Microsoft Technical Takeoff 2026: Windows + Intune
Mondays in March. Deep dives. AMAs. Windows, Intune, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop. Join us for Microsoft Technical Takeoff 2026 for Windows + Intune! This virtual technical skilling event takes you deep inside the latest features, capabilities, and scenarios for commercial organizations and the IT professionals that support them. Skill up and get answers to your questions from the engineering and product teams behind the features. How do I participate? Create your own agenda. Select “Add to Calendar” on a session page to save the date, then click the “Attend” button to save your spot, receive event reminders, and participate in the Q&A. If you can’t make the live session, don’t worry. You can post your questions in advance and catch up on the answers and insights later in the week. All sessions for Tech Takeoff will be recorded and available on demand immediately after airing. Don't see the "Attend" button or the ability to post Comments? Make sure to first sign in on the Tech Community! MONDAY MARCH 2 MONDAY MARCH 9 MONDAY MARCH 16 MONDAY MARCH 23 7:00 AM Let's talk Windows and Intune: 2026 edition 7:00 AM The latest in security for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop 7:00 AM Why smarter Windows management starts with Intune 7:00 AM AMA: The latest in Windows hardware security 7:30 AM The latest in Windows 11 security 7:30 AM Secure Boot certificate updates explained 7:30 AM Reporting at scale with Windows Autopatch update readiness 7:30 AM Zero Trust DNS: Securing Windows one connection at a time 8:00 AM Uplevel business continuity with Windows 365 Reserve 8:00 AM Feedback wanted: App management in the enterprise 8:00 AM User experience updates: Windows 365 Boot and more 8:00 AM AMA: Secure and manage AI and agentic capabilities in Windows 8:30 AM Hotpatch updates demystified: answers to real-world questions 8:30 AM Ready day one: how to get Windows users up and running fast 8:30 AM AI roundup: Intune agents for outcome-oriented innovation 8:30 AM Deploy and manage Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune 9:00 AM Zero Trust in action: securing endpoints with Intune 9:00 AM Making the most of your Intune data 9:00 AM AMA: Getting the most from Security Copilot in Intune 9:00 AM Unpacking Endpoint Management: Live from Tech Takeoff 2026 9:30 AM AMA: Windows Autopilot 9:30 AM Windows 365 reporting and monitoring updates 9:30 AM Manage Apple devices at scale: Intune security best practices 9:30 AM Azure Virtual Desktop for hybrid environments 10:00 AM The AI‑powered admin: emerging trends in endpoint management 10:00 AM Least privilege on Windows with Endpoint Privilege Management 10:00 AM Click less, manage more: simplify app deployment with Intune 10:00 AM Protect users, stop attacks: Passkeys on Windows 10:30 AM Eliminating NTLM in Windows 10:30 AM Windows 365 Frontline expands with Cloud Apps and more 10:30 AM App Control for Business: same roots, new playbook 10:30 AM AMA: AI and agentic features for Windows 365 11:00 AM One platform, many industries: smart Android management with Intune 11:00 AM From panic to productive: point-in-time restore in Windows 11:00 AM Intune timing demystified: what really happens behind the scenes 11:00 AM Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography 11:30 AM Resiliency with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop 11:30 AM The Intune playbook for iOS management at scale 11:30 AM Migrating from VDI to Windows 365 11:30 AM Resilience for the modern era: Windows quick machine recovery This event will feature AI-generated captions during the live broadcast. Human-generated captions will be available by the end of the week.
Internal RDP vs Self-Hosted RustDesk
Hi everyone, I am looking for some guidance and real-world experiences around choosing the best approach for remote access in a Windows environment. Right now, we are considering two main options: - Continue using Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), but strictly for internal use only (no direct exposure to the public internet). - Deploy a self-hosted instance of RustDesk as an alternative or complement to RDP for remote access and remote support. Our main concern is security. RDP has historically been a common attack vector, especially when exposed externally or misconfigured, and we want to avoid introducing unnecessary risk to our endpoints. Even if we restrict RDP to internal networks or VPN-only access, we are still cautious about potential vulnerabilities, credential theft, lateral movement, and abuse of remote access. What we are trying to understand better is: 1. In environments where RDP is used only inside the LAN or over VPN (no open RDP from the internet), what are the recommended hardening practices and controls you would consider mandatory today? Examples might include: Network Level Authentication (NLA), strong account policies, just-in-time access, firewall restrictions, RDP Gateway, MFA, monitoring/logging, etc. 2. From a security and operational perspective, is it generally considered acceptable to keep RDP enabled only for internal administrative tasks, while avoiding using RDP for end-user remote support scenarios? 3. For those who have deployed self-hosted RustDesk (or similar remote support tools) in a Windows/Active Directory environment, how has it compared to RDP in terms of: - Security model (encryption, authentication, access control, exposure to the internet) - Ease of deployment and maintenance - User experience and performance - Logging, auditing, and integration with existing security monitoring 4. Are there any best practices or architectural patterns you would recommend when combining these approaches? For example: - Keeping RDP only on jump servers / bastion hosts inside the network - Using RustDesk (self-hosted) for remote support and helpdesk use cases - Enforcing least privilege, MFA, and strong authentication for all remote access paths - Segmentation and limiting which machines are even allowed to receive RDP connections 5. Have you encountered any specific security pitfalls, misconfigurations, or "gotchas" when relying on RDP internally or when rolling out RustDesk self-hosted that we should be aware of before committing to a design? Our goal is to design a remote access strategy that: - Minimizes attack surface and reduces the likelihood of compromise via remote access. - Separates administrative access from end-user remote support where it makes sense. - Remains manageable for a small IT/security team in terms of configuration, patching, and monitoring. If you have any references to Microsoft documentation, hardening guides, or community best practices for RDP (especially internal-only scenarios), as well as any detailed write-ups or lessons learned from using RustDesk self-hosted in production, those would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for any guidance, recommendations, or examples you can share. Best regards, JuanHow to globally restore the old compact context menu in Windows 11?
In some applications, the old white compact right-click menu can still be seen, displaying more options in a dense layout. Is there a way to forcibly enable this old menu in all windows (especially File Explorer), instead of the new one?Files left behind after uninstalling Windows 11 applications require cleaning up
After uninstalling applications, residual files often remain in locations like AppData. It is recommended that the system or app store should automatically clean these up during the uninstallation process to avoid the need for users to delete them manually.After hiding the taskbar in Windows 11, the bottom buttons become unclickable.
When the taskbar is hidden and a window is maximized, buttons at the bottom of the screen cannot be clicked (the mouse needs to be moved up 1-2 pixels). This occurs in preview build 26300.7674 and is reproducible in apps like Excel and VS Code. Is this a common bug?Sunderland City Profile: Frontier transformation in practice
Download the SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland Cities everywhere are facing the same pressure: modernize infrastructure, grow the economy, and improve quality of life, without widening inequality. Sunderland offers a credible path forward. Once defined by shipbuilding and coal mining, Sunderland has spent the last four decades deliberately reinventing itself. Today, it is positioning itself as the UK’s leading smart city by investing in digital infrastructure, data, and low‑carbon innovation to drive inclusive, long‑term growth. The latest City Profile from SmartCitiesWorld captures how this strategy is being executed and why it matters for city leaders globally. A digital backbone built for outcomes, not optics Sunderland’s progress starts with a clear foundation: connectivity and data designed with purpose. Full‑fibre connectivity across the city Citywide 5G and LoRaWAN coverage A secure, cloud‑based smart city data platform Together, this stack enables real‑time visibility across transport, environment, and public services. More importantly, it shifts the city from reactive decision‑making to proactive, evidence‑led operations. The impact is measurable. Data and analytics now support: Safer, more predictable event planning Smarter traffic and mobility management Earlier environmental interventions More targeted social and health services From digital health hubs that reduce exclusion to intelligent transport pilots that cut emissions and improve safety, Sunderland is applying technology where it delivers the highest public value—not where it looks most impressive on a slide. What comes next: two opportunities to scale impact The City Profile also highlights where cities like Sunderland can go further. Two opportunities stand out. Move from smart services to predictive city operations With real‑time data already in place, the next step is predictive modeling—anticipating demand across social care, transport, energy, and public safety before pressure points emerge. Done right, this enables earlier investment decisions, lower long‑term costs, and better outcomes across services. Turn digital inclusion into a workforce engine Sunderland’s digital health hubs create a foundation for something bigger: linking access and digital skills directly to workforce development. By aligning inclusion efforts with local demand in advanced manufacturing, data, and clean energy, cities can convert access into sustained economic mobility. Why Sunderland’s approach matters Sunderland’s experience reinforces a critical point: smart city transformation is not about technology in isolation. It is about aligning infrastructure, data, governance, and community priorities around a shared vision for inclusive growth. For public‑sector leaders moving from ambition to execution, the full City Profile provides practical insight into the partnerships, operating models, and decisions behind Sunderland’s approach. It’s a useful reference for anyone looking to translate a digital‑first strategy into measurable impact—for people, place, and long‑term resilience.
How can I easily install pending Windows updates on my PC?
Call 1-855-535-7109. To install pending Windows updates easily on your Windows PC, follow these steps: Open Windows Settings: Press Windows + I to quickly open the Settings menu. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, select Update & Security. Check for Updates: Under the Windows Update section, click Check for updates. Windows will search for any pending updates. Install Updates: If updates are available, click on Install to begin the installation process. Windows will automatically download and install the updates. Restart Your Computer: After updates are installed, a restart may be required. Windows will prompt you to restart, or you can manually restart your PC. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter (if issues occur): If updates aren’t installing properly, try using the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, then select Windows Update and run the troubleshooter.
