Back in 2005, Microsoft conducted a trial via which it managed Windows PCs and servers for Energizer Holdings. The company quietly began selling this managed services offering to enterprises with more than 5,000 seats before ultimately turning the service into Office 365. It looks like Redmond's about to try an updated variant of this strategy again. Microsoft is getting closer to revealing its plans for what it's currently calling the "Microsoft Managed Desktop." (Petri.com discovered the name in some recent job postings.) I'm hearing this Microsoft Managed Desktop is, basically, the Microsoft version of "desktop as a service. It will provide customers the ability to lease a Windows 10 device that's automatically provisioned for them and have the operating system kept up-to-date and more for a single monthly fee, my contacts say.What differentiates Microsoft's version of desktop-as-a-service from what many companies already offer under that desktop-as-a-service name is the Windows 10 … [Read more...] about Microsoft’s got a new plan for managing Windows 10 devices for a monthly fee
Manage windows 10
Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 April 2018 Update for Windows 10 IoT
Even though Microsoft has been making headlines with Linux on the IoT front, as of late, it's still moving forward with its own Windows 10 IoT operating systemMicrosoft has made available this week its latest Windows 10 feature update (the April 2018 Update/1803) for its two Windows 10 IoT variants. The Windows 10 IoT Core version for ARM32, x86, x64 is available (as of April 30) on MSDN for download. The ISOs for Windows 10 IoT are available from this download site as of May 3.Windows 10 IoT Core is the smallest version of Windows 10 that makes use of the common Windows 10 core. Devices like the Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat use Windows 10 IoT Core inside. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is for dedicated, fixed-purpose devices like kiosks and ruggedized PCs.A Microsoft blog post from earlier this week listed some of the new features available for Windows 10 IoT with the April refresh. Windows 10 IoT Core with the refresh will allow devs to execute unit tests remotely on devices directly … [Read more...] about Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 April 2018 Update for Windows 10 IoT
Windows 10 Spring Creators Update: Act fast to delay this big upgrade
Windows 10 after two years: Was the upgrade worth it?[Note: This article has been completely revised for the latest Windows 10 feature updates. This revision covers version 1803 and was last updated 21-March-2018.]Sometime in April, Microsoft's update servers will begin delivering the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, version 1803, to current installations of Windows 10 that have been running for at least 30 days.Also: How to take control of Windows 10 updates and upgrades (even if you don't own a business)This is the latest feature update in Microsoft's new twice-a-year release cadence, and you should view it with the skepticism any initial public release of a new Windows version deserves. In a business setting, that typically means delaying the upgrade for a few months while you deploy the new release on a smaller number of test devices. This deferral process is available only on PCs running business and education editions, such as Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, and … [Read more...] about Windows 10 Spring Creators Update: Act fast to delay this big upgrade
What is Windows 10 S?
A couple of weeks ago I bought a Surface Laptop because I wanted to spend some time using Windows 10 S. It has been an interesting experience. I’ve learned a great deal about Microsoft’s latest operating system—and its prospects as a tool for the enterprise.Windows 10 S is a variant of the familiar Windows 10 Pro, but locked down to work only with Windows Store applications and to prevent local scripting tools and system-level commands from running. There is no access to cmd.exe, no PowerShell, no RegEdit, and certainly no Bash prompt, all aimed at reducing the risk of a user changing device configuration or getting around the operating system’s restrictions. Power users may bristle at this approach, but Windows 10 S isn’t intended for them. The locked-down nature of the OS and the initial focus on the education market is an intriguing combination, and a pointer to a possible enterprise future.The education market is an interesting proxy for a modern … [Read more...] about What is Windows 10 S?
Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL with Windows 10 hands-on
One of the more interesting announcements made just ahead of CES 2016 was Alcatel’s debut of the ONETOUCH Fierce XL with Windows 10. This device is significant in a number of ways. First, it is the company’s first Windows device running the new Windows 10 operating system. Second, it is an exclusive with T-Mobile. Finally, it happens to be the first Windows device offered by Team Magenta in a fairly long time.True to form of Windows devices, the spec sheet does not need to read with top-shelf components to enable smooth operation and a packed feature set. The ONETOUCH Fierce XL with Windows 10 will mate that hardware to what is expected to be a very affordable price which is the main push with Alcatel’s announcements this year at CES.Since launching its direct sales campaign last year, the company has heavily expanded is customer support and has been taking the feedback received from customers to heart as it rolls out the newest array of devices which will serve … [Read more...] about Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL with Windows 10 hands-on