Page 14 of the DSE IT knowledge center, with source-backed guidance and practical next steps.
Production-minded guidance for endpoints, servers, updates, cloud services, administration, and supportable operations.
NTLM is deprecated and Microsoft is preparing Windows for stronger Kerberos-based authentication. A safe retirement starts with auditing real use, assigning every dependency, repairing its cause, and testing progressively tighter blocking.
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MFA cannot make an already-compromised workstation trustworthy. Dedicated privileged access workstations separate administration from email, general browsing, and everyday applications so high-impact credentials and sessions begin from a controlled device.
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Control of a domain registration can redirect websites and email, disrupt public services, or remove an organization’s online identity. Registrar access deserves named ownership, strong authentication, locks, monitored changes, and an exercised recovery plan.
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Memory-safety flaws remain a major source of exploitable software defects. Buyers and builders should ask for an owned roadmap covering new code, legacy components, open-source dependencies, unsafe interfaces, compensating defenses, and measurable progress.
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IPv6 may be active on endpoints, servers, and network equipment before an organization intentionally deploys it. Unmanaged IPv6 creates a parallel path around inventories, filtering, monitoring, segmentation, and incident procedures designed only for IPv4.
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Windows Server 2025 Hotpatch can remove restarts from many monthly Windows update cycles, but planned and unplanned baselines, .NET, drivers, firmware, and other updates still need maintenance. Build the service around the complete reboot calendar.
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The Windows Server 2025 AD DS functional level permits only Windows Server 2025 domain controllers. Inventory every domain and DC, prove replication and recovery, remove incompatible controllers, and validate dependencies before raising either level.
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Microsoft 365 Apps channels are device settings with different feature and support cadences. Put preview users, representative production pilots, general users, and exception devices on deliberate paths—and monitor the build actually installed.
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Teams Rooms has its own supported app, Windows, device, peripheral, license, and maintenance lifecycle. Inventory every room, respect Microsoft’s Windows validation delay, preserve nightly maintenance, and plan hardware replacement before a meeting fails.
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Windows Autopilot device preparation simplifies selected Windows 11 provisioning, but it is not a drop-in replacement for every classic Autopilot scenario. Match join type, device mode, application count, scripts, reporting, and reset needs before rollout.
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