Microsoft Support & Discussions

Take a coffee break and watch our new 10-minute video on software-defined networking with Windows Server 2016. Join Windows Server program manager Greg Cusanza as he demonstrates how you can use software-defined networking (SDN) to dynamically create, secure and connect your network to: Meet the evolving needs of your applications Speed deployment of workloads Contain security vulnerabilities from spreading across your networks All while reducing your overall infrastructure costs. Grab a cup of coffee and click here to check it out. Continue reading...

This past year was an exciting one: we saw even more great Windows 10 devices introduced to our customers that take advantage of the password-free security benefits of Windows Hello. Built in to Windows 10, Windows Hello takes away the hassle of remembering passwords and minimizes security risks for millions of Windows customers. With Windows Hello, you can simply and uniquely use your face, fingerprints, or a PIN to quickly and more securely sign-in to your Windows 10 device. Over the last year, one of our top priorities was to make this technology available on the widest variety of devices. Today, Windows Hello can be used on nearly every Windows 10 device in the wor…

We’ve been investing heavily over the last year in education software to drive a breakthrough in learning outcomes. We’ve developed technology like Windows Ink in Windows 10, which enables students to write on their device as naturally as a piece of paper, delivering up to 36 percent better test scores in math and science. Office 365 delivers productivity for the modern classroom with powerful intelligence features to help students become better writers, presenters and data analysts, while empowering students and teachers to create, edit, share and grade assignments with OneNote. With OneNote Learning Tools, students can de-clutter screen views to aid concentration, helpi…

Security threats are some of the leading concerns our customers have with technology today and that’s why we’ve built Windows 10 to be the most secure version of Windows ever. With comprehensive, built-in security features, Windows 10 provides protection from viruses and malware threats including ransomware, safer authentication with Windows Hello using your smile or fingerprint to login and ongoing security updates delivered monthly through Windows Update, to name a few. But you don’t need to be a security expert to help secure your device and understand the protections you have in place. In the Windows 10 Creators Update, we will introduce a new experience call…

The Xbox app brings together your gaming world across Xbox One and Windows 10 devices; that includes your friends, your games, your achievements, your avatar, access the Xbox and Windows Stores, and more. You can easily stay connected to the Xbox Live community, view your Gamerscore leaderboard across devices, view your GameDVR clips, start Party chats, launch into cross-device multiplayer with games like “Forza Horizon 3” and “Killer Instinct,” and stream your favorite games from Xbox One to any Windows 10 PC in your home while using your Xbox Wireless controller and more. With a Windows 10 PC, you can easily game on-the-go and stay up to date with the Xbox Live commu…

Today, the Halo Wars 2 Blitz Multiplayer Beta officially launches on Windows 10 PC and Xbox One! The Blitz multiplayer beta is open to anyone on Windows 10 PC in the Windows Store and for Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One, and runs from today until Jan. 30. Blitz offers a unique twist on Halo Wars 2 gameplay by replacing the traditional real-time strategy (RTS) aspects of resource collection, base building and tech tree planning with a streamlined way to build your armies and jump straight into the action. Unlike a traditional RTS match, your entire army and Leader Powers are selected and built before a Blitz match even begins. Players will select a Leader and bu…

This Week on Windows, we’re talking about your chance to play Halo Wars 2: Blitz Beta before it ships, all the ways you can easily customize your Start and New Tab pages in Microsoft Edge and the latest Windows 10 features coming to Windows Insiders. Head over here to check out the latest Windows Insider preview builds, or sign up for the Windows Insider Program here! Here’s what’s new in the Windows Store this week: Halo Wars 2: Blitz Beta Today, the Halo Wars 2 Blitz Multiplayer Beta officially launches on Windows 10 PC and Xbox One! The Blitz multiplayer beta is open to anyone on Windows 10 PC and for Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One, and runs from today…

After a drop in activity over Christmas, the most prolific ransomware of 2016 appears to be gearing up for 2017. It was never going to fizzle out; one of the most prolific forms of ransomware is back after what appears to have been a holiday break. Locky evolved to become the most notorious ransomware threat during 2016, even becoming the second most common malware threat by November. Locky ransomware campaigns dipped massively over Christmas, but cybersecurity researchers at Cisco Talos have noticed how attempts to deliver this form of ransomware are slowly beginning to rise again. The main driver behind Locky campaigns is the Necurs botnet, which prior to…

Today we released security updates to provide additional protections against malicious attackers. As a best practice, we encourage customers to apply security updates as soon as they are released. More information about this month’s security updates and advisories can be found in the Security TechNet Library. MSRC team Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are excited to be releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 15014 for PC and Mobile to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. We have fixed a TON of issues that you all filed in the Feedback Hub from the past two flights, so thank you for helping make this product better for everyone. Please do read the notes below, there is a TON of information. What’s new in Build 15014 for PC & Mobile Purchase and read e-books in Windows 10 Creators Update (PC & Mobile): Windows Insiders in the U.S. can now purchase e-books directly from the Windows Store and read them in Microsoft Edge. After purchasing your e-books – you will fi…

This post was authored by Shadab Rasheed, Technical Advisor, Windows Devices & Deployment Of late, several customers have reached out to my team asking why their Windows 10 1511 and 1607 clients, which are managed by WSUS or SCCM are going online to Microsoft update to download updates. Not only the are clients reaching out to external Microsoft URL, outside of the internal update endpoint, but they are downloading a significant amount of data from the Microsoft content delivery gateway. So, what’s exactly going on here? There are essentially two different behaviors that is being experienced here. It is important that we understand and identify them instea…

Did you know that you can customize your Start and New Tab pages in Microsoft Edge to show news and sites based on your preference, so you can quickly get to the content you want? Both pages give you access to the latest news across business, entertainment, finance and more. Plus, with weather updates, sports scores, recommendations for apps and much more, the Microsoft Edge Start and New Tab Page become your personal dashboard to help you kick-start your web journey every time. Here’s how to start personalizing your Start and New Tab pages: On the Start page, click the “Customize” icon on the top right, below the search bar and select the type of news you …

This Week on Windows, we’re sharing a recap of CES 2017 and bringing you new apps and a midseason TV guide! Do you share your PC with friends or family? Check out how to set up multiple profiles with Windows Hello. Here’s what’s new in the Windows Store this week: Slack for Windows 10 Slack gives you a place to connect with the people and apps you work with every day, no matter where you are or what you do – and now it’s available to download for free in the Windows Store. No need to spend time digging through your inbox, searching for files, or toggling endlessly between different apps to find what you need. And with Live Tiles, you can see your latest not…

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are excited to be releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 15007 for PC and Mobile to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. What’s new in Build 15007 for PC & Mobile More Microsoft Edge Improvements: Sharing your tabs (PC): We’ve added the ability to share a set of tabs you’ve set aside. Just click the “Tabs you’ve set aside” button, and under the “…” menu select the option to “Share tabs” with many apps installed on your PC. Import data (PC): We’re making it even easier to bring your data over from another browser when you switch to Microsoft Edge. The new “Import from another browser” button in Settings allows you to b…

This past year was an exciting one: we saw even more great Windows 10 devices introduced to our customers that take advantage of the password-free security benefits of Windows Hello. Built in to Windows 10, Windows Hello takes away the hassle of remembering passwords and minimizes security risks for millions of Windows customers. With Windows Hello, you can simply and uniquely use your face, fingerprints, or a PIN to quickly and more securely sign-in to your Windows 10 device. Over the last year, one of our top priorities was to make this technology available on the widest variety of devices. Today, Windows Hello can be used on nearly every Windows 10 device in the wor…

EMET 5.52 is the latest version of the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) and is now available for download. EMET 5.52 is a minor update from EMET 5.51 to address the following: An issue with the EAF mitigation that causes some applications to hang on Windows 7 SP1. A fix to the MSI installer to allow in-place upgrade behavior.

Last June, we invited our fan community to jump in and get hands-on with a slice of Halo Wars 2 with our first multiplayer beta. We received a tremendous amount of valuable feedback on both the technical and gameplay side that has helped the team continue to refine and improve the overall Halo Wars 2 experience as we march towards launch on Feb. 21, 2017. I’m happy to announce one more opportunity to get hands-on with Halo Wars 2 and ask for your participation in one final large-scale multiplayer beta. This time around the focus will be exclusively on our brand-new, card-based game mode, Blitz, and it’ll be available on both Windows 10 PC and Xbox One beginning Jan. 20…

Fake email notices from prosecutors infect victims with ransomware and personal data-stealing DiamondFox malware Unsuspecting internet users could find themselves on the receiving end of an unwanted belated Christmas present, malware that doesn't only encrypt their Windows PC and hold it to ransom, but also steals personal data and login credentials. Spotted by cybersecurity researchers in the first week of the year, the Merry Christmas ransomware - also known as Merry X-Mas - might initially appear to be a strange name for a January ransomware campaign. However, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 - something which might point towards the inv…

Severity Rating: Critical Revision Note: V1.0 (January 10, 2017): Bulletin published Summary: This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Office. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Microsoft Office file. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. Customers whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights. Continue reading...

Severity Rating: Critical Revision Note: V1.0 (January 10, 2017): Bulletin published. Summary: This security update resolves vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player when installed on all supported editions of Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10. Continue reading...

Severity Rating: Important Revision Note: V1.0 (January 10, 2017): Bulletin Published Summary: A denial of service vulnerability exists in the way the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) handles authentication requests. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could cause a denial of service on the target system's LSASS service, which triggers an automatic reboot of the system. Continue reading...

Severity Rating: Important Revision Note: V1.0 (January 10, 2017): Bulletin published. Summary: This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Edge. This vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Microsoft Edge. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could elevate privileges in affected versions of Microsoft Edge. Continue reading...

Many of you have asked for more control over your data, a greater understanding of how data is collected, and the benefits this brings for a more personalized experience. Based on your feedback, we are launching two new experiences to help ensure you are in control of your privacy. First, today we’re launching a new web-based privacy dashboard so you can see and control your activity data from Microsoft including location, search, browsing, and Cortana Notebook data across multiple Microsoft services. Second, we’re introducing in Windows 10 a new privacy set up experience, simplifying Diagnostic data levels and further reducing the data collected at the Basic level.…

Today we released security updates to provide additional protections against malicious attackers. As a best practice, we encourage customers to apply security updates as soon as they are released. More information about this month’s security updates and advisories can be found in the Security TechNet Library. MSRC team

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are excited to be releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 15002 for PC to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. This is a BIG update so please take time to look through all of the new changes we detail below. What’s new in Build 15002 Microsoft Edge Updates The Microsoft Edge Team has lots of new features to share, focused on making it easier than ever to keep track of your tabs and pick up where you left off, as well as a few other surprises! Tab preview bar: It’s easy to lose track of what’s in your tabs, especially when you have many tabs from the same site, with similar titles and icons. Tab preview bar allows you to e…