by Arman Obosyan
4. April 2014 11:12
Update for Windows Server 2012 R2 is available for download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers and it will be generally available through Windows Update starting on April 8, 2014.
So what's in this update?
- Internet Explorer 11 now includes an “Enterprise Mode.” This mode is available if you disable Enhanced Security Configuration and provides better compatibility for sites designed for Internet Explorer 8, along with tools to manage which web apps use it. You can specify a list of web apps to render dynamically in Enterprise Mode, avoiding compatibility problems with web apps written for older versions of Internet Explorer. For more information, see the Internet Explorer 11 FAQ for IT Pros or TechNet documentation.
- The user interface includes buttons for Search and Power on the Start page. If you install the Desktop Experience feature, other changes introduced with Windows 8.1 Update will also be visible. For details, see What's new in Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update. The specific Windows 8.1 features installed when you install Desktop Experience have not changed from those in Windows Server 2012 R2 (see Desktop Experience Overview).
- Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) has added the capability for an administrator to enable signing in with an alternate login ID that is an attribute of the user object in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). This enables customers to adopt Azure Active Directory without modifying on-premises User Principal Names (UPNs). It also allows users to log in to the computer using an Office 365 email address instead of a UPN. This change does not affect the Active Directory schema. For more information, see Configuring Alternate Login ID.
- The update includes all other updates released since Windows Server 2012 R2 was released.
To confirm the exact version of Windows Server 2012 R2 that is installed on a computer, run Msinfo32.exe. If Windows Server 2012 R2 Update is installed, the value reported for Hardware Abstraction Layer will be 6.3.9600.17031.
Microsoft Volume Licensing customers who are planning new or upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 deployments will be able to get the new OS image through the Volume Licensing Service Center starting on April 14, 2014. We are also working with our server OEM partners to have their offerings updated to the Windows Server 2012 R2 Update image as quickly as possible. We expect various OEMs to roll out systems with Windows Server 2012 R2 Update quickly, but at different times.
Additional note from the Windows Server team blog:
No system APIs have been changed and there are no changes to hardware requirements. Aside from a single reboot, there is no action for you to take if you have turned on automatic update. Plus, you will not need to re-verify nor re-certify your server applications, including System Center. They should “just work” without requiring any additional testing.
by Arman Obosyan
31. March 2014 16:52
Enterprise Vault now offers support for Service Pack 1 for Exchange Server 2013 and Outlook 2013 (as a client).
See below for minimum Enterprise Vault versions:
- Exchange Server 2013 SP1 - Supported from Enterprise Vault 10.0.4 CHF2 or later
- Outlook 2013 SP1 - Supported as a client from Enterprise Vault 10.0.3 or later
SharePoint 2013 SP1 is still in certification and we expect to be able to announce support in the coming weeks.
check the Enterprise Vault compatibility guide for all certification information: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH38537
by Arman Obosyan
31. March 2014 10:24
by Arman Obosyan
31. March 2014 00:00
by Arman Obosyan
28. March 2014 10:33
Description & Scope
Microsoft will end all support for Windows XP on 8 April 2014. Customers will need to upgrade all Windows XP workstations to Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 prior to this date.
While Office 365 will not block connections from fully patched Windows XP computers after 8 April 2014, connectivity to the service will be at risk. If customers experience a technical problem connecting to Office 365 from a Windows XP machine after 8 April 2014, Microsoft Customer Support and Service will need them to reproduce the problem on a supported operating system.
Customer Impact
The change has High Customer Impact as shown by the following risks:
- Risk of connectivity, security, and other issues once support for Windows XP ends.
- There will be no software updates, driver updates, new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.
- Office 365 experience with Windows XP may be sub-optimal, or even unworkable. This risk will increase over time.
- Businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations like HIPPA may find that they are no longer able to satisfy compliance requirements.
- Lack of independent software vendor (ISV) and hardware manufacturer support.
Further Information
by Arman Obosyan
28. March 2014 09:32
For years, even decades, computer security has been seen as a technical problem that requires a technical solution. In recent years, enterprises have plowed billions of dollars into technology solutions, only to find that the frequency and cost of breaches have hardly dropped at all.
Most cyber-attacks begin with spear-phishing emails, so why is this still such a viable attack method? People are still clicking.
The PhishMe infographic below touches on human vulnerability as the sole cause of recent high-profile breaches.

by Arman Obosyan
26. March 2014 22:13

Data Loss Prevention is one of the new features of Exchange 2013. Recently with Exchange SP1, we have made some new enhancements with Data Loss Prevention such as document fingerprinting and Policy tips in OWA. Come join us as we cover different DLP capabilities offered today and with the new releases.
April 10th 2014 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
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by Arman Obosyan
26. March 2014 22:07
Connecting your learning to your life with Office 365.
Flipped classroom, virtual school, MOOC, gamification of learning – a new theory on how to transform education seems to pop up almost daily. It can be difficult to navigate the maze of ideas and to identify the most promising solutions. A great place to start is to take a serious look at the education impact of a cloud-based productivity and collaboration solution such as Office 365. Microsoft recently expanded the availability of Office 365 across the African continent, and added attractive free offers for schools and students.
Join us for this Live Course – an engaging virtual seminar created in Africa for African audiences - to understand how learners, educators and parents can benefit from the power of Office 365. Discover how to study and teach seamlessly across different online platforms and devices. Find out how Office 365 can enhance learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom, while enabling students to become proficient in the use of productivity tools that will increase their employability prospects. Teachers will benefit from learning about professional development opportunities such as online communities of practice connecting them with colleagues worldwide.
Live Event Details April 3, 2014 8.00am – 4.00pm GMT What time is this in my time zone?
Register Today
by Arman Obosyan
26. March 2014 15:19
I remind you that support of Windows XP (and Office 2003 btw) end on April 8, 2014
This infographic will explain you “Simplify, Streamline and Automate by Migrating to Windows 8.1”

In addition you may aware of Office 365 Admin message center messages about End of Support Windows XP and Internet Explorer, do not postpone migration, do it today and get best experiences using Office 365

More at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.aspx
by Arman Obosyan
25. March 2014 08:04
Benefit from Microsoft’s unmatched scale and experience running trusted enterprise cloud services around the globe. Leverage our deep investments in technology, operational processes, and expertise to provide a trusted platform for your cloud initiatives. With Microsoft as your ally, you can take advantage of the cloud more quickly while reducing security and compliance costs and minimizing risk to your organization.

Download Microsoft Azure Cloud Security Infographic in PDF
by Arman Obosyan
21. March 2014 13:29

Microsoft Office 365 for IT Professionals is specially tailored for technologists looking for real-world proof of how cloud-based Office 365 enables organizations to solve more problems from more places. Participants will gain an overview of key components of Office 365 and the deployment models.
Event ID: 1032580732
Language: English
Product: Microsoft Office 365
Audience: IT Decision Maker, IT Implem_App/LOB Spec, IT Implem_Infrastructure Spec and IT Implem_IT Generalist
Register for Event