In-Depth Features

Cryptographers Warn About Security Dangers in the Cloud at RSA

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Researcher says read the fine print before connecting to the cloud.

A New Decade of Office

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's newest productivity suite focuses on the user interface, customization and artistic flourishes.

Building a Private Cloud

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The idea of the private cloud provides a lot of promise, but the technology is not cheap. Here's what vendors can actually offer today -- and how much it will cost.

Building Massively Scalable Grids

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

When done right, Enterprise Data Grids offer utility-style computing and easy expansion.

Avoiding ActiveDirectory Disasters

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Active Directory can crash your whole computing environment if it goes down, but following some tips and performing a few best practices will keep it running smoothly.

Microsoft's Future: Crystal Clear

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Here are seven powerful predictions for Microsoft's future.

Why You Need Windows Server 2008 R2

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

A host of new features should attract IT pros to this vastly improved product.

5 Tips for Cybersecurity-Training Your Workplace

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:36:39 GMT

Companies may hope training programs will keep users on the straight-and-narrow security path. But how can you tell whether -- and to what extent -- the message is sticking?

PowerShell 2.0: Why It Matters

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Learn how the latest version of Windows PowerShell can help you perform daily tasks and improve your efficiency.

IT Training on the Cheap

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Keep your IT knowledge up-to-date without breaking the bank with these simple tips.

Flocking to Windows 7

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

After only a few months of availability, many are already moving to Windows 7. Here, readers offer tips and best practices for others making the flight away from Windows XP or Windows Vista.

5 Steps to a More Secure Datacenter

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:01:00 GMT

In the age of virtualization and cloud computing, administrators need a holistic approach.

Ensuring High Availability in Exchange Server 2010

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Exchange Server 2010 incorporates a number of high-availability features that system admins will find useful, including a new database availability groups (DAG) feature.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: Improving the Branch Office Experience

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Get the skinny on the benefits and drawbacks of BrancheCache and DirectAccess, arguably the crown jewels of the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 releases.

Microsoft's New Search Engine: Bing, Bang, Boom

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's new search engine has the consumer goods, but does it do enough for loyal enterprise customers?

The New World of Compliance

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Compliance is a complex undertaking, but with the right philosophy and tools it's well within your grasp.

Q&A: Microsoft Distinguished Engineer Yousef Khalidi Discusses Private Cloud Migration

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:53:15 GMT

Yousef Khalidi talked about Microsoft's new Azure cloud services at the Interop trade show on Thursday.

The 2009 Redmond Reader's Choice Awards: It's a Grand Slam

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

After introducing the Triple Crown last year, Redmond knocks one out of the park in 2009 by honoring winners of four consecutive Reader's Choice Awards in the same category.

Clouds Done Right

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Cloud platforms might offer cost savings and other benefits, but they can also have costly bottleneck issues.

In the Cybersecurity War, Collaboration Is Key

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:44:52 GMT

The evolving threat landscape means government must work more closely with commercial industry players, analysts say.

14th Annual Redmond Salary Survey: Good News, with Strings Attached (CONTINUED)

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Redmond magazine's annual survey of Microsoft IT compensation shows that, despite a global recession, respondents reported higher average salaries -- but lost some ground with raises and bonuses.

Backing up Hyper-V

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With support for Hyper-V in Service Pack 1, Microsoft's System Center Data Protection Manager can be the ideal application for backing up virtual machines.

7 Wonders of Windows 7

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

After the Vista debacle, seven could just be the lucky number for Windows. We review seven features of Windows 7 that could make the newest version of the OS the best Microsoft has produced in years.

Netbooks Play Small Enterprise Role

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

As Windows 7 nears, more enterprises consider inexpensive netbooks -- but only for a narrow range of applications.

10 Reasons to Love Windows 7

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

You'll probably have to move to Windows 7 at some point, but there's good news: Microsoft's new OS has lots of great features. Here's what we love -- and don't love.

VMware vSphere: Evolutionary or Revolutionary?

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The new virtualization suite expands upon previous Virtual Infrastructure capabilities and adds some new showstoppers.

Picking a Partner

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Microsoft makes the software, but channel partners sell and service it. Picking the right partner is critical for any Microsoft customer. Here's how to make the right choice.

SharePoint: Working in Harmony

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Office 2007 has functionality that allows administrators to see SharePoint in a whole new light.

Cisco Plays Both Sides of the Virtual Coin

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The Unified Computing System supports VMware and Hyper-V and aims to be a "Cloud in a Box" solution. But can Cisco transition from routers to servers?

6 Tips for Troubleshooting Active Directory

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A few hints you might not be familiar with can help you spot and fix problems in AD.

IT Gone Good

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Increasing numbers of IT professionals are using their well-honed skills to benefit those in need.

7 Disaster-Dodging Dictums

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Following these seven tips can help you prepare for a disaster -- or prevent one from becoming even worse.

Don't Be Afraid of Hosted ERP

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Many IT professionals don't trust their enterprise resource planning infrastructure to a hosted model, but some who have taken a chance found it worth the risk.

Green Power

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

As a software company, there's only so much green Microsoft can spread -- but Redmond is a good place to start.

Behind the (IE)8 Ball

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Under pressure from competitors in a high-stakes game, Microsoft is releasing Internet Explorer 8. But will the new browser scratch or run the table?

Windows Mobile's New Moves

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Facing strong competition from Apple and Google, Microsoft looks to re-tool Windows Mobile for the enterprise market.

A Secure Leap into the Cloud

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Companies looking to reduce costs through cloud computing will have to make some tough decisions about security.

Tech-Ed: Let's (Third) Party!

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Independent software vendors have long been the life of Microsoft's party by producing products that fill in the gaps Redmond leaves open. For Tech•Ed North America 2009, we celebrate third-party vendors and preview what they'll be announcing and demonstrating at the show.

SQL Speed Secrets

Fri, 01 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Wait-time analysis can help improve performance by focusing on how long applications take to respond to queries.

DR in a Box

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

PlateSpin Forge offers peace of mind at a reasonable price.

Free VM Discovery

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Embotics' V-Scout ends the days of tracking your virtual machines via spreadsheet.

3 Exchange Server Add-ons You Don't Want to Miss

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Mimosa, Quest and CA provide functionality that Microsoft hasn't added yet.

Windows 7: Already Better than Vista?

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Early testers reveal a snappier, crisper and far more satisfying desktop effort.

A SharePoint Workflow Primer

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server is one of the hottest products in Redmond's arsenal and can provide a major productivity boost for companies. In this four-part guide, we detail how IT administrators can get the most out of SharePoint by effectively using workflows.

Microsoft: The Strength to Endure

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft has the stuff to come out of this recession on top.

Will Windows 7 Be Microsoft's Redemption?

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Early versions of Windows Vista's successor could burnish the operating system's tarnished reputation in the desktop market.

Exploiting SQL Server 2008 Through Code

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

SQL Server 2008 has a ton of new DBA features, but if you really want to make this thing go, just crank out a little code.

5 Hot Tips: Get More out of Windows Server 2008

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

IT pros are learning how to take advantage of the hidden talents in Microsoft's newest server OS. Here are five tips to get you started.

Unified Communications, Step by Step

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Unified communications (UC) is an all-encompassing term that describes a variety of applications. While the idea of implementing UC can seem overwhelming, the best approach is to take it bit by bit.

Who's Afraid of Scareware?

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Are you? Bogus pop-ups that hide crippling malware can bring networks to their knees. Here are some methods to stop scareware and fix the damages that it inflicts.

OpenOffice.org 3: Free and Easy

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Now 15 years old, the open source productivity suite is still gaining fans and improving compatibility with its chief rival, Microsoft Office. Readers weigh in on version 3 of the suite.

Microsoft, Citrix and VMware in Brewing Battle

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The three companies are getting ready to rumble over ownership of the hypervisor cloud.

Hey You, Get onto My Cloud

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The preview release of the Windows Azure Services Platform kicks off Microsoft's cloud-computing era, which promises to dramatically change the computing strategies of IT shops.

The Business of Being Social

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

With IBM, Microsoft and Oracle jumping into the game, social-networking technologies are helping drive Enterprise 2.0.

Windows Vista SP1

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

It's no secret that Microsoft's latest operating system hasn't taken the enterprise by storm. Service Pack 1 was supposed to convert some Vista skeptics -- but did it? We asked readers to weigh in on the first big update to the OS.

First Look: Windows 7

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Don't expect many core improvements from Windows Vista, but there are some around the edges.

Back to the (Virtual) Future

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

With the upcoming Virtual Datacenter Operating System, new VMware CEO Paul Maritz wants to virtualize every bit and byte of your data center.

Are ActiveSync's New Policies in Sync?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

With Service Pack 1, Exchange 2007 gets a slew of new policy settings. We take a look at how they stack up against those of the BlackBerry.

The Help Desk Overtime Bomb Is Ticking

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

IT managers who don't think that their help desk employees qualify for overtime pay might be very wrong -- and that can cost companies money.

Remote Tools that Can Help You Save Gas

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Besides carpooling and riding a bicycle to work, using the right software can keep some gas money in your pocket.

Chrome Might Get You Home

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Google's new beta browser shows promise, but needs lots of filling out.

Cisco: The Unlikely Contender

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Networking giant Cisco goes after Microsoft's supremacy in the collaboration-software market.

The 2008 Readers' Choice Awards: Introducing Redmond's Triple Crown

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

To recognize the dynasties in our annual Readers' Choice competition, Redmond is introducing the "Triple Crown," a new award for products that have won (at least) three Readers' Choice honors in a row.

Google Android Flaw Reopens Open Source Security Debate

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

A security flaw in Google's new Android operating system discovered recently by independent researchers further underscores the security debate between open source and proprietary software.

Spam Attacks on the Rise in Q3

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Identity thieves and hackers appear to be coming at Windows users from all fronts, most commonly with spam. They were particularly active during the third quarter of 2008, when they did it eight times more frequently than in the previous quarter, according to a report released Monday by Sophos.

So You’ve Decided to Skip Vista ...

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

You’re not alone -- Microsoft's latest operating system still isn't making much headway in terms of enterprise adoption. Here's what you need to know about keeping XP alive.

Capacity-Planning Tools

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

There are products that can help you with planning for your virtualization environment, but there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

SQL Server 2008 Is Finally Here. Now What?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's latest relational database management system contains a host of new features, but are they enough to make you migrate?

Vista Made Easy

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Ready to make the move to Windows Vista? Use these insider tips to quickly become an expert.

PowerShell for Exchange 2007: Less Work, More Play

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Get comfortable with PowerShell and the Exchange Management Shell using these tips and learning shortcuts.

Transport Rules Rule

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Exchange 2007's Hub Transport servers let you enforce e-mail policies across the board.

Getting a Raise: Secrets from a Manager

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Some expert advice on how to boost your compensation.

Survey: IT Hiring and Pay Still Up, But Employers 'Cautious'

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

With the U.S. economy still circling and unemployment on the rise, it's a good time to be in IT -- relatively speaking.

Microsoft Swings for the Big Leagues

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Redmond's System Center line may offer some answers about the software giant's move into the enterprise-management tools market.

Tooling Around in Your Database

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

These products can help make your occasional forays into the world of databases much easier to take.

Kung Fu Hypervisor

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Don't let its looks fool you -- give it time and Hyper-V will be a contender for hypervisor dominance.

Automation Nation

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

IT workflow-automation products could be the key to accelerating your day-to-day IT tasks and helping you build IT processes.

The Unified Communications Puzzle

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

ISVs look to fill in some of the pieces of Microsoft's unified communications vision.

Big Efficiencies for Big Environments

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

SCCM 2007's new maintenance, configuration-tracking and updated reporting features make it a must-have for large Windows sites.

Flying Solo: Ozzie Takes Microsoft to the Cloud

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

As his boss Bill Gates departs, Ozzie takes Microsoft's online strategy into the cloud.

The Secrets of Sysvol

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Windows Server 2008 has a new way to migrate Group Policies.

SCE: Big-Time Management for SMBs

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's new System Center Essentials fits the bill for managing small to midsize businesses.

Vista SP1: Dissected

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

The hugely anticipated Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista hits the mark in some instances. In others -- not so much.

More Than One Way

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

New and established tools help admins get control of Windows Vista on the enterprise network.

Save Your E-Mail and Save Your World

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

E-mail archiving and storage that ensure compliance with regulatory standards continue to be an ongoing challenge.

Making IT Social

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

The flood of social-networking technologies rushing into the enterprise is forcing IT to become still more flexible.

Process Automation for the People

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Automating IT processes can help keep your staff focused on critical tasks, but starting a project involves inherently complex decisions.

Management Leaps Ahead

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

With its improved console, easier reporting and service-oriented health checks, SCOM 2007 is a welcome improvement over MOM 2005.

Spring Cleaning for AD

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Spring is here, and it's time to clean up some of the dark corners of your Active Directory forest.

In Search of Desktop Search

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Finding a data needle in the haystack that is your hard disk requires more than just a magnifying glass and a huge dose of patience.

The Multi-Core Muddle

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

PCs are moving to multi-core as operating systems, applications and languages struggle to keep up.

VPN Concentrators: A Must for Small Business

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

You may not have heard of them, but VPN concentrators can help you properly secure your virtual private network.

Always There for You

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Hardware and software products use different approaches to high availability.

Always Open for Business

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Follow these best practices to help ensure high availability for your mission-critical applications.

The New Face of User Groups

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Even with the Web and IM, professional-level IT user groups are just as vibrant and important as ever.

The Redmond Reader Survey

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Readers reflect mixed emotions on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, virtualization and the corporate juggernaut that is Microsoft.

TechMentor 2008 Preview: The New Group Policy Preferences

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Derek Melber shows how you can eliminate logon scripts, become more secure and even save money with the new Group Policy Preferences in Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Trustworthy Computing: Examining Trust

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's Trustworthy Academic Advisory Board has been keeping tabs on security issues -- external as well as internal -- that continue to challenge Microsoft's developers. Here's a peek into the board, which marks five years on watch.

The Windows Firewall: You Can Turn It on Now

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Too intimidated to enable your Windows XP and Windows Vista Firewall? Be afraid no more.

Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007: BI Worth the Price?

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

At first glance, Redmond's new server looks like a solid solution for business intelligence.