FSMO roles are a crucial piece in Active Directory functionality. Learn about their purpose, types, and how they work together in this guide. Windows Server Active Directory multi-master model A multi-master enabled database, such as Active Directory, provides the flexibility of allowing changes to occur at any domain controller (DC) in the enterprise, but it…
Personal Data Encryption (PDE) protects sensitive information from unauthorized access. Microsoft introduced the feature with Windows 11, version 22H2, but it hasn’t received a lot of fanfare. This article explains PDE, how it works, and why it might be needed in addition to BitLocker. What is Personal Data Encryption (PDE)? Personal Data Encryption (PDE) is…
Last Update: Apr 06, 2026
A simple (non-complex) Active Directory password (AD) is vulnerable to hacking and exploitation. Requiring complex passwords in your Active Directory password policy increases the effectiveness of passwords exponentially – each additional special character you require in your users’ passwords makes them ultimately impervious to brute-force attacks. Going back to the 2000s, Excel’s simple workbook-protected passwords…
Last Update: May 24, 2025
Are you responsible for managing Active Directory (AD) within your organization? Whether you’re an IT professional, security specialist, or part of an infrastructure team, understanding AD resiliency and best practices is crucial. Active Directory is still the most widely used Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution on the market. And for the first time in…
Last Update: Nov 19, 2024
Today I would like to dig a bit deeper into guest virtual machine (VM) storage virtualization on Azure Stack HCI. My case and scenario today will be around virtual iSCSI servers as a target for other workloads like SQL Server. My cluster consists of three Azure Stack HCI 23H2 nodes cabled in a switched configuration….
In this article, I’ll show you how to list Active Directory users with PowerShell. While you can also list Active Directory (AD) users in Active Directory Users and Computers, PowerShell provides a much faster way. Check out how to list Active Directory Users with ADUC on Petri if you would prefer to perform this action…
Last Update: Nov 10, 2025
While there are numerous paid solutions available, many IT professionals overlook the relative abundance of free Active Directory tools that can streamline management tasks. Besides making your CFO happy, these tools offer robust features that can simplify complex administrative tasks and enhance security. In this blog post, we’ll explore why IT pros should consider integrating…
The Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) is a powerful, modern tool for managing Active Directory. Learn how to use it efficiently with our step-by-step guide and tips. What is Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC)? The Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) is a tool designed for IT administrators and IT Pros to manage Active Directory. Users,…
Last Update: Sep 20, 2024
Microsoft Loop vs OneNote, which is the right note-taking and collaboration tool for you? In this article, we will look at these two tools from Microsoft. Microsoft Loop is a new collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem of applications for real-time collaboration. OneNote on the other hand is a staple for personal…
Last Update: Sep 20, 2024
In this article, I look at three easy ways to help prevent shadow IT becoming a problem in your business. Shadow IT isn’t a new problem facing IT departments. But with the explosion in remote working, cloud Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, and generative AI it’s become harder than ever to mitigate the risks. What are the…