Windows Enterprise Desktop
Recent Posts
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Windows Defender Blocks PUAs
22 Aug 2018 -
Win10 Version 1809 Makes Official Debut
20 Aug 2018 -
Win10 Registry Includes AllowExperimentation Key
17 Aug 2018
Windows Defender offers numerous advanced security capabilities. Among them, Windows Defender Blocks PUAs (potentially unwanted applications). Here's how to put it to work!
A quick screen capture of winver.exe from Build 17741 shows that Win10 Version 1809 makes official debut as the upcoming next version name.
If it comes as a surprise that Win10 Registry includes AllowExperimentation key that's enabled by default, take cheer from an easy fix to disable it explicitly.
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Add Recovery Partition to Win10 Boot Menu
15 Aug 2018 -
About Logitech Driver Interface Drivers
13 Aug 2018 -
NoMo Snipping Tool Try Screen Sketch Instead
10 Aug 2018 -
Manual Download Works When WU Finds Nothing
08 Aug 2018 -
Fast Ring Win10 Builds 17728 and 17730 May Require Clean Install
06 Aug 2018 -
Latest GeForce Driver 398.82 Bluescreens PC
03 Aug 2018 -
Fixing Win10 Upgrade Stuck on Restart Issues
01 Aug 2018
When recovery entry fails on my Lenovo T520, I re-learn how to add recovery partition to Win10 Boot Menu. Easily done thanks to EasyBCD and MTPW.
As I dig into and learn more about Logitech Driver Interface Drivers, I quickly realize that they're essentially no-ops (not needed, not loaded, and not used). 'Nuff said!
Starting with a feature upgrade sometime soon, the screencap motto will be "NoMo Snipping Tool Try Screen Sketch Instead!" I take a look at what's what with Skip Ahead Preview Build 18204.
After TenForums news alerts me to a new firmware update for my Surface Pro 3, a manual download works when WU finds nothing. The real secret is knowing where to look.
When numerous attempts with Windows Update, WUMT, and even an upgrade install from a mounted ISO all fail, I realize that Fast Ring Win10 Builds 17728 and 17730 may require clean install. To my ...
When the latest GeForce Driver 398.82 bluescreens PC this morning, I find myself on an unwanted nostalgia trip. Been here before, not eager to go back. Even so, I'm waiting to see if it happens one ...
When it comes to fixing Win10 Upgrade stuck on Restart, there are several techniques that can put things back to rights. I usually start with WUMT then move onto a full-blown WU reset maneuver. One ...
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Clean Install Fixes Long-Standing Win10 Restart Issue
30 Jul 2018 -
PS Cmdlet Turns Win10 Networks Private
27 Jul 2018 -
DISM Export-Image Grabs Selected Image Installer
25 Jul 2018 -
Surface Pro Boot Requires Minimum Charge
23 Jul 2018 -
Win10 Migration Survey Reveals 2018 Challenges
20 Jul 2018 -
Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 Strange Upgrade Issues
19 Jul 2018 -
Productivity Hurdles Emphasize Office PC Setup Benefits
13 Jul 2018 -
MS Smartens Update Downloads
11 Jul 2018 -
The Occasional Resurgence of Windows.old
09 Jul 2018 -
MS Win7 Cert Exams Expire July 31
06 Jul 2018 -
DISM Cleans Up After Windows Update
04 Jul 2018 -
Strange Display Behavior Gets Workarounds
02 Jul 2018 -
WUMT Resolves Update Woes Yet Again
27 Jun 2018 -
MS Answers Offers 1803 Networking Resolution
25 Jun 2018 -
Win10 Hyper-V VMs Benefit from More VRAM
22 Jun 2018 -
UWP Win10 Sticky Notes Backup
20 Jun 2018 -
Grab New DriverStore Explorer from GitHub
18 Jun 2018 -
AI Drives Win10 Update Access
15 Jun 2018 -
Sysprep Audit Mode Alternate Key Sequence
13 Jun 2018 -
Fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers Issue
11 Jun 2018 -
VDI vendors must change tack as on-premises market slows
- Editorial Director 08 Jun 2018 -
Ctrl+Winkey+C Toggles Win10 Display to Grayscale Mode
08 Jun 2018 -
NirSoft NetBScanner Offers Win10 LAN Insights
06 Jun 2018 -
Set Win10 RS5 Rollback Retention Interval
04 Jun 2018 -
AdDuplex-based Win10 Uptake Projections Mostly Bogus
01 Jun 2018 -
Two Win10 Setup.exes Offer Differing Capabilities
30 May 2018 -
HID Woes Cause Overkill Win10 Repair
25 May 2018 -
Win10 NetBIOS Names Get Weirder
23 May 2018 -
Bring Back PING in Win10 1803
21 May 2018 -
Why Windows Machine Names Are Case-Sensitive in RDP
18 May 2018 -
Win10 1803 Gets New Bluetooth Version
16 May 2018 -
Windows Command Line Reference Observations
14 May 2018 -
Win10 DCOM 10016 Errors Are Mostly Benign
11 May 2018 -
Bring Back Basic Win10 1803 Networking
09 May 2018 -
MS Publishes Big Free Command Line Reference
07 May 2018 -
1803 May Drop Spectre Patches on Some PCs
04 May 2018 -
Win10 1803 Sometimes Creates Phantom Recovery Drive
02 May 2018 -
Tune Into PortableApps.com
30 Apr 2018 -
Finding Windows Defender Security About Info
27 Apr 2018 -
Skippy Shows Off Lean Win10 Edition
25 Apr 2018 -
Build 1803 Equals April Update
23 Apr 2018 -
God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail
20 Apr 2018 -
Windows Server 2019 RDSH is a go
- Editorial Director 17 Apr 2018 -
Fixing Recovery Drive Creation Problems
16 Apr 2018 -
Updating BIOS UEFI When Windows App Fails
13 Apr 2018 -
When USB Hub Gets Weird Win-RAID Provides Fix
11 Apr 2018 -
MS Releases Open Source Win3.0 File Manager
09 Apr 2018 -
Intel Excludes Older CPUs from Spectre Updates
06 Apr 2018 -
MPP IT Support Track Offers Interesting Insights
04 Apr 2018 -
Myerson's Farewell Reveals Interesting Win10 Stats
02 Apr 2018 -
Microsoft Edge web browser has a long way to go against Chrome
- Editorial Director 28 Mar 2018 -
Macrium Reflect Upgrade Cancels Backup Schedules
28 Mar 2018 -
KB4089848 Poses Widely Reported Win10 Problems
26 Mar 2018 -
Script Out Your Win10 Build History Using PowerShell
23 Mar 2018 -
Reducing Win10 Upgrade Offline Time
21 Mar 2018 -
VMware Workspace One gets intelligent
21 Mar 2018 -
Logon times play key role in virtual desktop UX monitoring
- Site Editor 19 Mar 2018 -
Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10
19 Mar 2018 -
Check Current Win10 for In-place Upgrade Repair
16 Mar 2018 -
MS Offers New Spectre Updates
14 Mar 2018 -
Post Build 17115 Driver Fix Routine Still Works
11 Mar 2018 -
MS Foils Coin Mining Compelling Telemetry Case
09 Mar 2018 -
Day 1: Global Microsoft MVP Summit
06 Mar 2018 -
MS Offers Spectre Meltdown Updates Via Catalog
02 Mar 2018 -
Firmware Update Proceeds at Glacial Pace
01 Mar 2018 -
Fixing Missing Mouse or Keyboard
28 Feb 2018 -
Win7 Still Activates Win10 2/27/18
27 Feb 2018 -
Win10 Upgrade Repair Install Tips
25 Feb 2018 -
Win10 Safe Mode Breakout Technique
21 Feb 2018 -
Bootrec Fixes Win10 Boot Problems
19 Feb 2018 -
Do Try Microsoft Teams
16 Feb 2018 -
Update 7-ZIP to 18.01 NOW
14 Feb 2018 -
No Win10 Means No Office 2019
12 Feb 2018 -
KB4058258 Install Fail Fix
11 Feb 2018 -
Windows 10 Gets S Modes
07 Feb 2018 -
Timely Firmware Update Rescues Surface Pro 3
06 Feb 2018 -
Windows 10 Count Finally Exceeds Windows 7
02 Feb 2018 -
Announcing the winners of the Access Innovation Awards
- Editorial Director 31 Jan 2018 -
MS Issues Spectre Reversal Update (Catalog Only)
29 Jan 2018 -
Skip Product Key When Sysprepping Win10
26 Jan 2018 -
Intel Now Advises Against Installing Spectre Patches!
24 Jan 2018 -
OneDrive File Attributes Uncovered
22 Jan 2018 -
17074.1002 Introduces Involuntary Upgrade Repair Install
19 Jan 2018 -
MDT PS Wizard Covers MS Deployment Toolkit Wizards
17 Jan 2018 -
Operator Error Explains 4TB Drive Mystery
15 Jan 2018 -
Win10 PC Brick-Avoidance Techniques
12 Jan 2018 -
More Details on KB4056892 Wintel Vulnerabilities
10 Jan 2018 -
RegHack Fixes Unwanted Win10 Thumbnail Deletions
08 Jan 2018 -
KB4056892 Fixes Critical Win10 Security Bugs
05 Jan 2018 -
Undoing 7Zip ISO Association
23 Dec 2017
A clean install fixes long-standing Win10 Restart issue and thereby vindicates conventional wisdom that occasional or periodic clean Windows installs serve as a kind of OS maintenance technique or ...
Because GUI access to the control can sometimes be problematic (or MIA), it's a good thing that PS Cmdlet turns Win10 networks Private. That cmdlet is named Set-NetConnectionProfile.
When I observe that a multi-image ISO file results in an installer for Windows 10 Home, I learn that DISM Export-Image grabs selected image installer for Pro instead. This lets me update my ...
When a tablet connected to A/C power absolutely, positively refuses to boot, I learn that Surface Pro boot requires minimum charge levels to succeed.
Jeremy Moskowitz's recent Win10 migration survey reveals 2018 challenges facing organizations of all kinds, based on 500-plus responses from 30 countries (80% US-based).
When Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 strange upgrade issues manifest for recent Insider Preview builds, my usual troubleshooting ritual sets things right. No clean install this time, as I'd feared might be ...
Working on the road for just over a week, I realize that productivity hurdles emphasize office PC setup benefits. With a little thought, ingenuity and money, though, most of these hurdles can be ...
By downloading updates from smallest to largest in size in that order, and downloading updates in pairs, MS smartens Update downloads. Now, if I could only figure out what determines update ...
When it comes to post-upgrade cleanup in Windows 10, an occasional resurgence of Windows.old seems to pop up from time to time. Here's another one found and fixed!
When S Win7 Cert Exams expire July 31 they signal that today's reigning Windows version is nearing the end of its lifecycle. With 900-plus million devices still running Win7, lots of change is at hand.
Because DISM cleans up after Windows Update adds new items to Win10, it's a good idea to use its AnalyzeComponentStore and CleanupComponentStore directives from time to time. Here's how!
Strange display behavior gets workarounds in Windows 10: right-click the taskbar entry, Alt+Space to restore the original window, or force-change then restore screen resolution. Very interesting!
When one of my laptops balks at completing the update check for a current cumulative update, WUMT resolves update woes yet again for Windows 10.
MS Answers offers 1803 networking resolution for those seeking to make nodes or network resources visible or available using File Explorer and other tools.
Depending on the workload and applications in use Win10 Hyper-V VMs benefit from more VRAM (virtual RAM), easily allocated using the Hyper-V manager.
Making a UWP Win10 Sticky Notes backup translates into finding and copying the file named plum.sqlite to a safe place. Easy-peasy!
Whether you're a first-time user or are running an older version, please take the time to grab new DriverStore Explorer from GitHub. It's worth using!
AI drives Win10 Update access, and uses telemetry and feedback data to target updates PCs likely to have a positive experience. Over time, MS extends updates to more PCs as the likelihood of ...
When the default Ctrl+Shift+F3 won't do it, try the Sysprep Audit Mode alternate key sequence instead: Ctrl+Fn+Shift+F3. Works for me!
Evidence I compiled helped me with fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers issue by leading me to the device involved, and possible fixes.
Many organizations that are good candidates for VDI have already adopted the technology. Find out how cloud and other factors are driving changes in adoption today, and how new numbers from the ...
For some people, learning that Ctrl+Winkey+C toggles Win10 display to grayscale mode comes as an unpleasant surprise. Fortunately, it's easy to reverse.
After the 1803 upgrade monkey with LAN visibility for some nodes, NirSoft NetBScanner offers Win10 LAN insights to help get things running again. Good stuff!
I don't normally write much about the Insider Preview builds for this blog post. Practicing Enterprise admins have enough on their hands keeping up with current branch versions of the OS. But when ...
When I first saw the news, I was stunned. But on further analysis, AdDuplex-based Win10 uptake projections mostly bogus, reflecting an incomplete and off-kilter subset of the user base.
If you build conventional Win10 installation media, you'll find two Win10 Setup.exes offer differing capabilities. One is good to upgrades or repair an existing Win10 install, the other for ...
When HID woes cause overkill Win10 repair, it's because I try a software fix for what turns out to be a purely hardware problem. Sigh.
When I say Win10 NetBIOS names get weirder I mean two things: they are indeed case sensitive, and sometimes the actual defined case-correct name string won't resolve properly.
As I troubleshoot an inexplicable inability to remote into one of my office PCs, I figure out how to bring back PING in Win10 1803. In short, my recent spate of networking issues continue!
When the certificate warning shows up, I finally figure out why Windows machine names are case-sensitive in RDP. The machine name isn't case-sensitive, but the certificate name most certainly is!
Amidst a raft of other changes, enhancements and additons, Win10 1803 gets new Bluetooth version that leaves some users in the lurch, functionality-wise.
By checking which commands work in PowerShell and which have PowerShell aliases, I compile an interesting set of Windows Command Line Reference observations.
Finally! A Microsoft Support note explicitly confirms what I've long suspected: Win10 DCOM 10016 errors are mostly benign. They occur by deliberate design, in fact.
The demise of HomeGroup makes it necessary to bring back basic Win10 1803 networking for Workgroup based Windows networks. Here's how!
Last Friday, my partner in crime at Win10.Guru, Kari Finn, sent me a link to a very interesting document. It comes from the Microsoft Download Center and shows up with very little descriptive ...
According to some usually reliable observers and experts, Windows 10 Version 1803 may drop Spectre Patches on some PCs. Here's how to check if any of your PCs are affected.
Thanks to a minor but annoying error, Win10 1803 sometimes creates phantom Recovery Drive during the upgrade process. Here are two easy fixes to make it go away.
If you tune into PortableApps.com and use their platform, you'll find a great way to take tools, utilities and applications with you onto any PC. Great stuff!
It turns out that finding Windows Defender Security About info is a little convoluted, but checking its Settings will point you in the right direction.
The Windows Insider Skip Ahead Preview, aka Skippy Shows Off Lean Win10 Edition as a new SKU pops up in Build 17650.
Based on the content of the Edge Welcome screen in Build 17134, it seems pretty safe to proclaim that Build 1803 Equals April Update.
If God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail and pasting URLs causes Word, Excel and so forth to crash, delete the God Mode parent folder to fix this problem.
After some confusing messaging about whether Remote Desktop Session Host would be in Windows Server 2019, Microsoft said the role will in fact be coming to the preview and official release.
Fixing recovery drive creation problems in Win10 turns out to involve running the utility twice: once with system files out, again with system files in.
A questionable January firmware update for an older hybrid tablet has me seeking ways of updating BIOS UEFI when Windows app fails to run to completion. Dell Forums provide my answers.
When USB hub gets weird Win-RAID provides fix for MIA Asmedia device. It's got modded drivers for Intel, and most other USB hubs and controllers, too. Worth checking out!
In an interesting surprise move, MS Releases Open Source Win3.0 File Manager. Works like a champ on Windows 10, too!
Intel excludes older CPUs from Spectre updates. I summarize the charts to identify newly-added microcode updates, and CPUs for which updates will not be available.
For those interested in working in tech support, but also for those into understanding Microsoft, the MPP IT Support Track offers interesting insights.
Myerson's farewell reveals interesting Win10 stats -- specifically that the total number of Win10 users is closing in on 700M with 15M members in the Windows Insider program.
Recent updates to Chrome continue to increase its viability for business users, which could make it difficult for Microsoft's Edge web browser to take over shares of Google's in the enterprise.
As I follow my twice-monthly drive cleanup routine, I realize that Macrium Reflect upgrade cancels backup schedules. Can't have that!
With oodles and scads of users reporting issues, KB4089848 poses widely reported Win10 problems that occur often enough and with severity sufficient to make it advisable to block this update outright.
A nifty pair of carefully crafted commands let you script out your Win10 build history using PowerShell for each PC you run it on.
MS says a key goal in improving feature upgrades is reducing Win10 upgrade offline time. Personally, I find their current list of upgrade/install steps more informative.
Several VMware Workspace One features announced at VMworld 2017, including Workspace One Intelligence and Mobile Flows, are now generally available.
Overly long logon times for virtual desktops and applications can lead to major losses in user productivity that costs organizations real money. Learn how IT can improve VDI performance using ...
Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10 means knowing that those files capture user profile settings and preferences, and are best left alone and untouched for proper OS operation.
If you carefully check current Win10 for in-place upgrade repair, you'll be able to choose and download the proper ISO to attempt such repairs every time, without fail.
As MS offers new Spectre updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog, I realize that it's going to be a long slog to get those vulnerabilities patches on all my PCs.
Even post Build 17115 Driver Fix routine still works to fix most common driver issues and difficulties. Try this 3-step sequence and see!
Through clever and effective use of telemetry data, AI and machine learning, MS foils coin mining in a big way in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
During Day 1: Global Microsoft MVP Summit I learn that proper feedback is the real reason why Microsoft operates the Insider program, and provide tips on how to provide quality feedback on Windows.
Is is because OEM are taking too long to pony up that MS offers Spectre Meltdown updates via catalog downloads? I don't know, but I'm glad somebody's doing something!
Given that the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities created such a furor, one can only observe that the attendant firmware update Proceeds at glacial pace.
When it comes to fixing missing mouse or keyboard in Win10 you can either try different hardware, or boot from a different Windows, to effect repairs.
After skipping key entry on a clean Windows 10 install, I learn that Win7 Still Validates Win10 for activation. Woo hoo: my sister's HP Pavilion Dv6 is back in action.
When it comes to fixing misbehaving or flaky Windows PCs, here are some hopefully useful Win10 upgrade repair install tips.
If you get stuck in a boot loop while in safe mode, you'll need a Win10 Safe Mode breakout technique. Here's one that works from the command line.
When boot-up goes wonky, remember this: Bootrec fixes Win10 boot problems! Here, you'll learn how to launch and run this boot repair tool, and what it can do to help.
Having now used the platform for a couple of month, I enthusiastically exhort you: Do try Microsoft Teams! You may be in for a pleasant and productivity-enhancing surprise.
Because of some recently-discovered and somewhat nasty vulnerabilities, you really, really want to update 7-ZIP to 18.01 NOW!!
MS has laid down the law: no Win10 means no Office 2019. If you don't get on the Win10 bandwagon, you can't stay on the Office 365 one, either.
Those who try, and fail, to install KB4058258 should try this simple recipe for a KB4058258 install fail fix. It takes a little while but works pretty well.
In a surprising twist, Microsoft does away with standalone Windows 10 S. Instead, Windows 10 gets S Modes for most consumer (and Education) versions.
After my PC gets caught in an ongoing crash loop, a timely firmware update rescues Surface Pro 3, thanks in large part to the Windows Update MiniTool.
According to several sources now, the Windows 10 count finally exceeds Windows 7 from both USA and global perspectives.
These award-winning projects demonstrate how organizations that embrace endpoint diversity, cloud computing and user experience-focused strategies can transform existing end-user processes.
Because Intel is taking its sweet time fixing microcode, and reboot and stability problems continue, MS issues Spectre reversal update (Catalog Only).
To skip Product Key when Sysprepping Win10, you must supply a generic product key instead. Here's a list of same to use.
Because of widely-reported issues with reboots and system stability, Intel now advises against installing Spectre patches!
A careful look at help information leads to new OneDrive File attributes uncovered, and a better understanding of how OnDemand files work.
The latest Win10 Insider Preview build 17074.1002 introduces involuntary upgrade repair install. What looks like an update is a major version upgrade!
Damien Van Robaeys excellent MDT PS Wizard covers MS Deployment Toolkit wizards within the pleasing GUI of a single, comprehensive scripted environment. Great stuff!
When I compared the PSU (brick) I'd been using on my dual drive dock to the one I'd just purchased, I realized that operator error explains 4TB drive mystery. Sheesh!
When updating BIOSes or firmware, or upgrading Windows 10, it's wise to practice Win10 PC brick-avoidance techniques.
More details on KB4056892 Wintel vulnerabilities tell us their names, and reveal that vendor hardware support is needed to fix one of this pair of critical items.
A simple RegHack fixes unwanted Win10 thumbnail deletions that make preview images disappear from File Explorer.
Because KB4056892 fixes critical Win10 security bugs, admins and deployment teams should get this one out to all Win10 PCs ASAP.
Undoing 7Zip ISO association means right-clicking, choosing "Open with", selecting File Explorer, and checking the "Always use" box.