This is a yearly re-post / re-edit. It started in 2009 and has been updated yearly. This started out as a post to “just my closest friends” but has become one of my popular blog entries of all time. Here’s my fully updated guide to end-of-year 2016 into 2017. If you’re an IT geek like me, you’re often asked “What kind of laptop should I buy?” If you’’re NOT an IT geek, you’’re likely asking an IT geek friend “What kind of laptop should I buy?” This is a guide for both of you. If you’’re in IT, this question […]

I love it when I learn new stuff about Group Policy; or when someone shows me stuff I did know in a unique way. This is one of those. Microsoft has a great blog entry and corresponding spreadsheet to demonstrate “What settings were added or subtracted in ADMX thru the years”? Absolutely fascinating: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/grouppolicy/2016/10/12/admx-version-history/ The only time to really “worry” is when Group Policy ADMX settings are DELETED by the product team. Typically: This isn’t done. But it CAN happen; and if it does, you can set-GPregistryvalue Powershell item to help negotiate those rare cases. (I go over this in […]

Next GP Class Stop: Atlanta. (And some security stuff that scared my pants off !) Hey Team.. ! Just got back from Atlanta… where last week I was at Ignite. Quick Ignite report: Nothing blew my face off, but it was nice to physically be back in touch with friends, customers and students. The human connection CANNOT be underrated ! Check this picture out of a dinner on Wednesday night. Can you name all the people in this photo: http://screencast.com/t/daL5kTOFfU ? And, guess what? I’m coming back to Atlanta… TWICE MORE this year. First: Techstravaganza 2016 Nov 18th ! — […]

Here’s an interesting article. Mostly because I wrote it, and also.. it is interesting. It answers the question of “Can I use non-Microsoft DNS with my Active Directory (and why you might want to.)” Check it out. http://www.esecurityplanet.com/network-security/must-you-use-microsofts-in-box-dns.html

So.. “Windows 13″ is out.. I mean… “Windows 10, Build 1607 Anniversary Edition” of course. And, it’s a pretty big update. To make your life easier I rounded up all the news about Group Policy and this build into one place. THIS PLACE. Here we go ! Item #1: Get the latest ADMX download https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53430 Item #2: What to do with this ADMX download (video I made back in the day) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4DBdQo4XZs Item #3: Some Policy Setting items are ONLY in the Enterprise/Edu editions and NOT in Pro. Here’s that list so you don’t punch a wall, wondering why a […]