IT Knowledgebase Articles

Servers Hero

Understanding the 5 FSMO Roles in Active Directory

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…

View Article
Windows 11 2022 Update

What Is Windows 11 Personal Data Encryption (PDE)?

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…

View Article
Microsoft Security image

Active Directory Password Policy – The Complete Guide

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…

View Article
hero approved survey

Assess Your Organization’s AD Management Effectiveness

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…

View Article
Azure Hero Server

How to Virtualize iSCSI Target Servers on Azure Stack HCI

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….

View Article
1725501059 powershell hero

How to List Active Directory Users with PowerShell

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…

View Article
tool keyboard hero img

The Ultimate List of Free Active Directory Tools

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…

View Article
Servers Hero

How To Use The Active Directory Administrative Center

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,…

View Article
Microsoft Loop

Microsoft Loop Vs OneNote: A Comprehensive Comparison

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…

View Article
Microsoft Security image

3 Ways to Reduce Shadow IT

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…

View Article
Go to page