virtualization

When VMware quietly pulled the plug on its free ESXi hypervisor earlier this year, it felt like the end of an era. Veteran sysadmins exchanged knowing glances, home lab hobbyists clutched their coffee mugs with trembling hands, and social media buzzed with equal parts panic and nostalgia. But...

If you blinked, you might have missed it: VMware, the virtualization juggernaut, has pulled a plot twist more dramatic than a soap opera season finale. The company quietly revived its free ESXi hypervisor, a move that has set the virtualization and IT communities abuzz. For those following...

Few acts in the digital world rival the thrill of installing a brand-new operating system—except, perhaps, doing so in a way that lets you hit “Undo” if things go pear-shaped. That’s the magic of virtual machines. If you’ve ever wondered how to dive headfirst into Windows 11 without risking your...

A full year after VMware unceremoniously stuffed its most beloved community freebie into a digital sarcophagus, something unexpected is stirring in the world of virtualization: the resurrection of ESXi's free tier. In a move that’s as quietly dramatic as a hypervisor reboot at 3am (when nobody’s...

There’s a familiar thrum of urgency in Redmond once more, except this time the alarms are quiet, technical, and contain just a hint of acronyms that can make even the most seasoned IT pro break out into a cold sweat. Microsoft has dropped an emergency payload of updates aimed squarely at Windows...

Windows 11 Pro boasts a suite of advanced features tailored for business and power users. However, many of these functionalities can be replicated on Windows 11 Home using free third-party tools. This approach not only saves costs but also offers flexibility in customizing your system. Below, we...

Navigating the Systems Administrator Salary Landscape in 2025: Pay, Skills, and Career Growth In the fast-moving world of IT, the role of the systems administrator remains pivotal but increasingly complex. Tasked with managing intricate network systems, guaranteeing cybersecurity compliance, and...

Below is an in-depth exploration of how Windows 11 Home users can access many of the functions traditionally reserved for the Pro edition—without paying an upgrade fee. While Microsoft neatly segments Windows features between Home and Pro, savvy users can often find free, open-source...

Below is an in-depth exploration of how savvy Windows Home users can bypass expenditure on Windows Pro’s add-ons by employing a suite of free tools. The discussion examines key differences between Windows Home and Pro, outlines alternative software solutions that mirror Pro functionalities, and...

Below is an in-depth analysis exploring why many private users might not need to pay for Windows Pro’s advanced features when free alternatives deliver most of the functionality. The discussion examines the differences between Windows Home and Windows Pro, free alternatives for encryption...

Three Decades of Innovation: A New Era for Windows Server For over 30 years, Windows Server has been the backbone of countless organizations worldwide, driving mission-critical applications such as SQL Server, Active Directory, File Services, and Hyper-V. The legacy of relentless innovation is...

The world of virtualization is evolving fast, and if you’ve ever thought your GPU deserved more than a simple passthrough, then the latest Proxmox vGPU support might just be the upgrade your data center (or homelab) has been waiting for. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the nitty-gritty of...

CrystalMark Retro 2.0 marks a bold return to the golden days of computing while boldly striding into modern benchmarking. In a single tool, Crystal Dew World has crafted a solution that not only measures contemporary CPUs, storage, and graphics but also pays homage to the classic era of Windows...

Mapping virtualization licensing costs is no longer just a side note in IT budgeting—it’s a headline act. For years, many organizations have focused almost exclusively on hardware costs when planning server deployments, but as virtualization continues to corner more of the workload pie...

Containerizing legacy applications with Docker isn’t just a trendy concept—it’s a pragmatic strategy to breathe new life into older systems. Legacy applications, often plagued by compatibility hiccups, maintenance challenges, and outdated architectures, can benefit immensely from...

Navigating the AI Frontier with Microsoft 365 Copilot Microsoft 365 Copilot is positioned to redefine how organizations work, blending the power of generative AI with the familiar productivity tools that millions rely on every day. As businesses and IT departments evaluate the potential of this...

One of the hottest debates in the Windows community today revolves around a simple question: Are you ready to upgrade from Windows Server 2019 to 2022, or is sticking with the tried-and-true 2019 version still the best play for your business? While both servers pack a serious punch when it comes...

Microsoft's latest iteration of Windows Server – the 2025 edition – marks a significant step forward for enterprise-grade server operating systems. Launched in November 2024, this release brings a host of new features, optimizations, and revisions in both functionality and delivery model. If...

Running Windows 11 on an Apple M4 Mac Mini via Parallels Desktop may sound like a recipe for unexpected performance quirks—but our latest real-world test suggests there's more nuance to the story than meets the eye. In a head-to-head benchmark battle pitting a virtualized Mac Mini against native...

Running Windows on a Mac used to be a juggling act with Boot Camp, but those days are long gone—especially with Apple Silicon cutting off the Boot Camp route. Enter Parallels, the virtualization software that’s carved out its niche as the go-to solution for seamlessly and swiftly running Windows...