overload
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we hear from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about how the software giant wants to use cloud, machine learning and innovative datacentre technologies to open up access to information. Our new buyer’s guide looks at the emerging trend of network function virtualisation. And we examine the role of blockchain in cloud data security. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
22 Sep 2016
Computer Weekly 50th anniversary special
It’s been 50 years since Computer Weekly's launch on 22 September 1966. To mark this achievement, we have compiled a special edition of the magazine to reflect on how much the British technology industry has contributed over that time – and, of course, to celebrate our role in keeping IT professionals in touch with those developments – week-in, week-out, for half a century. Read this 100-page anniversary special now. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Sep 2016
Bank IT spending to hit $241bn across four major global regions
IT spending across four major economic regions will increase by around 4% in 2016, but Europe is the least certain Continue Reading
-
News
07 Sep 2016
MoD becomes first tenant in Microsoft's UK Azure datacentre
Microsoft’s UK Azure cloud is now fully operational, offering Azure cloud services and Office 365 Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
31 Aug 2016
CW ASEAN: Small businesses dive into SaaS
In this month’s CW ASEAN, we look at why companies in Southeast Asia are embracing cloud. Increasingly, companies in the region are using the cloud by putting their applications there. Why is the cloud so compelling? What is the profile of these ASEAN companies? And what is it they are choosing to shift to the cloud? Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
23 Aug 2016
Projected gains: Odeon and UCI cinemas adopt hybrid cloud
In this issue, we profile Odeon and UCI Cinemas Group’s use of hybrid cloud as part of a digital transformation programme aimed at enhancing customer experience and staving off competition from on-demand streaming. We also look at the summertime game of musical chairs at the Government Digital Service, and at 50 years of business software. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Aug 2016
How Action for Children improved IT service delivery
Children's charity Action for Children has rolled out Citrix remote access on tablets and is using ITIL to drive IT efficiencies Continue Reading
-
News
20 Jul 2016
Microsoft reports strong quarter driven by cloud
Microsoft reports quarterly profits of $3.12bn, largely driven by the success of its focus on cloud services Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Jul 2016
CIO Interview: Graeme Hackland, Williams Martini Racing
Williams Martini Racing CIO Graeme Hackland discusses network infrastructure, data analytics and the future for wearable tech and augmented reality in Formula 1 motor racing Continue Reading
-
News
06 Jun 2016
How emails sent to and from Parliament are monitored
Government officials deny that emails sent by MPs are open to surveillance by GCHQ and NSA - we examine the evidence Continue Reading
-
News
01 Jun 2016
Microsoft sells 1,500 mobile patents to Xiaomi in licensing deal
Sale of mobile patent portfolio comes alongside software licensing agreement and may herald Xiaomi’s expansion into Europe and the US, say analysts Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 May 2016
How to build your own IoT with Azure
Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform has gone well beyond mere virtual machines and orchestrated workflows. It can now also power internet of things applications Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 May 2016
CW@50: How UK home brew gave computing to the masses
From batch processing to the graphical user interface, from desktop PCs to smartphones, from luggables to wearables, computing has come a long way since Computer Weekly was first published in 1966. We look at some of the personal computers that paved the way Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
05 Apr 2016
Seven steps to digital leadership
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the key characteristics of successful leaders as digital transformation becomes a business priority. We examine Microsoft’s plans for exploiting the internet of things and the role of its Azure cloud platform. And we look back at British IT history after WW2 as the first part of our new series of articles for Computer Weekly’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Mar 2016
Oracle Q3 2016: cloud revenue grows, US currency strength takes toll
SaaS and PaaS combined contributed $583m in third quarter, up 57% in US dollar terms, while IaaS was down 2% in dollars to $152m Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
08 Mar 2016
Building datacentres under the sea
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at Microsoft’s trial of an underwater datacentre and assess the technology and environmental implications of running cloud services under the sea. As PC suppliers build new products around Windows 10, we ask if the desktop PC is set to be reinvented. And with ransomware on the rise, we examine the threat of cyber extortion. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Jan 2016
PC sales decline but Europe benefits from Windows 10 release
Windows 10 help PC sales in Europe, but tablets and the strong US dollar make a negative impact Continue Reading
-
News
06 Jan 2016
Upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 to reduce risk
Failure to update to the latest version of Internet Explorer by 12 January 2016 could put users at risk, Microsoft warns Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
20 Nov 2015
Windows @ 30: How it all began
Love it or hate it: Windows is 30 years old. The Microsoft graphical user interface has had a profound impact on the way people use computers Continue Reading
-
News
11 Nov 2015
Ministry of Defence CIO explains defence as a platform
Mike Stone took to the stage at the Microsoft Future Decoded event to explain the Ministry of Defence’s plan for defence as a platform Continue Reading
-
News
23 Oct 2015
Azure Active Directory creates an earnings virtuous circle for Microsoft
Microsoft is set to grow its cloud business to $20bn thanks to the growth of platform as a service and, in particular, Azure Active Directory Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
19 Oct 2015
IT giants Dell and EMC unite
In this week's Computer Weekly, Dell's proposed $67bn acquisition of EMC would be the biggest in the history of IT – we assess the implications. £175bn of IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal in the next three years- what are your options? And we hear from IT leaders about security and the internet of things. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
16 Oct 2015
An introduction to the Microsoft Business Store
Microsoft is building a way to enable Windows 10 enterprise users get the business applications, enabling IT to deploy them centrally Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
12 Oct 2015
Europe's data privacy shake-up
In this week's Computer Weekly, after the European Court of Justice ruled the Safe Harbour agreement invalid, we assess the implications for transatlantic data protection. We find out why DVLA has brought its IT back in-house after a 13-year outsourcing deal. And we look at the role of IT in cutting costs in the NHS. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Oct 2015
Microsoft launches Surface Book, its first own-brand laptop
Software giant Microsoft announces a range of new Windows 10 devices, including smartphones, a tablet – and Surface Book, the company's first laptop device Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
06 Oct 2015
What's on your desktop?
In this week's Computer Weekly, Microsoft has released Office 2016 and is urging customers to migrate to Windows 10 – but is a desktop upgrade worth the hassle? We report from the Dreamforce conference on the latest products from Salesforce.com. Continue Reading
-
Feature
05 Oct 2015
The best desktop strategy: Forget the desktop
Before licensing and rolling out an updated operating system, it may be time to revise your IT estate Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
28 Sep 2015
Inside Office 2016
Microsoft has released the latest version of MS Office. The new Office 2016 is all about collaboration and teamwork Continue Reading
-
News
22 Sep 2015
Is Microsoft Office 2016 reliable enough for business?
A day after a major Skype outage, Microsoft unveils Office 2016, which, ironically, offers tight integration with Skype Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jul 2015
NHS Central Southern deploys Clarizen for collaboration
The NHS Central Southern Commissioning Support Unit has enlisted Clarizen to improve cross-group collaboration and improve efficiency Continue Reading
-
Photo Story
29 Jul 2015
Welcome to Windows 10
Microsoft is launching the latest version of the Windows operating system. We look at the enterprise fetauress Continue Reading