Getting a list of all users in an Active Directory group is a common task for IT administrators — for audits, access reviews, licence management and security checks. This guide covers how to get all members of an AD group using PowerShell, including nested group members, in 2026. Get All Members of an AD Group … Read more
Windows 11 can slow down over time due to startup programs, visual effects, background services and accumulated temporary files. These 12 proven tips will make a noticeable difference to performance in 2026 — whether you have a new PC or an older machine struggling with recent updates. 1. Disable Startup Programs Too many programs launching … Read more
Every time you type a website address into your browser, DNS (Domain Name System) silently translates that human-readable name into an IP address your computer can use to connect. Without DNS you would need to memorise a string of numbers for every website you visit. This guide explains how DNS works, the different types of … Read more
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), now part of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, is the industry standard for deploying and managing software across enterprise Windows environments. This guide covers everything you need to know about SCCM software deployment in 2026 — from application creation to troubleshooting failed deployments. What is SCCM Software Deployment? SCCM software … Read more
Unlike Windows 10, Microsoft does not provide direct offline language pack downloads for Windows 11. Instead, language packs are distributed through Windows Update, the Microsoft Update Catalog, or via VLSC for enterprise customers. This guide covers all available methods for installing Windows 11 language packs in 2026. Windows 11 Language Pack — What Has Changed … Read more
The internet is full of genuinely useful free tools that most people never discover. As an IT professional you already know the obvious ones — but these ten sites are the hidden gems that will save you time, solve real problems and make you look like a wizard in front of your colleagues. Bookmark all … Read more
If your Windows computer is stuck on shutdown showing “Working on updates, don\’t turn off your PC”, “Installing Update — Please do not power off or unplug your machine”, or “Configuring Windows Updates 3 of 3 0% Completed” — you are in the right place. This is the complete fix guide covering every known cause … Read more
You may or may not be aware that Google provides a public NTP server. They provide a free, global time service that you can use to synchronize to Google’s atomic clocks.
Exporting Active Directory Organizational Unit (OU) members to CSV format is a common administrative task that enables efficient user management, reporting, and data analysis. This comprehensive guide provides multiple methods to accomplish this task, from PowerShell commands to GUI-based approaches, ensuring you have the right solution for your specific environment and requirements. 1. Prerequisites and … Read more
SMBv1 is an outdated and insecure file‑sharing protocol that Microsoft deprecated years ago. Modern systems should avoid SMBv1 entirely, and in most environments it should remain disabled. However, there are still rare situations – usually involving legacy hardware, old NAS devices, or outdated embedded systems – where enabling SMBv1 temporarily becomes necessary. This guide explains … Read more
Keeping your Active Directory clean and free of unused computer accounts is essential for security, reporting accuracy, and overall domain hygiene. One of the most effective ways to identify stale computer objects is by using PowerShell to check when each device last authenticated with the domain. This guide walks you through how to locate inactive … Read more
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a cornerstone of endpoint protection, but exclusions—whether for performance, compatibility, or policy reasons—can introduce risk if not properly managed. As IT admins, we need visibility not just into what exclusions exist, but where they originate: local policy, Group Policy (GPO), Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune), or Configuration Manager (SCCM). In this post, … Read more