Windows 10 News You Can Use – April 2017

Posted on April 13, 2017 Updated on April 13, 2017

For this month’s edition of Windows 10 news that you can use, I’m excited to share that the Windows 10 Creators Update (aka RS2, aka 1703) has arrived!  Announcement: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/03/29/windows-10-creators-update-coming-april-11-surface-expands-markets.  Additionally, there is a webcast on April 27th, which will cover changes and new features in further detail – register for it at https://aka.ms/w10itpro/new-in-v1703-webcast.

For the rest of this month’s news:

1. The Microsoft Edge security team employs a layered strategy to protect you from vulnerabilities that could be used to compromise your device or personal data.  In this post, we’ll explore some of the significant improvements we’ve made in the Windows 10 Creators Update to strengthen our next line of defense: the Microsoft Edge sandbox.
   http://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/03/23/strengthening-microsoft-edge-sandbox
2. If you upgraded in-place to Win10 x64 from Win7 x64, then it’s highly likely the disk is in the MBR format. With the release of the Win10 Creators Update (v. 1703), the disk conversion MBR to GPT tool is now ready to be used so that you can convert BIOS to UEFI.
   https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/windows/deploy/mbr-to-gpt
3. Win10 virtual hands-on labs let you try out Windows 10 setup, deployment, and management scenarios using a cloud-based private virtual machine environment. Each lab presents you with a series of instructions, and access to one or more virtual machines, with no additional software or setup required.
   https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2017/03/02/get-free-hands-on-experience-with-windows-10-virtual-labs
4. Easy to follow Win10 technical demonstration videos – Explore the new features and improvements in Windows 10, and find tips and tricks to simplify deployment.
   https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn708062
5. Windows Defender Antivirus protection evaluation guide.  Related, if you would like a demo or to personally test out the Block at First Sight capabilities to protect against zero-day malware, then let me know so that I can provide you with instructions to mimic polymorphic malware.
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54795
6. Features that are removed or deprecated in Windows 10 Creators Update 1703. This list is intended for IT professionals who are updating operating systems in a commercial environment.
   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4014193/features-that-are-removed-or-deprecated-in-windows-10-creators-update
7. On-demand video for Best Practices on Win10 deployment.  Refresh your memory on what Windows as a Service means, and understand how it applies to your own business. Get an overview of the management features and integrations in Windows 10 that make it simpler but also more flexible, such as In-Place Upgrade, Dynamic Provisioning, Azure Active Directory, and Mobile Device Management. Learn more about App-V and UE-V, which makes management of applications and settings more streamlined.
   https://info.microsoft.com/en-us-wbnr-Windows10DeploymentBestPractices-register.html
8. Windows 10 Deployment and Management Lab Kit updated and good through June 1, 2017.  Note this is still using Win10 1607 as that is the CBB.
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-10-deployment-and-management-lab-kit