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In this episode of First Ring Daily, Brad Sams and Paul Thurrott discuss Microsoft’s new ambition to turn Windows 11 into an “AI-native” platform.

Microsoft has issued an out-of-band update for Windows Server to fix a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-59287, poses a significant threat to organizations relying on WSUS for managing updates across enterprise networks. Critical WSUS vulnerability puts Windows Servers at risk According to Microsoft,…

Microsoft is getting ready to expand the passkey (FIDO2) authentication methods policy in Microsoft Entra ID next month. The upcoming public preview will introduce support for passkey profiles that enable granular, group-based authentication controls across organizations. Currently, Microsoft Entra ID allows administrators to manage passkey authentication settings at the tenant-wide level. This means that the…

What is Maester? Maester is an open-source framework designed to help Microsoft 365 and Entra administrators continuously validate the security and configuration of their environments, before things break. I spoke with Merill Fernando about how Maester came to be and how it is used today by thousands of enterprises to maintain effective security configurations across…

Microsoft has announced that Office Online Server will reach end of support deadline on December 31, 2026. After this date, the company will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for the platform. According to Microsoft, this change will help to focus on cloud-first solutions like Microsoft 365. This means that systems…

Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 update to resolve a bug that disabled mouse and keyboard inputs within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The issue stemmed from the recent October 11 security update (KB5066835), which left users unable to navigate recovery tools. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a built-in toolset in Windows that helps…

Cybersecurity officials are sounding the alarm as CISA flags a critical Windows SMB client flaw that hackers are actively exploiting. The vulnerability, which allows attackers to gain system-level control, underscores the urgent need for organizations to patch their systems before it’s too late. The Windows SMB (Server Message Block) client is a network protocol component…

Cayosoft has launched Guardian Protector, a free, always-on threat detection tool built to secure Microsoft Active Directory (AD) and Entra ID. This tool offers real-time alerts and unlimited monitoring, and it allows IT teams to detect and stop identity-based attacks proactively, without straining their budgets. Specifically, Cayosoft highlighted the growing vulnerability of hybrid identity systems…

New-ADUser creates users at scale, sets attributes, places them in the right Organizational Units (OUs), assigns passwords, and even adds them to groups, all programmatically. Let’s get into how to learn more about New-ADUser and elevate your AD management skills from good to great. Create a new Active Directory user with New-ADUser Here’s the basic…

Microsoft has found that over half of all cyberattacks are now fueled by extortion and ransomware. As AI-powered threats surge and supply chain risks escalate, organizations can no longer rely on outdated defenses to stay secure. According to the sixth annual Digital Defense Report, Microsoft mentioned that it processes 100 trillion security signals daily, blocks…

In this post, I’ll explain what network monitoring tools are, why they’re important for keeping your IT systems running smoothly, how security plays a role, and how to choose and implement the right solution. I’ll cover key features, popular tools, best practices, and common mistakes to help you build a robust monitoring strategy. What are…

The global PC industry is showing strong signs of recovery, with shipments rising 8% in the third quarter of 2025. This growth comes as the market shifts toward AI-powered PCs, which indicates a broader push to accelerate the adoption of next-generation computing technologies. According to a new report from Gartner, over 69 million personal computers…