network connectivity

A serious compatibility change in Windows 11’s recent updates has left many IT teams scrambling — and, according to recent reporting, a Microsoft staffer appears to have indicated the behavior may not be reverted. The issue touches DHCP, WinHTTP/WPAD behavior and a surprising dependency that can...

Microsoft today pushed Windows 11 Build 22631.5837 (KB5064080) to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, a targeted cumulative update for Windows 11, version 23H2 that bundles a set of quality fixes, device-management improvements, and a notable enterprise addition: Microsoft’s Windows Backup...

Microsoft’s new Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is not just a cosmetic tweak to the recovery menu — it rethinks how Windows 11 responds to catastrophic boot failures by taking the recovery process online, automating diagnosis and remediation, and giving IT teams a far faster path out of mass-outage...

Microsoft has recently introduced significant enhancements to Windows 11, focusing on reducing system downtime and improving user experience during unexpected restarts. These updates include a redesigned restart screen and the implementation of Quick Machine Recovery, both integral components of...

I have a running Win 2012R2 Active Directory server. Call it DC1 I just built a Win 2019 server that was added to the domain and promoted to AD server. This one is DC2 I ran "Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole" to the new server and running "netdom query fsmo", I get Schema master...

Microsoft’s relentless update cadence continues to define the Windows 11 experience, and the July 2024 optional update (KB5062663) stands out for its focus on bug quashing and system refinement. Whereas many users fixate on the promise of new features, this release addresses a set of...

The crippling CrowdStrike outage of mid-2024 exposed just how vulnerable even the world’s most resilient enterprise environments can be to cascading update failures. When an ill-fated signature update from CrowdStrike crippled boot processes on millions of Windows machines—ranging from personal...

In early July 2025, administrators worldwide encountered significant synchronization issues with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Starting on July 9, 2025, numerous reports emerged indicating that WSUS servers were failing to sync with Microsoft's update servers, preventing the...

Across countless enterprise and educational environments, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) remains a cornerstone tool for administrators seeking granular control over Windows updates. By configuring WSUS, organizations can vet and deploy critical patches on their own timetables, reducing...

Experiencing the error “Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file” when trying to open printer properties on a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC can be especially frustrating, particularly for users who rely on networked printers or encounter permissions-related obstacles. This...

Windows 11 users have become accustomed to regular cumulative updates, but the KB5060829 release marks a particularly substantial evolution in the operating system’s lifecycle. With 38 documented changes and fixes, this update surfaces not just as routine maintenance but as a clear indicator of...

As South African organisations increasingly embrace Windows 11, the spotlight has shifted to a critical, often underestimated aspect of the upgrade: the business print environment. For many companies, print infrastructure remains a backbone for documentation, compliance, and workflow...

Microsoft’s June 2025 Patch Tuesday update was meant to address dozens of vulnerabilities and enhance system stability, but Azure and hybrid on-premises administrators quickly discovered a critical side effect: DHCP services on multiple generations of Windows Server began failing, resulting in...

For IT administrators managing modern networks, few issues are more disruptive than a failed Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. This essential component assigns IP addresses to devices, enabling everything from basic connectivity to secure access to critical systems. In early...

The early days of summer should have brought a routine patch cycle for IT professionals managing enterprise networks with Windows Server. Instead, Microsoft’s June 2025 security update has triggered an unexpected crisis: a significant bug in the DHCP Server service, which is foundational to...

Microsoft's June 2025 security updates have introduced a significant issue affecting the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server service on various Windows Server versions. Administrators have reported that post-update, the DHCP service intermittently freezes, leading to disruptions in...

Windows Server 2025 administrators faced significant disruption earlier this year when a major update rendered many domain controllers unreachable following a routine reboot. This connectivity crisis didn’t just inconvenience IT professionals; it left entire networks vulnerable to authentication...

Microsoft’s June 2025 Patch Tuesday has brought much-needed relief to enterprise IT administrators, resolving a cluster of severe Windows Server 2025 bugs that had upended Active Directory authentication and network stability for months. This comprehensive update, delivered via KB5060842, not...

Microsoft has released the June 10, 2025, cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2, identified as KB5060842 with OS Build 26100.4349. This update primarily addresses security vulnerabilities within the operating system. Key Highlights: Security Enhancements: The update focuses on...

Windows File Explorer is a staple of the Windows operating system, serving as the primary interface for file management and everyday productivity across millions of PCs worldwide. Yet, despite Microsoft’s efforts to modernize aspects of Windows in recent releases, File Explorer’s experience with...