Windows Admin Center (WAC) vMode (Virtualization Mode) is a current in-preview management gateway for Hyper-V environments, deployable as a stateful appliance with an integrated PostgreSQL database. Unlike aMode (Administration Mode), vMode targets centralized virtualization management across multiple hosts and clusters, without requiring System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM). The only mandatory prerequisite is the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. This article covers the system requirements, environment preparation, and installer walkthrough for vMode, and briefly explains how aMode installation differs.

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Windows 365 Reserve and Windows 365 Boot are two complementary Microsoft cloud services that, when combined, let employees resume work on a preconfigured Cloud PC from any Windows 11 device without additional setup. Windows 365 Reserve provides short-term Cloud PC access for users whose primary physical device is unavailable. Windows 365 Boot redirects the Windows 11 sign-in experience directly to a Cloud PC, though administrators can configure policies to allow users to access the physical device's local OS if needed.

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Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune automates certificate management for enrolled devices, but you must manually handle the expiration of the certification authority (CA). When your Cloud PKI issuing CA approaches its expiration date, you need to create a new CA and update your SCEP certificate profiles to maintain uninterrupted service. This guide explains the expiration process, potential impacts, and the steps required to transition to a new issuing CA.

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Microsoft has published its planned team investments for PowerShell 7.7, Windows OpenSSH, and Desired State Configuration (DSC) v3.2. The roadmap for PowerShell 7.7 includes relocating PSUserContentPath, non-profile-based module loading, Bash-style aliases, and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. For Windows OpenSSH, the primary addition under evaluation is support for Entra ID authentication. Desired State Configuration (DSC) v3.2 will include a new Python adapter to enable the creation of DSC resources on Linux.

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Microsoft released service update 2601 for Intune. The update introduces Endpoint Privilege Management support for Azure Virtual Desktop, brings admin tasks to general availability, and adds Lenovo Device Orchestration integration. Key configuration updates include new Windows settings catalog policies for Microsoft Edge version 143 and Google Chrome version 141, expanded Android Enterprise management mode filtering, and Zimperium Mobile Threat Defense certificate inventory integration for iOS devices.

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Microsoft's original Secure Boot certificates, issued in 2011, begin expiring in late June 2026, potentially affecting millions of Windows devices worldwide. While your device will continue to boot normally after expiration, it will enter a degraded security state where new boot-level protections cannot be applied. To maintain full protection against emerging threats, ensure your system receives the latest 2023 certificates before the deadline.

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Action1 is a cloud-based autonomous endpoint management platform focused on patch management, vulnerability assessment, and software deployment. The December release significantly expanded the platform by introducing native Linux agent support and an enterprise-wide management view, thereby strengthening Action1’s suitability for organizations managing heterogeneous, distributed environments.

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Microsoft Intune's January 2026 updates deliver enhancements to endpoint management, including PowerShell script installers for Win32 apps, improved Endpoint Privilege Management, unified admin task workflows, enhanced Apple device enrollment with ACME protocol support, and critical updates to the mobile application management service. These updates streamline application deployment, strengthen security controls, and improve administrative efficiency across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms.

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The new admin tasks feature in Microsoft Intune aggregates high-impact IT actions, approvals, and remediation workflows into a single, prioritized queue in the Microsoft Intune admin center. This centralized feature helps you act quickly on critical decisions without navigating through multiple console areas, reducing response times while maintaining security oversight across endpoint management operations.

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Microsoft is disabling hands-free WDS deployments that use unattend.xml answer files due to security concerns (CVE-2026-0386), with the feature first warning after January 2026 updates and then being turned off by default from April 2026. However, it can still be re‑enabled via a registry key, and alternative WinPE-based methods remain supported for Windows 11 deployments.

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Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) to the Beta Channel on January 16, 2026. This update introduces modernized user interface elements with dark mode support, enhanced desktop background options, and multiple performance fixes. The build is based on Windows 11 version 25H2 and includes changes that are gradually rolling out to Insiders who enable the toggle for the latest updates in Settings > Windows Update.

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Microsoft is expanding Windows Backup for Organizations with a first-sign-in restore feature that lets you recover Windows settings and Microsoft Store apps immediately after logging in on Windows 11 devices. This new capability, currently in private preview, provides a safety net for users who miss or encounter issues during the initial device setup process.

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Microsoft has launched a native migration orchestrator in public preview that enables you to move user data between Microsoft 365 tenants during mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational restructurings. This cloud-based solution consolidates Exchange mailboxes, OneDrive files, and Teams chats and meetings into a single migration workflow, eliminating the need for multiple third-party tools and reducing administrative complexity.

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Microsoft announced the immediate retirement of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) on January 6, 2026, marking the end of a tool that has served IT administrators for over 20 years. You will no longer receive updates, fixes, or support for MDT, and the download packages have been removed from official distribution channels. Find out about alternatives to the MDT and how administrators reacted to its retirement announcement.

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Microsoft will discontinue support for numerous products throughout 2026, spanning operating systems, productivity software, database platforms, and server technologies. Organizations must plan migrations and upgrades to maintain security compliance and access to critical updates.

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Windows 11 includes a command-line tool, Store CLI, that lets you search for, install, list, and update Microsoft Store applications directly from Command Prompt or PowerShell. The Store CLI provides an alternative to the graphical Microsoft Store interface and offers distinct capabilities compared to the Windows Package Manager (winget).

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Softinventive Lab Total Network Inventory (TNI) is a network auditing and inventory management solution designed for managing IT assets across organizations. The software enables administrators to scan Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and ESXi-based systems, including computers, servers, and network devices.

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Microsoft released Windows Admin Center version 2511 on December 11, 2025, restoring support for high availability deployments and delivering broad updates across deployment, virtualization, and security. The release enhances core management workflows, introduces a new VM conversion tool alongside the NetApp Shift Toolkit for cross-hypervisor migrations, and brings notable security improvements together with expanded international keyboard support for remote desktop connections.

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Microsoft released significant updates to Intune in December 2025, focusing on workflow automation, cross-platform enhancements, and improved security controls. The updates introduce a centralized admin task view, enhanced Android privacy controls, and customizable iOS enrollment experiences.

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