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Russell Smith

Editorial Director

Russell Smith, the Editorial Director at Petri IT Knowledgebase, has over two decades of hands-on experience in IT, in both small business settings and government IT infrastructure projects.

Russell started writing for Windows IT Pro Magazine in the early 2000s. Since then, he has contributed insights to various IT publications, including Petri and CDW. His authoritative voice has resonated across industry blogs, where he dissects complex topics into an ‘easy read’.

Russell has authored over a thousand articles, each a testament to his depth of knowledge. His expertise doesn’t stop there: he wrote a book on Privilege Management and co-authored another for Microsoft’s MOAC series. Moreover, Russell’s commitment to education shines through in the courses he crafted for Pluralsight.

He is also presenter on his own YouTube channel, This Week in IT, and the current presenter of Petri Dish.

LATEST

Enabling Secure Boot in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

In this Ask an Admin, quickly confirm that Secure Boot is enabled on a Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 computer with UEFI.

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Configure Advanced Security Scenarios in Windows Server 2012

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

In this Ask an Admin, learn more about advanced security scenarios in Windows Server 2012, and including configuration!

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How to Install Windows 8.1 RTM Using a Windows 8 Product Key

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

Installing Windows 8.1? Whether it’s an upgrade or a fresh copy, learn to install Windows 8.1 RTM with a Windows product key in this Ask an Admin article.

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Dynamic Access Control: Cross-Forest Access Control

Last Update: Dec 03, 2024

In part 4 of our series, find out how to configure cross-forest DAC and use PowerShell to create claim transformation policies in Windows Server 2012.

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Dynamic Access Control: Configure and Deploy Central Access Policy, Configure File Server

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

In pt. 3 of our series, learn to configure and deploy Central Access Policy rules and policies, and how to configure a WS2012 files server to use DAC.

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Dynamic Access Control: Kerberos, Claim Types, and Resource Properties

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

In part 2 of this series, learn to enable claims support for Dynamic Access Control (DAC) and how to create claim types and resource properties.

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Enable BitLocker on a System Drive Without TPM in Windows 8 and Server 2012

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

In this Ask an Admin, discover how to enable BitLocker on a system drive to change local policy in Windows 8 and Server 2012.

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Dynamic Access Control: Introduction to the Technology and Components

Last Update: May 24, 2025

Got questions about Dynamic Access Control? Check out this introduction, in which we go over terminology and basic properties.

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Enable LSA Protection in Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

Are you safe from Pass the Hash attacks? Typically lsass.exe is disabled by default – discover how to enable it in this Ask an Admin!

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Disabling Access to Removable Storage in Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Later

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

USB sticks can lead to security risks. Learn how to apply a policy to quickly block all removable storage in this Ask an Admin.

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PowerShell Remoting: How to Restrict User Commands

Last Update: Dec 03, 2024

In this Ask an Admin article, find out how to restrict an endpoint by limiting the commands users can run over a remote PowerShell session.

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Moving Testing to the Cloud: A Look at Windows Azure and CloudShare

Last Update: Sep 24, 2024

Should you move your test labs to the cloud? Take a look at the pros and cons of services like Windows Azure and CloudShare.

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