Deploy Same Windows Image to Multiple PCs
This blog post is not about deploying the OS using traditional management systems but instead it is about rapidly deploying the same image to many… Read More »Deploy Same Windows Image to Multiple PCs
This blog post is not about deploying the OS using traditional management systems but instead it is about rapidly deploying the same image to many… Read More »Deploy Same Windows Image to Multiple PCs
As more and more customers move to modern device management and modern provisioning the question becomes how to can organizations support their remote workers. Also… Read More »Enabling Remote Assist with Intune
A good question popped this week in my email. How do I prevent users from saving files to local drives, while still allow them to… Read More »Restrict Saving Files To Local Drives
On June 24, 2021 Microsoft announced WIndows 11. Last week during their Partner conference, Ignite, Microsoft announced Windows 365. It will be launched on August… Read More »Windows 365 Cloud PC
I think it is fair to say that this is very – VERY – different than any other Windows OS launch than in the past. Microsoft has kept a very tight lip on what the announcements contain, and details (or leaks) have not surfaced yet.
BIOS and driver updates are a very big challenge facing many organizations today. In fact, so many of them do not patch anything after initial… Read More »BIOS Device Driver Updates with MDM
A couple of questions I often get are: How to get the Windows 10 image on to the device after a hard disk failure Will… Read More »Windows Autopilot after Hardware Failure
Device as a Service (DaaS), PC as a Service (PCaaS), virtual desktop as a service and cloud-based desktops are not new to the industry. Now a potential service in this realm to be provided by Microsoft as part of their Microsoft 365 service offerings.
Microsoft is transitioning Windows Insider Program from the existing frequency-based RING model to a channel model aligning to the Office release model to focus on quality .
Windows Autopilot does not imply customer must use Microsoft Intune.
Window Autopilot is independent of the Modern Device Management tool used by the organization.
There is a new version of Windows 10 brewing in the distance. But are we really talking about a new version of Windows 10?
Following up from my previous post Windows 10 Generic Image / No Bloatware I would like to share a great open source script it was… Read More »Script to Remove Bloatware from Windows 10
This week Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella provided a rare glimpse at what they are focusing on as it relates to device management: A Strategy to… Read More »The Next 46 Billion Devices
Organizations need to stay up-to-date in their Windows 10 OS patching otherwise they introduce a lot of security risk and likely compliance governance issues.
I am surprised by the number of organizations still managing their many devices without a system management tool. It may not be the most efficient… Read More »Script to get OS version
With less than 35 working days to the end of support for Windows 7, which means that no more updates or fixes, including security fixes… Read More »Windows 7 Beyond The Deadline
Windows 10 v1909 was released November 12, 2019. This released carries an 18 month lifecycle for Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions… Read More »Windows 10 v1909 Released
As of this writing, there has been 9 versions of Windows 10 since its release in 2015 and many of them are no longer supported… Read More »Keeping up with Windows 10
Two posters that clearly describe the Windows Autopilot process based on New Device and Existing Device scenarios. Full versions can be found at: Window Autopilot… Read More »Windows Autopilot Deployment Workflows
How to grant users temporary Local Admin Rights to their devices in an environment where they do not have it.
Most versions of Windows 10 v1803 will end-of-life on November 12, 2019. Microsoft plans to update automatically those computers to v1903.
As organizations deploy Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise with Modern Device Management the processes for activating Windows 10 are changing, and new options are available.
Most of us are familiar with the traditional product key registration for Windows devices. For businesses (large and small) the common activation scenarios for activation have included:
Update 8/1/2020: Microsoft has updated their official blog post a number of times since this post to include automated ways from Intune and ConfigManager.
We have published a number of posts about what Windows Autopilot is and how to setup and test. Now that so many organizations have taken note of Modern Device Management advantages they want to know how to include those devices into the Windows Autopilot.
It needs to be clarified that Modern Devices Management in the context of Windows Autopilot, is comprised of three parts:
This article relates to step 1) for existing devices within an organization. Specifically the question it is trying to answer is:
Is there a way we can generate the IDs without someone sitting down in front of hundreds / thousand of individual machines and manually starting the PowerShell script?
Here is high level steps what I have seen done out there:
Read More »Gathering Existing Devices Windows Autopilot Device IDsGuest post by Colin Sainsbury
In the past, operational process often involved to wiping and reloading/re-imaging a device between users or to fix issues that have crept in. This is both time consuming and costly representing an unnecessary overhead. In environments where contingent/contractor labour is a high proportion of the workforce, this has been a significant cost driver. Windows 10 provides new ways to address this challenge.
It should be noted that none of these approaches deliver true data sanitation nor do they claim to be NIST 800-88 compliant. In this sense, they might be appropriate between users within the same organisation or business sub-unit but not when end of warranty devices are being returned to lessor or sold on. Always take advice from your information security team before adopting one of these methods to ensure that it meets their need to protect your data.
Read More »Windows 10 Refreshing the OS – Operational ProcessesThis is a Microsoft slide which goes back to November 2015 I think it should be revived, as it really speaks about all elements of… Read More »MDM in Windows 10 (circa Nov 2015)
Not long ago, in August 2018, I wrote a blog post Microsoft Platform: Workspace Transformation in which I mentioned that each of the products included in the Microsoft 365 platform have already “changed and will continue to change the landscape of the way we are to manage end-user compute space”
I mentioned several products by name including:
What has surprise me the most about the last year, is the adoption speed and acceleration of the platform.
Windows 10 was released (general availability) on June 29, 2015, four years ago!
As opposed to previous versions of the Microsoft Operating System, where each edition came as a separate ISO, there is only one package for the latest Windows 10 OS that can be “unlocked” when activated to have the edition you need. (there are some restrictions/requirements based on licensing)
One of the most common questions I get when talking about Modern Device Management is how to upgrade the edition that comes with the device from Pro to Enterprise as part of the enrollment / provisioning process.
Read More »Updating Windows 10 Edition with Autopilot / Intune
What is Windows Autopilot white glove?
The new Windows Autopilot white glove process, which lets IT technicians, partners, and even OEMs pre-provision devices before they are delivered to the user. Using this process, all device configuration tasks, including apps (machine-targeted or user-targeted), certificates, and policies, can be completed in advance, making it so that when the user gets the device, the device can be ready for productive use within a few minutes.
Is it available yet?
Read More »Windows Autopilot White Glove Details Announced..
Today is April 8, 2019, and with 280 calendar days ( less than 195 working days) away from the Windows 7 End of Support deadline, many organizations are realizing that they need a strategy in place for those devices that, for whatever the reason is, are not going to make the cut to Windows 10.
Yep – you heard correctly!
No more Semi-Annual Channel Targeted (aka CB) or Semi-Annual Channel Broad (aka CBB) releases!
Although this is not a new topic (John Wilcox gave us a heads up back in May 2018) the Semi-Annual Channel(SAC) Targeted release (formerly known as CB or Current Branch) will be fully retired after Windows 10 v1903.
What this means for Enterprises? Read More »Semi-Annual Channel(SAC) Targeted release will be retired
One of the most common questions I am asked during Small-Medium Business (SMB) customer calls is why should I move from Windows 10 Pro to Enterprise.
The simple (but not complete) answer is: The primary reason is because of the security features included in Enterprise.
Baseline functionality for both versions include:
UPDATE February 2021: Microsoft announced that the next version of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC will be released in the second half of this calendar year (2H21) and will carry a 5-year support lifecycle, instead of the 10-year lifecycle supported with previous version. Full Microsoft announcement post here.
Now that Windows 7 is less than a year ( 250 working days and counting!) away from officially end of life, we have many organizations that are not prepared to deal with the constant cycle of updates Windows 10 brings and are looking into different alternatives. The challenges on the last released update to Windows 10, v1809, did not help these late / cautious adopter organizations that the new Windows as a Service cycle is better that the previous approach.
Some of the paths they are looking include:
As I go around customers talking about Modern Provisioning, a common questions during the session is: What do I need to give Windows Autopilot a try? How do I test it? What are the requirements? How do I get started?
You can take Windows Autopilot for a test drive with little effort and no need to order new devices. Here is how:Read More »How to Try Windows Autopilot
Many businesses (especially large ones) have been using Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) with Software Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or similar system to manage Windows updates to the end-point devices for a very long time. However many do not have a formalized process to update the O/S on their devices.
For the past 3 years or so Microsoft’s Windows 10 introduced automatically downloads and installs updates to make sure your device is secure and up to date.
As businesses adopt and migrate to Windows 10 they have to deal with three basic challenges:
In my work I have a lot of conversations and do a lot presentations om the topic of Workspace Transformation, Modern Provisioning and Modern Device… Read More »Launching a New Blog: ModernEUC.com
After a long wait, Microsoft has started once again to roll out Windows 10 v1809 (October 2018 Update) starting November 13. Originally released on Oct 2, 2018, Microsoft paused the roll out after issues were reported and confirmed a week later (October 9)
Software is available via the Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Windows Update for Business and also on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
Great article by my colleague at Dell EMC, Colin Sainsbury on Application Testing and Management in a Windows 10 world. Preparing applications for… Read More »Windows 10 Migration: It’s All About the Apps
Today Microsoft officially announced a new service: Microsoft Managed Desktop or MMD. Although it was known Microsoft was working on this, no official word or… Read More »Microsoft Managed Desktop Service
Just a few of days ago (Sep 6, 2018) Microsoft announced Windows 7 Extended Support Upgrade (ESU) where businesses can now pay to extend Windows 7 Security Updates Beyond January 14, 2020. (See summary of announcement here )
Although pricing was not revealed, the blog post announcement, authored by Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President for Office and Windows Marketing stated:
“[T]oday we are announcing that we will offer paid Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) through January 2023. The Windows 7 ESU will be sold on a per-device basis and the price will increase each year,”
Read More »Windows 7 Extended Support Update Packages Pricing
There was a very significant announcement that was made public today. Summary of announcement: Longer Windows 10 servicing for enterprises and educational institutions moving from… Read More »Microsoft announcement: WaaS and Windows 7
Update: Windows 7 Extended Support Update Packages Pricing
There was a very significant announcement that was made public today.
Summary of announcement:
What is the pricing and the differences between the different versions of Microsoft 365.
onth – or so, I try to find a short list on Windows 10 related topics which would be of interest to you and specially… Read More »InfoBits – Windows 10 News You Can use Aug 2018
Workspace transformation is gaining lot of momentum at the moment. At its core, it is about letting users access data and applications securely anywhere anytime. … Read More »Microsoft Platform: Workspace Transformation
Lots of change in the EUC space these days! — The reason for this blog is a specific question I received : Customer is looking… Read More »Windows 10 and Application Modernization: MSIX Format
This article is all about “Getting to Windows 10”.
All of us have been to customers that have not yet officially started their Windows 10 projects or they are still at very early stages. This is especially true for larger organizations (public and private sectors). Procrastination is real, and unless Microsoft changes the date – which they have stated publicly they are not , Windows 7 -based devices will be out of support January 14, 2020. which meant they will be a security compliance issue, not to mentioned the data security risks.
The message is not new. But the reality of the timeline ahead, is! – We are at that point. (want the blue pill or red pill )
Read More »Getting to Windows 10: Take the Blue Pill or the Red Pill
Windows 7 End of Extended Support date: January 14, 2020 : Days Remaining to migrate your PC fleet: Total Calendar Days: 569 / Business Days: <395 Call to… Read More »InfoBits: Windows 10 News You can Use June 2018
h – or so, I try to find a short list on Windows 10 related topics which would be of interest to you and specially… Read More »InfoBits – Windows 10 News You Can Use May 2018
Many people ping me on a weekly basis wanting to know what Microsoft’s Windows Autopilot is and understand what it means or if they can… Read More »Windows Autopilot – Basics
Every month, I try to find a short list on Windows 10 related topics which would be of interest to you and specially your customers. … Read More »InfoBits – Win10 News you can use Nov 2017
Below you will find a short summary list on Windows 10 related topics which I have found interesting. I do share these with my peers… Read More »Windows 10 InfoBits for October 2017
Below you will find a short summary list on Windows 10 related topics which I have found interesting. I do share these with my peers… Read More »Windows 10 InfoBits for September 2017
Windows 10 is about just about 2 years old ( 1507 Threadstone 1 was released on July 29, 2015) , and even though it was… Read More »Windows 10 Short Videos
Windows 10 is about just about 2 years old ( 1507 Threadstone 1 was released on July 29, 2015) , and even though it was short of the 1 billion devices originally targeted by this time, the ~500 million or so is a tremendous achievement. It has been the fastest Microsoft OS adoption in history.
Next year, 2018, will be a pivotal year for businesses adoption with, according to a recently released Gartner report, over 85% percent of enterprises will have started Windows 10 deployments by the end of 2017.
Read More »Deploying Windows 10 within your Business Video Series
Windows 10 is about just about 2 years old ( 1507 Threadstone 1 was released on July 29, 2015) , and even though it was short… Read More »Deploying Windows 10 within your Business Video Series
Now it becomes real! When Discussing the continuous update model of Windows as a Service, one of the first questions that comes out is: What… Read More »Windows 10 v1507 – End of Life
Now it becomes real!
When Discussing the continuous update model of Windows as a Service, one of the first questions that comes out is:
What would be the impact of not keeping up with Windows-as-a-Services updates?
Although it has been stated by Microsoft a number of time, we now have a clear written statement from them on the impact.
Here is a summary of the first End of Service (for v1507) line announcement out of Microsoft:
Windows 10 version 1507 will no longer receive security updates
After May 9, 2017, Windows 10 devices running version 1507 will no longer receive security and quality updates.
Microsoft recommends updating devices to the latest version of Windows 10 Read More »Windows 10 v1507 – End of Life
If you have not seen the latest Microsoft Tech Summit video from Michael Niehaus you are missing a lot ! Enhance Windows 10 deployment: What’s… Read More »Tech Summit 2017: Windows 10 Deployment Whats New Video
Many people ping me on a weekly basis wanting to know what Microsoft’s Windows AutoPilot is and understand what it means or if they can use it right away..
Microsoft and other vendors are marketing as the new zero-touch deployment experience.
This is what I tell them:
Read More »Windows Autopilot Basics
Summary: Microsoft’s Windows 10 new delivery and update cycles will drive significant change in the current enterprise application compatibility testing and verification operational processes. These… Read More »Application Compatibility Testing with Windows 10 and Windows-as-a-Service
I am constantly asked by customers about the Microsoft Telemetry and what it collects – Privacy is a big topic everywhere, and data-driven design (think… Read More »Windows 10 Telemetry Talk…
Looks like the next version of Windows 10, dubbed Creator Update – will include a Legacy BIOS to UEIF in-place migration tool. This is very… Read More »In-Place UEFI Conversion coming Window 10
I have extracted a list of the Windows 10 / EMS and related sessions with links to the respective videos online. Once again –… Read More »Microsoft Ignite 2016 – Win10 / EMS Sessions
[ Update 20161004: I encourage you to watch Brad Anderson’s keynote session at Microsoft Ignite 2016 – Simply IMPRESSIVE! ] As I have written before, technology… Read More »The Value Proposition of a Platform: Microsoft Win10/Office365/EM+S
Tonight, I decided to “Reset Windows 10” I have been using Windows 10 for a long time now… I am part of the Windows 10… Read More »Resetting Windows 10
It is good to see that after listening to the feedback coming back from their enterprise customers, Microsoft is reconsidering the publishing of what is included in each… Read More »Windows 10 Patch Information is Back
For the most part I love Windows 10… However, I have noticed that it not always behaves “as expected”… One notable example that annoys the… Read More »Windows 10 Hickups 1
AS a follow-up to my Windows 7 End of Mainstream Support posting, several questions came in regarding the Windows 10 availability dates… ( This is… Read More »Windows 10 Timelines..