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Windows IT Pro Blog
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Skilling snack: Windows events and communities

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Heather_Poulsen
Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
Nov 26, 2024

Aside from technical docs, where else can you learn about configuring, deploying, and managing Windows? Whether you're an IT professional, or IT-adjacent, here is a guide to the communities and events that can help you connect with the people and teams building the latest capabilities and services.

Time to learn: 10 minutes to save the dates; time varies to watch on demand content

Microsoft events

Global experiences

Microsoft global events offer rich experiences—for in-person and digital attendees—to help you learn about the latest Microsoft technology from thought leaders, product teams, partners, and customers.

  • Microsoft Ignite - This annual event offers an opportunity to learn more about the full Microsoft technology stack, including the latest in Windows. Register to attend in-person or digitally and catch up after the event with sessions on demand. Microsoft Ignite 2025 will be held the week of November 17, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Sign up to get notified when registration opens.
    Security + AI + Windows + Server + Copilot + Azure + Cloud
  • Microsoft Build - Whether you're front-end, back-end, full-stack, or cloud developer―there's something for you at the annual developer event, Microsoft Build. Connect with the community and be among the first to learn about the latest innovations and how they can help you create new features, apps, and opportunities.
    Developer + Apps + AI + Copilot + Cloud + Azure + Security
  • Microsoft Build - Whether you're front-end, back-end, full-stack, or cloud developer―there's something for you at the annual developer event, Microsoft Build. Connect with the community and be among the first to learn about the latest innovations and how they can help you create new features, apps, and opportunities.
    Developer + Apps + AI + Copilot + Cloud + Azure + Security
  • Microsoft Secure - If you're a security professional, this annual event, which typically takes place in March, is for you. Hear new product announcements, dive deeper into topics with breakout sessions, and ask the experts.

Community events

We often host virtual events here on the Tech Community focused on engineer-to-engineer engagement. Our goal is to make sure you have access to the people building the features you and your IT team rely on. Keep an eye on the Windows Events board for upcoming events to add to your calendar!

  • Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) - Get answers to your questions and tips to help make day-to-day IT administration and big technology projects easier. You can post your questions for these easy-to-attend chat-based events in advance or during the live event. Experts will answer in the chat and/or via an on-camera live stream. Windows 365 AMAs take place monthly while others are arranged ad-hoc based on hot topics and community requests. Comment below if there is a topic you'd like to see covered in a future AMA!
    Windows + Windows 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop + Security
  • Windows Office Hours - Join us every third Thursday of the month for useful tips, insights, and help with configuration, deployment, updates, management, and optimization. Just like for our AMAs, you can submit your questions in advance or during the live event. Our engineers have set aside this hour to sign in and respond to your questions and comments in chat so this is a place and time you can rely on!
    Windows + Windows 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop + Autopilot + Autopatch + Intune + ConfigMgr + Entra ID + Security + Public Sector
  • Tech Community Live - When product teams want to host more than one AMA in a row, and maybe share a few demos, it's time for Tech Community Live! Catch our next Windows edition of Tech Community Live on Wednesday, December 11.
    Windows + Windows 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop + Security + Management + Updates
  • Tech Accelerators - When a new product or service comes to market, Tech Accelerators are one or two-day events that offer sessions to help you explore use cases, scenarios, and best practices with the addition of demos and guidance to help you plan for adoption. Recent Tech Accelerators have covered Microsoft Secure announcements, Microsoft Entra Suite, and Copilot for Microsoft 365.
    Security + Management + Updates + Identity + Copilot
  • Microsoft Technical Takeoff: Windows + Intune - Looking for deep dives into the latest features, capabilities, and scenarios? This annual, virtual skilling event complements larger events like Microsoft Ignite and offers technical depth, demos, and tips from the engineering teams that you won't find anywhere else. Save the dates now for the next Technical Takeoff for Windows and Intune: March 3-6, 2025.
    Windows + Windows 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop + Intune + MSIX + Universal Print
  • Windows Server Summit - Similar to a Technical Takeoff, this annual event is designed to help you make the most out of Windows Server through practical strategies, insights, and tips. Check out demos and videos from Windows Server Summit 2024 and stay tuned for future event dates.
    Server + 2025 + Hotpatch + Network + AI + Azure + Hybrid + Cloud

Community

Microsoft Tech Community

  • The Windows Community is your spot for discussions, peer-based troubleshooting, and more. Catch up with the latest news with the Windows IT Pro Blog, save the date for upcoming events, and share ideas for MSIX, Windows LAPS, and Universal Print.
    Windows 11 + Windows 365 + Autopatch + Connected Cache + Universal Print + MSIX + FSLogix + Sysinternals + Security + Management + Deployment + Platform

Private communities

  • Microsoft Management Customer Connection Program (CCP) - Do you deploy and manage Windows (client and cloud) devices, utilize Intune, or develop solutions to support commercial organizations? Sign up to join the Microsoft Management CCP and access exclusive invitations to product roadmap discussions and private preview opportunities. Engage with peers and Microsoft engineers while earning badges for community activity.
    Windows + Cloud + Intune + IT
  • Windows Insider Program - Help shape the future of Windows. Get exclusive access to preview the latest Windows features and provide feedback or suggestions directly to our Windows team. As a member of this community, you'll also get valuable tips and tricks and connection opportunities with Windows engineers.
    Windows + Canary + Dev + Beta + Release Preview + Build + Flighting + Feedback

Other ways to learn

In addition to events and communities, you can find helpful tips and insights on the Windows IT Pro YouTube channel. Catch up on the latest in Windows and Windows in the cloud with these notable series:

  • Tackling Tech - Explore the latest Microsoft capabilities for IT, enterprises, and information workers through interviews with the product teams building the tech—and the IT professionals deploying and managing it in the real world.
    Windows + AI + Accessibility + Deployment + Adoption
  • Windows in the Cloud - Dive into latest Windows 365 capabilities with insights and demos from the Microsoft engineers bringing you Windows in the cloud!
    Windows + Cloud + Windows 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop

Which of these Windows events or communities would you recommend to your peers? Note that if you’re unable to attend, online events often offer on-demand materials. And for more exclusive engagement opportunities, join one of our featured communities!

For more resources on a variety of topics, check out our growing Windows skilling snacks library. Let us know what other topics we should whip up for you!

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Updated Nov 26, 2024
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