Windows 11 and Windows Server include additional components and utilities that are not installed by default. Depending on the operating system and the source used for installing these features, Microsoft provides various GUI tools and PowerShell cmdlets. Unfortunately, the overall concept lacks consistency and often leads to confusion.

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For security purposes, it may be beneficial to restrict Active Directory account logins to regular working hours. These logon times can be configured using the calendar widget in Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC). However, PowerShell provides a more efficient and flexible alternative, particularly because it offers reporting capabilities that the graphical interface does not.

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Since Group Policy changes remain a cornerstone of centralized Windows system management, admins should know which settings have been introduced or changed before an OS upgrade. Windows 11 adds not only policies for its latest features but also extends configuration options for many existing components.

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DNSSEC is a security standard that protects the Domain Name System by ensuring only authorized servers can respond to DNS queries. Microsoft's DNS server has supported DNSSEC zone signing for some time. However, to take full advantage of DNSSEC, client systems must also be configured, typically via Group Policy, to request authentic responses.

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Domain controllers rely on DFS Replication (DFS-R) to synchronize the contents of SYSVOL and Netlogon across the network. This process ensures that group policy objects (GPOs) and logon scripts remain consistent across all DCs. While troubleshooting DFS-R issues can be complex, several built-in tools can help diagnose and resolve problems efficiently.

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PHP is still available on Windows despite Microsoft no longer providing support for version 8.x. It can be integrated as a script engine into Internet Information Services (IIS), either through the graphical IIS Manager or via PowerShell, which is especially useful for Server Core installations.

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In environments with multiple VMs running the same Windows version, powering down the Hyper-V VMs during a maintenance window is usually the most efficient way to update them offline. This involves mounting the virtual disk and installing updates through PowerShell. This approach also benefits VMs that have been powered off for an extended period. Instead of starting them in an outdated and potentially vulnerable state, you can apply critical security updates in advance.

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Many laptops come with just one M.2 slot, making storage upgrades challenging. Rather than adding an SSD, you have to replace the current one. This operation involves connecting the new SSD externally and booting the system via USB to transfer data. The free open-source tool Clonezilla provides a dedicated feature to simplify this process.

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Standard users can install Microsoft PowerToys without requiring administrative privileges, which may be undesirable in managed environments. However, certain tools from the PowerToys suite might be beneficial for specific users. Group Policy allows administrators to control which utilities are available.

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Windows Server 2025 offers multiple options for running Docker containers, supporting both Linux and Windows. Users can choose between two isolation modes for Windows containers, while Linux containers can optionally run on WSL 2. Additionally, Server 2025 improves backward compatibility.

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Authentication policies in Active Directory support access rules that allow restricting user logins to specific computers. Rather than statically assigning individual computers to a policy, you can define custom claim types that include or exclude computers based on specific characteristics.

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By default, Active Directory imposes limited restrictions on the protocols or devices a user or service can use to log in. You can implement authentication policies and enforce specific limitations and restrictions to enhance login security. Active Directory offers several methods to disable outdated protocols, such as NTLMv1, or to restrict user logins to particular workstations. This can be achieved through various Group Policy settings, and the Protected Users group automatically enforces a set of security restrictions.

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Since Windows Server 2012 R2, Active Directory (AD) has included a built-in global security group called Protected Users, designed to enhance the security of its members through predefined authentication policies. Before adding accounts to this group, it is essential to review the necessary prerequisites and monitor related events to ensure smooth implementation.

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With Windows 11, Microsoft has not only changed the appearance of the Start menu but also its technical underpinnings. However, the Group Policy settings for configuring Start have not been updated. While it remains possible to add icons using Group Policy Objects (GPO), you must accept some limitations.

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Memory is often one of the most constrained resources on a Hyper-V host, ultimately determining the maximum number of virtual machines (VMs) it can support. As such, accurately assessing the RAM requirements of VMs is critical for effective capacity planning. These requirements can be evaluated using performance counters available in Perfmon.

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Once you determine a VM's memory requirements, you can configure its RAM settings accordingly. Hyper-V provides several configuration options, some of which can influence each other or have effects that may not be immediately obvious, especially when enabling dynamic memory.

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