Windows 10 News You Can Use – January 2018

Posted on January 3, 2018

Windows 10 news you can use, January 2018 edition Providing insights into Windows 10 deployment & management, security & compliance, and productivity

In other news related to Windows 10…

• With help from Microsoft security researchers, law enforcement agencies around the globe, in cooperation with Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit (DCU), announced the disruption of Gamarue, a widely distributed malware that has been used in networks of infected computers collectively called the Andromeda botnet. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mmpc/2017/12/04/microsoft-teams-up-with-law-enforcement-and-other-partners-to-disrupt-gamarue-andromeda
• Microsoft named a leader in IDC’s MarketScape for Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). The report highlights UEM capabilities in EMS for Windows 10 management, strong identity and access management tie-ins with Azure AD, and Office 365 integration for security management and end-user experience. To get more details, you can access an excerpt of the IDC MarketScape report here. https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/enterprisemobility/2017/12/04/microsoft-named-a-leader-in-idcs-marketscape-for-unified-endpoint-management-uem
• Microsoft 365 helps businesses increase trust and innovation through compliance with Compliance Manager (in preview). It performs a real-time risk assessment that reflects your compliance posture against data protection regulations (like the GDPR) when using Microsoft Cloud services, along with recommended actions and step-by-step guidance. https://blogs.office.com/en-us/2017/11/16/microsoft-365-helps-businesses-increase-trust-and-innovation-through-compliance-with-compliance-manager-preview
• The Microsoft 365 powered device Lab Kit is an updated version of the Windows 10 Deployment and Management lab kit. This lab is designed to help you plan your deployment of modern devices running Windows 10 Enterprise and Office 365 Pro Plus, managed by Enterprise Mobility + Security. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mt604890

Deployment & Management

1)      Visual Studio 2017 15.4 introduced the new Windows Application Packaging project to help you modernizing your application by using the new Windows 10 App Deployment Stack. http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2017/12/04/extend-desktop-application-windows-10-features-using-new-visual-studio-application-packaging-project

2)      Add Conditional Access to your Windows 10 VPN with Intune and Azure AD. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microscott/add-conditional-access-to-your-windows-10-vpn-with-intune-and-azure-ad

3)      Windows Analytics accelerates enterprise Windows 10 migration. With Update Compliance and Device Health services now generally available, Windows Analytics provides an end-to-end upgrade solution with actionable insights into device performance, reliability, and health, so enterprises can broadly migrate their devices from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10 or update Windows 10 devices to the latest feature update (Windows 10, version 1709) quickly and with confidence. http://blogs.windows.com/business/2017/12/12/accelerate-windows-10-migration-windows-analytics

4)      Troubleshooting Windows AutoPilot (level 300/400). https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mniehaus/2017/12/13/troubleshooting-windows-autopilot-level-300400

5)      Blog post about file association configurations in Windows 10 that, after reading it, and you will be able to configure file associations in Windows 10 avoid this notification: An app default was reset. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsinternals/2017/10/25/windows-10-how-to-configure-file-associations-for-it-pros

6)      Build your own Windows 10 VPN lab and configure it with Intune. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microscott/build-your-own-windows-10-vpn-lab-and-configure-it-with-intune

7)      IT pros – join us on Tuesday, January 16th for an opportunity to “Ask Microsoft Anything” (AMA) about Windows Analytics. Members of the engineering and product teams will be standing by to answer your questions and listen to your feedback about Upgrade Readiness, Update Compliance, Device Health, and the future roadmap for Windows Analytics. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-Analytics-AMA/bd-p/WindowsAnalyticsAMA

8)      Different from the Windows Insider Program for Business, the Windows Insider Lab for Enterprise is intended for Windows Insiders who want to try new experimental and pre-release Enterprise Privacy and Security features. https://olympia.windows.com/Info/FAQ

9)      Using ConfigMgr co-management to offload Windows 10 updates to Microsoft Intune. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/arnabm/2017/12/12/using-configmgr-co-management-to-offload-windows-updates-to-intune

Security & Compliance

1)      Download the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP) kit and learn how security solutions built into the operating system can help you detect, investigate, and respond to advanced attacks and data breaches on your networks. In addition, learn about the cost savings and business benefits enabled by WDATP. https://info.microsoft.com/ATPInformationKit-Registration.html

2)      In this blog, we explore how Windows Defender ATP (WDATP), makes use of AMSI inspection data to surface complex and evasive script-based attacks. We look at advanced attacks perpetrated by the highly skilled KRYPTON activity group and explore how commodity malware like Kovter abuses PowerShell to leave little to no trace of malicious activity on disk. From there, we look at how WDATP machine learning systems make use of enhanced insight about script characteristics and behaviors to deliver vastly improved detection capabilities. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mmpc/2017/12/04/windows-defender-atp-machine-learning-and-amsi-unearthing-script-based-attacks-that-live-off-the-land

3)      Windows Defender Antivirus uses a layered approach to protection: tiers of advanced automation and machine learning models evaluate files in order to reach a verdict on suspected malware. While Windows Defender AV detects a vast majority of new malware files at first sight, we always strive to further close the gap between malware release and detection. In this blog post we’ll look at how additional automated analysis and machine learning models can further protect customers within minutes in rare cases where initial classification is inconclusive. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mmpc/2017/12/11/detonating-a-bad-rabbit-windows-defender-antivirus-and-layered-machine-learning-defenses

4)      Microsoft Mechanics’ look at the recent updates to Windows Hello for Business. We’ll show you why it’s even more secure than a password. You’ll see new protections for when you are in a public place or for when you are away from your device. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-GJuDWbBE8

5)      Learn how to address cybersecurity with these snackable security videos on the Microsoft in Business YouTube channel.  Includes Windows 10 security videos such as:

o   Why is Patching Important and What is Windows as a Service?

o   Why Layers of Security are Important

o   What is Windows Defender ATP?
6)      Build a fast, free, and effective Threat Hunting/Incident Response Console with Windows Event Forwarding and PowerBI. https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/jepayne/2017/12/08/weffles

7)      The GDPR is compelling every organization to consider how it will respond to today’s security and compliance challenges. Read this white paper for an in-depth exploration of the GDPR and its implications for organizations, how the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Enterprise edition can help your organization approach GDPR compliance and accelerate your journey, and what you can do to get started now. https://resources.office.com/ww-landing-M365EGDPR-accelerate-your-GDPR-compliance-whitepaper.html?LCID=EN-US

Productivity

1)      Windows 10 Tip: Get started with Continue on PC in the Microsoft Edge mobile app. http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/12/04/windows-10-tip-get-started-continue-pc-microsoft-edge-mobile-app

2)      We are again at the beginning of another major technology shift: the ability to be connected anytime, anywhere with Always Connected PCs that are instantly on, always connected with incredible battery life. http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/12/05/always-connected-pcs-enable-a-new-culture-of-work

3)      In the new world of work, advanced professions increasingly require high-performance computing capabilities. We’re working to ensure Windows meets your needs, even in demanding and mission-critical scenarios.  Join us for a look at the key benefits of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, which was announced in August. http://blogs.windows.com/business/2017/12/15/windows-10-pro-workstations-power-advanced-workloads

4)      Windows 10 Tip: How to recover your pin and password from the lock screen. http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/12/18/windows-10-tip-recover-pin-password-lock-screen