Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Introducing Windows Server 2012 UI
Windows' Administrative Tools
Windows Server 2012 interface tour
The new user interface in Windows Server 2012 seems scary, but it's easier to use than it looks. These are some of the best ways to work with it. Continue Reading
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How to access the Windows Command Prompt
The Windows shut-down option and logging out
The missing Windows Start button
Windows Server Core takes precedence over GUI
Q&A: Windows user group founder talks Windows Server 2012 features
An independent IT expert goes over his favorite features in Windows Server 2012 and explains how they will make life easier for IT pros.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 release highlights this year's top news stories
Look back on the top news stories in a pivotal year for Microsoft and its Cloud OS initiative for Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 (WS 2012)
Windows Server 2012, formerly codenamed Windows Server 8, is the latest version of Windows Server.Continue Reading
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Evaluating VMware vSphere for Exchange 2010 virtualization
An Exchange 2010 virtualization project is not to be taken lightly. When shopping for hypervisors, give VMware vSphere a long look -- and here's why.Continue Reading
Improving Exchange 2010 uptime with virtualization and HA features
SharePoint planning tools abound -- just not from Microsoft
Exchange 2010 auditing tools to track admin, end-user behavior
Creating a SharePoint site map using out-of-the-box features
Multiserver administration and more with RSAT in Windows Server 2012
Microsoft's Remote Server Administration Tools received an update in time for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. What's new?Continue Reading
Microsoft Online Backup Service in Windows Server 2012: Under the hood
Weigh the pros and cons of Microsoft Online Backup Service in Windows Server 2012. Some features could benefit IT shops.Continue Reading
FAQ: Making sense of Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 is out. Haven't had the time to read up on new features? Catch up and have your questions answered.Continue Reading
Windows Server 2012 review: Should I upgrade?
With the upcoming release of Windows Server 2012, our expert explains why you should, or why you should not, take advantage of the latest version.Continue Reading
Mark Minasi (@mminasi) tweets all things Microsoft
Microsoft's Senior Technical Evangelist Rick Claus
Consultant Thomas Maurer (@thomasmaurer) discusses Hyper-V
Follow these 10 experts to keep up with Window Server updates
Aidan Finn (@joe_elway) blogs, talks Hyper-V
Mark Russinovich (@markrussinovich) tweets Azure, security info
Hans Vredevoort (@hvredevoort) is an expert on Hyper-V, System Center
Cloud insight from Microsoft's Edwin Yuen (@edwinyuen)
Server lead architect Jeffrey Snover (@jsnover) tweets PowerShell
Don Jones (@concentrateddon) is a PowerShell expert
Ten experts to follow for Windows Server updates on Twitter
On social media? Follow this list of the best bloggers, consultants and authors for Windows Server updates and tips on Twitter.Continue Reading
Mary Jo Foley (@maryjofoley) engages, informs followers
Data Loss Prevention feature in Exchange 2013 improves compliance
Improving compliance was a major goal when building Exchange Server 2013. Read why the new data loss prevention feature is a step in the right direction.Continue Reading
Free Active Directory tool reports modifications to Exchange admins
Free Exchange monitoring tool offers quick glimpse at important stats
Outlook 2010 tool uploads and associates user photos
SMB 3.0 brings fault tolerant features, more speed
SMB 3.0 ushers in the next generation of server messaging features and brings in speed improvements and tricks.Continue Reading
Test your Windows Server 2012 knowledge
How much do you know about Windows Server 2012, Microsoft's latest enhancement to its server product? Take our quick quiz.Continue Reading
Microsoft simplifies Windows Server 2012 editions, details licensing
Microsoft detailed its Windows Server 2012 licensing information and reduced the number of editions to four from seven. The changes mean a cost increase for some IT shops.Continue Reading
How to enable PowerShell remoting
You've heard how PowerShell remoting is changing in v3 of the product; now, learn how to use it -- and avoid traps.Continue Reading
FAQ: Preparing for the upgrade to Windows Server 2012
Mulling over an upgrade to Windows Server 2012? You're bound to have some questions. Our expert answers the most common ones.Continue Reading
Q&A: Taking a closer look at System Center Operations Manager 2012
Microsoft's Adam Hall runs down the significant changes made to the Operations Manager component in System Center 2012 and the thinking behind them.Continue Reading
How P2V tools can help you choose between Hyper-V and VMware
Hyper-V or VMware? The question's not going away, but migration planning products can help you give a more informed answer.Continue Reading
Why Workflow may be PowerShell v3's most important feature
Your task list is about to be reborn. Our expert explains how Workflow will help you now -- and how it will help guide Microsoft in the future.Continue Reading
New features in Microsoft IIS 8
Admins will find plenty of new features to like in the new version of Microsoft's web server – especially if they're hosting large-scale operations.Continue Reading
Evaluating hardware for Windows Server 2008 R2
You might think selecting the right system to run Windows Server 2008 R2 would focus largely on price/performance factors. While these factors are high on the list, there are other key considerations. In this handbook, we explore hardware ...Continue Reading
Improving Exchange 2010 uptime with virtualization and HA features
There are numerous features you can use -- some native to Exchange 2010 and some included in virtualization platforms -- to improve uptime and optimize performance. Consider these six areas.Continue Reading
Top five features in PowerShell v3
PowerShell has become pretty hard to ignore. Here are the latest reasons to get up to speed with the scripting tool.Continue Reading
Faceoff: Office 365 vs. Google Apps -- the tale of two nonprofits
Microsoft and Google don’t like to admit it, but Office 365 and Google Apps are in fact competing technologies. These two non-profits weighed both and came out with different decisions.Continue Reading
Microsoft delivers first Windows Server 8 beta containing new features
Microsoft finally made the leap on Leap Day, delivering the first Windows Server 8 beta containing dozens of enhanced features across the product.Continue Reading
10 best Hyper-V tools: vtCommander/5nine Manager
10 best Hyper-V tools: RAMMap and VMMap
10 best Hyper-V tools: P2V Migration
10 best Hyper-V tools: VMDK to VHD Converter
Top 10 Microsoft Hyper-V tools to consider
When it comes to improving Hyper-V performance, Microsoft and third parties provide many useful tools. Here are 10 to pay attention to.Continue Reading
10 best Hyper-V tools: IOMETER
10 best Hyper-V tools: Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool
10 best Hyper-V tools: HVRemote
10 best Hyper-V tools: VMC to Hyper-V
10 best Hyper-V tools: Virtual Machine Servicing Tool
10 best Hyper-V tools: MAP Toolkit
Weighing Exchange 2010 hardware requirements vs. organizational needs
Aligning with Microsoft’s Exchange 2010 hardware requirements is critical, but remember, you've got to balance them with your company’s own unique needs and budget.Continue Reading
Hyper-V management tool 5nine revives the GUI on Windows Server
The role of the command line is growing, but GUI-loving admins have options. We look at a Hyper-V tool that may appease the button-clickers.Continue Reading
Using the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit
The Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit can help make Windows Server upgrades easier.Continue Reading
The pros and cons of Exchange vs. MDM for mobile management
With so many users accessing Exchange mail remotely, IT pros have to make mobile device management a priority. Should you use Exchange Server or Mobile Device Manager?Continue Reading
Optimizing application compatibility for Windows Server 8
With Windows Server 8 comes a whole host of new app compatibility considerations. Here's how to be prepared for when the server OS ships.Continue Reading
Hidden gems in Windows Server 2008 R2's Resource Monitor tool
You don't have to download a freeware tool to adequately monitor your system performance. Here's how to leverage the new features available to Windows Server admins.Continue Reading
Hosting Exchange Server off-site: Evaluating pros and cons
Hosting Exchange Server off-site may appeal to businesses getting comfortable with the idea of cloud computing and its various advantages, but is it really a good idea? Read pros and cons here and insight from the experts to make the right decision ...Continue Reading
Beyond the outages: IT pros weigh Office 365
Office 365 offers businesses benefits that may outweigh concerns surrounding the cloud service. Tony Redmond shares his opinions on Microsoft's collaboration suite in this podcast.Continue Reading
Exchange 2010 auditing tools to track admin, end-user behavior
Compliance rules make tracking admin and email users a necessary evil. Thankfully, audit logging tools in Exchange 2010 can help.Continue Reading
Top five new features in Windows Server 8
Windows Server 8 will likely please many admins when it ships next year. Find out the five features, like Hyper-V replication, IT pros are craving.Continue Reading
Prerequisites for installing Exchange 2010 Management Tools in Windows
Having trouble opening the Exchange 2010 Management Tools? There are several Windows settings you must enable and installs you may have missed.Continue Reading
Using RamMap and VMMap Tools to Troubleshoot Windows Memory Issues
Even a veteran system admin can be challenged when investigating Windows memory issues. The free RamMap and VMMap tools remove much of the guesswork.Continue Reading
Five Exchange Control Panel feature improvements in Exchange 2010 SP1
If you aren’t using the Exchange Control Panel in Exchange Server 2010 SP1, take a look. It’s simple to use and supports mailbox auditing, MailTips, RBAC and more.Continue Reading
Seven free tools Windows managers shouldn’t be without
Everyone can use a little help from time to time, especially IT and Windows managers. Stock up on these free tools and receive assistance without spending a dime.Continue Reading
Free tools to ease Exchange Server and Outlook administration
Looking for ways to relieve Exchange and Outlook administration woes without spending a mint? Look no further than this helpful list of seven free tools.Continue Reading
Performance depleted? The File Server Capacity Tool can tell you why
The File Server Capacity Tool can help admins determine whether or not a server can handle system loads, but another use is to determine if a build is the cause of lower performance.Continue Reading
Expert sheds light on not-too-distant future of Exchange
Expert Tony Redmond talks about what Exchange admins should do to prepare for Exchange 2010 SP2, the release of Office 365 and more in this podcast.Continue Reading
Top ten free Windows tools admins have never heard of
These Windows tools may fly under the IT radar, but they might provide the answers many admins are looking for.Continue Reading
Avoid application compatibility issues in Windows Server 2008 R2
While new applications run smoothly in Windows Server 2008 R2, legacy apps aren't always as steadfast. Use these tips to tackle and avert compatibility problems.Continue Reading
Adopt the right Hyper-V tools for your Windows environment
As more IT shops virtualize their Windows servers, the variety of Hyper-V management tools for all enterprises also continues to grow.Continue Reading
Studs and duds in the Windows Server 2008 R2 feature set
R2 made a feature-savvy entrance when it was released almost two years ago, but not every enhancement has lived up to the hype.Continue Reading
Testing top Microsoft support tools for Windows 2008 compatibility
For years Microsoft has worked to expand its slate of troubleshooting tools for admins. But with no Support Tools to download for the latest OS, do the same utilities still apply?Continue Reading
Free app brings IIS administration to smartphones
The new IIS7 Mobile Admin utility literally puts management of Internet Information Services in the palm of your hand, but the tool is not without its limitations.Continue Reading
What Server App-V means for applications in the cloud
Microsoft is close to extending its application virtualization technology to the server. The question is, will it encourage more companies to invest in Azure?Continue Reading
Which server virtualization features matter most?
These days it's really not about which hypervisor you choose -- it's everything else that goes with it. So how do you decide which features are truly worth their salt?Continue Reading
Microsoft security tool gauges attack surface for Windows Server
The beta version of Attack Surface Analyzer is designed to help programmers and admins uncover the security ramifications of third-party apps before an attack.Continue Reading
A closer look at the Ntdsutil command-line tools for Active Directory
Dig into the slew of Ntdsutil commands in Windows Server 2008 and R2 that provide admins with improved Active Directory management.Continue Reading
Taking advantage of Microsoft’s free JetStress tool
Microsoft released its JetStress tool to the mainstream, giving Exchange admins a powerful tool to load-test servers before installing them into production.Continue Reading
Event Tracing for Windows: A fresh look at an old tool
Though over a decade old, the Event Tracing for Windows utility might be the best troubleshooting tool that many admins have never heard of.Continue Reading
Free Outlook tool fixes AutoComplete list annoyance
Outlook's AutoComplete function is helpful, but doesn’t allow you to edit existing entries. This free download lets you edit, repair and track .nk2 files.Continue Reading
Mobile device management spotlight
Users are adopting smartphones and tablets at a rapid pace, leaving IT shops no choice but to put the management of those devices at the top of their 2011 to-do lists.Continue Reading
Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2: Four features you wish it supported
While Microsoft has made strides with its current virtualization management software, some still find it lacking in certain areas.Continue Reading
Delving into Exchange Server 2010 features
From high-availability features to new management functions, Exchange Server 2010 sports enough changes to be considered a full-blown release.Continue Reading
Free Microsoft tool accesses Exchange, Outlook MAPI stores
What started as one Microsoft engineer tinkering with MAPI became a full-blown tool. See how MCFMAPI can access stores via a graphical user interface, helping you solve MAPI problems.Continue Reading
Jump-starting the cloud with the right applications
Assembling a trusty cloud app arsenal may be the key to a well-built cloud infrastructure, but knowing where to begin is half the battle.Continue Reading
Free developer tool reads Outlook MAPI properties
Both free and flexible, MAPIProp can be used to retrieve properties normally unavailable through the Microsoft Outlook object model.Continue Reading
Microsoft Web development tool simplifies website deployment
Currently in beta, Microsoft's WebMatrix tool is designed to provide a streamlined route to website development.Continue Reading
Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: Jump Desktop
Windows admins can manage their PCs from their iPhones with Jump Desktop, a remote desktop management application noted for its quick setup and extensive RDP support.Continue Reading
Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: AD HelpDesk
While the AD HelpDesk application doesn't cover all things Active Directory, it does give admins extensive password management functionality straight from their iPhones.Continue Reading
Top iPhone apps for Windows admins: Rove Virtual Machine Manager
Rove Virtual Machine Manager aims to give admins virtual machine management functionality from outside the office – but is it worth the hefty price tag?Continue Reading