News


Microsoft Brings Google ID Support to Azure Active Directory B2B

For the first time, Microsoft is allowing users with non-Microsoft IDs to use its Azure Active Directory Business to Business (B2B) service.

Microsoft Adds Apple Watch to Authenticator App Lineup

Microsoft this week launched a preview version of its Authenticator companion app for the Apple Watch, with general availability expected "within the next few weeks."

Microsoft Deems Teams Ready To Replace Skype for Business

Microsoft last week gave organizations the go-ahead to substitute the Skype for Business Online client with Teams, deeming the latter a "complete meeting and calling solution."

Microsoft Pulling the Plug on Sway for iOS This Year

Microsoft says it plans to discontinue its Sway application for Apple iOS devices on Dec. 17, 2018, and urges users to switch to using Sway via its Web portal.

Microsoft Enhancing SharePoint Online Capabilities Next Month

Microsoft will preview SharePoint Online improvements next month, including an expanded limit on Hub Site creation plus scripting additions for automating site provisioning.

Microsoft Store Support To End for Windows 8 and 8.1 Apps

Microsoft has specified end dates for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 apps in the Microsoft Store, prodding developers to port them to Windows 10.

Smaller Monthly Updates Coming to Next Windows 10 Version

Microsoft is promising that the next major releases of Windows 10 and Windows Server will kick off a new update scheme that will feature smaller monthly patch deliveries.

Microsoft Promising Improved Console Apps Support in Next Windows 10 Release

The next major Windows 10 release will get a Windows Pseudo Console for better support of command-line and graphical user interface-based applications.

Microsoft To Drop Support for 'Hybrid MDM' Scheme in 2019

Starting Sept. 1, 2019, Microsoft will drop support for hybrid mobile device management (MDM) using Microsoft Intune and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) -- a model it calls "hybrid MDM."

Microsoft, Intel Warn of 'Foreshadow' CPU Security Attacks

Yet another speculative execution side-channel attack method, this one dubbed "Foreshadow," was identified by researchers from Microsoft, Intel and Red Hat this week.

Microsoft Says It's Developing Next-Gen BizTalk Server

Microsoft recently shared its plans for an upcoming release of BizTalk Server, its enterprise integration solution for "on-premises" installations that's used to connect business applications and services.

Microsoft Explains Its Office 365 ProPlus Update Process

A recent Microsoft announcement gives some insight into how the company schedules the release of new Office 365 ProPlus features.

Windows Server 2019 To Support Software-Defined Datacenters

"Software-defined datacenters" (SDDCs) will be among the top 10 networking features supported in the forthcoming Windows Server 2019 product, Microsoft said this week.

Microsoft Gaining More Ground on Amazon in Cloud

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been the dominant cloud provider in the global market for years, with Microsoft Azure a very distant runner-up. However, a recent report suggests Microsoft, while still No. 2, is no longer quite so distant.

Microsoft MVP: Microsoft's Windows Patching Model Is Too Fast

A prominent Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) had this advice for Microsoft regarding its rather convoluted Windows 10 and Office patching process: Slow down, and only deliver new feature updates once per year.

PingFederate Support in Azure AD Exits Preview

In preview since May, the ability to enable single sign-on access to Office 365 applications using Ping Identity's PingFederate solution is now generally available.

Microsoft Tries To Clarify Its Windows 10 Patching Model

Microsoft's John Wilcox, a contributor to the Microsoft Tech Community, shared some details of the company's monthly Windows operating system update release process this week.

Microsoft Adding 'Real-Time' Device Querying to SCCM

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) update 1806, the latest "semiannual channel" release of Microsoft's device and server management system, will arrive in the next few weeks, Microsoft said on Tuesday.

Windows Server 2019 Getting Bandwidth and Container Boosts

Windows Insider Program participants got access to the latest test build of Windows Server 2019 (build 17723) this week, including its newly added bandwidth control and Kubernetes features.

Microsoft's Edge Browser Debuts Password Alternative

The Microsoft Edge browser now supports the Web Authentication spec at the preview stage, Microsoft announced on Monday.