Susan Bradley
Contributing Writer
Susan Bradley has been patching since before the Code Red/Nimda days and remembers exactly where she was when SQL slammer hit (trying to buy something on eBay and wondering why the Internet was so slow). She writes the Patch Watch column for Askwoody.com, is a moderator on the PatchManagement.org listserve, and writes a column of Windows security tips for CSOonline.com. In real life, she’s the IT wrangler at her firm, Tamiyasu, Smith, Horn and Braun, where she manages a fleet of Windows servers, Microsoft 365 deployments, Azure instances, desktops, a few Macs, several iPads, a few Surface devices, several iPhones and tries to keep patches up to date on all of them. In addition, she provides forensic computer investigations for the litigation consulting arm of the firm. She blogs at https://www.askwoody.com/tag/patch-lady-posts/ and is on twitter at @sbsdiva. She lurks on Twitter and Facebook, so if you are on Facebook with her, she really did read what you posted. She has a SANS/GSEC certification in security and prefers Heavy Duty Reynolds wrap for her tinfoil hat.
Of cut cables and the sad state of tech support
One of life’s lessons is that tech support never seems to improve, no matter whether it’s a phone company that cut your fiber cable or Microsoft rolling out, then reversing, changes in Windows 11. Something’s got to give.
With one June Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft falls short
This month's updates for Windows include one fix that requires extra steps to deploy. But you’ll need to do some sleuthing to get the full story.
The good and bad about Windows 11
The latest version of Windows has seen a slow uptake since it arrived in 2021, but it’s not a bad operating system.
Microsoft Edge is getting a bit pushy
Interface changes, new AI features, and integrations with Microsoft 365 are rolling out to Edge in dribbles, which can be confusing for users and cause headaches for admins.
For Windows 10 PCs — out with the old, in with the new?
If you're still running Windows 10 on older hardware, it's time to start planning your upgrade path to Windows 11 and beyond.
With Windows 10 going away, time to get serious about Windows 11
Microsoft last week made it official: there will be no more big updates for Windows 10. Now, companies have to get serious about moving to its successor.
Still using Windows 10 21H2? Time to upgrade
For consumers and smaller businesses, security updates for Windows 10 21H2 will end in June. Here’s how to make sure your systems are on Windows 10 22H2 before support runs out.
Ransomware as a service? Windows users can still fight back.
With Attack Surface Reduction rules in Windows 10 and 11 (and other tweaks), users can make it harder for attackers to succeed.
The ever-evolving software subscription model
Microsoft has been moving to a subscription model for its software for years, and other companies are following suit. Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re making a move from perpetual software to an online version.
Software bugs that bug me – and how to swat them down
Sometimes when things go awry in Windows, the easiest fix is to undo the last thing you did. Here’s how to do some sleuthing to (hopefully) find and fix the problem.
How do you want Microsoft updates — in ‘dribbles’ or all at once?
Change is coming to the way Microsoft updates Windows and various apps. Are you ready?