Windows management

Winsage
March 18, 2025
Microsoft is set to release Windows Server 2025 in November 2024, featuring several editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure. Windows Server Essentials is limited to servers with a single CPU and fewer than 10 cores and can only be obtained through hardware OEMs. The Standard edition allows Hyper-V licensing for up to two virtual machines, while the Datacenter edition has no such limits and offers more flexibility with disaster recovery features. The Datacenter Azure edition is optimized for the cloud and receives annual updates. The hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 include a minimum 64-bit CPU at 1.4 GHz, support for various instructions, and the ability to accommodate up to 2,048 logical processors. The minimum memory requirement is 512 MB, with 2 GB recommended for optimal performance. Storage requirements suggest at least 64 GB for better performance, especially with Desktop Experience, and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter is necessary for networking. Several features have been deprecated in Windows Server 2025, including Computer Browser, Failover Clustering Cluster Sets, and NTLM, among others. Completely removed features include IIS 6 Management Console, NTLMv1, and Windows PowerShell 2.0 Engine. Organizations planning to migrate to Windows Server 2025 must ensure their hardware meets the minimum requirements and can perform an in-place upgrade if currently using Windows Server 2012 R2 or newer. Testing in a lab environment and backing up servers before migration are recommended steps.
Winsage
March 12, 2025
CISA has identified a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Management Console (MMC), designated as CVE-2025-26633, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code due to improper input sanitization. This vulnerability is included in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and federal agencies must address it by April 2, 2025, as per Binding Operational Directive 22-01. Microsoft has released an out-of-band patch on March 10, 2025, to improve input validation in mmc.exe. Organizations are advised to prioritize patching, restrict MMC access, and monitor for exploitation.
Winsage
October 21, 2024
Ransomware groups, such as Beast ransomware, have become significant threats in cybersecurity, utilizing advanced malware to encrypt data and demand ransoms. Beast ransomware, identified by Cybereason, has been active since 2022 and can target Windows, Linux, and ESXi operating systems. Originally developed in Delphi, it now uses C and Go. The ransomware employs elliptic-curve and ChaCha20 encryption techniques, features multithreaded file encryption, process termination, and shadow copy deletion on Windows. For Linux and ESXi, it offers customizable encryption paths and VM shutdown options. It spreads through phishing emails, compromised RDP endpoints, and SMB network scans, exploiting the RstrtMgr.dll for file access manipulation. Recent enhancements include an offline builder for configuring builds across various systems. The attack sequence starts with shadow copy deletion via a WMI query, followed by efficient file encryption targeting various file formats. A ransom note is placed in each affected directory, and users can access the ransomware's GUI during encryption. Recommendations to mitigate risks include tracking affiliates, promoting multi-factor authentication, enabling anti-malware solutions, implementing anti-ransomware measures, ensuring regular system patching, and backing up files.
Winsage
September 24, 2024
Microsoft has announced that it will no longer invest in new features or accept enhancement requests for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which has been in use since 2005. WSUS will continue to function for the time being, but it is now considered a legacy product. In August, WSUS was listed among features removed or no longer developed in Windows Server 2025, and in June, Microsoft announced plans to cease WSUS driver synchronization. Current functionalities will be preserved, and updates will still be published through WSUS even after its deprecated status takes effect. Microsoft encourages enterprises to transition to cloud-based update management solutions such as Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager, which require a reliable internet connection and may involve a paid subscription.
Winsage
August 22, 2024
The Control Panel, a key component of Windows since 1985, is gradually losing its functionalities to the Settings app, which was introduced with Windows 8 in 2012. A senior Microsoft official confirmed that "Settings will eventually supersede Control Panel." Although there is no official announcement regarding the discontinuation of Control Panel, a support page indicates it will be "deprecated in favor of the settings of the Settings app." The Settings app was initially designed for touchscreens, and Microsoft is focusing on creating a more modern and user-friendly experience. Control Panel remains accessible for compatibility reasons, but its relevance is diminishing.
Winsage
August 21, 2024
Microsoft has launched a resource titled “System configuration tools in Windows,” which serves as a guide for optimizing PC configurations. The webpage details essential built-in system tools in Windows, providing descriptions of their functionality, applications, and access instructions. The tools featured include Settings, Task Manager, Computer Management, Event Viewer, Control Panel, System Configuration, System Information, Registry Editor, Local Group Policy Editor, and Advanced System Settings. Users can access these tools via keyboard shortcuts, context menus, or Command Prompt commands. It is advised that users familiarize themselves with the functionalities of these tools, especially the Registry Editor, which can pose risks to system stability. Users can access the tools by typing “windows tools” in the Start menu or navigating through Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Tools.
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