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Resetting a Windows PC is a critical process for restoring system performance, resolving persistent errors, and eliminating malware. The article details step-by-step reset procedures for Windows 10 and 11, including options to keep files or remove everything, and highlights the importance of post-reset security measures. IT managers are advised to standardize reset protocols, leverage endpoint management tools, and ensure immediate application of updates and endpoint protection after a reset.
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Wired published a report describing how 1Password's Travel Mode can remove selected vaults from a user's devices to reduce data exposure during phone or border searches. The reference does not identify a new breach, vulnerability, or other security incident beyond coverage of the feature.
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Microsoft has enabled **Windows Backup for Organizations** by default for eligible Microsoft Entra-joined and hybrid-joined devices upgraded to Windows 11 version 26H2. The service preserves users’ Windows settings and Microsoft Store app lists, allowing the data to be used following device resets, replacements, upgrades, or reimaging. The change expands the organizational Windows Backup capability Microsoft introduced in 2025. The default applies only when administrators have not explicitly configured the relevant policy; existing enablement or disablement settings override it. Devices in EU Digital Markets Act-regulated regions and sovereign or restricted cloud environments are excluded. Restoration is not automatically enabled and still requires administrators to explicitly configure a restore policy, leaving organizations responsible for assessing data-handling, regional-compliance, and endpoint-management implications.
Oct 1, 2026
Microsoft has announced significant enhancements to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, including the native integration of Sysmon, a powerful system monitoring tool previously available only as a standalone Sysinternals utility. With this integration, administrators will be able to deploy and manage Sysmon directly through Windows features and updates, simplifying large-scale monitoring and threat detection. Sysmon's advanced event filtering and custom configuration capabilities will remain intact, enabling organizations to monitor for suspicious activity, process tampering, and other security-relevant events without the need for separate installations. In addition to Sysmon integration, Microsoft introduced two new recovery features for Windows 11: Cloud Rebuild and Point-in-Time Restore (PITR). These tools are designed to minimize downtime and streamline recovery from system failures or problematic updates. PITR allows users and IT administrators to quickly roll back systems to healthy snapshots, restoring not only the OS but also local files and applications. Cloud Rebuild enables remote, cloud-based reinstallation of Windows 11, leveraging Intune and Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning and rapid restoration of user data and settings. Both features are set to be integrated with Microsoft Intune, providing enterprise admins with robust, remote recovery and remediation capabilities.
Jun 29, 2026
A significant proportion of enterprise assets are currently running end-of-life (EOL) operating systems, posing a growing security risk as these systems no longer receive regular feature updates or bug fixes. According to research conducted by runZero, 8.56% of assets across hundreds of U.S. enterprises are operating on EOL systems, with 5% already beyond extended support and thus missing critical security patches. The prevalence of these unsupported systems is particularly high in industries such as retail, machinery, electronics manufacturing, healthcare, and social services, where legacy applications are often essential for core business functions. In healthcare and social services, the use of unsupported operating systems can directly impact patient safety due to their integration with critical care applications. The situation is set to worsen dramatically with the upcoming end-of-life date for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, approximately one-third of all enterprise Windows assets will lose official support, causing the overall percentage of EOL systems in enterprises to surge from 5% to around 16%. This transition, referred to as the 'Winpocalypse,' will disproportionately affect sectors already struggling with legacy dependencies, especially healthcare and social services, which are expected to see the steepest increases in exposure. Many organizations remain reliant on Windows 10 and earlier versions due to business-critical applications that cannot be easily migrated or upgraded. The persistence of these 'undead' systems is often due to forgotten servers or specialized equipment, such as medical devices, that are incompatible with newer operating systems. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities by using network reconnaissance to identify and compromise outdated systems, which are often overlooked in standard security assessments. Internet scans reveal only a portion of the risk, as many legacy systems are not directly exposed but remain accessible to attackers who have breached the network perimeter. Security experts emphasize the need for organizations to establish a baseline inventory of EOL systems and to assess their unique risk profiles, rather than assuming complete eradication of unsupported assets is feasible. The looming Windows 10 deadline has prompted renewed calls for enterprises to accelerate migration plans and to implement compensating controls where immediate upgrades are not possible. Failure to address the growing population of EOL systems will significantly expand the attack surface available to cybercriminals, increasing the likelihood of successful breaches. The research underscores the urgency for proactive asset management, regular vulnerability assessments, and strategic planning to mitigate the risks associated with legacy operating systems. Organizations are advised to prioritize the replacement or isolation of unsupported systems, especially those integral to critical business operations. The findings highlight the intersection of operational necessity and cybersecurity risk, illustrating the complex challenges enterprises face in balancing legacy support with modern security requirements. As the Windows 10 end-of-life approaches, the need for comprehensive risk management strategies becomes ever more pressing for organizations across all sectors.
Jun 29, 2026