MSPNetworks Blog

Windows Defender is Microsoft’s own antivirus solution, and it comes bundled with Windows, so it’s confusing to think that a business would need to pay for it, right? Well, there are actually two separate products called Defender, with a big difference between them.

Both Microsoft and Google offer work profile solutions that are designed to separate personal and professional use on mobile devices. These profiles are commonly used in enterprise settings to enhance security and manageability while allowing employees to use their personal devices for work-related tasks. Here's an overview of work profiles from Microsoft and Google.

Microsoft's Work Profile

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft's solution for managing work profiles is often integrated with Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based device management service. Intune allows IT administrators to control and secure corporate data and applications on devices running Microsoft's operating systems, such as Windows and Android.

Android for Work

Microsoft also supports Android for Work, which is now known as Android Enterprise. This is a set of features and APIs built into the Android operating system that allows organizations to create and manage work profiles on Android devices. Microsoft's Intune integrates with Android Enterprise to provide advanced management capabilities.

App Management

With Microsoft's work profile solutions, IT administrators can manage and deploy corporate apps to the work profile on a user's device. They can also control app access, data sharing, and other security-related settings.

Separation of Personal and Work Data

Work profiles on Microsoft-supported devices keep personal and work data separate. This separation ensures that work-related apps and data are isolated from personal apps and data, enhancing security and privacy.

Google's Work Profile

Android Enterprise

Google's work profile solution is primarily based on Android Enterprise, which provides a range of tools and policies for managing Android devices in a corporate environment. Android Enterprise supports several deployment modes, with the work profile being one of them.

Work Profile

In the context of Android Enterprise, the work profile is a container on the device that separates work-related apps and data from personal ones. Users can switch between their personal and work profiles, and IT administrators have control over the work profile's security settings.

Google Workspace Integration

Google's work profile solution integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). This allows organizations to manage email, calendar, and other Google Workspace apps within the work profile.

Security and Compliance

Google offers various security features, such as remote wipe, encryption, and app management, to ensure that corporate data within the work profile remains secure. IT admins can enforce policies to protect sensitive information.

Both Microsoft and Google offer work profile solutions to meet the needs of organizations looking to enable a bring your own device (BYOD) policy while maintaining security and control over corporate data. The choice between the two often depends on the specific needs and existing tech ecosystems that your organization uses.

If you would like to learn more about work profiles and how they can be used to protect your business’ data, give the IT professionals at MSPNetworks a call today at (516) 403-9001.

The end of support for Windows 10 is scheduled for October 14, 2025. While that is a couple of years away, it's crucial to start strategizing for the future now. After this date, Microsoft will cease providing technical assistance, security updates, and bug fixes for the operating system. This means that continuing to use Windows 10 beyond that point could expose users to security risks and performance issues.

What Does “End of Support” Entail? 

Essentially, it makes using the operating system riskier and more challenging. It won't receive patches for the latest vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues with newer software and hardware won't be resolved. After the end of support date, the effectiveness of the operating system diminishes rapidly, becoming not only unsafe but also frustrating to use as modern solutions rely on more up-to-date software.

What Are Your Options?

Microsoft strongly recommends transitioning to Windows 11, a move we also endorse. Windows 11 offers numerous improvements over its predecessor, including a more user-friendly interface, enhanced performance, and robust security features. However, there's a caveat: not all devices can support Windows 11, so it's crucial to check compatibility before committing to an upgrade ahead of the end of support date.

What if Your Device Isn't Compatible with Windows 11? 

In the short term, you can continue using Windows 10 until the end of support date, provided you have the latest security updates and patches installed. Employing an enterprise-level antivirus tool can also bolster your security during this transitional period. However, we recommend not procrastinating too long when it comes to upgrading, as updates and patches can only provide limited protection in a landscape where new threats emerge daily.

If you would like a professional perspective on your organizational technology, give the IT experts at MSPNetworks a call today at (516) 403-9001.

Microsoft’s operating systems have been around for a long time, and since Windows 95, Microsoft has published free utilities that can help users make slight adjustments to their operating systems to suit their needs. Microsoft PowerToys are even available now, and we want to explore what they can do for your business, as well as how you can acquire them.

We’ll be delving into what PowerToys can do for users of Windows 10 and Windows 11 today.

What Can PowerToys Users Do?

This is only a small sampling of what PowerToys can do for you. We’ve curated this list for ones that you are most likely to use in a business setting.

Shortcut Guide

While this tool is activated, your Windows Key can be used to provide a list of available shortcuts. If you hold it down, native shortcuts in your active window will display. It’s a great way to see at a glance just what utility is at your fingertips.

Keyboard Manager

PowerToys also lets you adjust your own preferences, including how your device reads your keystrokes. You can replace some shortcuts with others, for example. Just keep in mind that you’ll need PowerToys to remain active in the background if you want your changes to stay applied.

FancyZones

FancyZones lets you keep your desktop and applications better organized, dividing your display into various zones that retain information on display configurations and other settings, allowing you to keep things consistent.

Text Extractor

PowerToys also lets you extract text from anywhere on your screen, including things from images, videos, and the like. It might not always be perfect, so it will need some oversight on your part, but it’s a nifty tool nonetheless.

Always On Top

You will always have applications which you would prefer to be on top of the stack, and this PowerToy allows you to make that happen easily. It will keep your specified window open above the others so it’s easy to get back to, as long as you have it activated. You can customize the shortcut for this feature and turn it on or off at will.

Discuss PowerToys with Your IT First

We know that it can be fun and exciting to play around with new features, especially if it’s your idea to make things better and more streamlined, but we always encourage you to consult your IT first before making any drastic changes to your operating system. PowerToys would have to be downloaded from the Internet, and as such, it could be subject to a threat of some sort. We recommend that only IT download or install any applications on your workplace devices, or an outsourced IT provider like us.

While security is one reason for this, the other is that you want to test any applications you want to install before you actually follow through on the installation to make sure that nothing breaks. There’s also the chance that you could be downloading malware or bootleg copies of the software, and no one wants to be caught with pirated software!

Plus, there’s always the possibility that you already have tools out there that accomplish the same task installed on your infrastructure, or there might be better alternatives to your proposed solution. IT can open your eyes to the possibilities while respecting your desire to make operations and processes better.

Want to get started with IT management from MSPNetworks? It’s simple! All you have to do is call us at (516) 403-9001.

The holidays are fast approaching and that means people are going to miss work for one reason or another. If you can get away from the office for a little bit, you’ll want to set up an out-of-office message to ensure that others know you will get back to them when you get back to the office. Here’s how you can set up an autoresponder for an out-of-office message in Microsoft Outlook.

How to Set Up Your Out-of-Office Message

Setting up an autoresponder in Outlook is simple. To get started, open up Outlook and select File.

Under the Info section—the one with the Home icon—make sure you have your account selected. You should see an option underneath it for Automatic Replies.

In the box that appears, you will see an option for Send Automatic Replies. You can configure your auto replies to send only during a specific timeframe using the drop-down boxes and date ranges. Once you have the dates determined, you can use the textbox beneath to enter your auto reply message. This will be sent to anyone who sends you an email while you have your autoreply active.

It’s also worth noting that you have a lot of control over the text that appears in this box. You can include links to resources, contact information for who they might want to contact while you are out of the office, and so on. We recommend that you don’t just leave your contacts with a simple “I’ll get back to you.” If you do leave the office for an extended period of time, be sure to give your contacts some direction, as it could make all the difference for a prospective client, annoyed customer, or other disgruntled auto reply recipient.

We hope you found this tip helpful! If you have any suggestions for future tip blogs, be sure to sound off in the comments below.

Goodbyes are always painful, but we suspect that this one for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer will be more on the bittersweet side of things. Long a staple in the web browsing world, Internet Explorer has largely been removed from devices running Windows 10 and Windows 11. Let’s take a moment to discuss the approach Microsoft is using to slowly phase Internet Explorer out of the web browsing space.

First, it should be mentioned that Internet Explorer is not necessarily “dead,” so to speak. Its successor, Microsoft Edge, does in fact have an IE mode that allows organizations to utilize the browser for specific needs, like if a web page or application requires the use of IE for whatever reason. Still, in most cases, you will find that Internet Explorer is no longer available, nor does it need to be.

For those of us who are running Windows 11, you might notice that Microsoft omitted Internet Explorer entirely from the operating system. Now, Windows 10 users will notice something similar happening, with version 20H2 having removed Internet Explorer. Do note that enterprise and server editions of Windows 10 remain unaffected by this. The same can be said for any users of Windows 8.1, 7, or lower; if you are using one of these earlier versions of Windows, you get to keep your precious Internet Explorer.

Internet Explorer might still be available in the Start menu, but instead of opening the web browser, you will instead be redirected to Microsoft Edge. All file types that would normally open up in a web browser like IE will open in Microsoft Edge, assuming you have not changed your default app settings.

Eventually, Microsoft plans to remove any and all traces of Internet Explorer from their operating systems. Users who want to use IE will have to use IE mode through Microsoft Edge. For those worrying about future compatibility with IE mode, worry not–Microsoft will support IE mode well into 2029.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s approach to the end of Internet Explorer? Will you miss the old Internet browser or have you long since moved on to other options, like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to contact us with any questions about what this means for you and your business.

Typing on your keyboard is something that you do every day, but sometimes you just don’t want to do it. You can give your hands a break and use Microsoft Word’s dictation feature; this lets you use your voice to write in the software. Let’s go over how you might use the feature on a desktop, web browser, or mobile device.

On Your Desktop Application

If you use Microsoft Word on your desktop or a laptop, you can use the built-in dictation feature. From the Home tab, click on the Dictate button. It is the blue microphone in the top-right corner. You can then click on the gear icon to adjust the settings as needed. Some of these settings include auto-punctuation, language filtering, and dialect. You can use the pause or unpause buttons to take a break when needed. There is also a guide available to show you how to do things like add punctuation.

On the Browser Version of Word

The browser version of Word is exactly the same as the desktop version; you just go to the Home tab and use the Dictate button. The settings are mostly the same, too, so just follow the directions as they appear in the previous paragraph. You can click the X to close out of dictation.

On Your Mobile Device

The mobile application version of MS Word gives you an easy-to-use button just above the keyboard for dictation. You’ll see a microphone on it. The same features as outlined above work here in the same way. To stop dictation, click on the keyboard icon that will take the place of the dictation button.

Sure enough, it’s easy to use the dictation feature, and that’s probably by design. However, we do want to make sure you are aware that you should be proofreading your work, as anything voice-related can be somewhat unreliable on its own.

For even more great tips and tricks, subscribe to our blog.

Microsoft Teams is a video communication and collaboration platform that your organization can use to great success, but it helps to have a couple of pointers so you can make the most out of the software. Here are five ways you can maximize the value you get out of your Microsoft Teams software.

If you don’t already use Teams, you can think of it like this: it’s similar to other services out there, like Slack and Discord, in that it gives you access to various channels for communication through a variety of mediums, like video, instant messaging, voice chat, and so on. Knowing how to get the most out of Teams means maximizing your use of these features and using them to their fullest potential.

Pin Important Messages

While you are chatting with your team or coworkers in Teams, you might notice recurring themes in your conversations. If you think something is important enough to keep at the top of the conversation at all times, you can pin that message to the top by clicking on the pin icon. This will keep it in place so that everyone who opens the chat will see that message first. All you have to do is click the three-dot symbol on a message and select Pin.

Tag Someone in Conversations

Sometimes you really need someone to chime in and contribute to the conversation. In cases like this, you can use the @ symbol to tag someone in the conversation. This will send the user a notification that you have tagged them in the chat and are hoping they will respond. It’s not the best or most perfect way to convince someone to contribute, but it at least lets them know you want them to see the message.

Organize Your Teams Into… Well, Teams (And Channels)

Teams operates on the premise that your communications are segmented into various “teams,” or specific places dedicated to collaboration for various groups of employees or departments. You should have your Teams set up so that each department has their own dedicated space to collaborate as needed. These Teams can be further split into Channels for specific purposes, all of which can be customized according to what your needs are. For example, you might have a Team set up for human resources where only your HR staff are allowed to chat or view the messages within, or the same could be said for the executives within your company. Be sure to control permissions for these Teams and Channels as needed.

Connect Teams to Other Office Applications

As a Microsoft software solution, Teams integrates quite well with other Microsoft tools. For example, it can connect and sync to OneDrive and OneNote, which is helpful for when you need to share files with others within your organization. Furthermore, you can add files and other documents directly to your various Teams and Channels so that users in those Teams or Channels have access to them quickly and efficiently. It’s a great way to make sure everyone has access to the information they need to be successful and productive throughout the workday.

To learn more about how you can utilize Teams as best you can, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Have your opinions of remote work changed at all over the past year and a half, or do you still want your employees to return to the office in full force? Many major companies, despite initially advocating for remote work, are sending mixed signals on the topic, including Microsoft. What can we learn from the experiences of these companies?

Microsoft conducted a study over the past year with some fairly interesting results in terms of remote work. Microsoft transitioned to fully remote operations in 2020, and their results show that there were several problems related to the decision. These issues included a decrease in meaningful communication, less socializing between coworkers, and less collaboration as a whole.

These conclusions are a problem, but not exactly unexpected. There is a huge difference between working in-house in an office environment and remote work from a home office or otherwise. Microsoft found that remote work in such a capacity could be harmful to productivity and innovation, and the use of email and instant messaging rather than face-to-face communication made for a difficult time collaborating.

Therefore, while it might be necessary now, the benefits of remote work may stop after a certain point, and an entirely remote workforce could solve problems while creating even more of them.

When you take into account that companies like Microsoft have been pushing remote work solutions like Microsoft Teams so heavily, these kinds of revelations make it hard to know what opinion you should have on remote work. How can you know who to trust?

Ultimately, we believe that there can be some value in looking at what other companies have to say about remote work, but it ultimately depends on the way that you implement work for your business and the policies you put into place. Remember that you are not a large enterprise with thousands of employees; you are a small business with different needs from Microsoft, Google, or any of the other proponents of remote work. Depending on your specific needs, remote work might be able to address specific shortcomings that you have. The option for a hybrid workplace also exists, where employees spend part of their time in-office and part of their time working remotely.

Are you changing your approach to remote work moving forward? Do you want to maintain remote operations or are you hoping for a quick return to the office? How about a mixture of both approaches that let you get the best of both worlds? No matter the choice, we are confident that MSPNetworks can help you achieve your goals. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

With Microsoft announcing that the Windows 11 release is right around the corner, most users will be looking to upgrade to hardware that supports it. This is a topic for another day. As we approach the Windows 11 launch, Microsoft is gearing up to retire one of its most controversial (and ultimately innovative) operating systems to date, Windows 8.1. Today, we thought we’d talk a little bit about the mixed bag Windows 8.1 is and how it will be important to move off of the software by January 2023.

Windows 8.1 is Only Kind of Windows 8

Windows 8 premiered in August of 2012. Microsoft was trying to make a name for itself in the mobile market and their new OS was described as “metro”. It was for use on touchscreen devices and PCs, but the initial rollout had a lot of people confused. In fact, many reverted to Windows 7, a more traditional form of Windows OS. As time went on, Microsoft was frustrated that their new OS, which came with a lot of criticism, wasn’t catching on so they decided to make a major update in 2013 that added in a lot of the features that people have come to expect from their Windows operating system, such as a start menu. This update, called Windows 8.1 has been the working version of Windows 8 for the past eight years.

The initial version of Windows 8 had its end-of-support date on January 12, 2016, thereby ending all support for that version of the OS. Since Windows 8.1 was more popular, Microsoft set an end-of-life date in January 2023. The hugely popular Windows 10 was released two years after the Windows 8.1 update, and most people took advantage of the free upgrade so as it stands today only about 3.5 percent of all PCs run Windows 8.1, which is why there hasn’t been a major campaign to alert users like there was when they were getting ready to retire Windows 7 at the beginning of 2020. 

What You Need to Know

If you do currently run Windows 8.1 on your device, you should think about upgrading it to Windows 10 now; or you can wait, and if your hardware can take it, upgrade to Windows 11 when it starts to roll out later in 2021 and early in 2022. Either way, it is smart to have a plan to upgrade away from Windows 8.1 before January 2023 as it will no longer be supported by Microsoft.

Why Is It Important to Only Use Supported Software?

Each new iteration of the Windows OS comes with significant security updates and features designed to quell the almost limitless problems that are out there in today’s connected computing environment. If you continue to utilize software that isn’t regularly updated and supported by a team of developers, you will absolutely find that there are exploitable vulnerabilities that emerge. This can especially be a big problem for any business or organization that stores sensitive information, but it will likely be a problem for any user still using an unsupported version of their operating system.

The IT professionals at MSPNetworks can make it easy for your organization to upgrade to a continuously supported version of any software you are using. We can also provide solutions for companies looking to utilize legacy systems that aren’t actively supported. If you would like to talk to one of our IT professionals about getting the software support you need, contact us today at (516) 403-9001.

Microsoft has officially unveiled Windows 11, the latest in its line of PC operating systems, as well as detailed its system requirements. Will your business be upgrading to Windows 11 when the time comes? We think a lot of it will depend on its current IT infrastructure and whether or not you meet the minimum requirements right out the gate. Let’s dive into the details and what you need to know about Windows 11.

First, a short disclaimer--Windows 11 does not release until fall of this year, and even if you can’t get your hardware up to speed before then, Windows 10 will remain supported until 2025. As for the hardware requirements themselves, that seems like a good place to start.

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements

Before we dive into Windows 11’s requirements, let’s first provide a little bit of context. The current system minimum requirements for Windows 10 are a 1GHz processor, either 1 or 2 GB of RAM, depending on whether you are using a 32 or 64-bit OS, and a display with at least a 800 x 600 resolution. Of course, these are bare minimums. You won’t get much mileage out of a PC with these specs.

Windows 11, on the other hand, has more stringent requirements for its operating system. Windows 11 will require a 1GHz multicore processor, but it doesn’t have to be top-tier to run the operating system. In terms of memory, Windows 11 will also need more of that as well; at least 4 GB of RAM will be required to run Windows 11, as well as 64 GB of onboard storage. Furthermore, the display requirements are also a bit higher, needing a resolution of at least 720 pixels.

For more on the specific requirements of Windows 11, check out this document from Microsoft.

For the most part, modern PCs won’t have an issue running Windows 11, but for now, we don’t recommend installing it on a PC that you need to use everyday for work. 

Get Ready for Windows 11 Today

While Windows 10 will still be around until 2025, we want you to start thinking about your update strategy now. The reason for this is simple; you don’t want 2025 sneaking up on you out of nowhere (and trust us, it can and will sneak up on you if you let it). The last thing you want is to wind up in a situation where you are using an unsupported operating system in much the same way that many Windows XP users did all those years ago.

For Help, Contact Us!

If you can’t tell the difference or don’t know the difference between your various components and hardware specifications, we would be happy to help you make a determination about your current system specs. If you want to make sure your business can seamlessly transition to Windows 11 upon its release, MSPNetworks can help with the acquisition of new hardware, installation, and monitoring/maintenance. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Back in 2015, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows, meaning that we should not expect Windows 11 anytime soon. Still, a major update to the Windows 10 operating system has been confirmed to be on its way. What’s coming with this next update to Windows 10, and what does it mean for your business?

What We Know

If we’re being honest, there is not much currently known about the upcoming update to Windows 10. The update, code-named Sun Valley, will reportedly bring several enhancements and updates to the user interface. CNet reports that some of these changes will apply to the Start menu (hopefully in a good way), Action Center, File Explorer, and Taskbar. It is also hinted that changes made to the user interface will borrow in part from the unreleased Windows 10X operating system, an OS that was in development for dual-screen devices like the Surface Pro. 

Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, has teased the update, going so far as to build the hype train at Microsoft’s Build 2021 Conference from May 25-27. Here is what he had to say during the keynote speech:

• “Soon we will share one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade to unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators. I’ve been self-hosting it over the past several months, and I’m incredibly excited about the next generation of Windows. Our promise to you is this: we will create more opportunities for every Windows developer today and welcome every creator who is looking for the most innovative, new, open platform to build and distribute and monetize applications. We look forward to sharing more very soon.”

It’s also worth mentioning that this update could include changes to the App store. In particular, the Verge reports that the Windows App store will likely allow developers to submit any Windows applications, which is a huge step toward what Nadella refers to as creating “more opportunity” for developers to distribute their work to users.

When Will It Release?

Again, not much is currently known, but the words “very soon” imply that we won’t have to wait long for more information. It is thought that this updated version of Windows will be released sometime later in 2021. Please keep in mind that all of this is hearsay at this time, as nothing has been officially confirmed by Microsoft, but we will keep our ears to the ground for more information as it releases.

What are some things that you would like to see in the next Windows 10 update? Be sure to share them in the comments, and make sure to stay tuned in to MSPNetworks’s blog for all the latest in business tech!

The new year is upon us and after the debacle that 2020 was, it is extremely welcome. If you are like us, you have a new set of goals that you’ve created for yourself and are probably looking to improve your professional and personal well-being. One way to do that is to ensure that your accounts are secure. Today, we will be going through how to update your password with Microsoft.

You may have heard that the U.S. Government just suffered from a massive cybersecurity breach from an attack that was perpetrated from overseas, and among the systems that were affected was Microsoft Office. Unfortunately, foreign hackers were actively monitoring email accounts between the U.S. Treasury Department and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Fortunately, however, Microsoft, who is known for its active role in identifying and thwarting cybercrime, didn’t find any active vulnerabilities in their Office 365 applications or cloud services, but they did offer some suggestions, one of which was to do everything you can to protect your data.  

It is important to understand how to take action to ensure your organization—and your personal accounts—are secured properly. 

What You Need to Know About Your Microsoft Account Security

If you actively utilize Office 365, or any other Microsoft product, you need to know a breach would affect you. For your typical user account, their Windows 10 license is tied to their Microsoft account, and if you have Office 365 or use any other Microsoft applications or services, they are covered by those credentials as well. Here is a list of the application titles you need to concern yourself with when considering your Microsoft account security:

• Windows
• Outlook
• Office
• Skype
• OneDrive
• Xbox Live
• Bing
• Microsoft Store
• MSN

Here’s How to Update Your Microsoft Password

To Microsoft’s credit, they make it extremely easy to change your password. Here are the steps:

1. Visit https://account.microsoft.com/
2. Click Sign In on the top right, if you aren’t already signed in. If you are already signed in, the page will display your name with options about your subscriptions and other services. Once you sign in with your email and password, you’ll be taken to this page.
3. Towards the top of the page, on the right-hand side, you’ll see an option that says Change Password. Click it.
4. If you have Two-step verification enabled, it will walk you through verifying your account with a text, an email, or using the Microsoft Authenticator app. If you don’t have that set up, don’t worry, we’re going to get you set up after you change your password.
5. Once prompted, enter your current password, and then come up with a brand new password.

CRUCIAL ADVICE: You never want to use the same password on multiple accounts. Every password you make should be unique, complex, and lack any personally identifiable information (such as your date of birth or your address). Really random works best, but we know it is difficult to remember random passwords. Make sure that your password is something that nobody could guess with variance in case, numbers, and symbols. The more complex your password is, the more secure your accounts are going to be.

One feature Microsoft offers when setting up your credentials is a checkbox that will require you to change your password every 72 days. It really works to secure your account. You might think it’s unnecessary, but consider how much of your personal information is tied up in your relationship with Microsoft. Check it and keep active on protecting your data and account security.

One Last Thing

One thing you should consider when changing your password is to set up Two-step Verification. Click that too. If you are using a Microsoft 365 account through work, you may need your administrator to turn it on and give you further instructions. Give us a ring if you need help.

All you will need to do is follow the on-screen instructions. If you do not already have an authenticator app on your smartphone (like Google Authenticator, Lastpass Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Authy, etc.) Microsoft has a tutorial to help you set up Microsoft Authenticator. If you prefer to use one of the other apps, set it up with your preferred app.

Two-factor verification will require you to use the Authenticator app to log into your Microsoft account on a new device, or make major changes to your Microsoft account (like updating a new password). It won’t require you to use the app every time you want to use Word or Outlook, but it is a good practice to use to ensure you are doing all you can to protect your account and data. 

Keeping your Microsoft account secure isn’t hard, but it is extremely important. If you need help or would like to talk to one of our certified technicians about setting Microsoft products up for your whole business, give us a call at (516) 403-9001 today.

Nowadays a lot of accounts give you the option to set up two-step authorization; and, most of the time you probably should. The security and privacy benefits that your business can gain are substantial. Today, we’ll describe how to enable what Microsoft calls two-step verification. 

What is Two-Step Verification?

It’s two-step authentication, a security measure that adds the traditional password with a secondary authentication that forces users to add additional proof of identity. Microsoft’s strategy is to contact a user every time a device is used to access an account. Users can use email, phone, or an authenticator app to gain access. 

Turning on Two-Step Verification for Your Microsoft Account

The process to activate two-step verification is simple:

• Sign into the Security basics page for your Microsoft account
• Access More security options
• Locate Two-step verification, and select Set up two-step verification
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

Microsoft offers the options of choosing a phone number, an email address, or an authentication app. If you choose the latter, you will have to link your account to the app of your choice. 

If you are looking to add two-step verification for your Microsoft account, our professionals can help. To get the help your organization needs, contact our knowledgeable IT professionals today at MSPNetworks at (516) 403-9001.

Microsoft has a well-developed reputation for creating software that enables users to achieve their work objectives, especially in the business setting. Here, we’re diving into a few capabilities of one such software title, OneDrive, to review some of the features that a user might want to take advantage of.

If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft OneDrive, you should know that it is a cloud storage platform that is known for its utility to a business of any size. The need for organization doesn’t discriminate between large and small operations.

In light of this, let’s begin by reviewing how OneDrive can make file organization even more convenient.

Files On-Demand

This capability allows your users to link their computers’ File Explorer to OneDrive. This gives them the ability to work with files stored in OneDrive without having to download them. This both saves room in the device’s onboard storage, and allows offline work if the right settings are enabled.

Outlook Integration

One of the biggest drawbacks to collaborating on Office documents by sharing them through email is that doing so creates a duplicate file to send over. Therefore, different copies will contain different edits, adding to overall confusion. OneDrive removes that confusion by sharing access to a document when shared through Microsoft Outlook, giving the recipient permission to edit the original file. As a result, true collaboration is actually achieved.

Known Folder Move

While we aren’t suggesting that this should replace a comprehensive data backup, OneDrive does feature a very simple backup-adjacent feature. Known Folder Move will synchronize certain folders to OneDrive automatically, giving users a second copy of their contents. You have the option to enable this when first setting up OneDrive, as well as any time afterwards.

Have you used OneDrive before? Did you know about these features? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to reach out to us with any of your IT-related questions!

Techn
ology doesn’t last forever, and this is especially true for software solutions. Granted, software is a little easier to upgrade than hardware, as they can be administered patches and updates remotely, but what happens after that support ends? Well, it turns out that the widely used Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will both be reaching their end of support date soon, meaning businesses will need a plan in place to overcome these challenges.

Outdated software is a routine problem in the business sector, especially for organizations that don’t routinely update their software and reassess their IT infrastructure. Of course, the fact that a lot of organizations don’t invest in the updates and patches is also telling, as not all businesses have the staff and support needed to implement these solutions when they are needed. We’ll dig into what exactly End of Support means, what else is reaching its End of Support date soon, and what you must do about it.

What Does “End of Life” Mean?

End of Life, also known as End of Support, is a term used to identify software solutions that will not receive any patches or security updates after a certain period of time has passed. For select Microsoft products, there is what’s called the Extended Security Update, but it’s only for a maximum of three years. It’s honestly more efficient and cost-effective to upgrade away from your old systems, not just because the new ones are likely more dynamic, but because the old ones will wind up costing your business a fortune in the long run.

What You Should Do ASAP

Think about the potential ramifications of your business failing to implement security patches and updates. You could be paying for the fallout from a major security breach, and after you’ll be forced to upgrade anyway, knowing that the breach could well have been prevented if you had just taken more preventative measures. That being said, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future of your infrastructure, as well as the multitude of responsibilities that come with managing, maintaining, and upgrading your business’ technology.

What we recommend doing right now is simple: consult this list of upcoming End of Support dates and take the necessary steps toward upgrading away from them… before it’s too late. As for the latter, we can be of assistance.

We Can Help!

Your business has enough on its plate without worrying about upgrading its technology infrastructure. Working with a managed service provider can make it more affordable and accessible, leaving your organization with much more time to accomplish its duties without sacrificing security. MSPNetworks can help keep track of your business’ technology, including any potential upcoming End of Support events. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 403-9001.

Microsoft Word’s massive cache of options and its relative ease of use are two of its defining characteristics. This presents organizations and users alike with a large set of different ways they can set up the word processor. Today, we will take you through Word, providing tips on how to change these settings so that you can get the most out of it.

Of course, you will want to consult with your IT administrator before you go to make any major changes.

Customizing Word’s Grammar Rules to Meet Your Preferences

There is a good chance that you will enter some text at some point that you know is correct, but Word will tell you it’s not. Maybe your business’ name is spelled funny. Maybe you simply stylize some words and phrases differently. Regardless, instead of being distracted by errors, you can simply teach Word to not track these style choices as errors.

To access these rules, select File, and from there, Options. A new window should pop up with a Proofing option in the list. That page looks like this:

Adjusting AutoCorrect

You can change your proofing options in the following menu. This includes your AutoCorrect Options. Simply selecting the button will open another window.

This is the menu that will allow you to set your AutoCorrect rules, including exceptions you want to make to the autocorrect system in Word.

Establishing Grammar Rules

If you return to the Proofing List window, you can see other options that control Word’s corrections. One example is by clicking on the Settings... button under When correcting spelling and grammar in Word. It will bring up this window:

These are the controls for the grammar rules that Word works under. It’s comprehensive, but if you toggle some off, you will be flagged for less mistakes, causing fewer distractions.

Stop Worrying About Word Changing What You Write

By choosing to implement these changes, any user can prevent the hundreds of small annoyances that get in the way of your ability to write in Word. If you would like to see more great tips and tricks about how to use today’s most popular productivity suite, Office 365, return to our blog regularly.