Michael has been an 'IT Pro' since 1998. He has worked predominantly in the Windows world including client and server operating systems, on-prem systems engineering (AD, DNS, etc.), and over the last ten years or so has embraced and immersed himself in all things Microsoft 365 - including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive, and Azure Active Directory (AAD). He has written articles here on Petri based on these technologies and also published a larger series about 'Upgrading to Windows Server 2022' this past summer. Michael strives to help other IT Pros with getting more efficient (especially with PowerShell) in their day-to-day tasks and offering solid assistance on larger projects.
Last Update: Apr 23, 2025
This article will explore SharePoint vs Teams and how the tools work separately, together, and whether you should choose SharePoint, Teams, or both. Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Teams are powerful collaboration tools, but they serve different purposes. Let’s get started. What is Microsoft SharePoint? Microsoft SharePoint, released in 2001 as Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server, is…
This article delves into the essentials of setting up and activating a Windows KMS Server (Key Management Service), a crucial component for managing the volume activation of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office products in on-premises (Active Directory) enterprise environments. Introduction – What is Windows KMS Server? The Key Management Service in Windows Server is…
Last Update: Apr 04, 2025
Exchange Server Subscription Edition (ESSE) is the new version of Microsoft’s on-premises email and calendaring solution, due to be released early Q3 of 2025. This blog post provides a detailed overview of Exchange Server Subscription Edition, tailored for IT professionals new to Exchange Server or transitioning from older versions. Discover how little is new with…
Last Update: Apr 08, 2025
This article provides a comprehensive guide for IT Pros on why Microsoft is replacing the MSOnline and AzureAD PowerShell modules, and what it means for their current PowerShell scripts, and how best to migrate to the new modules. Microsoft announced the retirement and deprecation of the MSOnline and AzureAD PowerShell modules back in the middle…
Last Update: Mar 25, 2025
This blog post will cover the Microsoft-supported Connect-SPOService cmdlet. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, from verifying prerequisites to connecting to SharePoint Online in your PowerShell session and empowering you with standard cmdlets. I’ll also touch on some automation tips. What is Connect-SPOService Connect-SPOService is used to establish a connection with SharePoint…
Are you looking to get your hands on the latest Windows Server 2025 ISO for evaluation or deployment? In this blog post, we’ll walk you through three easy methods to download the Windows Server 2025 ISO: from the Microsoft Evaluation Center, from the M365 Admin Center website, and from the Windows Insider program website. Whether…
Navigating Group Policy issues can be challenging in an Active Directory environment, but the gpresult command is a powerful tool for diagnosing and resolving these problems. This article helps you to effectively use gpresult to troubleshoot Group Policy information, ensuring your system configurations are applied correctly and efficiently. Using GPResult for Basic Troubleshooting Let me…
Struggling with how to fix Windows Update errors, stuck downloads, or failed installations? You’re not alone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to troubleshoot and fix Windows Update problems. Whether you’re dealing with error codes, slow updates, or a completely broken update system, this guide is sure to assist you in your…
Last Update: Feb 18, 2025
Diskpart is a powerful command-line utility in Windows that allows users to manage their hard drive, disks, partitions, and volumes with precision and control. This article covers key commands, syntax, and best practices to help you manage your storage devices effectively on any version of Windows. How to access Diskpart Diskpart is accessed from the…
Group Policy WMI Filtering is a powerful feature that allows administrators to apply Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and Group Policy preferences based on specific attributes of target computers, servers, and users. By leveraging Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) queries, IT professionals can create highly targeted and dynamic GPOs that respond to the unique needs of their…
Last Update: Mar 10, 2025
In this post, I will demonstrate how to perform an in-place upgrade to Windows Server 2025 from one of your existing Windows Servers. Reminder: Microsoft fully supports in-place upgrades to Windows Server 2025 from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later versions. In this article, I’ll show you how to perform the upgrade from the command…
Active Directory groups are essential tools for managing and organizing users, computers, and other resources within a Windows domain. This article will provide an in-depth exploration of Active Directory (AD) groups, including their types, purposes, and best management practices. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just beginning your journey with Active Directory, this guide…