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At the device and user level, the Intune Company Portal serves as powerful application that allows end users to install approved apps, securely access resources, and stay compliant with organizations policies.  In the modern workplace, ensuring that company-owned devices remain secure and compliant is essential. Without proper oversight, these endpoints can quickly become a conduit for security…

Microsoft Entra ID has introduced support for issuing Temporary Access Passes (TAPs) for internal guest users. These passcodes are time-limited and help onboard and recover accounts without relying on traditional passwords. What is a Temporary Access Pass (TAP)? A Temporary Access Pass (TAP) in Microsoft Entra ID is a time-limited passcode designed to help users…

Microsoft is preparing to roll out an update that will automatically install the new Outlook for Windows client on Windows 10 PCs. The company announced in a message on the Microsoft 365 admin center that the rollout will take place in two different phases. The new Outlook for Windows will be automatically installed on Windows…

In this episode of First Ring Daily, Brad Sams and Paul Thurrott discuss some of the biggest news of CES 2025 including Dell’s simplified PC portfolio, new CPUs from Intel and AMD, and Nvidia’s new GPUs and AI tools for PCs.

Effective governance is essential in today’s multi-cloud, hybrid IT ecosystems. Azure Policy provides a comprehensive framework for defining, enforcing, and automating compliance across Microsoft Azure resources, on-premises workloads, and third-party clouds via Azure Arc. Azure Policy ensures your resources align with business, security, and compliance requirements—without adding operational overhead. By leveraging initiatives, built-in policies, custom…

Microsoft will officially drop support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Additionally, the company has announced plans to retire several key Microsoft 365 features and products by the end of this year, urging customers to prepare for these upcoming changes (via AdminDroid). First off, Microsoft has detailed some important changes coming to the Teams…

Microsoft is gearing up for another wave of job cuts, this time targeting employees deemed underperforming. According to a new report from Business Insider, the layoffs will span multiple departments, including the critical security division. Microsoft has been conducting performance evaluations across the company over several months in order to identify areas for improvement. The…

Microsoft is adding fundamental Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support for primary accounts to the new Outlook for Windows. This feature will allow users to securely send and receive digitally signed and encrypted emails. What is S/MIME? Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) is a popular protocol that is used to enhance the security of email…

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…

Microsoft Teams is getting a Live chat feature that will enable small businesses to interact directly with customers on their websites. The company has announced on the Microsoft 365 admin center that this new tool will initially be available later this month for U.S.-based customers with Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions. With this new live chat…

Microsoft published a comprehensive roundup of the enhancements made to its SharePoint service in December 2024. The company mentioned that some of these new features are currently being rolled out to Targeted Release Microsoft 365 customers. SharePoint: Microsoft Syntex update Microsoft has released a new simple document processing prebuilt model for its Syntex pay-as-you-go service….

Last year, Microsoft announced plans to begin archiving OneDrive for Business accounts that remain unlicensed for over 90 days. The archiving process is set to kick off on January 27, and data in these accounts could become inaccessible or even permanently deleted. An unlicensed account is one that isn’t linked to a Microsoft 365 or…