Kurt Shintaku's Blog

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

Microsoft has announced a branch of the Windows Insiders program called “Windows Insiders for Business”.

The program enables Enterprise customers to get engaged with the Windows Insiders program leveraging unique features available through the program that make participation easier & more useful.

WINDOWS INSIDERS FOR BUSINESS NEW FEATURES
Here are some key features of the program:

• CORPORATE CREDENTIALS
  Sign-in with corporate credentials (Azure AD) and increase the visibility of your
  feedback with Microsoft.
• INSTALL PRE-RELEASE BUILDS
  Access and control the deployment of pre-release builds in your organization so distribution is consistent with other updates.
• REAL-TIME FEEDBACK
  Provide and aggregate feedback to Microsoft via the Feedback Hub on pre-release builds in an automated manner with fewer steps.
• UP-TO-DATE CONTENT
  Stay ahead of the game with deployment guides, feature announcements
  and more.

ENTERPRISE MANAGEABLE FLIGHTING
There are some new advantages in how Enterprise users can evaluate & test new builds:

• Individuals can manage flighting
• Sign up in Insider Registration Page (same flow as MSA users)
• Configure flighting in settings on local machine
• Organizations will be able to manage flighting via Mobile Device Management & Group Policy
• Flighting enabled policy (Blocked, User choice, Force with/without user consent)
• Insider ring level (WIP-Fast, WIP-Slow, Release Preview)
• Insider ring level user configurable (Enabled/Disabled)

ENTERPRISE MANAGABLE FEEDBACK
There is an Enterprise level feedback system that provides businesses with the ability to manage the feedback being provided.  Corporations will be able to:

• View and update existing feedback submitted by your organization.
• Submit new feedback from your organization.
• Show a separate view to other Insiders restricting sensitive data

Additionally, Azure AD users can participate in feedback with other Insiders both Azure AD and MSA:

• See and upvote Insider feedback
• Post new feedback for the community to upvote
• Easily send the right diagnostics

Also individuals will be able to filter feedback on several dimensions:

• All feedback
• My feedback
• My company’s feedback

ENROLL TODAY!
Check out the new Windows Insiders for Business Program, here:

• SITE: Windows Insiders for Business Details & Enrollment
  http://aka.ms/wip4itpros 

Wanna be appraised of new Yammer Service updates early?

This is an external group for Yammer users who are interested in learning about new service updates prior to product release. You submit your email address and will be added to an external, private Yammer group.

(Note: To be able to participate, please ensure that you have not disabled the ability to join an external group from your home Yammer network.)

• REGISTRATION: Yammer Service Updates Sign Up
  http://aka.ms/yamserviceupdatessignup

Learn how to deal with widely dispersed intranets in this deep dive into BranchCache.

BranchCache has been a part of Microsoft Windows since Windows Server 2008R2 and Windows 7. It helps to reduce the bandwidth consumed and improves end user experience while accessing intranet-based HTTP and SMB content.

This session identifies challenges in network performance often faced by remote branch offices which accessing content stored in servers located in DataCenters across trans-continental Wide Area Networks, and how BranchCache helps in addressing these challenges. The session includes details of how this technology works and includes several demonstrations of how this feature behaves in Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10.

• VIDEO: Dig deeply into BranchCache: learning from the experts
  https://myignite.microsoft.com/videos/2958
• POWERPOINT: Dig deeply into BranchCache: learning from the experts
  https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=6B7CF2BD5F47F487&resid=6B7CF2BD5F47F487%21737&authkey=ADrIfS5Odm1xJHU&em=2

Microsoft Teams has arrived to Office 365, bringing a chat-based workspace to your fingertips. See how Microsoft Teams can pull together everything you need to collaborate – schedule and conduct meetings, share notes and files, have threaded conversations – all in one place.

At this event, you’ll experience

• Collaboration challenges organizations face with distributed, multi-generation workforce.
• Options users look for to get things done, and how that affects the role of IT.
• How to make your team more effective and give them instant access to everything they need – right in Office 365.
• Hands on environment to test drive Microsoft Teams.

About Microsoft Teams

• Chat for today’s teams: A one-to-one or one-to many chat with content and chat history.
• A hub for teamwork: instant access to everything your team needs right in Office 365 with built-in integration to SharePoint, OneNote, and Skype for Business.
• Customizable for each team: integrate the content and features your team needs to access and use every day.
• Security teams can trust: enterprise security and compliance features you expect from Office 365.
• Learn more about Microsoft Teams and start using it today.

Events are taking place nationwide in 21 locations, from Austin to New York to Milwaukee to Tempe. 

Register here:

• Introducing Microsoft Teams
  https://www.microsoftevents.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKWebId=0x3874872564