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Go-to source of enterprise IT and #DevOps professionals for all things #Microsoft, including the latest news, resources and trends
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The right MSP can change how your business operates. The challenge is knowing where to look.

Redmond Channel Partner's Directory gives you a practical way to discover MSPs who are already working with organizations like yours.

Find your next MSP here: https://ow.ly/thvL50Y1JVg

#MSPs #ITStrategy
January 23, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Microsoft introduced DRPP, a new WDTF extension (shipped in the WDK) that records IOCTL and WMI interactions from real systems and replays them in test environments.

Read the article to unpack how it fits into modern, automation-first driver engineering: https://ow.ly/7nmH50Y1JXX

#Windows #Testing
Microsoft Introduces DRPP to Simplify IOCTL and WMI Driver Testing -- Redmondmag.com
New record-and-playback platform aims to reduce complexity and improve reliability in Windows driver development.
ow.ly
January 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Redmond
Last day: Extended Super Early Bird pricing ends tonight!

VSLive! Las Vegas (March 16-20 at Planet Hollywood) offers 5 days of practical training in #dotNET 9, #Azure, #Blazor, GitHub #Copilot, #GenAI, #data and more.

Save up to $400 when you secure your spot today: vslive.com/events/las-v...
January 23, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Your Microsoft cloud is only as resilient as your recovery plan.

Join us and sponsor Datto on Feb. 6 for this FREE virtual summit to learn how to build an identity-first resilience strategy that holds up against data loss, outages, and ransomware.

Register: https://ow.ly/cbi950Y1K2s

#Microsoft365
January 23, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Microsoft is deprecating the SSRS, PBIRS, and SSAS management packs for SCOM, with support ending Jan 2027. Existing deployments keep running, but no updates/fixes going forward.

Read more: https://ow.ly/mveb50Y1K6r

#SQLServer #SCOM #Observability
Microsoft to Deprecate SQL Server SSRS, PBIRS and SSAS Management Packs for SCOM -- Redmondmag.com
Change signals a shift away from legacy monitoring packs toward modern observability and Azure-based monitoring tools.
ow.ly
January 23, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Is talking to Copilot actually productive or just a novelty?

This article looks at Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new voice features through the lens of real-world experience with legacy dictation tools, and explains why speech-to-intent may be the real breakthrough: https://ow.ly/Al3j50Y1a7j

#VoiceAI
The Practicality of Conversing with Copilot, Part 1 -- Redmondmag.com
Microsoft’s push to add real-time speech, dictation and conversational responses to Copilot revives long-standing questions about voice-driven productivity, drawing on lessons from legacy tools to assess where verbal interaction is likely to help -- and where it may fall short.
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Resilience is a mindset, whether you’re protecting the net or your data.

Join us, sponsor Veeam Software and a panel of experts on Feb. 5 where we’ll unpack the parallels between Olympic performance and building data-resilient IT.

Register now: https://ow.ly/u4ml50Y19On

#IT
January 22, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Microsoft has issued an emergency fix after a January security update broke Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 logins.

KB5077793 addresses credential prompt failures caused by KB5073379, with guidance on out-of-band deployment and workarounds.

Read more: https://ow.ly/Ve8n50Y19KO

#ITSecurity
Microsoft Releases Emergency Fix for Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 Authentication Failures -- Redmondmag.com
Microsoft released an out-of-band update Friday to resolve credential authentication failures affecting Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 connections that emerged after the company's January 2026 security update.
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 3:01 PM
In Part 2 of this series, Brien Posey shows how PowerShell can directly drive Stable Diffusion to generate AI images locally, complete with a GUI and model selection.

If you like building your own tools instead of relying on cloud services, this is a must-read: https://ow.ly/LCYI50Y0EAN

#AI
Using PowerShell for DIY AI Image Creation, Part 2: Stable Diffusion -- Redmondmag.com
In Part 2 of this series, we'll learn how to use PowerShell to call the Stable Diffusion API directly, moving from a simple proof-of-concept script to a GUI-based tool for generating AI images on local hardware.
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Identity is the new attack surface, and resilience starts with securing Entra ID.

Join us and sponsor Veeam Software tomorrow to learn how identity-based attacks and modern data exfiltration tactics are reshaping SaaS resilience.

Register now: https://ow.ly/nhH250Y0Epf

#M365 #EntraID
January 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
AI is reshaping cybercrime at machine speed.

Join us, sponsor ThreatDown, and expert Mark Stockley at 11AM PT today to learn how AI is weaponizing fraud, shrinking the patch gap, and accelerating ransomware.

Register now: https://ow.ly/PPxj50Y0H4H

#Cybersecurity #AI #ThreatIntelligence
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
New Microsoft 365 Apps security baseline 2512 locks down unsafe links/protocols and legacy automation, and Teams Admin Center adds trust-based app filters to speed compliance reviews.

Here’s what’s new and why it matters: https://ow.ly/NSa450Y0EkW

#Microsoft365 #Security #Teams
Microsoft Rolls Out Security Baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps, Teams Admin Center Trust Features -- Redmondmag.com
Microsoft released a pair of security and compliance updates this week designed to help IT administrators strengthen protections across Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and simplify app governance in Teams.
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Want AI image generation without cloud limits or “service busy” roadblocks?

Brien Posey shows how to set up Stable Diffusion + AUTOMATIC1111 on Windows 11 and expose an API so PowerShell can generate images from scripts.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/IfN350Y04c0

#PowerShell #StableDiffusion #GenAI
Using PowerShell for DIY AI Image Creation Part 1 -- Redmondmag.com
Build a cloud-free AI image generation workflow by wiring Stable Diffusion into Windows PowerShell, using open source tools and local hardware to create images directly from scripts.
ow.ly
January 20, 2026 at 8:01 PM
SQL Server 2025 expands GA Linux support (RHEL 10 + Ubuntu 24.04) and ships CU1 with early reliability, performance, and security fixes.

See what changed and why it matters: https://redmondmag.com/blogs/redmond-dispatch/2026/01/microsoft-advances-sql-server-2025.aspx

#SQLServer #Linux #Databases
Microsoft Advances SQL Server 2025 with Broader Linux Support and First Cumulative Update -- Redmondmag.com
General availability on newer Linux distributions and CU1 signal a push toward stability, security and production readiness.
redmondmag.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
AI agents don’t behave like users, and API traffic is feeling the impact.

Join us on Feb. 5th for a FREE virtual summit sponsored by A10 Networks, where experts will share strategies for scaling APIs in the AI era.

Register now: https://ow.ly/N8nJ50Y03VH

#APIs #AgenticAI
January 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Azure just expanded user delegation SAS into preview for Tables, Queues, and Files, moving SAS away from storage account keys and toward Entra ID.

Read the full breakdown and unpack what it changes for platform and security teams: https://ow.ly/6HXb50XZjZM

#Azure #Security #Identity
Azure Adds User Delegation SAS Support for Tables, Queues and Files in Public Preview -- Redmondmag.com
New capability strengthens security by tying SAS access to Azure AD identities instead of account keys.
ow.ly
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Resilience for Microsoft workloads means planning beyond “hope.”

Join us and sponsor Cohesity on Jan. 28 for this FREE virtual summit and learn where Azure Backup fits, what it can’t do alone, and how to build business continuity.

Register now: https://ow.ly/TqkA50XZoCX

#Microsoft #Azure
January 19, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Struggling to find the right MSP in a crowded market?

Redmond Channel Partner has made it easier. Explore the Partner Directory and instantly browse qualified MSPs based on services, size, and industry needs.

Find your match today: https://ow.ly/1t6e50XXVkv

#MSP #ChannelPartners
January 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Azure SQL now captures read-only queries in the primary Query Store, closing a long-standing visibility gap for analytics and reporting workloads.

See why this matters for performance tuning and capacity planning: https://ow.ly/NXW950XXVhS

#AzureSQL #DBA #CloudData
Azure SQL Now Captures Read-Only Queries in the Primary Query Store -- Redmondmag.com
Update improves performance visibility by including read-only workloads in Query Store analysis.
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Immutable backups shine against ransomware, but they also protect you from slow, silent data loss that slips past short retention policies.

Brien Posey explains how long-term WORM backups rescued a missing file from years back: https://ow.ly/S54x50XXVqY

#DataProtection #BackupAndRecovery
Another Reason for Using Immutable Backups -- Redmondmag.com
A real-world recovery scenario shows how immutable backups can provide long-term protection against silent data loss that falls outside the reach of typical retention policies.
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Microsoft's January Patch Tuesday fixes 113 flaws, including an exploited zero-day and critical Outlook and Windows bugs. A looming Secure Boot certificate expiration adds extra pressure for IT teams.

Read the full breakdown here: https://ow.ly/jU7e50XXVfe

#PatchTuesday #Cybersecurity
Zero-Day Attack Drives 113-Vulnerability Patch Tuesday Release to Start 2026 -- Redmondmag.com
Microsoft rang in 2026 with its biggest January Patch Tuesday rollout in four years, shipping fixes for 113 vulnerabilities across Windows, Office and other products
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Identity is the new attack surface and recovery plans have to keep up.

Join us and sponsor Veeam Software on Jan. 22 for this FREE virtual summit covering the new attack surface in Azure AD/Entra ID and what modern recovery really looks like.

Register now: https://ow.ly/x4KI50XXvjb

#Microsoft365
January 15, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Microsoft is adding secure, unique default hostnames for Azure Functions and Azure Logic Apps to reduce scanning, recon, and dangling DNS exposure.

Get the details and what it changes for production deployments: https://ow.ly/Ossi50XXeKv

#CloudSecurity #Azure #DevSecOps
Azure Functions and Logic Apps Gain Secure, Unique Default Hostnames -- Redmondmag.com
General availability of the new feature improves security posture by reducing exposure from predictable service URLs.
ow.ly
January 15, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Local AI without cloud limits or data leakage sounds great. Making it usable took five versions.

In this article, Brien Posey shares how a PowerShell chatbot finally became good enough to replace ChatGPT.

Read more 👇

#AI #PowerShell #Automation
https://ow.ly/6TTw50XXf8u
Do-It-Yourself AI -- How Did it Work Out? -- Redmondmag.com
A yearlong PowerShell experiment to bring AI in-house evolved from a simple proof of concept into a production-ready, stateful chatbot that now largely replaces the author's reliance on cloud-based AI services.
ow.ly
January 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM