Providing insights into Windows 10 deployment & management, security & compliance, and productivity.
Are you looking understand that ROI for your investment in a Microsoft 365 modern desktop? Then look no further as Microsoft has created an interactive ROI model based upon a Forrester Consulting case study, “The Total Economic Impact Of The Modern Desktop With Microsoft 365” (as commissioned by Microsoft). By filling in simple values, you can determine a high-level estimate of the economic impact on your specific environment of migrating from on-premise third-party and Microsoft solutions to Microsoft 365 modern desktop. https://tools.totaleconomicimpact.com/go/microsoft/modern-desktop
We are excited to announce MSIX is now including support for Windows 10 versions 1709 and 1803, in addition to 1809 that is already supported. The new support enables distribution of MSIX packages within your enterprise using tools like System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft Intune, PowerShell, double-click file deployments or installing directly from the APIs. This change does not include distribution from the Microsoft Store or Microsoft Store for Business, which will still require Windows 10 1809 or later. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/MSIX-Blog/MSIX-Support-for-Windows-10-1709-and-1803-MSIX-Packaging-Tool/ba-p/325749
With Windows 10, there was never actually a Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted), or SAC-T, release; rather, SAC-T merely reflected a milestone for the semi-annual release. Beginning with Windows 10, version 1903 (the next feature update for Windows 10), the Windows 10 release information page will no longer list SAC-T information for version 1903 and future feature updates. Instead, you will find a single entry for each new SAC release. If you use Windows Update for Business, then read these guidelines for how this change will reflect the removal of the SAC-T nomenclature. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Windows-Update-for-Business-and-the-retirement-of-SAC-T/ba-p/339523
Modern Desktop podcast – Windows 10 Application Compatibility. This episode (47:48) focuses on one of the biggest perceived pain points we hear from organizations getting ready for Windows 10 – Application Compatibility. We talk with Aleks Lopez and Robyn Nolan about the Windows Desktop App Assure program, as well as Chris Jackson, @appcompatguy, about the history of application compatibility over the various versions of Windows and where organizations are today. http://m365mdp.mpsn.libsynpro.com/windows-10-application-compatibility
Windows 10 monthly quality updates are cumulative, containing all previously released fixes to ensure consistency and simplicity. Microsoft introduces a new technique to build compact software update packages that are applicable to any revision of the base version, and then describe how Windows 10 quality updates uses this technique. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/psfxwhitepaper
We have been recommending the use of TLS 1.2 and above for some time. To help provide guidance, we are pleased to announce the release of the Solving the TLS 1.0 Problem, 2nd Edition white paper. The goal of this document is to provide the latest recommendations that can help remove technical blockers to disabling TLS 1.0 while at the same time increasing visibility into the impact of this change to your own customers. https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2019/02/11/solving-the-tls-1-0-problem
Microsoft puts people first by offering a wide range of Windows 10 accessibility features for users of many different abilities. Known internally as the Windows Accessibility team, the Input for Everyone team draws back a curtain for you to peek behind the scenes. Learn how Windows engineers are building accessibility features for all of us. https://community.windows.com/en-us/videos/windows-10-accessibility-features-empower-everyone/BseTf-4q9GA
Video (2:15) – Windows Narrator gets more accessible with QuickStart. The new Narrator QuickStart app teaches users with low vision and blindness how to navigate Windows, browse the web, and learn more with Narrator user guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVj0cfn2ugg
Windows 101: Unleash Windows superpower with right click. The right click on your mouse is capable of more than you know. Use it to gain instant access to all kinds of features and unleash your potential for productivity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNo_wdnfb-c
Video (2:57) – Minimize distractions with Windows 10 Focus assist. Don’t let interruptions get in the way of your productivity. Windows 10 Focus assist acts as a gatekeeper, so distractions remain at bay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXxlP2goRgo
In other news related to Windows 10…
If you’re trying to decide what to buy between Office 365 and Office 2019, you’ll find there’s a world of difference between the two. To further help you choose, Microsoft pitted Office 2019 and Office 365 against each other in a head-to-head showdown, challenging three sets of twins to complete the same tasks in both versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint – and filmed them along the way. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/02/06/twins-take-on-multiple-challenges-of-office-2019-vs-office-365
While we’ve talked about the guiding principles for monthly Windows 10 quality updates, it’s important to know that we have specific documentation on what is included in each of the updates to solve stability issues and protect against the latest security vulnerabilities, and why and how you should install them. That documentation can be found on the Windows 10 update history page, which is a collection of pages, one for every Windows update we release. Each page offers detailed information about each update, such as the type of update, which operating system versions it affects, improvements and fixes and how to get the update. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Getting-to-know-the-Windows-update-history-pages/ba-p/355079
Microsoft is frequently asked how they operate our Security Operations Center (SOC), particularly as orgs are integrating cloud into their enterprise estate. This is the first in a three-part blog series designed to share the approach and experience, so you can use what Microsoft has learned to improve your SOC. In Part 1: Organization, we start with the critical organizational aspects (organizational purpose, culture, and metrics). https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/microsoftsecure/2019/02/21/lessons-learned-from-the-microsoft-soc-part-1-organization
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