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KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
IT Technical Advisory & MCM Strategies
In-depth coverage of MCM, infrastructure optimization, remote protocols, and high-stakes patching. Expert advisory crafted for IT decision-makers navigating complex technical ecosystems.
Creating a Long-Term MECM Support Strategy
Managing Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) environments at scale demands precision, foresight, and a robust support framework. The complexity of large Config Manager server environments requires a strategic approach that ensures operational continuity, scalability, and adaptability to evolving IT landscapes. I outline a structured methodology to develop a long-term MECM support strategy that aligns with these imperatives. Defining the Long-Term MECM Support Stra
Jun 293 min read
Effective WQL Query Examples for SCCM
Windows Query Language (WQL) is a powerful tool for managing Configuration Manager (SCCM) environments. It enables precise data retrieval from the SCCM database. Mastering effective WQL queries is essential for maintaining large Config Manager server environments. This post delivers practical examples and explanations to optimize your SCCM operations. Understanding Effective WQL Queries in SCCM WQL is a subset of SQL designed for querying Windows Management Instrumentation (W
Jun 293 min read
Future MECM Planning: Strategic Insights for Config Manager Environments
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) remains a cornerstone for managing large-scale IT infrastructures. As the landscape evolves, so must our approach to MECM. I focus on ensuring seamless operations, future proofing, and long-term support for critical Config Manager environments. This post outlines key strategies and considerations for future MECM planning. Future MECM Planning: Core Considerations Planning for MECM's future requires a clear understanding of curre
Jun 223 min read
Long-Term MECM Support Plans for Canada
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) remains a cornerstone for managing enterprise IT environments. Its complexity demands robust, long-term support strategies. I focus on delivering sustainable, scalable solutions tailored for Canadian infrastructure. This post outlines critical considerations and actionable steps for maintaining MECM environments over extended periods. Understanding Long-Term MECM Support Requirements Long-term MECM support requires a clear grasp
Jun 173 min read
Planning Your MECM Environment Setup
Configuring a Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) environment demands precision. The setup must support scalability, security, and operational efficiency. I focus on delivering a robust framework that aligns with enterprise needs and future growth. This post outlines critical steps and considerations for a successful MECM environment setup. Understanding MECM Environment Setup Essentials A MECM environment setup requires a clear architecture plan. Start by definin
Jun 153 min read
Efficient MECM Server Management in Canada
Managing Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) servers demands precision, foresight, and a structured approach. The complexity of large Config Manager environments requires a disciplined strategy to ensure seamless operations and long-term support. I focus on delivering efficient MECM server management in Canada, emphasizing stability, scalability, and future-proofing. MECM Server Management: Core Principles Effective MECM server management hinges on several core pr
Jun 83 min read
SYSTEM_FEED // ADVISORY
The Hazlitt Technical Blog provides high-stakes advisory for IT decision-makers. Deep dives into MCM infrastructure, remote protocols, and automated compliance for distributed architectures.
Creating a Long-Term MECM Support Strategy
Managing Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) environments at scale demands precision, foresight, and a robust support framework. The complexity of large Config Manager server environments requires a strategic approach that ensures operational continuity, scalability, and adaptability to evolving IT landscapes. I outline a structured methodology to develop a long-term MECM support strategy that aligns with these imperatives. Defining the Long-Term MECM Support Stra
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 293 min read
Effective WQL Query Examples for SCCM
Windows Query Language (WQL) is a powerful tool for managing Configuration Manager (SCCM) environments. It enables precise data retrieval from the SCCM database. Mastering effective WQL queries is essential for maintaining large Config Manager server environments. This post delivers practical examples and explanations to optimize your SCCM operations. Understanding Effective WQL Queries in SCCM WQL is a subset of SQL designed for querying Windows Management Instrumentation (W
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 293 min read
Future MECM Planning: Strategic Insights for Config Manager Environments
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) remains a cornerstone for managing large-scale IT infrastructures. As the landscape evolves, so must our approach to MECM. I focus on ensuring seamless operations, future proofing, and long-term support for critical Config Manager environments. This post outlines key strategies and considerations for future MECM planning. Future MECM Planning: Core Considerations Planning for MECM's future requires a clear understanding of curre
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 223 min read
Long-Term MECM Support Plans for Canada
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) remains a cornerstone for managing enterprise IT environments. Its complexity demands robust, long-term support strategies. I focus on delivering sustainable, scalable solutions tailored for Canadian infrastructure. This post outlines critical considerations and actionable steps for maintaining MECM environments over extended periods. Understanding Long-Term MECM Support Requirements Long-term MECM support requires a clear grasp
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 173 min read
Planning Your MECM Environment Setup
Configuring a Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) environment demands precision. The setup must support scalability, security, and operational efficiency. I focus on delivering a robust framework that aligns with enterprise needs and future growth. This post outlines critical steps and considerations for a successful MECM environment setup. Understanding MECM Environment Setup Essentials A MECM environment setup requires a clear architecture plan. Start by definin
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 153 min read
Efficient MECM Server Management in Canada
Managing Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) servers demands precision, foresight, and a structured approach. The complexity of large Config Manager environments requires a disciplined strategy to ensure seamless operations and long-term support. I focus on delivering efficient MECM server management in Canada, emphasizing stability, scalability, and future-proofing. MECM Server Management: Core Principles Effective MECM server management hinges on several core pr
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 83 min read
ConfigMgr 2503: The Release That Kept Giving (Six Hotfixes and Counting)
ConfigMgr 2503 shipped on April 23, 2025, carrying over 350 bug fixes and a patch for CVE-2025-47178 — and zero new features. That last part was intentional. This was a security-and-stability release under Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative, and Microsoft said so plainly. What they didn't say plainly was how many times they'd be coming back to fix what the release itself introduced, or broke, or failed to fully address the first time around. By the time 2503 reached end of
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 56 min read
ConfigMgr 2603: What You Need to Know (+ CMG Hotfix KB 37942646)
Configuration Manager version 2603 (KB 37426535) dropped on May 5, 2026 — the first current branch release of 2026, and the first under Microsoft's new annual release cadence. It's not glamorous, but your environment probably needs it. Version 2603 is available as an in-console update from the top-tier site in your hierarchy. Don't expect a feature parade — this one is squarely focused on security hardening, infrastructure modernisation, and fixing a handful of issues that ha
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 54 min read
MECM Support Quote: Streamlining Configuration Manager Environments
Managing large Configuration Manager (MECM) environments demands precision, expertise, and proactive support. I focus on delivering seamless operations, future-proofing, and long-term stability for critical IT infrastructure. This post outlines key considerations for obtaining a MECM support quote, practical insights into support services, and cost factors influencing your decision. Understanding MECM Support Quote Essentials A MECM support quote is more than a price tag. It
Christopher Hazlitt
Jun 13 min read
From AltaVista to Aitana Lopez: AI Just Ate the Internet (And My ConfigMgr Console)
Google is overhauling its search bar for the AI era — the biggest change in 25 years. Three decades of search-engine history, what CNN actually reported on May 23, the rise of AI influencers and the universal shopping cart — plus my own dignity-deficient war stories about Copilot, Claude, and trying to write WQL collection queries without taking down the CEO's laptop.
Christopher Hazlitt
May 236 min read
If MCM Is a Problem, Yo, I'll Solve It
Check out the encryption while the HD deletes it. Somewhere between a 1990 hip-hop track and a Tuesday morning ticket queue, there's a tight little metaphor hiding. Vanilla Ice gave us a hook. Microsoft Configuration Manager gave us a console. Let's put them in the same room. Three verses. Let's go. Verse One: If MCM Is a Problem Microsoft Configuration Manager — MCM, MECM, ConfigMgr, SCCM, whatever your org calls it this week — is the platform that runs the unglamorous middl
Christopher Hazlitt
May 214 min read
Configuration Manager 2609: A ConfigMgr Admin's Wish List
Microsoft Configuration Manager 2609 — the first annual release — is coming in September 2026. Based on 20+ years in the trenches and the real gripes that haunt ConfigMgr admins, here's my wish list for what 2609 should deliver.
Christopher Hazlitt
May 164 min read
Verify and Install Required Windows Features for SCCM DP, WSUS, and Exchange with PowerShell
How to use PowerShell to check whether the required Windows Features for an SCCM Distribution Point, WSUS, or Exchange server are installed — and install only the ones that are missing.
Christopher Hazlitt
May 124 min read
Intune & ConfigMgr News Roundup: What IT Admins Need to Know Right Now
📰 A lot has been happening across the Microsoft endpoint management landscape in the past few weeks. From Intune's May 2026 service updates and hotpatch going on by default, to ConfigMgr's annual release cadence becoming official and the M365 licensing shake-up that bundles enterprise-grade Intune features into E3 and E5 — there is plenty for IT admins to digest. Here is your roundup. ⚡ Hotpatch Now On By Default — Starting May 2026 ⚡ This is one of the biggest quality-of-li
Christopher Hazlitt
May 85 min read
ConfigMgr 2503 & 2509 Hotfixes: Everything You Need to Apply Right Now
🔐 Microsoft has shipped a fresh batch of hotfixes targeting Configuration Manager versions 2503 and 2509 — and if your environment runs either of these branches, several of these fixes are time-sensitive. From a co-management update source regression that's been routing devices to the wrong patch channel, to a compliance check failure with a hard October 2026 deadline, to ARM64 client upgrade failures and a NAA security hardening update — this is a set of fixes you'll want t
Christopher Hazlitt
May 76 min read
Config Manager 2603: What's New and What You Need to Know
🔐 Microsoft has officially released Configuration Manager current branch version 2603 — the first current branch update of 2026. Released on May 5, 2026, this update doubles down on security improvements under Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative (SFI) and lays critical groundwork before the product shifts to its new annual release cadence starting with version 2609 in September 2026. 🔐 Security Is the Headliner 🔐 Version 2603 is explicitly framed as a security-first relea
Christopher Hazlitt
May 74 min read
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