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Microsoft announced Administrator Protection for Windows 11 at its Build 2025 conference. Administrator Protection will affect how developers create applications for Windows 11. What is Windows Administrator Protection? Windows 11 Administrator Protection provides local administrators with more protection without putting limitations on functionality they might need to get their jobs done. Microsoft revealed in its…

Microsoft will soon allow app developers to update any third-party application via Windows Update. The new Windows Update orchestration platform, now in private preview, promises centralized control, intelligent scheduling, and deeper visibility into update performance. Windows Update is primarily responsible for keeping the main components of the Windows operating system (like the kernel, system libraries,…

Microsoft has rolled out Granular RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) in public preview for Azure Monitor Log Analytics. This new feature provides organizations with precise, row-level control over log data within a shared Log Analytics workspace. Azure Monitor Logs is a feature that collects and stores log and performance data from various sources, including Azure resources,…

Microsoft has launched a new Windows Backup tool in public preview, tailored specifically for businesses. This enterprise-focused solution allows administrators to seamlessly back up and restore user settings across Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, ensuring smoother transitions and minimal disruptions. Key benefits of the new Windows Backup feature Microsoft first introduced the Windows Backup…

Microsoft has released a new out-of-band update (KB5061906) to fix a critical issue that was causing certain Hyper-V virtual machines running Windows Server 2022 to freeze or reboot unexpectedly. According to the Windows release health dashboard, the problem specifically impacts Azure Confidential Virtual Machines. Azure Confidential Virtual Machines (VMs) are a specialized offering that enhances…

Microsoft is preparing to release a significant update to the Get-FederationInformation cmdlet in Exchange Online next month, designed to enhance security across tenant environments. This enhancement will help organizations minimize the exposure of domain names to unauthorized users, reducing the risk of data leakage and targeted attacks. In Exchange Online, the Get-FederationInformation cmdlet is used…

High Availability (HA) was introduced in Exchange 2010 and since then has become the mainstay of message continuity in organizations. A high availability setup relies on Database Availability Groups (DAG) as a critical component to deploy a “highly available” messaging service and mailbox database across multiple Active Directory (AD) sites for resilience. What is a…

Organizations face security tool sprawl as CISOs look to optimize costs with tool rationalization but Security and IT leaders are left without control over investments or executive backing. Gigamon surveyed a diverse group of over 1,000 security and IT leaders across Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, the UK, and the US. The researchers found 46% of…

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a critical privilege escalation vulnerability in Windows Server 2025 that could allow attackers to take over any Active Directory (AD) user. The flaw lies in the delegated Managed Service Account (dMSA) feature, turning a security enhancement into a potential gateway for compromise. How does the dMSA Feature work in Windows Server…

In this episode of First Ring Daily, Brad Sams and Paul Thurrott discuss what happened at Microsoft Build and Google I/O this week, plus OpenAI’s surprise acquisition of Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup.

Microsoft is getting ready to retire the SharePoint Alerts feature in SharePoint Online. The company has announced on the Microsoft 365 admin center that a gradual phase-out is set to begin in July 2025. In SharePoint Online, SharePoint Alerts is a built-in feature that notifies users when changes occur in lists, libraries, or specific items….

Microsoft announced a major legal strike last week against the Lumma Stealer malware, a sophisticated cyber threat that has infected nearly 400,000 Windows computers worldwide in just two months. The company’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) discovered the malware’s widespread reach as part of its ongoing fight against cybercriminal networks. What is Lumma malware and how…