Microsoft Archives - 247 IT Services https://247it.services/tag/microsoft/ IT Service Company Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:51:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://247it.services/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Logo-alone-150x150.png Microsoft Archives - 247 IT Services https://247it.services/tag/microsoft/ 32 32 Microsoft Celebrates 50 Years of Technological Innovation https://247it.services/microsoft-celebrates-50-years-of-technological-innovation/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:59:41 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=3015 What would the world be without Microsoft? It is difficult to imagine and luckily we don’t have to. This week Microsoft is turning 50. In April 1975, two childhood friends, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, launched a small software company in a strip mall in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What began as an ambitious startup has […]

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What would the world be without Microsoft? It is difficult to imagine and luckily we don’t have to.

This week Microsoft is turning 50. In April 1975, two childhood friends, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, launched a small software company in a strip mall in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What began as an ambitious startup has since become one of, if not  the most, influential companies in living memory.

Now, half a century later, Microsoft is the second-largest company in the world, trailing only behind Apple, and it is only becoming stronger as the company continues to go down new and more exciting paths.

The Leader in Operating Systems and Office Software

Microsoft’s first major breakthrough came with the development of MS-DOS, which turned into what we know as the Windows operating system, a system now used in millions of devices worldwide.

Alongside its OS dominance, Microsoft became the go to company for office productivity software. Microsoft Office, once sold on floppy disks and CDs, is now available via Cloud Computing, which has further ensured its supremacy despite having free competitors like Google Docs.

Businesses across the UK and globally still rely fully on Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and Outlook for daily operations, which just goes to show the company’s early innovations still hold their ground.

Unafraid to Try New Things

Over the decades, Microsoft has attempted to add more products and services outside of its software and operating systems, but only enjoyed varying degrees of success.

The company entered the gaming industry in 2001 with the Xbox, which has remained a formidable competitor to Sony’s PlayStation despite trailing in market share. Microsoft also ventured into search engines with Bing in 2009, though it could not compete with Google and Bing remains a mostly unused search engine. One of its more successful expansions, however, was its acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016, which brought the company into the social media industry.

Despite its lukewarm success in other areas, one could say that these have been mostly hobby ventures, as Microsoft’s main focus has always been in the software and operating system arena.

An AI and Cloud Computing Future

With AI becoming the single most talked about tech development in recent years, it is unsurprising that Microsoft has focused a lot of time, money and energy on this industry.

The company is also increasingly taking  an interest in the possibilities of Cloud Computing. Microsoft Azure, its Cloud Computing platform, is currently the second-largest in the world, just behind Amazon Web Services (AWS).

But AI is where Microsoft is set to shine. The company has made significant strides, investing over $14 billion in OpenAI since 2019 and integrating AI-powered tools into its product lineup, like Microsoft 365 Copilot.

However, unlike its biggest competitors, the company lacks its own proprietary AI silicon chips and is instead relying on external suppliers. Whether these investments will cement Microsoft’s place in the AI revolution or leave it playing catch-up remains to be seen.

Fascinating Facts About Microsoft

Microsoft’s history is long and filled with fascinating stories, all of which have shaped this tech giant into the company that it is today. Some interesting facts about its journey include:

  • Microsoft’s first software development was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, a mail-order hobbyist computer that had neither a screen nor a keyboard. It was created without access to an actual Altair and was tested on a Harvard mainframe.
  • Microsoft executives very nearly cancelled the Xbox project before its launch, but it’s a good thing they didn’t, as the console ultimately became one of the company’s most successful consumer brands.
  • Microsoft initially underestimated the Internet’s potential, only shifting focus after Netscape gained popularity in the 1990s. Bill Gates famously redirected the company towards web-based technology in 1995, a year after Amazon was founded.
  • The once-loathed Microsoft Office assistant, Clippy, was scrapped in 2001, but it still appears as an emoji in newer Office applications and remains a beloved internet meme.

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Microsoft is a household name these days, and some 300 000 UK-based companies use Microsoft products. If you are not yet using a Microsoft product, why not give it a try as the company turns 50? At 24/7 IT Services, we are highly experienced in all things Microsoft, and we provide our clients with a range of services such as Managed IT Support, IT Security, and so much more. Contact us today for more information.

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New Phishing Scam Threatens Microsoft Users https://247it.services/new-phishing-scam-threatens-microsoft-users/ Tue, 16 May 2023 07:34:21 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2777 Data theft remains a huge concern in the online world, and the latest threat, to rock Microsoft users in particular, is Greatness, a phishing-as-a-service provider tool which is mimicking a Microsoft 365 login landing page to steal user credentials. This highly sophisticated tool was first created in the middle of 2022 and in a relatively […]

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Data theft remains a huge concern in the online world, and the latest threat, to rock Microsoft users in particular, is Greatness, a phishing-as-a-service provider tool which is mimicking a Microsoft 365 login landing page to steal user credentials.

This highly sophisticated tool was first created in the middle of 2022 and in a relatively short time, Greatness has gained a lot of malicious users.

Companies in the UK, Australia, Canada, the United States and South Africa have fallen victim to this phishing scam, and the specific industries that are being affected cover a wide area and include construction, finance, healthcare, real estate, manufacturing and education, all industries with plenty of sensitive data.

How Greatness Works

The setup is so simple that any criminal can use it, which is a huge part of the problem as it gives even entry level hackers the opportunity to steal. Hackers need only log into the tool, supply it with their unique API key and give the tool a list of the email addresses that they wish to target. From there the hacker can create a personalised email message, one that sounds authentic and Greatness will do the rest.

For those that are unfortunately duped, the tool will be triggered when the attachment is opened, and after that a landing page will be created. The page is automated, and it will use the target’s log and a background image, easily mimicking a Microsoft 365 login page. Not only will the page look legitimate, but it will also be filled with the right email address, which can further make the target believe that everything is in order.

The fake landing page is actually a smokescreen of sorts, and it sits between the user and the actual Microsoft 365 account login page. It is pretty simple from there, as the user will enter their personal information to access what they think is their Microsoft account, and in reality they will be sending their information directly to the hacker who will then be able to log into the account and steal what they like.

You might be thinking, but what about the multi-factor login authentication that Microsoft has in place to secure accounts?

Greatness is a sophisticated tool, as we said, and its developers have found a way to sidestep this security by accessing the authentication popup and requesting the MFA code. The user essentially won’t realise that they are sharing their security code. When the user enters the code, the hacker will access the session via Telegram, work around the MFA and gain access.

At this point, Greatness is being used almost exclusively to steal data from Microsoft 365 accounts. And this is precisely why Microsoft is raising the alarm.

To avoid being scammed by a tool like this, it is important to always be cautious when entering your details on just any sort of landing page. Whenever you receive an unusual looking email, it is worth taking the time to Google the address and to try to find out if it is something legitimate. And if you are not expecting an email that will prompt you to log into your Microsoft 365 account, don’t enter your details on just any attachment. You should also always make sure that you are running the most up to date version of whatever antivirus programme you have installed.

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At 24/4 IT Services, we provide a range of general and specialist services to our clients, including IT security solutions. If you need to relook at your IT security setup, you can contact our team today to request a quotation or a consultation.

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The Preview for Microsoft’s Loop App is here https://247it.services/the-preview-for-microsofts-loop-app-is-here/ Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2751 This week Microsoft gave its customers a sneak peak at its latest app – Loop. The app has been in the works for a while, and in 2021 Microsoft officially showcased Loop. The app is designed to simplify collaborative projects and to increase productivity, and it is able to sync various aspects of projects and […]

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This week Microsoft gave its customers a sneak peak at its latest app – Loop.

The app has been in the works for a while, and in 2021 Microsoft officially showcased Loop. The app is designed to simplify collaborative projects and to increase productivity, and it is able to sync various aspects of projects and it allows users to move parts of projects to other Microsoft apps such as PowerPoint, Teams, Word and Excel.

Loop has been called a “transformative co-creation experience” by Microsoft, which is a fancy way of saying that Loop is going to be used to bring teams closer together through shared content, tasks and tools.

With Loop, app users who are collaborating on projects will no longer suffer with the frustration of having to jump between pages, worksheets and whatever else they are building their project on. Instead they will have the perfect tool to organise their work and to instantly share what they are doing with other team members. Users will even be able to drag and drop items from their desktop into the Loop workspace and from there to arrange it in such a way that it is easier to work with.

What you need to know about Loop

The entire app is built around its workspace, which is the digital area in which the project folders are accessible.

The process of using Loop starts with adding a title to the workspace and from there adding a couple of keywords. Loop will then use the keywords to create a list of recommended files, documents and other helpful things which you can then add to the workspace to make it more personalised and suitable for the project you are working on.

The app will give you a better organised project and it will provide structure to the project so that it is easier to understand. With such an organised structure, new team members can quickly get to work.

Loop comes with pre-made templates and a highly intuitive design. On the workspace you will be able to create checklists as well as numbered lists, add tables and you can also add images.  

Working with Loop

Unlike other collaborative project programmes, with Loop the commands can be accessed using a few keys.

When you enter “/” you will be given a dropdown menu which will give you access to all of the lists that are available, as well as headings, tables and Loop components. The programme is also being designed to work with Copilot, which you will also be able to access by pressing “/”.

By clicking “@” you will be able to access a list of suggested people and files. You will also be able to leave comments and react to the work done by others, with Loop giving you a list of instant replies as well as fun emojis.

Loop is not just ideal for structuring and building projects. It can also be an interactive brainstorming platform.

And it is not just those who have access to the project that you can share project information with. Loop will allow you to “decompose information”, which means you will be able to take parts of the project and share it to those working outside of the workspace. Doing this is as easy as copying and pasting the information into a Microsoft 365 app of your choosing, after it has been turned into a component.

You can also share pages as a live page or as a link. When doing this, the person you are sharing it with will be able to leave a response on the page. The response will then be added to the page and the update will be available in the workspace.

Loop promises to be the next big productivity app, and if you are already an avid Microsoft 365 user, Loop will be a natural fit in your productivity tool line up.

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At 24/7 IT Services we aim to help our clients in the London area to get the most out of their IT set up and programmes. Our popular services include Managed IT Support, IT Consultancy Services, and Business Continuity.  

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5 Tips to Improve your Productivity in Word https://247it.services/5-tips-to-improve-your-productivity-in-word/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2489 As one of the most used programmes in the business world, Microsoft Word remains a popular resource for document creation of all types. Each day millions of Word documents are written and saved, and as such, when it comes to boosting office productivity, it certainly helps to have a couple of useful tips up your […]

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As one of the most used programmes in the business world, Microsoft Word remains a popular resource for document creation of all types. Each day millions of Word documents are written and saved, and as such, when it comes to boosting office productivity, it certainly helps to have a couple of useful tips up your sleeve.

Microsoft Word was one of the very first Microsoft Office applications to be introduced. Now an essential part of daily life for most, Word is not just a handy tool for writers and teachers, it is also a business tool often used to create invoices and other necessary business documents. The programme was first launched back in October of 1983 and originally it was called the Multi-Word Tool. It was later simplified to what we all know it as today, which is Microsoft Word.

As the go-to Office application used by around 90% of businesses around the world, most employees are already proficient in the use of this application. But there are still a handful of tips and tricks that you can tap into, if you are looking for a way to improve your productivity.

  1. Text to speech

Did you know that Word has a handy feature that allows you to talk to your computer and have it turn your words into text? Since research has proven time and again that most of us speak faster than we can type, this handy feature can come in very helpful if you are looking to save time or if you are just too tired or lazy to type things out. You will need to install a feature called Dictate, which is available from Microsoft, in order to convert your speech to text.

  • Look up synonyms

Want to sound more professional with your writing? Or maybe you have just used the same word one too many times and now it is looking a little repetitive, Word has a synonym feature which will allow you to highlight a word, right-click to open a drop-down menu, and then from there select the synonyms option to find a better word.

  • Improve your proofreading

In business, grammatical and spelling mistakes can look sloppy and unprofessional. With Word, you already know it will protect you from the more obvious mistakes, but there is a way that you can take things to the next level, by enhancing your proofreading. Open the file menu and from there go to the options. After that click on proofing, which should be displayed in a tab and have a look at the various enhancements available.

  • Do some research

You don’t necessarily have to go into a browser each time you are looking for new information. Instead, with Word’s new Researcher tool, you can run a Google search from the programme while you work. This awesome feature is guaranteed to give your productivity a boost and it is going to save you loads of time. This feature is also designed to give you only the best quality resources.

  • Use Read Aloud

With the latest versions of Word, under the review tab there is a feature called Read Aloud. This is a proofreading tool of sorts and it basically reads your text out to you. This is an especially helpful feature for those who have big blocks of text. While reading over your text is the most common way to proofread, it is not unusual to miss something while editing. Having it read aloud to you by someone (or something) else, is often a better way to spot and correct mistakes.

* At 24/7 IT Services in London, we offer our extensive client base a range of helpful services, including Network Services, IT Consultancy and Managed IT Support. Contact us today for a consultation or a quote.

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The Pros and Cons of Syncing your Work and Home Computer https://247it.services/the-pros-and-cons-of-syncing-your-work-and-home-computer/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2466 The rise in popularity around working from home might have waned in some businesses, but there are still plenty of companies who have liked the practice so much that they have decided to adopt it as a part of their approach to business operations. Working from home has opened up a whole new world of […]

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The rise in popularity around working from home might have waned in some businesses, but there are still plenty of companies who have liked the practice so much that they have decided to adopt it as a part of their approach to business operations.

Working from home has opened up a whole new world of opportunity and those who have decided that this practice works well for them have found that there are certain things that they can do to efficiently blend the city centre office with the home office of the employee.

One of the most used methods, is to sync the work computer with the home one.

Syncing computers is nothing new. In fact, many people have been syncing personal laptops and desktops for years. And then there are those who sync emails only, which is also a practice that has worked quite well for many looking to bring some of their work home with them, but not all of it.

These days, with working from home being a lot more acceptable, people are looking for new and improved ways to have access to their work documents, without having to lag around computer equipment. But in doing so, this new way of working which, let’s face it, is blurring the lines between home life and work life, is going to have its pros and its cons.

How to get synced?

If this is something that you are looking forward to doing, you need to know how to get up and running. To sync your 2 systems, you need to start by making sure that you have a Microsoft account that is being used on both computers. You will also need to check with your IT department to make sure that you have permission to sync.

Once you have this out of the way, you will be able to sync your systems by using the default Microsoft setting which will also allow you to decide what to sync and what not to.

The Pros and Cons of Syncing

There’s not a huge array of pros and cons, but they are worth knowing if you are still trying to make your decision.

The pros naturally include the fact that you will have everything right where you need it, so you will not find yourself having to run back to the office every other day to get something.

The other advantage of syncing your two computers is that even when you are in the office, whatever you are working on will be also be available at home.

And then there is the fact that your home system might be a lot better than your work setup, so being able to work from home more efficiently will make you more productive.

But as with all things in life, where there is a pro, there is also a couple of cons.

The biggest con being privacy.  When you sync your personal computer with your work one, you will need to be to be very careful about what you share, or you could end up syncing all of your private data, which in turn could end up being viewed by your IT department or anyone else who happens to use your computer.

And finally, cyber security concerns can be an issue. If your work network is more secure than your home one, the result could be that the company is made vulnerable through your home system.

Syncing computers is a great option for anyone who is able to work from home. For those who have adapted to this sort of lifestyle, productivity is generally greatly improved and working from home can also reduce stress. Just be smart about your syncing and you will experience more of the pros than the cons.

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Need a team to take care of your IT requirements? At 24/7 IT Services in London, we offer a wide range of related services, including managed IT support, cyber security and VoIP setup. Contact us today for more information.

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How to Preview any File in Windows https://247it.services/how-to-preview-any-file-in-windows/ Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2339 Since so much of the system is geared towards helping users to be as productive as possible, there are plenty of shortcut options that are designed to save you loads of time while helping you to get the information that you need.

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Windows is without a doubt the best operating when it comes to improving productivity. With its easy use, the many applications that are compatible with it, and the fact that although it is a system that has its fair share of ups and downs, it is still a system that (most times) will work like a dream, Windows is the most installed and used operating system on the planet.

Since so much of the system is geared towards helping users to be as productive as possible, there are plenty of shortcut options that are designed to save you loads of time while helping you to get the information that you need. There are shortcuts that will minimise your desktop and give the option of adding another, which is incredibly helpful when you are looking at working with a variety of applications.

And then there is the little known shortcut that will allow you to preview a file without having to open it, which will definitely be a big help, especially if you have plenty of other files open and you don’t want to slow down your PC or laptop by opening more.

Whether you are working with Windows 10 or Windows 11, this shortcut should work, and it is suitable for a number of applications including Word, Excel, PDFs, photos, graphics, videos, music, and audio files.

This feature can also be used to previews files that are unknown. When you preview the unknown file, you won’t have to worry about not having the correct type of application to open it, something which can be the case if you are working with design files.

How to Preview Files and Additional Preview Programmes

There are a number of ways that you can preview a file in Windows, and these are the easiest options.

Use Windows File Explorer Panel

The simplest way to preview a file in Windows would be to use the built in feature, which is the File Explorer. You can access this by opening the File Explorer in your version of Windows and then clicking on the view tab and then selecting the preview option. Click just once on the file that you want to view and you will be given a preview in the tab next to it. This option will also allow you to increase or decrease the size of your preview.

Use the QuickLook Programme

If you are looking for something different, you can download QuickLook for free. It easily integrates with File Explorer, and once it is installed, all you need to do is select the file you want to use and then press your space bar. A preview window will pop up where you will be able to view the file. You will also be able to increase or decrease the size of the preview.

Use the Cool File Viewer Programme

A programme that doesn’t integrate with Windows File Viewer, but is quite sophisticated and might be preferred by those who are looking for something a little more advanced, this programme is a good option. With Cool File Viewer, you can preview most files as well as have a look at and even extract if need be, files that have been compressed in ZIP or RAR formats. And as for office applications, with this programme you will be able to both view the file and edit it. The downside of the programme is that it will only allow you to preview a limited number of programmes before you have to use a paid version.

If you are looking for a team of IT professionals to assist you with your business IT needs, you can contact 24/7 IT Services today. We offer a variety of solutions including IT consultancy, Cloud Computing and Network Services.

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How to Master OneNote https://247it.services/how-to-master-onenote/ Wed, 11 May 2022 06:20:03 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2312 OneNote is basically the last digital note book that you will ever need to have. It is versatile, it comes with many options for customising and you can even use it to full effect if you are disconnected from the web. It also works on any kind of platform.

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It is one of the office applications that comes with the account but it is quite often overlooked. But once you get to grips with Microsoft OneNote you might just find that it is the one thing that has been missing from your line up of productivity tools.

As a member of the Microsoft Office family, OneNote is convenient because it is right there and always ready to use. It allows you to jot down your ideas, whether they are ideas at work or ideas at home, and it allows you to do so in the style that best suits you. With OneNote, you are able to type, draw or physically write things down while you can also taking clippings from the web and then save them with your other notes.

Beyond just being able to write down ideas and save things from the web, OneNote gives you the option to collaborate, as the app syncs via the web with anyone who shares access.

OneNote is basically the last digital note book that you will ever need to have. It is versatile, it comes with many options for customising and you can even use it to full effect if you are disconnected from the web. It also works on any kind of platform.

While those who have been using OneNote for a couple of years have got a good grasp of the basics, those who are new to the app and who want to make sure that they make the most of it can find that the process of getting comfortable with the app can be greatly improved with a couple of tips.

How to use OneNote

OneNote is the perfect application for organising and productivity. The app could be used on the go when it is on your phone, or it can be used when sitting at your desk. If you have a Microsoft 365 account, the app should already be on your desktop or in your start menu, ready to use. If you are working with your phone, you will need to either connect your account to access it, or you will need to download it from the relevant store.

The app allows you to do various things, and so when you are getting started out, you first need to have some understanding about what you need the app for.

To Create a Quick Note

This is possibly one of the things the app is most used for, and it is always convenient to whip your phone out of your pocket and quickly write down thoughts on a quick note before you lose track of your thoughts. With OneNote on your phone, you can do just that by opening the app and selecting the new quick note option.

To Create a Notebook

If you want to put all of your notes together in one place, you can create a notebook. With this option, you will need to go over to the Show Notebooks Button and then click on the +Notebook button. After you have given the Notebook a name, you can start creating.

Access your Notebook

Not only can you create quick and easy Notebooks for your own use, but you can also share your Notebooks with others. To access the Notebooks that you have been given access to, you can click on the Show Notebooks Button again, and then go to the More Notebooks option. Here you will be able to see and select the Notebook you want to open.

OneNote is also pretty fantastic when it comes to creating lists. This app also allows you to import Excel sheets, which can make creating lists rather easy.

If you need an IT team to assist you with your Microsoft 365 account setup or to give you an introduction to some of its uses, you can contact 24/7 IT Services. We offer a variety of services which include Business Continuity and Cloud Computing.

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The Latest Windows 11 Developments https://247it.services/the-latest-windows-11-developments/ Wed, 13 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2295 If you have not yet gone over to Windows 11, but you have been thinking about it, these are some of the latest features and interesting developments that you can expect to see if you update your operating system to the newest version of Windows.

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It has been a couple of months since Windows 11 officially launched and like all versions of Windows, the first few months have seen a lot of the kinks worked out and plenty of new features brought in.

A few days ago, Microsoft held an event during which they updated the public about what they are working on and what is to be expected from Windows 11 in the coming days, weeks and months.

At the event, Microsoft went over several features that they have already made public. Initially, it would seem that nothing new was being said but for the more focused listener, there were actually quite a few new features mention.

If you have not yet gone over to Windows 11, but you have been thinking about it, these are some of the latest features and interesting developments that you can expect to see if you update your operating system to the newest version of Windows.

Smart Context IQ Features

Microsoft is all about making the experience as user friendly as possible and so it is no surprise that one of the new additions that is coming out has to do with smart, contextual features. This feature is designed to be able to recommend relevant content and contacts in the start-up menu as well as in the Microsoft 365 apps.

This feature is also designed to reduce the number of clicks that you need to make in order to get to wherever you need to be. This saves a lot of time, especially in the business context.

The company is also bringing out a feature which they have called “Suggested Actions” which can guide you to quickly doing everyday tasks, such as adding contacts or creating Calendars.

Improved Widgets

One of the most helpful features, and something that has been around for a while is the Widgets Panel. It has undergone a couple of changes over the years and although users have known that this feature is undergoing some changes and being improved, users are not quite sure what changes to expect just yet.

What we do know is that the widget panel will be looking a little different in the coming months, and it is possibly going to be a lot more user friendly.

Cloud Integration

For the commercial users, in the coming months, it will be easier to integrate the local desktop with the Cloud PC experience as it is offered to Windows 365 accounts, in a number of ways.

Users will be able to directly log into their Cloud PC and make it the primary Windows experience. This will be available as the Windows 365 Boot.

With Windows 365 Offline, users will be able to work in Windows 365 even if they are not connected to the web. Once their connection is restored, the work that has been done will sync back to the service without any of the data being lost.

Users will also be able to switch between their local desktop and the Cloud PC as they please, using the Task Switcher.

And finally, there is the Windows 365 app which gives users another way to connect their Cloud PC from their Start Menu or the Task Bar. This provides an easy and effective way to personalise the work experience.

Windows 11 is going to become the main version of Windows in a couple of months and if you have any questions about this version of the operating system, you can have a chat with our team at 24/7 IT Services. We are in the business of getting companies sorted out with the best IT solutions including, managed IT support and Cloud computing.

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Microsoft 365 Data Should be Backed-Up. This is why. https://247it.services/microsoft-365-data-should-be-backed-up-this-is-why/ Wed, 16 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247itservices.co.za/?p=2097 The Cloud has changed much of how we do day to day business tasks. When once backing up information was something we did to a server or an external hard drive, these days the Cloud has become the main backup spot, for Office data and other information alike.

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The Cloud has changed much of how we do day to day business tasks. When once backing up information was something we did to a server or an external hard drive, these days the Cloud has become the main backup spot, for Office data and other information alike.

When it comes to Microsoft Office 365, there is still a lot of misconceptions about who is responsible for the data backup. And what Microsoft provides and what they are responsible for is completely different to what users assume, and for this reason data is often easily, and unexpectedly lost.

Why you should back-up your data?

Microsoft does not provide its Office 365 clients with the sort of data backup they think they are getting. In reality, Microsoft at best offers clients a partial backup which the clients then assume is a full backup.

The only way to guarantee that your data is correctly backed up would be to getting into the habit of manually doing it yourself. But the fact that Microsoft is not doing a good job of backing up is not the only reason why you should be doing it yourself. There are a couple of other important reasons as well:

  1. It leads to less downtime

Although Microsoft is a mega software company, it is not immune to sudden power outages, disconnections and software failures, right when you are in the middle of doing something. In fact in 2020, a major outage left much of Microsoft’s European clients without access. The big problem when using anything on the Cloud is that when something like this happens, it results in software being inaccessible and depending on how bad the outage is, any data you were working on could be lost.

Because of this reason, Microsoft actually has a clause in its service level agreement encouraging the regular backup of data on a third party app.

  • Backup tools are not that great

Microsoft 365 does come with its own built in backup system but it is quite limited. For instance, you will be able to recover some of the data that you have lost or deleted but if the data has been gone for a while, it can’t be recovered. The recovery process can also be rather complicated, in that it is not a one-click and everything comes back kind of solution.

And finally, with the built in backup, data is not secure. Instead, since it is being backed up to the Cloud, the backup itself is vulnerable to data loss.

  • Permanent deletion is permanent

With Office 365, any hard delete is permanent. There is absolutely no backup for this deletion process and so if you were to accidently opt for a hard delete, there would be no way to recover your data.

Usually, this wouldn’t be a massive problem, because unless you are really not paying attention, it is a hard mistake to make. The real problem is that when an item has been soft deleted, and has been left in the bin for more than 30 days, it will be permanently removed.

  • Account deletion also results in the full deletion of data

Data is connected to the user’s account, so if the account has been deleted for whatever reason, the data will disappear.

This is also true for accounts that are being migrated and for accounts with an outdated license. To avoid losing data from an account that is lost for whatever reason, it is important to always have that additional backup in place.

  • Microsoft 365 can’t protect your data from other threats

Even if Microsoft 365 had the best data protection solutions, it can’t protect you from other threats like hackers and viruses that can affect your computer, and corrupt or delete your data. While Microsoft 365 tries to give its users some protection, you need to make sure that you have additional security measures in place, and that you regularly backup your data.

The post Microsoft 365 Data Should be Backed-Up. This is why. appeared first on 247 IT Services.

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Why you should wait a while before updating to Windows 11 https://247it.services/why-you-should-wait-a-while-before-updating-to-windows-11/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0000 https://247itservices.co.za/?p=2116 There is a lot of talk about the latest version of Microsoft Windows, and millions of PCs and laptops have been alerted to an available update to Windows 11. But like all technology, and as with all things in life, you probably don’t want to be among the first people to install the update, especially if the update is available for a work computer.

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There is a lot of talk about the latest version of Microsoft Windows, and millions of PCs and laptops have been alerted to an available update to Windows 11. But like all technology, and as with all things in life, you probably don’t want to be among the first people to install the update, especially if the update is available for a work computer.

Microsoft Windows is without a doubt one the world’s most used and best known operating systems. For the most part, the system works seamlessly, and except for a couple of versions that many in the IT field would happily forget, the Windows operating system has been greatly beneficial for both business and home users.

But just because there is a new version, doesn’t mean you should be in a hurry to click the download and install button, even if it is free.

Although Windows updates, in general, should not be put on hold for too long, when it comes to updating the entire system to something new, it pays to pause. And what’s more is that you can actually put the update on hold indefinitely, something you can’t normally do when you have other updates waiting to be installed.

Since Windows 10 support is going to continue on until 2025, you shouldn’t worry about being left behind.

When the Windows 11 update became available, a couple of IT experts installed the update to see what the fuss was all about. And after using the update for a while, the general consensus was that it is far better to wait before installing it, for a number of really good reasons.

Why you should wait before hitting update

  1. System functionality is different

In order to get the most out of any new Windows system, functionality is key. While on the whole, the latest version of Windows is fully functional, there are a few things that will definitely be annoying. For instance, the Taskbar and the Start Menu are both considered to be less functional than that of Windows 10. The Taskbar can’t be moved or resized and new apps can’t be added to the Start Menu.

  • The system is slightly flawed

One of the greatest reasons why you should wait before you upgrade to Windows 11, is that because it is a new system, you will be among the first users to identify and then have to deal with the system flaws, of which there are a few. Generally, with the new system, the flaws will only be fully identified through the system being used, and then it can take a couple of months for the flaws to be fixed through yet more updates. A flawed system is not only going to set you back with your day to day work, but it can so frustrating that you’d spend each day more stressed than you’d otherwise need to be.

  • Features are limited

When Windows 11 was first announced, Microsoft users were excited to learn that the system would be compatible with Android apps, the very same that they would use on their smartphone devices. But here’s the catch, this compatibility will not be available with the first version of Windows 11. Instead, they will be a part of the updates that will follow. So if this was your main reason for wanting to update, best wait.

  • Familiarity is missing

What makes any operating system truly work for the user is familiarity. When you are using the same system day in and day out for years at a time, you soon develop a natural ease with it. And when you know your way around it, you can become incredibly efficient with the tasks you need to do. So when you install Windows 11, without knowing much about it, you are going to have to become familiar with everything all over again, and in the meantime, you’ll have to struggle with getting to know a whole new system.

Want to know more about Windows 11 and when you should update? You can give our team a call and we can have a chat about your concerns or answer your questions.

The post Why you should wait a while before updating to Windows 11 appeared first on 247 IT Services.

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