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Windows client management

• Deploy and configure WSUS 2019 for Windows patching needs

  You can update your Microsoft software with a few tools, but Windows Server Update Services is the go-to for many administrators who want a reliable patch deployment platform. Continue Reading

• Using wsusscn2.cab to find missing Windows updates

  Avoid unnecessary security headaches by using the Windows Update offline scan file and PowerShell to ensure your systems have all their Microsoft patches. Continue Reading

• How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module

  The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server. Continue Reading

• command line interface (CLI)

  A command line interface (CLI) is a text-based user interface (UI) used to view and manage computer files. Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Insider Program for Business

  Microsoft Windows Insider Program for Business is a service for IT professionals who want to test preview builds of Windows 10 and Windows Server in the enterprise before general availability. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • command line interface (CLI)
  • Microsoft Windows Insider Program for Business
  • Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel)
  • Microsoft Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)

  • Microsoft Nano Server
  • Microsoft
  • Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016

  View All Definitions

• Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel)

  Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a servicing option for Microsoft's server operating system that follows the familiar track of two to three years between feature updates.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)

  Microsoft Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) is a servicing option that delivers a feature update twice a year for organizations that want the latest Windows Server functionality.Continue Reading

• GDPR requirements loom for Windows Server admins

  The upcoming General Data Protection Regulation will force many companies to re-examine how they store and process personal data. Here's how admins can ready their business.Continue Reading

• Revved-up Windows Server release cadence now serves DevOps

  Microsoft will release a developer-focused Windows Server version twice a year. Businesses can choose between a traditional release cycle or one that suits continuous deployment.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Nano Server

  Microsoft Nano Server is a lightweight operating system based on Microsoft Windows Server 2016 that is tailored for use as an OS layer for virtualized container instances.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Nano Server overhaul a disappointment to some

  Microsoft's course reversal on Nano Server in Windows Server 2016 will make some Windows administrators hesitant to come along for the ride in the next server-related innovation.Continue Reading

• Lack of agility with Windows Server licenses hamstrings cloud hopes

  The sales pitch from public cloud providers is strong, but challenges with Windows Server licensing and other hang-ups have dulled enthusiasm for hybrid cloud deployments.Continue Reading

• Microsoft

  Microsoft is a leading global vendor of computer software; hardware for computer, mobile and gaming systems; and cloud services.Continue Reading

• These Windows configuration management tools can prevent mishaps

  It's a challenge to limit downtime and speed up deployments in the data center. Configuration management tools can help IT maintain control.Continue Reading

• What is the easiest way to bring Microsoft OMS into my organization?

  My organization wants to use Microsoft Operations Management Suite. What's the best way to establish a connection to our existing environment?Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux

  Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux is a series of Microsoft components that allow native Linux 64-bit Executable and Linkable Format (ELF64) binaries to run on the Windows kernel in the Windows 10 operating system.Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft OMS affect IT management?

  Our organization uses System Center and its components for management, but we want to reduce the number of tools we use. Can Microsoft Operations Management Suite help us?Continue Reading

• Microsoft announces Windows Server 2016 will launch at Ignite conference

  All the prognostication about when Windows Server 2016 will be available was laid to rest in multiple blogs from Microsoft today when the company announced the next version of the server operating ...Continue Reading

• What to configure in Windows Server local security policy

  Organizations should configure the local security policy for new servers to handle patch management and for protection against unauthorized access.Continue Reading

• Keep 16-bit applications running as Windows Server 2008 support ends

  As Windows Server 2008 end of life draws near, companies still using 16-bit applications need to be resourceful to keep them running.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server 2016

  Microsoft Windows Server 2016, previously referred to as Windows Server vNext, is a server operating system (OS).Continue Reading

• Grooming Windows images for deployment

  When it comes to getting OS images ready to deploy in a Windows infrastructure, there are tools to use to get them ready.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Server Desktop Experience

  Microsoft Windows Server Desktop Experience is a feature that allows admins to install various Windows 7 features on servers running Windows Server 2008, Windows 8 features on servers running Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.1 features on servers ...Continue Reading

• What happened to Windows MultiPoint Server?

  As of the next version of Windows Server, MultiPoint Server is now a role within Windows Server instead of a standalone product.Continue Reading

• windows, icons, mouse, and pull-down menus (WIMP)

  WIMP is an acronym describing the desktop user interface familiar to Windows and Mac computer users, significant features of which are windows, icons, a mouse, and pull-down menus.Continue Reading

• CNAME

  A CNAME specifies an alias or nickname for a canonical name record in a domain name system (DNS) database. (Continued...)Continue Reading

• Open Document Format (ODF)

  The Open Document Format (ODF) is an XML-based open source file format for saving and exchanging text, spreadsheets, charts, and presentations...Continue Reading

• fatal exception

  In a computer error message, a fatal exception indicates an exceptional situation requiring that the program responsible for the situation be closed.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Vista: Performance and stability improvements

  Check out this excerpt from Microsoft Windows Vista Unleashed by Paul McFedries, with details on performance and stability features for Windows Vista.Continue Reading

• Performing a BitLocker installation of Windows Vista

  Mark Minasi provides the information you need to install Windows Vista on your system. This chapter is an excerpt from Minasi's book, "Mastering Windows Vista for Business Professionals."Continue Reading

• Upgrading to Windows Vista: Migrating settings using the Microsoft Windows User State Migration Tool

  Mark Minasi provides the information you need to ensure Windows Vista will run on your system. This chapter is an excerpt from Minasi's book, "Mastering Windows Vista for Business Professionals."Continue Reading

• Preparing to install Windows Vista: Checking system compatibility

  Mark Minasi provides the information you need to ensure Windows Vista will run on your system. This chapter is an excerpt from Minasi's book, "Mastering Windows Vista for Business Professionals."Continue Reading

• Preparing to install Windows Vista: The final steps toward installation

  Mark Minasi runs through the steps IT managers should take when preparing to install windows Vista. This chapter is an excerpt from Minasi's book, "Mastering Windows Vista for Business Professionals."Continue Reading

• FAQ: Group Policy

  Got a question for Group Policy expert Jeremy Moskowitz? Check the Group Policy FAQ first to see if Jeremy may already have answered your question.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Ask the Expert

  Looking for expert advice? Before you pose your question to our panel of Windows experts, take a moment to see if your question may already have been answered. Visit the FAQ.Continue Reading

• Windows Product Activation (WPA)

  Windows Product Activation (WPA) is the mandatory product registration system included in Microsoft's Windows XP, Office XP, and recent Office products (such as Word 2002 or Excel 2002) as a means of enforcing compliance with the company's End User ...Continue Reading

• Terminal Server product or Microsoft Windows Terminal Server (WTS)

  The Microsoft Windows Terminal Server (WTS) is a server program running on its Windows NT 4.0 (or higher) operating system that provides the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Windows desktop to user terminals that don't have this capability ...Continue Reading

• snap-in

  Snap-in, in general, refers to an object that can be attached to another object and that will then function as part of the whole.Continue Reading

• enhancement

  In an information technology product, an enhancement is a noteworthy improvement to the product as part of a new version of it.Continue Reading

• StarOffice

  StarOffice is a free productivity application suite from Sun Microsystems that includes a word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), database (Base), presentation maker (Impress), illustrator (Draw), schedule managment (Schedule), e-mail (Mail) ...Continue Reading

• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

  PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high speed operation.Continue Reading

• TweakUI

  TweakUI is a software utility that lets Windows 9x, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 users modify the desktop user interface and other system characteristics to their liking.Continue Reading

• Quick Fix Engineering (QFE)

  Quick Fix Engineering (QFE) is a Microsoft term for the delivery of individual service updates to its operating systems and application programs such as Word.Continue Reading

• illegal operation

  An illegal operation, a term often seen in error messages, is a command to the operating system or an instruction to the computer processor that specifies an operation that is unknown to the operating system or processor and that therefore can't be ...Continue Reading

• Y2K (year 2000)

  Y2K is an abbreviation for "year 2000." As that year approached, many feared that computer programs storing year values as two-digit figures (such as 99) would cause problems.Continue Reading

• Winsock

  Winsock is a programming interface and the supporting program that handles input/output requests for Internet applications in a Windows operating system.Continue Reading

• Zero Administration

  Zero Administration for Windows is Microsoft's initiative to help make its operating system easier to install and manage.Continue Reading

• WinFrame

  WinFrame is a software product from Citrix that, together with a Windows NT operating system, allows a computer server to provide Windows applications and data for attached computer workstations.Continue Reading

• Wintel

  Wintel is a computer trade industry term for personal computers based on the Intel microprocessor and one of the Windows operating system from Microsoft.Continue Reading

• Win32s

  Win32s is a Microsoft upgrade to the Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.1 operating systems, which run 16-bit applications, that allows them to run some 32-bit applications.Continue Reading

• dual boot

  A dual boot system is a computer system in which two operating systems are installed on the same hard drive, allowing either operating system to be loaded and given control.Continue Reading

• IOS (Input/Output Supervisor)

  IOS (Input/Output Supervisor) is a Microsoft Windows program that supervises the interaction between file system requests and events and input/output device drivers.Continue Reading

• windowing system

  A windowing system is a system for sharing a computer's graphical display presentation resources among multiple applications at the same time.Continue Reading

• system

  A system is a collection of elements or components that are organized for a common purpose.Continue Reading

• ScanDisk

  ScanDisk is a Windows utility used to check your hard disk for errors and to correct problems that are found.Continue Reading

• WinChip (WinChip C6)

  WinChip (also known as the WinChip C6) is a microprocessor designed for use in business computers that run Microsoft operating systems Made by IDT, the microprocessor reportedly provides comparable performance to Intel's more expensive Pentium ...Continue Reading

• WinZip

  WinZip is a Windows program that lets you archive and compress files so that you can store or distribute them more efficiently.Continue Reading

• FAQ: IIS and Web Administration

  Got a question for IIS and Web Administration expert Tony Northrup? Check the IIS and Web Administration FAQ first to see if Tony may already have answered your question.Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #30 XQuery: The XML Query Language

  Think you know every trick in the book when it comes to XQuery? Test your knowledge here!Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #29 Hardening Network Infrastructure

  Is your network vulnerable? Check your knowledge here - before a hacker finds out for you.Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #23 Tuning Microsoft Server Clusters

  Think you know everything about Windows Server clustering technology? Don't be so sure! Check your know-how and get a chance to win a copy of Tuning Microsoft Server Clusters by Robert Buchanan, courtesy of McGraw-Hill.Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #19 The Guru's Guide to SQL Server Architecture and Internals

  Think you know everything about SQL undocumented features? Don't be so sure! Check your know-how and get a chance to win a copy of The Guru's Guide to SQL Server Architecture and Internals by best-selling author Ken Henderson, courtesy of ...Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #17 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed

  Think you know everything about Performance Optimization for Windows Server 2003? Don't be so sure! Check your know-how and get a chance to win a copy of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed by Rand Morimoto, et al., courtesy of SAMS ...Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #15 MCSE Windows Server 2003 All-in-One Exam Guide

  Think you know everything about Windows Server 2003? Don't be so sure! Check your know-how and get a chance to win a copy of MCSE Windows Server 2003 All-in-One Exam Guide by Brian Culp, et al., courtesy of McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media.Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #12 IIS 6 Administration

  Think you know everything about IIS 6? Don't be so sure! Check your know-how and get a chance to win a copy of IIS 6 Administration by Mitch Tulloch, courtesy of McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media.Continue Reading

• Know-IT-all Chapter Quiz #8 How to Do Everything with Windows XP

  Ready for a double whammy? This quiz covers two chapters - "Manage Users and Groups" and "Take Care of Windows XP". Check your Win XP administration knowledge in this quiz and get a chance to win a copy of How to Do Everything with Windows XP, ...Continue Reading