Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• What are my options for configuring Windows 8 startup?

  The System Configuration tool features four tabs of options you can use to configure Windows 8 startup. Continue Reading

• What are some common Office 2013 problems?

  Office 2013 problems can stem from an incomplete install, or your particular version or settings. Luckily, there are simple fixes for most issues. Continue Reading

• How does Windows 8.1 support affect Active Directory?

  Windows 8.1 support for endpoint security includes Open MDM and biometrics, but removing Remote Server Administration Tools can affect Active Directory. Continue Reading

• What Web application monitoring tools exist for desktops?

  Microsoft Intune and other mobile device management tools are also useful for desktop management from the cloud and Web application monitoring. Continue Reading

• Untangling the Gordian knot of the Windows boot process

  An infinite reboot loop is a common issue with the Windows boot process. Start up in Windows Safe Mode to diagnose device driver or hardware problems. Continue Reading

• Tighten Windows 8.1 security in five simple steps

  Microsoft has improved Windows 8.1 security, but no OS is free of vulnerabilities. Some basic settings can further protect Windows 8.x systems.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows history: A 30-year timeline

  Microsoft celebrates 30 years of the Windows operating system when it ships Windows 10 this fall. Here's a look at Windows history -- bumps and all.Continue Reading

• Four utilities can verify Group Policy object settings

  Client-side extensions could cause a Group Policy object to fail. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to track down Windows GPO settings.Continue Reading

• Three visual disk analyzer utilities to help you optimize disk space

  Learn about visual exploration tools for Windows drives of all sizes. These disk analyzers can help identify big unnecessary items for space savings.Continue Reading

• Office Telemetry reports on Office 2013 docs and apps

  If IT administrators need information on document and application usage, they can use Office Telemetry, an Office 2013 feature that gathers such data.Continue Reading

• Windows 9 features may address unified apps and the cloud

  Based on the Windows 8.1 update, it's reasonable to expect Windows 9 features for universal apps and cloud integration. Will they entice enterprises?Continue Reading

• How to perform a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1

  As organizations must now implement a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1, they should understand that Windows 8 and 8.1 aren't identical and use the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant.Continue Reading

• Free Sysinternals tools can be IT's friends

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• The Sysinternals Disk Usage tool is a simple way to assess free space

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• More remote Group Policy Object settings and checking refresh status

  Admins can refresh Group Policy Object settings across multiple computers, but they must verify that Group Policy settings have successfully changed.Continue Reading

• Excel pivot tables can help IT admins track support, costs

  Excel isn't just for end users. If you know how to properly filter data with Excel pivot tables, you can track expenses and create detailed reports.Continue Reading

• Before you clone HDD to SSD, know the benefits and danger to data

  Which type of drive is better: hard disk drive or solid-state drive? HDD to SSD cloning can ease data access, but SSDs aren't without risks to data.Continue Reading

• If you're not using Windows Sysinternals tools, you should be

  Windows Sysinternals tools can make work a lot easier for IT administrators, but many people don't even know the suite exists. Get with the program!Continue Reading

• Windows tools and terminology for desktop admins

  There are a number of Windows tools that desktop admins can use, but before you can use them you have to know what the terms actually mean.Continue Reading

• Using Active Directory activation and other new Office 2013 tools

  Among the new Office 2013 tools for IT admins are a method for volume activation, administrative template files and files for custom installations.Continue Reading

• Microsoft USMT (User State Migration Tool)

  The Microsoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) is a command-line utility used to transfer user files and settings between computers.Continue Reading

• A guide to Windows 7 migration tools

  Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP is no easy task, but several tools from Microsoft and third-party vendors can simplify the process.Continue Reading

• Using Sysinternals tools in security management scenarios

  Discover three valuable Sysinternals tools and common Windows security management scenarios in which these tools would be used.Continue Reading

• Sysinternals tools: A must-have for every Windows security toolbox

  Learn about the free Sysinternals tools that make managing and troubleshooting Windows-based PCs almost effortless for administrators.Continue Reading

• Hacking Exposed Windows: Windows security features and tools

  In Hacking Exposed Windows, by Joel Scambray, you can learn how to prevent malicious attackers from hacking into your network and damaging or stealing the business critical data you have stored in your Windows machines.Continue Reading

• PatchLink Update 6.4

  PatchLink Update 6.4 automatically updates networks with patches while checking the patching status of all machines on the network. It automatically identifies unpatched software, then provides and installs the correct patches.Continue Reading

• Taking over the domain

  This excerpt from Chapter 2 of "Protect Your Windows Network from Perimeter to Data," by Jesper Johansson and Steve Riley, is about.securing networks by understanding how hackers take advantage of your mistakes.Continue Reading

• Target network

  This excerpt from Chapter 2 of "Protect Your Windows Network from Perimeter to Data," by Jesper Johansson and Steve Riley, is about.securing networks by understanding how hackers take advantage of your mistakes.Continue Reading