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.
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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
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News
30 May 2024
The challenges of supporting Copilot+ PCs in the enterprise
Windows PCs generally use x86 compatible hardware, with Intel or AMD processors. Microsoft is now propelling Windows on Arm for AI Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2024
Critical SharePoint, Qakbot-linked flaws focus of May Patch Tuesday
A critical SharePoint vulnerability warrants attention this month, but it is another flaw that seems to be linked to the infamous Qakbot malware that is drawing attention Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2024
Microsoft beefs up cyber initiative after hard-hitting US report
Microsoft is expanding its recently launched Secure Future Initiative in the wake of a hard-hitting US government report on recent nation state intrusions into its systems Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2024
Microsoft sees datacentre investments key to AI leadership
Microsoft is reportedly spending between $50 to $100m to build out AI infrastructure Continue Reading
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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
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News
12 Mar 2024
March Patch Tuesday throws up two critical Hyper-V flaws
Two critical vulnerabilities in Windows Hyper-V stand out on an otherwise unremarkable Patch Tuesday Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2024
Windows 11: Not as big a priority in EMEA compared with North America
Survey shows that IT decision-makers are prioritising desktop productivity and PC refreshes this year, with more in the US prioritising spending on PCs and Windows 11 upgrades Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Feb 2024
Microsoft’s ‘unfair’ cloud licensing under scrutiny
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine claims that Microsoft’s licensing policies are damaging competition in the cloud. Our latest buyer’s guide asks if hybrid cloud is now CIOs’ end goal, and not just an interim step on the journey. And we look at how the focus on customer experience is impacting the unified communications market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Feb 2024
How does Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing and licensing work?
Getting access to Copilot for Microsoft 365 may be a simple process or almost completely unfeasible at this time, depending on the organization that wants to deploy it. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2024
Microsoft patches two zero-days for Valentine’s Day
Two security feature bypasses impacting Microsoft SmartScreen are on the February Patch Tuesday docket, among more than 70 issues Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2024
How legal disclosure failures disrupted the Post Office Horizon inquiry
From overly narrow search terms, overzealous deduplication of documents and failed email migrations, poor management of legal discovery has delayed justice for postmasters in the Horizon inquiry Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2024
Windows Kerberos, Hyper-V vulns among January Patch Tuesday bugs
Microsoft starts 2024 right with another slimline Patch Tuesday drop, but there are some critical vulns to be alert to, including a number of man-in-the-middle attack vectors Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Dec 2023
Windows Imaging Format (WIM)
Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is used for the creation and distribution of disk image files. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2023
Microsoft’s Christmas present for cyber teams: no zero-days
Barely 30 vulnerabilities, and no zero-days, have been fixed in the final Patch Tuesday drop of 2023 Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2023
November Patch Tuesday heralds five new MS zero-days
Microsoft pushes fixes for five new zero-days in its latest monthly update Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Oct 2023
Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)
Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool that allows IT administrators to service Windows desktop images and virtual hard disks prior to deployment to users. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Oct 2023
kiosk mode (Windows assigned access)
Kiosk mode is a feature in Windows operating system (OS) that allows a device to run only specified applications and settings. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2023
Using the Intune management extension for PowerShell scripts
Intune and PowerShell have a lot of unique management actions they can take, but with the help of the Intune management extension, they can communicate and manage more efficiently. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Storm-0324 gathers over Microsoft Teams
An initial access broker associated with several different ransomware operations is now conducting Microsoft Teams phishing attacks Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2023
Patch Tuesday: Microsoft fixes zero-days in Word and Streaming Service
September 2023 brings a light Patch Tuesday, with two zero-days and five critical vulnerabilities listed in the latest release Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
Microsoft finds Storm-0558 exploited crash dump to steal signing key
Microsoft has published new information on how the Chinese state threat actor Storm-0558 was able to exploit a rare race condition following a crash dump in order to acquire a consumer signing key Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Aug 2023
Google builds Cameyo app virtualization into ChromeOS
Google removes a significant barrier to ChromeOS adoption by partnering with Cameyo to deliver Windows applications -- SaaS, legacy, custom or otherwise -- natively to Chromebooks. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Aug 2023
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) refers to a set of tools from Microsoft that enable IT administrators to remotely manage roles and features in Windows Server from a computer that is running Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2023
Cameyo offers Windows apps delivery on Chrome devices
The company claims access to Windows and Linux apps without the need to install desktop virtualisation infrastructure and VPNs Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Aug 2023
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager)
Microsoft SCOM (System Center Operations Manager) is a set of tools for infrastructure monitoring and application performance management. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Exchange Web Services (EWS)
Microsoft Exchange Web Services (EWS) is an application program interface (API) that lets applications access items in a Microsoft Exchange email mailbox, such as calendars, contacts, and messages. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2023
How to perform an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) migration
An Azure Virtual Desktop migration begins in the planning stages, which should entail weighing the options for moving to AVD, including alternatives to direct migration. Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
Microsoft addresses Office vulnerability attacked by Russian spooks in latest update
Microsoft has issued fixes for over 70 vulnerabilities in its August Patch Tuesday drop, including remedies for CVE-2023-36884, which was disclosed without a fix in July and has been the subject of Kremlin-backed cyber attacks Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2023
NHS trust suspends two governors as whistleblower email dispute continues
Governors at an NHS trust have been suspended after asking questions about emails used to bring a General Medical Council investigation against a whistleblower Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2023
Microsoft attacked over ‘grossly irresponsible’ security practice
The CEO of Tenable has launched a scathing attack on Microsoft, asserting that the organisation is deliberately keeping its Azure cloud customers in the dark about dangerous vulnerabilities and accusing it of a culture of ‘toxic obfuscation’ Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2023
European Commission starts investigation into Microsoft Teams bundling
The commission will investigate if the bundling of Microsoft’s collaboration software with its office productivity suite breaks competition rules Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Jul 2023
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is Microsoft's email, calendaring, contact, scheduling and collaboration platform. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
We have lift off… The opportunities and risks of generative AI
How you can use AI to benefit your business while navigating the risks Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2023
Microsoft’s Nadella sees massive growth opportunity in AI
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella uses his keynote at the company’s Inspire partner conference to discuss the economic potential of artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP)
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) refers to all the group policies applied to a user and computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jul 2023
Microsoft System Center
Microsoft System Center is a suite of software products designed to simplify the deployment, configuration and management of IT infrastructure and virtualized software-defined data centers. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
Microsoft users on high alert over dangerous RCE zero-day
A serious RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Office and Windows is among several zero-days disclosed in Redmond’s July Patch Tuesday update, but this one does not have a patch yet Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2023
Microsoft Windows File Explorer
Microsoft Windows File Explorer is a graphical file management utility for the Windows operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2023
Software spending grows fastest as finance firms spend $652bn on tech in 2023
Banks and investment firms are increasing their spending on IT despite gloomy economic outlook, but priorities have changed Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2023
No zero-days for June Patch Tuesday, but plenty to chew over
On the face of it, Microsoft’s monthly round of updates is a lighter-than-usual load for security teams, with no zero-days in evidence, but there are still plenty of issues needing attention Continue Reading
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Definition
15 May 2023
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA) is a service used to watch and report on application and system health on a Windows computer. Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2023
MS macro-blocking has forced cyber criminals to innovate
One year after Microsoft started blocking VBA and XL4 macros by default, the cyber criminal ecosystem has all but stopped exploiting macros in their attacks. They’re instead innovating at an unprecedented rate Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2023
Secure Boot vulnerability causes Patch Tuesday headache for admins
Applying the fix for a security bypass zero-day affecting the Windows Secure Boot feature will be a long process that will drag into 2024, but for good reason, says Microsoft Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2023
glyph
In information technology, a glyph -- from a Greek word meaning carving -- is a graphic symbol that provides the appearance or form for a character. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2023
Thousands at risk from critical RCE bug in legacy MS service
Thousands of organisations worldwide are at risk from three vulnerabilities – one critical – in a legacy Microsoft service that they may not be aware they are running Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2023
April Patch Tuesday fixes zero-day used to deliver ransomware
A zero-day in the Microsoft Common Log File System that has been abused by the operator of the Nokoyawa ransomware is among 97 vulnerabilities fixed in April’s Patch Tuesday update Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Mar 2023
Will Windows 11 become a subscription-only service?
There are several ways to handle Windows 11 licensing, only some of which are truly subscription-based. Find out what the landscape is for Windows licensing moving forward. Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2023
Aryaka expands SD-WAN, SASE offer to SMEs
Having deployed its services to large enterprises and Fortune 100 companies for over a decade, software-defined networking technology focuses on small to medium-sized enterprises for secure access and wide area networks Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2023
Microsoft trials ChatGPT to boost enterprise productivity
The Office Suite, Outlook, Teams and Power tools are about to get an AI boost thanks to Microsoft 365 Copilot Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Mar 2023
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a cross-platform browser created by Microsoft and installed by default on all new Windows devices. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2023
Microsoft patches Outlook zero-day for March Patch Tuesday
A highly dangerous privilege escalation bug in Outlook is among 80 different vulnerabilities patched in Microsoft’s March Patch Tuesday update Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2023
Why CIOs need to revisit desktop virtualisation
Cloud computing is the next revolution in infrastructure, but desktop IT is still very much on-premise Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 Feb 2023
Do we need another PC?
Looking at the cyclic nature of the PC industry, while it has been the worst year on record for new PC sales, the industry is banking on a bounce back. The PC manufacturers hope that those ... Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2023
Microsoft fixes three zero-days in February update
February’s Patch Tuesday update contains fixes for three previously unpublicised zero-days in Microsoft Office, Windows Graphics Component and Windows Common Log File System Driver Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2023
Microsoft fixes EoP zero-day on January Patch Tuesday
On the first Patch Tuesday of 2023, Microsoft fixed an elevation of privilege vulnerability in Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call, which has been actively exploited in the wild and may be co-opted into ransomware campaigns Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2022
Microsoft fixes two zero-days in final Patch Tuesday of 2022
December’s Patch Tuesday is typically a light month for Microsoft, and this year proved no exception, but there are still several critical issues worth addressing, and two zero-days for defenders to pore over Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2022
Customer frustrations mount as Rackspace investigation proceeds
Rackspace says it is making progress on restoring services following a ransomware attack on its Hosted Exchange business, but customers are becoming frustrated with a lack of communication Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Dec 2022
Hybrid work: How cloud PCs can drive collaboration
Organisations around the globe are grappling with remote working and are looking at various technologies to support flexible working practices Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2022
Google, MS, Oracle vulnerabilities make November ’22 a big month for patching
Vulnerabilities affecting the likes of Google, Microsoft and Oracle proved particularly troublesome in November Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2022
Microsoft CEO outlines ‘digital imperatives’
Organisations that want to do more with less will have to think deeply about digital imperatives such as the shift to cloud and artificial intelligence, says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Continue Reading
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Answer
15 Nov 2022
How to use the Excel LARGE function, with examples
The Excel LARGE function can help users who need to rank numbers in a list. Learn how to use it, some related functions and some errors to avoid when doing so. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2022
Microsoft serves smorgasbord of six zero-days
November’s Patch Tuesday fixes significantly fewer vulnerabilities of late, but includes six actively-exploited zero-days, three of them of critical severity Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2022
Microsoft pledges $100m in new IT support for Ukraine
Microsoft will continue to offer free-of-charge technology support to Ukraine for the foreseeable future Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2022
Russia risks shortage of PCs and software
Russian consumers and businesses could face a shortage of IT equipment including PCs and software Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Oct 2022
7 steps to fix a black screen in Windows 11
A black screen can be a symptom of several issues with a Windows 11 desktop. Knowing where to look for the source of the problem can simplify the troubleshooting process. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2022
Office 365 email encryption flaw could pose risk to user privacy
A vulnerability in Microsoft Office 365 Message Encryption could leave the contents of emails dangerously exposed, but with no fix coming it’s up to users to decide how at risk they are Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2022
Microsoft fixes lone zero-day on October Patch Tuesday
Microsoft patched a solitary zero-day vulnerability in its latest monthly drop, but fixes for two others disclosed in the past few weeks are nowhere to be seen Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2022
How Windows 11 Safe Mode works and when to use it
Windows 11 desktops can run into problems that don't have a clear cause. Safe Mode runs a pared-down version of the OS, making it easier to identify and solve system issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Sep 2022
How to fix Windows 11 when it keeps restarting
When a Windows 11 desktop keeps restarting, there are a few factors that may be behind the issue. IT administrators should understand all the possible causes and how to solve them. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2022
Microsoft patches 64 vulnerabilities on September Patch Tuesday
Microsoft drops fixes for five critical vulnerabilities and one zero-day in its latest monthly update Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2022
Users warned over Azure Active Directory authentication flaw
Secureworks researchers found what they say is a serious vulnerability in an Azure Active Directory authentication method, but Microsoft says it should not pose a serious risk to users Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2022
How to perform a factory reset on a Windows 11 desktop
A factory reset may be necessary when a device has performance issues or is set to go to a new user. IT can execute this process in Windows 11 while avoiding unwanted data loss. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2022
The role of Windows log monitoring in the enterprise
Whether organizations automate their log monitoring within Windows desktops or inspect them manually, logs can offer IT administrators valuable insight. Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2022
Cozy Bear targets MS 365 environments with new tactics
Cozy Bear, or APT29, is trying out new tricks as it seeks access to its targets’ Microsoft 365 environments Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2022
Microsoft doles out $13.7m in bug bounties
Microsoft’s Bug Bounty programme has paid a total of $13.7m to more than 300 researchers in almost 50 countries Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2022
Microsoft fixes two-year-old MSDT vulnerability in August update
August’s Patch Tuesday drop fixes more than 120 CVEs, including another MSDT RCE zero-day that is being actively exploited. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2022
Cyber criminals pivot away from macros as Microsoft changes bite
As Microsoft resumes blocking macros by default in its Office application suite, reversing a temporary reversal, analysis from Proofpoint suggests the action has had a remarkable effect Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2022
July Patch Tuesday brings more than 80 fixes, one zero-day
While some admins can put their feet up and let Windows Autopatch do the hard work of updating their Microsoft estates, for the rest of us, the Patch Tuesday bandwagon keeps on keeping on Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2022
Microsoft Windows Autopatch now generally available
Microsoft customers with Windows Enterprise E3 and E5 licences can now take full advantage of its new automated patching service Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2022
Microsoft VBA macro block will return
Microsoft provides more details about its sudden decision to rollback a landmark security policy, and reassures users it is a temporary measure Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2022
Microsoft appears to reverse VBA macro-blocking
Microsoft quietly reverses VBA macro-blocking across its Office portfolio in a move that has left security experts puzzled Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2022
File Allocation Table (FAT)
File Allocation Table (FAT) is a file system that Microsoft developed to support small disks and simple folder structures. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
28 Jun 2022
Collaboration key to IT sector sustainability
In this week’s Computer Weekly, as sustainability rises up the corporate agenda, IT leaders say more collaboration is needed to meet climate goals. Microsoft faces further calls for greater transparency over software tools used to monitor employees. And the cyber security industry warns over an increasing loss of talent. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2022
Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)
Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is an extension to Component Object Model (COM) that enables software components to communicate with each other across different computers on a local area network (LAN), on a wide area network (WAN) or across the internet. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2022
Microsoft Office 365 has ability to ‘spy’ on workers
Microsoft faces calls for ‘transparency’ over tools in Office 365 that allow employers to read staff emails and monitor their computer use at work Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2022
Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)
Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) is a free Microsoft tool that enables IT administrators to organize, group and control multiple remote desktop connections. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2022
Patch Tuesday dogged by concerns over Microsoft vulnerability response
The last Patch Tuesday in its current form is overshadowed by persistent concerns about how Microsoft deals with vulnerability disclosure Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2022
Microsoft drops emergency patch after Patch Tuesday screw up
Microsoft fixed a certificate mapping issue that caused server authentication failures on domain controllers for users that had installed the most recent Patch Tuesday updates Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2022
Microsoft fixes three zero-days on May Patch Tuesday
It’s the second-to-last Patch Tuesday as we know it, and Microsoft has fixed a total of 75 bugs, including three zero-days Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2022
Microsoft shows inflation-busting growth, driven by cloud adoption
As prices rise, Microsoft is trying to position its cloud services as the public cloud that offers the best value for money Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2022
Windows 7 and XP still more popular than Windows 11
Lansweeper audit of Windows devices finds more people are running unsupported Windows operating systems than the newest release Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2022
built-in administrator account
In the Windows operating system, the built-in administrator account -- the first account created when the OS was installed -- has the highest permissions of any profile on the computer system. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2022
Microsoft patches two zero-days, 10 critical bugs
Patch Tuesday is here once again. This month, security teams must fix two privilege escalation zero-days in the Windows Common Log File System Driver and the Windows User Profile Service Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Apr 2022
Client Access Server (CAS)
The Client Access Server (CAS) is a server role that handles all client connections to Exchange Server 2010 and Exchange 2013. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Apr 2022
IO.SYS
IO.SYS is a hidden executable binary file that processes instructions that tell the operating system (OS) how the computer is set up when it is booted or started. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2022
Windows
Windows is Microsoft's flagship operating system (OS), the de facto standard for home and business computers. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Microsoft serves up three zero-days on March Patch Tuesday
Three zero-days pop up in Microsoft’s March update, along with a number of other noteworthy concerns for defenders Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2022
Microsoft stops sales of products and services to Russia
Citing sanctions and cyber security concerns, Microsoft has become the latest company to withdraw from the Russian market Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Microsoft stomps on 48 bugs in February Patch Tuesday update
It’s a light Patch Tuesday for February 2022, as Microsoft issues fixes for just 48 CVEs, including a solitary zero-day Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2022
Microsoft to start blocking macros to thwart malware
Microsoft is making changes to web macro permissions across multiple Office apps to help improve user security Continue Reading