Month: June 2024
New Recent Files widgets for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS
Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders,
Save time and boost your productivity with the new Recent Files widgets for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS! You can now easily access your most recent files right from your home screen and keep your workflow smooth.
Learn how to use this feature in our latest blog by Jessica Hu, Product Manager on the Apple Ecosystems team: New Recent Files widgets for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS
Thanks!
Perry Sjogren
Microsoft 365 Insider Social Media Manager
Become a Microsoft 365 Insider and gain exclusive access to new features and help shape the future of Microsoft 365. Join Now: Windows | Mac | iOS | Android
Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders,
Save time and boost your productivity with the new Recent Files widgets for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS! You can now easily access your most recent files right from your home screen and keep your workflow smooth.
Learn how to use this feature in our latest blog by Jessica Hu, Product Manager on the Apple Ecosystems team: New Recent Files widgets for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iOS
Thanks!
Perry Sjogren
Microsoft 365 Insider Social Media Manager
Become a Microsoft 365 Insider and gain exclusive access to new features and help shape the future of Microsoft 365. Join Now: Windows | Mac | iOS | Android Read More
General availability: Database compatibility level 160 in Azure SQL Database
Database compatibility level 160 is now the default for new databases created in Azure SQL Database across almost all public regions.
The alignment of SQL versions to default compatibility levels are as follows:
100: in SQL Server 2008 and Azure SQL Database
110: in SQL Server 2012 and Azure SQL Database
120: in SQL Server 2014 and Azure SQL Database
130: in SQL Server 2016 and Azure SQL Database
140: in SQL Server 2017 and Azure SQL Database
150: in SQL Server 2019 and Azure SQL Database
160: in SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL Database
For details about which feature, or features compatibility level 160 enables, please see Intelligent query processing in SQL databases. The IQP family of features includes multiple features that improve the performance of existing workloads with minimal or no implementation effort.
Once this new database compatibility default goes into effect, if you still wish to use database compatibility level 150 (or lower), please follow the instructions detailed here: View or Change the Compatibility Level of a Database . For example, you may wish to ensure that new databases created on the same logical server use the same compatibility level as other Azure SQL Databases to ensure consistent query optimization and execution behavior across development, QA and production versions of your databases. With this example in mind, we recommend that any database configuration scripts in use explicitly designate the COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL rather than rely on the defaults, in order to ensure consistent application behavior.
For new databases supporting new applications, we recommend using the latest compatibility level, 160. For pre-existing databases running at lower compatibility levels, the recommended workflow for upgrading the query processor to a higher compatibility level is detailed in the article Change the Database Compatibility Mode and Use the Query Store. Note that this article refers to database compatibility level 130 and SQL Server, but the same methodology that is described applies to database compatibility 160 for SQL Server and Azure SQL Database.
To determine the current database compatibility level, query the compatibility_level column of sys.databases system catalog view.
Ok, we believe that there may be a few questions that we have not directly answered with this announcement. Maybe questions such as:
What do you mean by “database compatibility level 160 is now the default”?
If you create a new database and don’t explicitly designate COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL, the database compatibility level 150 will be used.
Does Microsoft automatically update the database compatibility level for existing databases?
No. We do not update the database compatibility level for existing databases. This is up to you as an owner of your database to do at your own discretion. With that said, we highly recommend that you plan on moving to the latest database compatibility level in order to leverage the latest improvements that are enabled with the latest compatibility level.
I created a logical server before 150 was the default database compatibility level. What impact does this have?
The master database of your logical server will reflect the database compatibility level that was the default when the logical server was created. New databases created on this logical server with an older compatibility level for the master database will use database compatibility level 160 if the database compatibility level is not explicitly specified. The master database compatibility cannot be changed without recreating the logical server. Having master at an older database compatibility level will not impact user database behavior.
Would the database compatibility level change to 160 if I restore a database from a point in time backup before the default changed?
No. We will preserve the compatibility level that was in effect when the backup was performed.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
logspace with a different base
As far as I understood y = logspace(a,b,n) works for logarithms of base 10. For example we can have:
format longG
y = logspace(-2,3,6)
Is there a similar function or a simple way to perform the same calculation, but with a custom base B (for example a base B=3.5)?
I mean something like this:
a = -2;
b = 3;
n = 6;
B = 3.5;
y = …?As far as I understood y = logspace(a,b,n) works for logarithms of base 10. For example we can have:
format longG
y = logspace(-2,3,6)
Is there a similar function or a simple way to perform the same calculation, but with a custom base B (for example a base B=3.5)?
I mean something like this:
a = -2;
b = 3;
n = 6;
B = 3.5;
y = …? As far as I understood y = logspace(a,b,n) works for logarithms of base 10. For example we can have:
format longG
y = logspace(-2,3,6)
Is there a similar function or a simple way to perform the same calculation, but with a custom base B (for example a base B=3.5)?
I mean something like this:
a = -2;
b = 3;
n = 6;
B = 3.5;
y = …? logspace, logarithm, base MATLAB Answers — New Questions
Duplicate instances of methods executed while using parfeval and backgroundpool
I have the following function that sends regular updates
function countUp(q)
%countUp Counts up 1 every second
for i = 1:5
disp(i);
pause(1);
send(q, i);
end
end
The above function is called by the mlapp
properties (Access = private)
q = parallel.pool.DataQueue; % Description
L;
f;
end
methods (Access = private)
function myDisp(app, data)
log = [‘Recvd data update: ‘, num2str(data)];
disp(log);
app.Label.Text = num2str(data);
if(data == 5)
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
end
end
% Callbacks that handle component events
methods (Access = private)
% Button pushed function: StartButton
function StartButtonPushed(app, event)
disp(‘Start button clicked’);
app.StartButton.Enable = false;
app.L = afterEach(app.q, @(data) myDisp(app, data));
app.f = parfeval(backgroundPool,@countUp,0,app.q);
disp(‘Start button cb complete’);
end
% Button pushed function: StopButton
function StopButtonPushed(app, event)
delete(app.L);
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
First run returns
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Each time I start it it looks like duplicate instances of the function is executed
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Recvd data update: 5
It never looks like cancel(Future) is working as intended. What am I doing wrong?I have the following function that sends regular updates
function countUp(q)
%countUp Counts up 1 every second
for i = 1:5
disp(i);
pause(1);
send(q, i);
end
end
The above function is called by the mlapp
properties (Access = private)
q = parallel.pool.DataQueue; % Description
L;
f;
end
methods (Access = private)
function myDisp(app, data)
log = [‘Recvd data update: ‘, num2str(data)];
disp(log);
app.Label.Text = num2str(data);
if(data == 5)
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
end
end
% Callbacks that handle component events
methods (Access = private)
% Button pushed function: StartButton
function StartButtonPushed(app, event)
disp(‘Start button clicked’);
app.StartButton.Enable = false;
app.L = afterEach(app.q, @(data) myDisp(app, data));
app.f = parfeval(backgroundPool,@countUp,0,app.q);
disp(‘Start button cb complete’);
end
% Button pushed function: StopButton
function StopButtonPushed(app, event)
delete(app.L);
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
First run returns
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Each time I start it it looks like duplicate instances of the function is executed
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Recvd data update: 5
It never looks like cancel(Future) is working as intended. What am I doing wrong? I have the following function that sends regular updates
function countUp(q)
%countUp Counts up 1 every second
for i = 1:5
disp(i);
pause(1);
send(q, i);
end
end
The above function is called by the mlapp
properties (Access = private)
q = parallel.pool.DataQueue; % Description
L;
f;
end
methods (Access = private)
function myDisp(app, data)
log = [‘Recvd data update: ‘, num2str(data)];
disp(log);
app.Label.Text = num2str(data);
if(data == 5)
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
end
end
% Callbacks that handle component events
methods (Access = private)
% Button pushed function: StartButton
function StartButtonPushed(app, event)
disp(‘Start button clicked’);
app.StartButton.Enable = false;
app.L = afterEach(app.q, @(data) myDisp(app, data));
app.f = parfeval(backgroundPool,@countUp,0,app.q);
disp(‘Start button cb complete’);
end
% Button pushed function: StopButton
function StopButtonPushed(app, event)
delete(app.L);
cancel(app.f);
app.StartButton.Enable = true;
end
First run returns
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Each time I start it it looks like duplicate instances of the function is executed
Start button clicked
Start button cb complete
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 1
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 2
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 3
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 4
Recvd data update: 5
Recvd data update: 5
It never looks like cancel(Future) is working as intended. What am I doing wrong? parfeval, backgroundpool MATLAB Answers — New Questions
Deep learning numerical regression, no images, custom loss function
I want to define a neural network or deep learning. Firstly, I have [500 * 4] data with a sample size of 500, each with 4 features (x1, x2, x3, x4).
The output variables are y1 and y2 ([500 * 2]), but I don’t have any output data, I only have their range of values (such as y1 in range (0-1)).
I have the variable z, which is the measured data, z=5 * e ^ (y1)+7 * sin (y2)
The loss function will be defined as : z(measure) – z (y1, y2)
The purpose of this neural network is to estimate y1 and y2 based on x1, x2, x3, x4.
For instance:
I know information about 500 cats, which are: x1 (height), x2 (weight), x3 (food intake), x4 (excretion).
I also know the age of these 500 cats: z
Now, I want to estimate y1 (cancer probability) and y2 (hair loss). The range of y1 is 0-1, and the range of y2 is -10 to 10
Do you know how to establish such deep learning or neural networks? Is there a simple example?I want to define a neural network or deep learning. Firstly, I have [500 * 4] data with a sample size of 500, each with 4 features (x1, x2, x3, x4).
The output variables are y1 and y2 ([500 * 2]), but I don’t have any output data, I only have their range of values (such as y1 in range (0-1)).
I have the variable z, which is the measured data, z=5 * e ^ (y1)+7 * sin (y2)
The loss function will be defined as : z(measure) – z (y1, y2)
The purpose of this neural network is to estimate y1 and y2 based on x1, x2, x3, x4.
For instance:
I know information about 500 cats, which are: x1 (height), x2 (weight), x3 (food intake), x4 (excretion).
I also know the age of these 500 cats: z
Now, I want to estimate y1 (cancer probability) and y2 (hair loss). The range of y1 is 0-1, and the range of y2 is -10 to 10
Do you know how to establish such deep learning or neural networks? Is there a simple example? I want to define a neural network or deep learning. Firstly, I have [500 * 4] data with a sample size of 500, each with 4 features (x1, x2, x3, x4).
The output variables are y1 and y2 ([500 * 2]), but I don’t have any output data, I only have their range of values (such as y1 in range (0-1)).
I have the variable z, which is the measured data, z=5 * e ^ (y1)+7 * sin (y2)
The loss function will be defined as : z(measure) – z (y1, y2)
The purpose of this neural network is to estimate y1 and y2 based on x1, x2, x3, x4.
For instance:
I know information about 500 cats, which are: x1 (height), x2 (weight), x3 (food intake), x4 (excretion).
I also know the age of these 500 cats: z
Now, I want to estimate y1 (cancer probability) and y2 (hair loss). The range of y1 is 0-1, and the range of y2 is -10 to 10
Do you know how to establish such deep learning or neural networks? Is there a simple example? deep learning, loss function, regression MATLAB Answers — New Questions
Join Loop workspaces with a link
Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders,
Your feedback matters! You told us that adding users to a Loop workspace one at a time can be tedious. Introducing Loop workspace links – your shortcut to faster access. Share these links across Teams, Outlook, or another communication platform to welcome others instantly.
Get the details in our newest blog by Kat Orevillo, Product Manager on the Loop team: Join Loop workspaces with a link
Thanks!
Perry Sjogren
Microsoft 365 Insider Social Media Manager
Become a Microsoft 365 Insider and gain exclusive access to new features and help shape the future of Microsoft 365. Join Now: Windows | Mac | iOS | Android
Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders,
Your feedback matters! You told us that adding users to a Loop workspace one at a time can be tedious. Introducing Loop workspace links – your shortcut to faster access. Share these links across Teams, Outlook, or another communication platform to welcome others instantly.
Get the details in our newest blog by Kat Orevillo, Product Manager on the Loop team: Join Loop workspaces with a link
Thanks!
Perry Sjogren
Microsoft 365 Insider Social Media Manager
Become a Microsoft 365 Insider and gain exclusive access to new features and help shape the future of Microsoft 365. Join Now: Windows | Mac | iOS | Android Read More
Word not printing specific image across many documents
We have a company logo on a document that we have used now for a very long time.
It appears twice on the word document put suddenly the image is now not being printed, it shows on print preview, but is not printed.
If you copy the image into a new page it still doesn’t print.
If you copy it to excel it will print.
If you print to pdf image is still not printed but test over the image is?
Every document with this image no does not print the image when you open it, this is happening on across all machines and seems to be limited to Word.
Is there something that will restrict this image printing
Any help is appreciated
We have a company logo on a document that we have used now for a very long time. It appears twice on the word document put suddenly the image is now not being printed, it shows on print preview, but is not printed. If you copy the image into a new page it still doesn’t print. If you copy it to excel it will print. If you print to pdf image is still not printed but test over the image is? Every document with this image no does not print the image when you open it, this is happening on across all machines and seems to be limited to Word. Is there something that will restrict this image printing Any help is appreciated Read More
External Network Export List of Users
Greetings, I am trying figure out an issue that just started happening.
I helped a client setup an external Viva Engage network in order to collaborate with users outside of their 365 tenant. That has been working very well.
This user would export the list of the members in this external network for monitoring reasons via the following steps:
Access the external network (the URL will include the name of the external network)Click the gear icon and then choose “Network Admin”Click on “Export Users”Choose “All Users” and then click export.
That will provide a CSV of the users of this external network, which consists of mostly external email addresses.
Now something has changed within the past couple of weeks.
When this user follows the exact same steps as described above, the resulting CSV file only contains organization users of the 365 tenant, most of which are not members of this external network. None of the guests are on this list.
Our research has not revealed anything yet. Does anyone know if a setting has changed to cause this? The name of the external network is still in the URL during this process; however, the CSV contains only internal users.
Thank you for your help!
Greetings, I am trying figure out an issue that just started happening. I helped a client setup an external Viva Engage network in order to collaborate with users outside of their 365 tenant. That has been working very well.This user would export the list of the members in this external network for monitoring reasons via the following steps:Access the external network (the URL will include the name of the external network)Click the gear icon and then choose “Network Admin”Click on “Export Users”Choose “All Users” and then click export.That will provide a CSV of the users of this external network, which consists of mostly external email addresses. Now something has changed within the past couple of weeks. When this user follows the exact same steps as described above, the resulting CSV file only contains organization users of the 365 tenant, most of which are not members of this external network. None of the guests are on this list. Our research has not revealed anything yet. Does anyone know if a setting has changed to cause this? The name of the external network is still in the URL during this process; however, the CSV contains only internal users. Thank you for your help! Read More
Renamed OneNote tags do not rename in the Web/Teams version
I mostly use the OneNote app in Teams. There are some things that are not available there nor in the web app. For example, you can rename tags only in the OneNote Desktop interface (which is fine); the “Discuss with <Person A>” of course expects “<Person A>” to be replaced with a person’s name. But when I return to OneNote in Teams the tag is not renamed. I tried stopping OneNote and restarting it, restarting Teams, restarting the computer; none of these solves the problem.
Is there a way to make a renamed tag cross over from the Desktop app to the browser or Teams interface?
I mostly use the OneNote app in Teams. There are some things that are not available there nor in the web app. For example, you can rename tags only in the OneNote Desktop interface (which is fine); the “Discuss with <Person A>” of course expects “<Person A>” to be replaced with a person’s name. But when I return to OneNote in Teams the tag is not renamed. I tried stopping OneNote and restarting it, restarting Teams, restarting the computer; none of these solves the problem.Is there a way to make a renamed tag cross over from the Desktop app to the browser or Teams interface? Read More
Powerapp Sharepoint based form with drop-down using excel table items
I have created a SharePoint list with a.o. Choice columns. One of those columns is called GTM. Linking this table to a powerapp form works well and the GTM datacard is shown as a drop-down item. All ok. Now I want this drop down to be linked to an excel table, called GTM_Ex. That also worked out fine. Now when I submit the form, the selected value is not passed to the SharePoint table. The datacard Update is pointing to the drop-down datacardvalue.
Alternatively, I removed the drop down and inserted a new (classical) drop down item in the datacard. Linked it to the excel. Made sure Update of datacard is pointing to its selected value…but again, selected value of the drop down did not pass to the SharePoint after an updateform command.
anyone any idea?
I have created a SharePoint list with a.o. Choice columns. One of those columns is called GTM. Linking this table to a powerapp form works well and the GTM datacard is shown as a drop-down item. All ok. Now I want this drop down to be linked to an excel table, called GTM_Ex. That also worked out fine. Now when I submit the form, the selected value is not passed to the SharePoint table. The datacard Update is pointing to the drop-down datacardvalue. Alternatively, I removed the drop down and inserted a new (classical) drop down item in the datacard. Linked it to the excel. Made sure Update of datacard is pointing to its selected value…but again, selected value of the drop down did not pass to the SharePoint after an updateform command. anyone any idea? Read More
SharePoint News Connector Retirement
A Step Forward in News Sharing and Collaboration for SharePoint
SharePoint News connector has been a valuable tool in our Microsoft Teams experience, seamlessly integrating SharePoint news into our team channels. As we strive for innovation and collaboration, we are transitioning away from the SharePoint News connector to embrace alternative, more integrated solutions.
SharePoint News Connector
Our decision to move beyond the SharePoint News connector is driven by our commitment to providing a seamless and collaborative environment. With current advancements in Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, we can leverage alternatives, ensuring real-time updates and discussions within Teams channels.
Exploring New Alternatives
We encourage you to explore our robust alternatives to SharePoint News connector, such as Teams Workflow, Viva Connections and Viva Amplify, which offer a more integrated and feature-rich news experience that continues to share SharePoint site news within your Teams’ channels.
• Viva Connections News notifications: The Viva Connections app delivers News notifications via Microsoft Teams and links users to the Viva Connections app through the notification –Learn more about Viva Connections News notifications
• Viva Amplify: Viva Amplify brings together internal communication processes in a single tool. You create content once, then publish your message through SharePoint, email, Microsoft Teams, and soon Viva Engage.- Publish a Viva Amplify publication
• Create your own workflows in Teams: Set up a Teams workflow
Timeline for Transition
The process will begin by halting the creation of new SharePoint News connectors starting July 22nd and will continue with the phase-out of configured connectors from August 26th onwards.
This change will happen automatically on the dates specified. There will no action required from admins, but it is highly suggested to:
Notify users about this change
Update any relevant documentation
Share the alternative solutions to ensure a smooth transition.
Resources
We understand the importance of a smooth transition and are dedicated to providing support throughout this change. You can follow our support guidance for additional help and information.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Update on the Deprecation of Admin Audit Log Cmdlets
We wanted to tell you that an update was published related to the deprecation of Admin Audit Log cmdlets in Microsoft 365.
The update was posted on the Security, Compliance, and Identity Blog and you can see it here: Update on the Deprecation of Admin Audit Log Cmdlets.
While the scope here is a bit more than “Exchange Online”, we know that some of our customers were interested in this. The blog post discusses cmdlets that are being deprecated as well as how to accomplish those tasks after deprecation.
The Exchange Online Team
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Skilling snack: Managing Windows 11 updates
As part of your ongoing journey managing Windows across your organization, we’ve compiled some great tips and resources including analysis, reporting, servicing, and enriching your Windows experience. We’ve also included several links to bookmark for regular, continuous learning.
Time to learn: 138 minutes
WATCH
Did you miss this year’s Tech Community Live? Catch up on this full “Ask Microsoft Anything” recording, where viewers are treated to an in-depth discussion on the latest tools and strategies for managing Windows updates.
(60 mins)
Windows Update + Intune + WUfB + Autopatch
LEARN
Manage Windows updates in the cloud
Done learning the basics? In this intermediate learning module, you’ll take a deeper dive into how to manage your updates and control your user experience across your devices.
(41 mins)
Intune + Windows Update + Microsoft Cloud + Group Policy + MDM
READ + REGISTER
Sign up for Windows known issue email alerts
Did you know that you can sign up for email alerts designed to help you manage Windows? Read all about it in the original announcement and register to start receiving these alerts in your own inbox.
(4 mins)
Support + Windows release health + Microsoft 365 + Windows feature and quality updates
WATCH
Windows Autopatch, How it Works
Autopatch is a cloud service that supports your Windows 11 upgrades. Learn how it works, and how to make it work for you, in this introductory video.
(11 mins)
Autopatch + Microsoft Edge + Office + Microsoft 365 + Windows Enterprise
READ
Customize Windows Update settings with Autopatch
Want to run your Windows Update deployment on a customized schedule? We’ll show you how you can achieve this with Windows Autopatch.
(8 mins)
Autopatch + Windows Update + Deployment rings
READ
Manage Windows driver and firmware updates with Microsoft Intune
Intune makes it easy to keep all of your device drivers current. Learn now to create and manage your own device update policies here.
(7 mins)
Intune + Drivers + Windows Enterprise
EXPERIENCE
Prescriptive Guidance: Intune Windows Update Policy
Microsoft Intune deployment rings help protect against malicious attacks by allowing for progressive updates across your devices. In this step-by-step demo, you’ll walk through the process of setting up your own deployment rings.
(5 mins)
Intune + Windows Update + Deployment rings + Compliance + Security
REGISTER
IT pros: Join us every month for Windows Office Hours!
Tune in for this monthly live discussion, where Microsoft experts will answer your questions and guide you in your Windows management journey.
(2 mins)
Windows 365 + Intune + Configuration Manager + Security
BOOKMARK
Every month, the Windows IT Pro Blog publishes a digest of all the practical new Windows developments announced in the past month. Check out the most recent article and bookmark the page to come back for more.
Do you use Microsoft Intune? Check in on the Intune blog to stay up to date with news and developments in your favorite cloud-based management system.
Explore the latest Microsoft capabilities through interviews with the product teams building the tech and the IT professionals managing Windows in the real world. Hear about enhancements, innovations, and tools for Windows 11, Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, Windows Update for Business, and more.
(time varies)
Windows 11 + Security + Device management + Copilot + Windows Server + Intune + Configuration Manager + W365 + WUfB
Managing Windows 11 is a topic too big for a single skilling snack. If you’re interested in learning more on the topic, check out these earlier snacks:
Feature update management
Windows monthly updates
Windows information and resources for IT pros
Windows device management in the public sector
Using Windows Update for Business
Come back every two weeks for fresh servings of Windows knowledge and leave a comment below to tell us what you would like to learn next.
Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X and on LinkedIn. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Stop Worrying and Love the Outage, Vol III: Cached Logons
This is the third article in a series:
Stop Worrying and Love the Outage, Vol I: Group Policy and Sharing Violations
Stop Worrying and Love the Outage, Vol II: DCs, custom ports, and Firewalls/ACLs
Hello, Chris Cartwright here from the Directory Services support team. This is the third post in a series where I try to provide the IT community with some tools and verbiage that will hopefully save you and your business many hours, dollars, and frustrations. Occasionally, we get cases for users working remotely that are unable to log on with a message that the domain is not available. More often than not, this is caused by an overly enthusiastic Cached Logon configuration.
The setting:
The “Interactive logon: Number of previous logons to cache (in case domain controller is not available)” policy setting controls whether cached account information can be used to sign in to a Windows domain. When a user signs in to a domain account, the sign-in information can be stored locally so that, if a domain controller is unreachable later, the user can still sign in. If a user’s credentials are not cached, you should get one of the following errors:
There are currently no logon servers available to service the logon request.
We can’t sign you in with this credential because your domain isn’t available. Make sure your device is connected to your organization’s network and try again. If you previously signed in on this device with another credential, you can sign in with that credential.
The domain specified is not available. Please try again later.
This policy setting specifies how many different users’ sign-in information can be kept locally, but it leaves out some rather important details like:
Cached logon is based on the method used for logon. Smart card (per issuer), passwords, and Windows Hello logons have their own cache entry per user.
You cannot cache a new entry without line of sight to a Domain Controller.
New smart cards require a new entry and will overwrite an existing one if from same issuer.
Service accounts also have their own entry
By default, the number of cached logons setting is set to a value of 10, which is generally high enough for most organizations. The security risk for this setting is based on use/abuse of the cached credentials by bad actors. Security is a balancing act.
Consider the following points as well:
“The Windows security baselines don’t recommend configuring [the number of previously cached logons].”
“…the server overwrites the oldest cached sign-in session.”
“Users can’t sign in to any devices if there’s no domain controller available to authenticate them.”
So, when your compliance team comes in and tells you to set this to lower values, especially 1 or 0, make sure you know your environment. Issues from miscalculating this cache value range from remote users being unable to log on to (worst case) data loss. After reading this, I hope in future conversations you feel better armed to respond with the potential risks associated with this setting and can avoid this kind of outage without having to learn the hard way!
References:
Cached domain logon information – Windows Server | Microsoft Learn
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
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I believe that I am experiencing a false positive when running the mathworks.sldv.deadlogic check in the Model Advisor on Simulink. The model consists of a simple Switch block with an inport, outport, and two different Constant blocks input into the data ports.
The model:
The warning reads:
"RelationalOperator: input1 ~= input2 false"I believe that I am experiencing a false positive when running the mathworks.sldv.deadlogic check in the Model Advisor on Simulink. The model consists of a simple Switch block with an inport, outport, and two different Constant blocks input into the data ports.
The model:
The warning reads:
"RelationalOperator: input1 ~= input2 false" I believe that I am experiencing a false positive when running the mathworks.sldv.deadlogic check in the Model Advisor on Simulink. The model consists of a simple Switch block with an inport, outport, and two different Constant blocks input into the data ports.
The model:
The warning reads:
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Hi All,
Odd recent issue with Lists which is quite critical as it relates to sensitive data.
When clicking the “Export to Excel” button it should only export data which the user has access to. This has been the case until very recently.
It now so happens that with a recent new updated look and feel version of Lists which has been slowly rolled out at our organisation, users are now able to export ALL data from the list including data they don’t have permissions set up to see.
Has anyone else experienced this issue and is there a fix available? Really worrying
Hi All, Odd recent issue with Lists which is quite critical as it relates to sensitive data. When clicking the “Export to Excel” button it should only export data which the user has access to. This has been the case until very recently. It now so happens that with a recent new updated look and feel version of Lists which has been slowly rolled out at our organisation, users are now able to export ALL data from the list including data they don’t have permissions set up to see. Has anyone else experienced this issue and is there a fix available? Really worrying Read More
What’s the best way to document the purpose of each passage?
I want to explain why each sentence is included in the document. But I don’t want those explanations to appear in the print version.
Every sentence is included for a specific reason, usually because it is required by a law or regulation. Sometimes the structure of an entire section will appear in a certain way to conform to a regulation. Many collaborators will write this document with me, and I don’t want people to change a sentence unless they understand the regulations that required the inclusion of the sentence.
I know I can achieve this with comments. But I am wondering if there are other ways. Perhaps there is a better document writing solution than Word. The comments can become very cumbersome. And it will get messy if I have hundreds of comments and Word is tracking changes.
Any thoughts?
I want to explain why each sentence is included in the document. But I don’t want those explanations to appear in the print version. Every sentence is included for a specific reason, usually because it is required by a law or regulation. Sometimes the structure of an entire section will appear in a certain way to conform to a regulation. Many collaborators will write this document with me, and I don’t want people to change a sentence unless they understand the regulations that required the inclusion of the sentence. I know I can achieve this with comments. But I am wondering if there are other ways. Perhaps there is a better document writing solution than Word. The comments can become very cumbersome. And it will get messy if I have hundreds of comments and Word is tracking changes. Any thoughts? Read More
