26Feb2020
04Oct2019
Introducing the Windows 10 Business Secure Configuration Framework
Update March 2023: This publication has been updated significantly and renamed as well. It is now called The SMB Guide to Threat Defense and Microsoft Defender in Microsoft 365 Business Premium Plans. This guide describes implementation of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 as well as Microsoft Defender for Business, and...
04Sep2019
Windows Hello for Business: Azure AD Join vs. Hybrid Join
Windows Hello for Business replaces a traditional password when signing into your workstation, with a stronger two-factor authentication. One factor being some kind of local gesture such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition, and the other being a key or certificate that is bound to the device itself. When you...
18Oct2018
Microsoft 365 Enterprise: What Windows 10 goodies are included that you don’t get with Pro/Business?
In this article, I wanted to highlight some of the key differences between Windows 10 editions, which are available through subscription in Microsoft 365 Enterprise SKU's. Small business admins and consultants are going to be interested in some, but not all, of these features. There may be others I'm not...
01Jun2017
My Essential Checklist for Settting up any New Windows 10 Pro Device
This post features the things I do when setting up any (personal) Windows 10 Pro device, whether it's for myself, my family members, clients, or anyone really. I usually do these things with security / compliance in mind--but some of it comes down to preference (I think the differences between these will...
25May2017
How to manage permissions with Active Directory (the right way)
How do most people use Active Directory groups to manage permissions? Â You probably already know the answer: Global security groups. For example, if there is a directory on the file server specifically for "Payroll," then we normally see folks creating a Global security group that corresponds to "Payroll," populating that...
11May2017
How to change your Network type from Public to Private in Windows 10 (the easy way)
In Windows 10 (and earlier versions had this too), there is a difference between Private and Public networks (there is also a third type--Domain--for when you are connected on your corporate-owned device to your corporate network). The problem is, if your computer or tablet is on a "Public" network then certain...
20Apr2017
What is Windows Hello, and how to enable it
Windows 10 introduced a new security feature called "Hello," which allows a computer to be unlocked via different means than a traditional username/password prompt. Â The marketing around this sells it as a more "personalized" login experience--more "human" or whatever. But it's really just extra security in disguise. Why is a PIN...
13Apr2017
How to enable BitLocker in Windows 10, with or without TPM
BitLocker used to require an Enterprise or Ultimate copy of Windows 7. These days, it is included with Windows 10 Pro, which many people get OEM with their computer. This is great news, because it means that you will be able to fully encrypt your hard drive, making it much...
30Mar2017