News


Microsoft Explains Its Off-Schedule Windows Updates

As part of an ongoing effort to be more transparent about its monthly Windows update process, Microsoft this week shared its rationale for sometimes releasing Windows updates that don't follow the standard schedule.

'Insider' Testing Program Launches for Microsoft 365

Organizations can now sign up to test drive the Microsoft 365 suite via a new "Insider" program.

Microsoft Turns to Open Source Chromium To Boost Edge Browser

Microsoft's Edge browser will soon share the same backbone as Google's more dominant Chrome browser.

Microsoft's Rural Broadband Plans Chugging Along

Microsoft President Brad Smith recently described the company's progress with its plan to improve broadband Internet access in underserved and rural areas of the United States.

Microsoft, Docker Collaborate on 'CNAB' Spec for Distributed Apps

To help organizations that build and maintain distributed applications, Microsoft and Docker this week launched a new specification called Cloud Native Application Bundles (CNAB).

Office 365 Gets Icon Redesign, AI Improvements

Microsoft this week detailed some new capabilities and improvements that will arrive for Office 365 end users and administrators by year's end.

Microsoft Bringing Azure Portal Account Manager to More Services

Microsoft's new "account manager" multiple sign-in capability will be available across various Microsoft online services sometime next year, the company said this week.

FIDO2, Windows 10's Password Replacement, Now Ready

It's now possible to use devices based on the Fast IDentity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) protocol with a Microsoft account and Windows 10 version 1809 to verify user access, Microsoft announced on Monday.

Microsoft Spotlights Partner IoT Efforts Around 'Smart Cities'

Microsoft recently put the spotlight on several of its partners that are at the forefront of the "smart cities" movement through their use of Azure's Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities.

Microsoft Doubles Down on Its Windows 10 Update Process

Microsoft this week gave some background on its current Windows 10 servicing approach, defending its process while addressing recent quality concerns.

Windows 10 October 2018 Update Rollout Resumes

Microsoft marked this month's "update Tuesday," Nov. 13, by rereleasing version 1809 of both Windows 10 and Windows Server, as well as Windows Server 2019.

Microsoft Announces Fix for Windows 10 Pro Activation Problems

An activation problem that affected some Windows 10 Pro edition users this week will get automatically fixed in one day, Microsoft suggested on Friday.

Docker Now Offering Windows Server Application Migration Support

Docker unveiled a program on Thursday that adds migration support for organizations running applications on aging Windows Server infrastructure.

Improvements Coming to Azure SQL, SQL Server 2019 Preview

A raft of improvements are coming to Microsoft's database products, including migration support to Azure SQL Database, Apache Kafka Support on Azure Event Hubs, Azure SQL Data Warehouse improvements and yet another preview of the coming SQL Server 2019 product.

Microsoft Adds Linux Perks to Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Microsoft is adding more perks to its beleaguered Windows 10 October 2018 Update (also known as version 1809), which is still suspended after a botched Oct. 2 release.

Microsoft Readies Skype Meetings App and Mac Client Improvements

Improvements to the Skype Meetings App and the Mac client will be arriving "over the next two months," Microsoft said last week.

Microsoft Enables Group-Based Azure AD Licensing

Organizations can now license Azure Active Directory by group, Microsoft announced Friday.

Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business Get Presence Support for Coexistence Modes

Microsoft this week announced a new presence capability for its Teams and Skype for Business collaboration solutions that will be delivered via an Office 365 update.

Microsoft Expert Makes Case Against Typical Multicloud Strategies

A Microsoft expert questioned the use of "third-party" multicloud management tools over cloud-native solutions.

Microsoft-GitHub Now a Done Deal

Microsoft's acquisition of the GitHub open source code repository has officially cleared all regulatory hurdles, Microsoft announced Friday.