Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Microsoft has signed an agreement to acquire Deis – a company that has been at the center of the container transformation. Deis gives developers the means to vastly improve application agility, efficiency and reliability through their Kubernetes container management technologies.

Read the Microsoft blog announcement here:

• Microsoft to acquire Deis to help companies innovate with containers
  https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2017/04/10/microsoft-acquire-deis-help-companies-innovate-containers/#sm.0078gn2v17nveit109i1egf59z732

Read the Deis blog announcement here:

• Deis to Join Microsoft
  https://deis.com/blog/2017/deis-to-join-microsoft/

Microsoft Corporate VP Julia White will be speaking at the Women’s Luncheon & giving the closing keynote at the Red Hat Summit!

Julia White
Corporate Vice President, Azure and Security Marketing, Microsoft

Julia White has been working on commercial software and cloud services long before it was cool. Now focused on the Microsoft Cloud with special attention on Azure, enterprise security, and IT management, White makes sure the cloud is a place all organizations can trust to run their business.

For more information & registration visit the link below:

• REGISTRATION:
  https://www.redhat.com/en/summit/2017/speakers

The Microsoft Tech Community Office365 Groups ‘Ask Microsoft Anything’ AMA is this week!

The AMA will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT in the Office 365 Groups AMA space. Add the event to your calendar and view in your timezone here. 

An AMA is a live online event similar to a “YamJam” on Yammer or an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit. This AMA gives you the opportunity to connect with members of the product engineering team who will be on hand to answer your questions and listen to feedback.

We hope to see you there!

• DATE/TIME:
  Thursday, April 13, 2017
  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT
  (ADD TO CALENDAR: https://aka.ms/groupsama/invite)
• EVENT LINK:
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Office-365-Groups-AMA/bd-p/Office365GroupsAMA

(Original post: http://aka.ms/groupsama)

Today’s cyber threat landscape requires an ongoing and relentless focus on security. Do you know how you’ll respond to the constantly evolving threats to your networks and devices?

Learn about how the Windows 10 Creators Update will deliver new features and capabilities for modern IT while helping administrators to maintain the most secure environment possible. You’ll see how the Creators Update allows you to acquire, provision, support, and secure devices more easily than ever, plus an inside look at security improvements.

• LIVE WEBCAST:
  What’s new in the Windows 10 Creators Update for IT experts
  Join this webcast to learn how to more effectively defend against threats and reduce IT management time with the Windows 10 Creators Update.
  
  April 27, 2017
  10:00 AM PT

  Register now:
  https://info.microsoft.com/en-us-landing-whatsnewinthewindows10creatorsupdateforitprofessionals.html

The Windows 10 Creators Update is scheduled to begin rolling out to customers on April 11th.

This update was codenamed ‘Redstone 2’ (RS2) and was first announced at the Windows Rio event in October.  As with all updates, this one provides users with new features and security measures at no additional cost. 

We’ve provided a few highlights below around the key new features and how you will get the Creators Update.  For more information visit the official blog post here.

Key new features

• 3D in Windows 10. Now anyone can experience, and create in, a new dimension. 
• Windows Mixed Reality.  An immersive blend of digital content and your virtual surroundings.
• PC gaming.  Better than ever with 4K games, Game Mode, and built-in game broadcasting. 
• New Security features including a dashboard display and device health advisor.
• Microsoft Edge now has Netflix in 4K, new tab tools, and security that beats other browsers.
• New Windows Hello capability for locking your PC with your phone when you step away.
• Other great stuff.  Like blue light reduction and mini view functions. 

How do customers get it?

• Insiders: Windows Insiders will begin experiencing these RS2 features as part of builds that will flight between late 2016 and the first months of 2017. 
• Windows 10 Customers. They will receive the Creators Update via the normal WU update process.
  • Push: Automatic update via Windows Update
  • Pull:  Manual update via Windows Update settings
• New Devices. The Creators Update will come loaded on new devices starting at Back to School 2017, with majority of new devices having the update at Holiday 2017. 

Microsoft Teams is the digital equivalent of an open-space office environment. It is an entirely new experience which brings together people, conversations, and content. Through easy connections and conversations, Microsoft Teams builds relationships and drives collaboration seamlessly, and opens up opportunities to take your organizational goals to the next level.

We documented the key information and practical guidance you need to Plan, Deliver & Operate Microsoft Teams. We will continue to update this guidance based on product updates and customer feedback.

Documentation:
The Practical Guidance document provides details on working through the stages of Plan, Deliver & Operate for Microsoft Teams while outlining the decision points that are important. The Planning Workshop Kit drives an interactive conversation to get your organization started with Microsoft Teams.

Download: https://meetmyteamsprod.blob.core.windows.net/msteams-asset/Microsoft%20Teams%20Practical%20Guidance.zip

Bandwidth Calculator:
https://www.successwithteams.com/BandwidthCalculator

Training:
https://www.successwithteams.com/Academy

Main Site:
https://www.successwithteams.com/

Nathan Mercer wrote an outstanding post on the Windows for IT Pros blog that provides a comprehensive list of everything that’s new in Windows 10 vers 1703.

<taken from blog>

Windows 10, version 1703—also known as the Windows 10 Creators Update—is designed for today’s modern IT environment with new features to help IT pros more easily manage, and better protect, the devices and data in their organizations. It also provides individuals with the ability to be more productive, thanks to enhancements to Windows Ink and Cortana, better battery life, improved accessibility, and more control over privacy settings as well as when updates are installed. To learn more about these and other improvements, see the Windows Experience Blog.

Windows 10, version 1703 is the third feature update released for Windows 10. As with the Windows 10 November Update (released November 2015) and the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (released August 2016), it is a further expression of how we’ve moved to Windows as a service—and a delivery on our promise to keep improving Windows over time, utilizing the feedback we receive from you and other customers through the Windows Insider Program.

What’s new for IT professionals?

…

How, and when, can I obtain Windows 10, version 1703?

…

What if I haven’t yet deployed Windows 10 in my organization?

…

Where can I provide feedback on Windows 10?

…

Read more at:

• BLOG: What’s new for IT pros in the Windows 10 Creators Update
  https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2017/04/05/whats-new-for-it-pros-in-the-windows-10-creators-update/

Windows 10 VPN is the roadmap technology for secure, remote connectivity from Windows to corporate networks. 

Microsoft IT has published a showcase whitepaper about “Always-On VPN” as integrated into Windows 10 Anniversary Update:

• MSIT Showcase: Enhancing remote access in Windows 10 with an automatic VPN profile (7pg, PDF)
  https://www.microsoft.com/itshowcase/Article/Content/894/Enhancing-remote-access-in-Windows-10-with-an-automatic-VPN-profile

(Direct Access will continue to ship in Windows 10 Creator Update without changes)

This week we are publishing more information about the data we collect from Windows 10. Our commitment to you is that we only collect data at the Basic level that is necessary to keep your Windows 10 device secure and up to date. For customers who choose the Full level, we use diagnostic data to improve Windows 10 for everyone and deliver more personalized experiences for you where you choose to let us do so. Our hope is this information will help you be more informed about the data we collect and use, enabling you to make informed choices.

Read more about this at

• BLOG: Windows 10 privacy journey continues: more transparency and controls for you
  https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/04/05/windows-10-privacy-journey-continues-more-transparency-and-controls-for-you/#IGvtwAwgk6KjPu5o.97
• TECHNET: Windows 10, version 1703 basic level Windows diagnostic events and fields:
  https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/configure/basic-level-windows-diagnostic-events-and-fields

Let’s face it.  Our software updates are complicated.  As an IT professional, have you ever wondered:

• What was the version number of an update?
• What was the build number of the last release & all the updates after it?
• What is the KB number for that build?
• What improvements & fixes were made for that build?

Well, we published all of that online. Learn more about updates for Windows 10, including improvement and fixes, any known issues, and how to get the update at the URL below:

• Windows 10 update history – Windows Help
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4018124/windows-10-update-history