Windows systems and network management

Gain valuable techniques and information on the latest PowerShell commands and Microsoft tools, such as System Center, in this Windows systems and network management topic center. Admins will also learn new ways to respond quickly to changing business needs.

April 14, 2021 14 Apr'21
Exchange Server bugs continue to bite on April Patch Tuesday

Microsoft resolves 110 vulnerabilities, including a zero-day and four public disclosures, but the company says admins should prioritize four critical bugs on Exchange Server.
March 09, 2021 09 Mar'21
Exchange Server issues loom over March Patch Tuesday

For many organizations that rely on Exchange for reasons in addition to email, a move to a more secure messaging platform is not an option.
February 10, 2021 10 Feb'21
Microsoft plugs Windows zero-day for February Patch Tuesday

Microsoft addresses 56 total unique vulnerabilities, including six that were publicly disclosed, and gives administrators their second dose for August's Zerologon issue.
January 13, 2021 13 Jan'21
Microsoft Defender zero-day fixed for January Patch Tuesday

In addition to the fix for its antivirus software, Microsoft also corrected a publicly disclosed printer driver flaw that affected Windows client and server systems.

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content

blue screen of death (BSOD)

Officially called the stop screen, or stop error, the blue screen of death (BSOD) is a most unwanted error, second only to malware or ransomware in indicating that a user is in for a very bad day. Continue Reading
NTFS (NT File System)

NTFS, which stands for 'NT file system' and the 'New Technology File System,' is the file system that the Windows NT operating system (OS) uses for storing and retrieving files on hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). Continue Reading
Cut coding corners with return values in PowerShell functions

In certain instances, a return keyword is a good option to exit the current scope of a function and to reduce the bloat from a PowerShell script. Continue Reading

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

SCCM vs. Intune: A closer look at the capabilities of each

Microsoft Endpoint Manager packages the two well-known administration tools, which have grown closer in functionality but still have some unique capabilities. Continue Reading
Azure MFA NPS extension boosts authentication capabilities

With help from the Network Policy Server extension, organizations can expand their on-premises authentication features by tapping into Microsoft's cloud. Continue Reading
Azure Information Protection P1 vs. P2: What's the difference?

Azure Information Protection adds security to files such as sensitive emails and files copied to flash drives. See which features Microsoft offers in its two licensing levels. Continue Reading

Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

Try default values in PowerShell parameters for flexibility

When you lock down your code to work in specific conditions, your automation efforts can fall flat. Try these techniques to add more versatility to your PowerShell scripts. Continue Reading
Stay in control with Azure AD Privileged Identity Management

Rampant use of elevated privileges can prove hazardous to enterprises. Rein in access and manage resource access with help from this Azure Active Directory feature. Continue Reading
Level up with these advanced PowerShell commands to copy files

Take a closer look at Copy-Item cmdlet coding examples to build advanced PowerShell scripts that copy files with safety measures to ensure the duplicates reach their destinations. Continue Reading

We’ve gathered up expert advice and tips from professionals like you so that the answers you need are always available.

Microsoft Cloud App Security aims to expand your defenses

Data center security tools have little control over the plethora of SaaS apps used in the enterprise. A Microsoft offering attempts to bridge that gap to ward off threats. Continue Reading
What is bloatware? How to identify and remove it

Unwanted pre-installed software -- also known as bloatware -- has long posed security threats for computers and other devices. Here are strategies for how to detect bloatware and uninstall the potential threat. Continue Reading
How to work with Azure DNS zones

Microsoft's hosting service for DNS domains is an option for organizations with a heavy Azure investment that want the benefits associated with a cloud service. Continue Reading