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Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Create 10, 100 or more Office 365 accounts with PowerShell

  Administrators who need to create accounts for new employees can save time by using PowerShell scripts to read and import data from a CSV file straight into Office 365. Continue Reading

• Add Active Directory user accounts in bulk with PowerShell

  Administrators can use PowerShell scripts to automate the creation of Active Directory user accounts for new employees. Continue Reading

• Four features in PowerShell version 5 that deserve props

  There are several lesser known but important improvements to PowerShell 5 features that will make life easier for sys admins who prefer the command-line interface. Continue Reading

• Six alternative Hyper-V management tools

  There are a number of third-party Hyper-V management tools available for organizations that need to handle a few dozen nodes. Continue Reading

• Administrators' choices for Exchange 2016 public folders

  Administrators who want to migrate public folders to Exchange 2016 should weigh the benefits over Exchange 2013 public folders and any migration risks before deciding. Continue Reading

• What file types are blocked in a SharePoint Online migration?

  SharePoint Online handles blocked file types differently than file types for on-premises SharePoint deployments, which may confuse users migrating to the cloud.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute

  Azure ExpressRoute provides a private cloud connection that is secure and predictable. Read our Azure ExpressRoute FAQ to find out more about this Microsoft cloud feature.Continue Reading

• Start using PowerShell for Office 365, Exchange Online

  PowerShell allows Office 365 and Exchange Online administrators to manage the service and complete tasks quickly and efficiently through the command line.Continue Reading

• Is there an advantage to using SharePoint Online PowerShell cmdlets?

  Administrators can use SharePoint Online PowerShell cmdlets to ease their workload and reduce mistakes from manual intervention.Continue Reading

• Must-know Exchange Server info from 2015

  We've rounded up the top Exchange Server info of the past year, including a look at deploying Exchange 2016, and troubleshooting common Outlook error messages.Continue Reading

• Free Exchange admin tools to monitor, manage deployments

  These free Microsoft tools will help you monitor, manage and calculate server requirements in your on-premises or hybrid Exchange deployment.Continue Reading

• Take Office 365 data security from the cloud into your own hands

  The productivity suite may be cloud-based, but Office 365 data protection takes place on premises and in your hands. Ensure you're taking appropriate measures to secure your information.Continue Reading

• Guide to secure better Exchange admin jobs

  It's time to look for a new Exchange job. Where should you start? The best way to land an Exchange admin position is to brush up on your skills and review all resources.Continue Reading

• How can I recover Exchange transaction logs space?

  Exchange Server transaction logs have filled up my hard drive. How do I free up space taken by these logs? And can I prevent it from happening again?Continue Reading

• The top Active Directory tools and techniques for backup and restore

  A business with a broken Active Directory can crumple without this key piece of infrastructure. Learn how to plan an Active Directory backup and restoration.Continue Reading

• How to sync AAD Connect with on-premises deployments

  Upgrading to AD Connect comes with the decision to deploy an Express or Custom installation. Before planning the sync, consider what you need from your new deployment.Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell to create XML documents

  Administrators can avoid introducing errors when building an XML file by using PowerShell to construct the document.Continue Reading

• What are some storage monitoring tools under Windows Server 2012 R2?

  For Windows administrators who need ample warning to keep storage problems at bay, there are many choices available.Continue Reading

• Squash large business email security challenges

  If you're a large enterprise, your security needs are unique. So don't take advice from a small organization, and learn how to accommodate the challenges specific to your size.Continue Reading

• How Windows Server containers differ from Hyper-V containers

  Windows administrators will need to learn how Windows Server containers differ from Hyper-V containers, and why one might be preferred over the other.Continue Reading

• The price is right for these Windows security tools

  Even with a limited or non-existent budget, Windows Server administrators don't have to skip security testing in their environment.Continue Reading

• Write-back to on-premises with Azure AD Connect

  Exchange 2016 promises some improvements to write-back functionality, especially for administrators managing a hybrid deployment.Continue Reading

• Check your hybrid Outlook Autodiscover performance

  IT shops with hybrid Office 365 and on-premises Exchange mailboxes need to know how Outlook Autodiscover works when mailboxes haven't migrated.Continue Reading

• Exchange email security best practices sanction self-assessments

  Do you have the guts and technology know-how to undertake a self-assessment of your organization's Exchange-related risks? If so, start here.Continue Reading

• Outlook on the Web rebranded: new tools organize email

  Additions to the Web version of Outlook make it easier for end users to organize their inboxes. Archive, pin and set reminders to email messages in Outlook.Continue Reading

• Third-party security monitoring tools abet Exchange flaws

  Don't let the deficiencies from applying and managing Exchange threaten your network. Implement third-party security tools to thwart breaches.Continue Reading

• Availability requires monitoring mailboxes in Exchange 2013

  For a better understanding of Exchange Managed Availability, learn how to create and manage monitoring mailboxes, and how to fix a corrupted mailbox.Continue Reading

• Features and benefits of Microsoft Identity Manager 2016

  Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 eases synchronization between identities on-premises and in the cloud while allowing admins to monitor user behavior.Continue Reading

• How to install and configure SCOM for Azure monitoring

  Setting up SCOM 2012 for Azure monitoring is an easy process that can be completed in just a few steps. We walk you through the installation and configuration.Continue Reading

• Protect classified emails, thwart shadow IT

  Use Exchange and Office 365 to restrict and secure data that leaves an organization, and share documents more easily thanks to new features.Continue Reading

• Configure disk volumes to optimize your Exchange 2013 performance

  The wrong disk volumes can foil Exchange optimization practices. Assess your configurations with support and compression in mind.Continue Reading

• Words to go: Exchange 2013 management tools and features

  Need a quick glossary of Poison Message Queue, EAC and other administrative and management features and tools in Exchange 2013? Keep this handy list next to your desk.Continue Reading

• Exchange Hierarchical Address Books assign order to recipients

  Use HAB and EMS commands to appoint recipients with a certain hierarchical status in your address book.Continue Reading

• Use Office 365 MDM to protect your tenant

  When ActiveSync just isn't enough, learn how to enable and use Office 365 mobile device management with your devices.Continue Reading

• Eight handy Exchange 2013 PowerShell cmdlets

  There are hundreds of new cmdlets in Exchange 2013, but these eight PowerShell cmdlets will help you manage, monitor and troubleshoot the Exchange 2013 setup.Continue Reading

• Secure email servers on Exchange, Office 365 or both

  Whether you use on-premises Exchange, Office 365 or hybrid Exchange deployments, follow these tips to boost email server security.Continue Reading

• Constant and read-only PowerShell variables for admins who fear change

  Constant and read-only PowerShell variables can prevent accidental changes to a script. Here’s how they differ and how to use them.Continue Reading

• How to run PowerShell cmdlets on remote servers

  The Invoke-Command and New-PSSession PowerShell cmdlets can make it easier for admins to manage a number of remote servers.Continue Reading

• Manage multiple servers with PowerShell Server Manager

  PowerShell Server Manager allows administrators to manage multiple servers, Windows roles and features -- all from a single console.Continue Reading

• Overcome Exchange 2013 storage sizing issues

  Properly sizing an Exchange 2013 deployment protects it from future performance issues resulting from storage bottlenecks.Continue Reading

• The must-know Exchange public folder migration feature

  If you run Exchange 2007 or 2010 and are moving to Office 365, the public folder batch migration feature will ease the process.Continue Reading

• Operations Management Suite brings order to Azure cloud

  Microsoft Operations Management Suite tackles Azure and AWS clouds, and multiple hypervisors, all from one console.Continue Reading

• Secure an Office 365 and Exchange hybrid setup

  Keep these six factors in mind if your organization plans to keep some services on-premises and move others to the cloud.Continue Reading

• Prep for Office 365 services in your organization

  After your IT shop has prepped its environment for an Office 365 migration, choose a remediation plan based on your migration approach.Continue Reading

• Avoid Hyper-V performance dips during a live migration

  TCP offloads and backups can create issues during a Hyper-V live migration if not addressed. Here’s how to avoid running into problems.Continue Reading

• Examine the top Windows 10 deployment tools

  With the general release of Windows 10 drawing near, admins can choose from a bevy of tools to help install the new OS.Continue Reading

• What to include in an Exchange Server phishing test

  Use these guidelines to test how secure your Exchange Server setups actually are.Continue Reading

• Tips to ace your next Exchange admin job interview

  Planning for a job interview? Be ready to detail your experience in Exchange Server, including environments you've worked in, tools and virtualization.Continue Reading

• Five quick tips on Microsoft Azure management

  Strapped for time? Get the lowdown on Azure Pack, Microsoft Cloud Platform System and more in this fast feature on Azure.Continue Reading

• A Windows Server 2016 Group Policy walkthrough

  Administrators who work with Group Policy will appreciate that the structure hasn't changed in Windows Server 2016, but there are new policies unique to the release worth noting.Continue Reading

• What is the best way to set up certificate pins?

  Certificate pinning helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Here's how to get started, and learn about its potential drawbacks.Continue Reading

• How does certificate pinning work within Windows Server?

  Certificate pinning allows admins to verify a legitimate certificate once and receive warnings if it changes.Continue Reading

• Sorting out data deduplication in Windows Server 2012 R2

  Learn more about data deduplication, which cleans up repeated content, freeing up valuable storage space.Continue Reading

• How to adjust to the new Office 365 email retention policy

  With Microsoft's change to its default email retention policy, Exchange admins must collaborate with other departments to test how it will fit in their organization.Continue Reading

• Microsoft rolls out new MDM for Office 365

  Microsoft's entry-level mobile device management option for Office 365 could kick things up a notch for BYOD shops.Continue Reading

• Stop attackers from catching you in a phishing hack

  Exchange admins can use the recent State Department hack as a lesson in the importance of consistent security protocols.Continue Reading

• Switch authentication modes during a disaster recovery

  Converting authentication modes is a rare thing admins need to address, but it must be fixed right away when it happens -- and Microsoft's documentation on it is incorrect.Continue Reading

• Getting acquainted with PowerShell Desired State Configuration

  Desired State Configuration is a solid choice for administrators who have PowerShell chops. Here's an introduction.Continue Reading

• Simple ways to improve an Exchange 2013 setup

  Every organization has different needs, but there are five general areas where all admins can improve how well Exchange works.Continue Reading

• How to fix the five most common Outlook errors

  Do your users sound like broken records when it comes to Outlook error messages? Our expert has compiled his five most often seen error messages and their quick fixes.Continue Reading

• Gain hands-on security experience in Exchange

  To ensure a resilient Exchange setup, admins must know how to run tests, find vulnerabilities and examine Exchange's reaction to simulated attacks.Continue Reading

• The essential guide to PowerShell in Exchange

  PowerShell is the tool of choice for managing Exchange, so the learning should never stop. This guide will help admins get a solid understanding of the language.Continue Reading

• This PowerShell module takes control of NTFS permissions

  One simple install of the File System Security PowerShell Module can help manage NTFS permissions for user access to folders.Continue Reading

• Daily security tasks all Exchange admins must do

  Habits make or break Exchange security. Follow these six steps every day to create good admin habits and a more secure environment.Continue Reading

• Control Exchange Online access for a more secure organization

  Exchange Online's conditional access features gives organizations tighter control over how they keep end users' devices and information safe.Continue Reading

• Simple steps to strengthen Exchange 2013 security

  Email is a treasure trove of sensitive information. Exchange administrators must frequently check five areas to ensure email security.Continue Reading

• Security survey shows Exchange as a sitting duck for attacks

  Securing your Exchange setup is vital to keep your business up and running. However, recent security reviews show there's room for improvement.Continue Reading

• Strengthen your Active Directory password policy settings

  Weak passwords can create vulnerabilities in your enterprise's security. Creating strong password standards and policies can help protect against threats.Continue Reading

• Making Windows security training work for you

  A career in Windows security is one of the hottest specialties for an administrator. Here are a few skills to put into practice to advance in the industry.Continue Reading

• What's the best way to migrate databases in Exchange?

  I want to merge databases by moving mailboxes from Exchange 2007 into Exchange 2010. What's the best way to do this?Continue Reading

• Digging deep in Windows Server storage QoS

  In the newest preview of Windows Server, storage QoS helps administrators get the most of their storage by setting minimum and maximum IOPS count.Continue Reading

• What are some free Windows Server monitoring tools?

  Our admins can't get everything they need from native monitoring tools. What free tools can we use to monitor the overall health of Windows Server?Continue Reading

• Must-know apps for Office 365 and Exchange

  As Office 365 increases in popularity, admins should get to know these apps and how they work with each organization.Continue Reading

• How to complete a multi-forest hybrid Exchange setup

  Once you know how multi-forest hybrid environments work, finish the setup process for custom domains and Azure AD Sync Services.Continue Reading

• Outlining RBAC permissions options in Exchange 2013

  RBAC's Management Scopes can simplify Exchange setup management tasks and lets admins limit the cmdlets end users can access.Continue Reading

• Does 2015 signal an Exchange in the cloud movement?

  There are three important areas in Exchange and Office 365 that all admins should keep an eye on this year, according to one MVP.Continue Reading

• Getting the most value out of Windows certifications and training

  Beyond building a library of study materials, creating seminars that pass along Windows certification knowledge can help save money.Continue Reading

• Setting up a multi-forest hybrid Exchange deployment

  Exchange admins should learn what a multi-forest hybrid setup is, when it should be used, and the requirements to implement it.Continue Reading

• Preparing for an upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2

  Making the necessary preparations before beginning an upgrade can help avoid problems during the process. Here's what to do before moving to Windows Server 2012 R2.Continue Reading

• Understanding Windows Server 2012 R2 upgrade limitations

  Windows Server 2012 R2 has a few hardware and software limitations, including issues with 4K native drives and the inability to upgrade from one language to another.Continue Reading

• Understanding Windows Server 2012 R2 installation requirements

  Windows Server 2012 R2 has minimal installation requirements, but "resource creep" can leave fewer resources for workloads on virtualized servers.Continue Reading

• The five best SharePoint 2013 management tips

  These tips explore some new features that will help admins and enterprises manage SharePoint 2013 easily and effectively.Continue Reading

• Configure claim rules for greater Office 365 access control

  Customized claim rules can be an important way to help your organization handle and enforce its Office 365 access policies.Continue Reading

• Create the best plan to merge Office 365 accounts

  Company acquisitions are never easy, especially when combining messaging platforms is required. Admins must be prepared if Office 365 is involved.Continue Reading

• Configure Azure MFA to access Office 365 from anywhere

  If end users want access to Office 365 and Exchange from anywhere, Azure Multi-Factor Authentication service is the answer.Continue Reading

• How can I receive and respond to server alerts?

  System Health in Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials can trigger alerts via email. Here's how to enable them.Continue Reading

• How do I find health reports in Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials?

  Administrators can use health reporting capabilities in Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to pinpoint missing patches or incomplete backups.Continue Reading

• How can I delete Exchange audit logs?

  Admins don't have to sidestep the default settings for deleting logs, but if needed, these PowerShell cmdlets will get the job done.Continue Reading

• Set rules with Office 365 message classification

  Message classifications are some of the handiest tools Exchange Online admins can have in their toolkits.Continue Reading

• Three ways to manage user accounts in Office 365

  Office 365 has three options to establish user accounts. Admins will need to choose the best one before performing a migration.Continue Reading

• What are write back cache's requirements?

  Deploying larger, SSD-based write-back caches might require more than one disk. The benefits can lead to better performance.Continue Reading

• Weighing next steps following Windows Server 2003 end-of-life

  With Microsoft ending support for Windows Server 2003 in July 2015, upgrading is more complicated than just rolling in the next shiny new server from Redmond.Continue Reading

• MigrationWiz can make Office 365 migrations whiz by

  Native tools are useful for Office 365 migrations, but sometimes a third-party utility can simplify the complicated task of moving data.Continue Reading

• Essential steps for DLP policy success

  These five tactics can help organizations improve Exchange 2013 DLP setup and quash any internal data loss threats.Continue Reading

• How Windows Server 2012 R2 can lead to network efficiency

  Admins looking to improve traffic efficiency have some new options to consider in the latest iteration of Windows Server.Continue Reading

• How to prepare for Active Directory in the cloud

  Use this feature as your guide to research the best ways your organization can get its Active Directory service ready for the cloud.Continue Reading

• Control access to Office 365 with ADFS policies

  When it comes to granular access control for Office 365, ADFS Client Access Policies may be the answer your organization needs.Continue Reading

• Migrate Office 365 tenants with a hybrid Exchange Server

  Once organizations have three important factors in place, admins have the power to complete Office 365 migrations with hybrid Exchange.Continue Reading

• Prerequisites for an Office 365 tenant migration

  To better understand tenant-to-tenant migrations after a company merger or acquisition, dig deeper into prerequisites and native tools.Continue Reading

• Build your knowledge of PowerShell scripting basics

  If you don't know the basics of PowerShell yet, it's time to buckle down and learn how this language can ease Exchange management tasks.Continue Reading