Tag: Microsoft

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Save the Date: Microsoft Products End of Life

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There are one of two reactions every person gets when they get a save-the-date card in the mail. They either are excited for an event or they realize that the event is going to cost them money. For today’s blog, we give you our version of save the date as some of the most widely used Microsoft products in recent memory are coming up on their end of support date, and for some businesses, this save-the-date might be bad news.

We know that unsupported software can be a complete nightmare. This is especially true if the unsupported software is a critical component of your company’s computing infrastructure. Microsoft has announced that they will be officially ending support for two major operating systems, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, on January 14, 2020. Both pieces of software are currently in their extended support periods, meaning that people can pay Microsoft to support the software, but after January 2020, neither piece of software will have any type of support available.

Windows 7
In 2016, all Windows 7 users were given the option to upgrade away from the OS to Microsoft’s newest OS, Windows 10. Users that didn’t take advantage of that offer have since had to pay for it, but if you haven’t upgraded away from Windows 7 by now, you are probably paying for support or not receiving any, both of which are not advantageous. By upgrading today, you will get ahead of what could be a major problem down the road. Waiting until the last minute to implement new versions of the OS is not recommended, since upgrading sometimes comes with hidden problems and legacy software issues that could put your whole organization at risk.

Windows Server 2008 R2
In what will be a larger problem for businesses, support for the already extended Windows Server 2008 R2 is definitely going away. For the last four years, Microsoft has insisted that anyone using Windows server 2008 R2 needs to upgrade, but since it kept offering extended support, businesses kept on using it. Well, Microsoft has announced the end is near for the decade-old server OS.

Newer versions of Windows Server have a lot of new options, especially in the arena of virtual environments. So while it is possible to swap out Server 2008 R2 for another Windows Server OS, the best course of action will be to scrap the old server altogether and upgrade to new infrastructure. Since there are substantial costs that go along with changing servers, companies still using the old software will want to do their best to start upgrading immediately.

At COMPANYNAME, we can help any-sized business get upgraded, while finding you innovative options to reduce the capital costs of doing so. To find out more, contact us at PHONENUMBER.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Using Cortana Gets Better with Customization

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As Cortana has more and more added to its functionality, it gradually becomes more of a utility to all. Those who prefer to use Google’s applications are now able to use Cortana to augment their use of Gmail, Google Contacts, and Google Calendar. Today, we’ll go through how you can set these programs up to play nice with Cortana.

For Cortana to work with Google apps, these apps must first be identified as a service. Access Cortana and click Notebook, and once the panel appears, access Connected Services and from there, Add service.

At this point, you will only be given an option for Gmail, but that includes Contacts and Calendar as well, in addition to Google Drive. After you next sign on to your Google account, your Connected Services menu will include Gmail as an option.

Privacy and Usage Disclaimers
Be warned, when you give Cortana access to your email and other services, you are opening your personal data to the assistant, and therefore, to Microsoft as well. You should definitely review the disclaimer that appears before connecting these accounts, as it will explain how your data is going to be used. If you have second thoughts after reading this disclaimer, you can be directed to where these integrations can be deactivated.

Since there isn’t any indication, as of yet, as to which of Cortana’s commands will work with these Google services, we are given the opportunity to speculate freely. What functions do you think Cortana will have in regard to Google’s apps? Give us your ideal list in the comments!

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Why Windows Ink Is So Useful In The Business Setting

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While computers, laptops, and tablets are incredible tools for productivity, there are many who miss the ability to scrawl out their ideas by hand. However, Microsoft has developed a means for your business to enjoy the benefits of both approaches with Windows Ink.

You may be familiar with the digital tablets that many artists use to transpose their ideas directly into their computer. The concept behind Windows Ink is very much the same. The primary difference is that, rather than using a separate tablet that you plug in via a USB connection, Windows Ink enables you to take notes right on the screen of your device with specialized writing utensils.

Naturally, as a Windows (and by extension, Microsoft) tool, Windows Ink is particularly suited to working with Microsoft Office products.

  • Microsoft Word: Windows Ink not only allows you to mark up documents, but allows you to edit them with different settings and gestures. Among other features, you can turn your stylus into a high-precision highlighter, or delete unwanted words or sections with a quick strikethrough.
  • Microsoft OneNote: With Windows Ink, OneNote turns into a freehand calculator. If you write an equation in the workspace, you can get the answer instantly–or, if you want to polish your math skills, OneNote will take you through the process step-by-step.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: If you have ever used PowerPoint and wished that you could do more than what the toolbar allows you to do, Windows Ink is for you. Using the built-in ruler that comes with Windows Ink, you can draw with more precision than ever. Plus, Windows Ink gives you the ability to replay whatever notes others have made on a PowerPoint file.

Of course, there’s more that Windows Ink can do than work with the various programs of Microsoft Office. For instance, if you use Windows Ink to jot an address on a sticky note, Maps will step in to find you the best route. Another useful utility Windows Ink offers is its ability to take screenshots that you can then put notes on, allowing your reaction to be more easily understood.

The utility of Windows Ink in an office setting should be clear. Communications can be condensed from emails that list out the edits that a document needs, to contextual notes being made directly on the document itself. Windows Ink can essentially turn your device into an interactive notebook, allowing you improved utility and increased potential for productivity.

To learn more about Windows Ink and other useful solutions for your business, reach out to COMPANYNAME at PHONENUMBER.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Tip of the Week: Making Your Excel Use Easier

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When it comes to making a spreadsheet, Microsoft Excel is the go-to program for many users. However, many of these users spend much more time creating and formatting these spreadsheets than they have to. For today’s tip, we’ll outline some experience-improving shortcuts that can improve how you use Excel.

Auto Sum Shortcut
You can use Excel as a quick-adding calculator. This can be made even easier with a quick shortcut. Once you’ve highlighted all the cells you’re trying to total up, pressing Alt and = will give you the final result.

Multiple Cells with the Same Text
We’ve all been there–arduously pasting the same text into cell after cell. Fortunately, there’s a shortcut that will let you do the same thing. Again, after highlighting all the cells that need the same text, you simply type the desired input, but press Ctrl and Enter rather than just hitting the Enter button on its own.

Speedy Data Sorting
Sometimes, we need to order the data in a spreadsheet by a particular variable. The Microsoft Auto Filter is a handy way to do so. Once your data is in the spreadsheet, you can select the columns you want to Auto Filter by clicking the top rows. Once that’s attended to, click Data. You will then see the option for Filter and then Auto Filter. This adds drop-down option menus to the top rows of each column, allowing you to sort them based on that column’s data, alphabetizing or grouping the data by its value.

What are your favorite Excel shortcuts? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to come back to the COMPANYNAME blog for more handy tips and trick!

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Casserly Consulting Blog

Tip of the Week: Using Shortcuts Can Improve Your Microsoft Outlook Experience

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Microsoft Outlook is a great tool that can help your business stay in touch with clients and vendors, as well as stay updated regarding your internal operations. However, did you know that you probably aren’t using Outlook to the best of its abilities? We’ll walk you through some of the easiest ways to help you take even greater advantage of Microsoft Outlook for your organization: keyboard shortcuts.

Many of the shortcuts that work in Microsoft Word, like bolding or underlining text, remain unchanged through the Office 365 productivity suite, but the following are exclusive to Outlook. Here are some great shortcuts that you can use in Microsoft Outlook versions 2013 and 2016. In fact, you can print out this blog and place it on your desk so that you’ll never have to look up another Microsoft Outlook keyboard shortcut again!

  • Alt + S: This will send an email.
  • Ctrl + Enter: Send the message you’re currently writing.
  • Ctrl + R: Reply to an email.
  • Ctrl + F: Forward an email.
  • Ctrl + K: Complete the name or email you are typing into the address bar.
  • Ctrl + N: Create a new email folder.
  • Ctrl + Shift + A: Create a new appointment on your calendar.
  • Ctrl + Shift + O: Open your Outbox.
  • Ctrl + Shift + I: Open your Inbox.
  • Ctrl + Shift + C: Create a new contact.

As previously mentioned, many other shortcuts exist, and they all function in similar ways to the way they work in other Microsoft products.

By using all of these shortcuts to your best advantage, you can cut down on time wasted by fumbling through Outlook to click on several buttons that can be replaced by keyboard shortcuts. To learn more about how you can take full advantage of your business technology, be sure to subscribe to our blog.

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Casserly Consulting Blog

“The Worst” Windows Bug is Now Taken Care of, Thanks to Google

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_bugs_400.jpg When a security researcher tweeted about what they thought was “the worst Windows remote code exec” in his memory, a recent incident came to mind: one that allowed a targeted file to implement remote code execution processes in order to manipulate any infected system. This vulnerability let the infected machine spread the issue to others and could be set off if a certain file were to be scanned by the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine. Scary stuff!

Regarding the incident, Microsoft was quick to resolve the issue. Thankfully.

The researchers who uncovered this vulnerability were Tavis Ormandy and Natalie Silvanovich from the Google Project Zero team. Once the pair had discovered the vulnerability, they took to Twitter to announce it to the world, including to Microsoft and the Microsoft Security Response Center.

Upon the notification, the MSRC confirmed that the vulnerability was indeed present, and that there were quite a few pieces of software within the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine that allowed a “specially crafted file” to run code placed on the system. This vulnerability was so widespread that it could be found on just about any recent Windows machine, including those running Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and even Windows RT.

Though this particular problem has been resolved, its urgency serves to remind all business owners that their software solutions need to be up-to-date at all times. While problems are often resolved by programmers, hackers always try to outdo them, creating a vicious, neverending cycle. Unless you want your business to be caught in the crossfire, you should patch your software whenever new updates are released. If you try to function without them, you’ll be leaving your organization wide open to attacks–attacks that can easily be preventable with proactive maintenance.

Does your organization need this type of proactive maintenance and management? If you think that it’s a hassle to keep an eye out for updates, you’re right. You shouldn’t have to worry about this, especially not while keeping your operations afloat. COMPANYNAME can provide the IT you need by taking care of these updates for you so you can stay focused on running your business. To learn more, reach out to us at PHONENUMBER.

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Technology

Microsoft “Slims” Down Windows 10 With New Operating System

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_10s_interface_400.jpg Have you ever tried using a Google Chromebook for work purposes? While it might offer the ability to browse the web on a budget, the device is limited by the operating system’s lack of functionality. Microsoft has created a similar operating system in the form of Windows 10 S, which uses less processing power than the full version of their latest operating system.

Windows 10 S runs on less resources than laptops running Windows 10 Pro, which gives it a better loading speed. In fact, a laptop that’s running Windows 10 S can load a user profile up to 15 seconds faster. This is mostly thanks to there being fewer processes and applications running in the background.

The first audience Microsoft is targeting with this new operating system is educational institutions, like schools and college campuses. Unfortunately, Windows 10 S likely won’t be a good fit for an organization outside of education. While it might be helpful if you’re on a budget, it faces the same limits and inconsistencies as the Chrome OS. You get a passable experience, but what you can do will be limited.

It stands to reason that Windows 10 S will be found mostly on inexpensive laptops. Businesses that want to keep costs down have an option if they don’t want or need the extra power. Big names such as Dell, HP, and Acer have all chosen to produce laptops with Windows 10 S pre-packaged on them. This might be a great way to acquire a low-cost device for traveling or for meetings.

Most notable about this new operating system is that Microsoft is using this opportunity to upsell users on their Windows 10 Pro OS. Windows 10 S will be free, primarily because it’s already installed on the devices that will be using it. However, users can easily upgrade to the full version of Windows 10 Pro. While students can receive the full version of Windows 10 Pro for free, non-students must pay $49. This effectively gives businesses the opportunity to “test-drive” Windows 10 before going all-in.

Starting as early as this summer, Windows 10 S will be available. However, you still need to consider the repercussions of trying to save money by going with a cheaper device and lightweight OS. If you consult a professional IT technician, you’ll be able to iron out all of the details and understand exactly what you want and need before making a commitment, like purchasing a new device.

To learn more about how COMPANYNAME can help your business with its technology needs, reach out to us at PHONENUMBER.