Author / Jamston

by Jamston

Office 365 Group not showing in Outlook (Exchange Hybrid Environment)

PROBLEM:-

I have an issue where a Microsoft 365 group has been created but will not appear in Outlook 2019 or Outlook on the web.

After a bit of digging, I found out that the following factors played a part in this.

  • Exchange is running in Hybrid environment
  • User had created the Group/Team from within MS Teams

Because we were running a hybrid environment and the user had created the Team/Group from within the MS Teams app it doesn’t do as good a job as it would if you created it via the web-based admin interface.

When the group is created from the MS Teams app it doesn’t set the exchange attribute –HiddenFromExchangeClientsEnabled:$false which means that by default the group will not appear in Outlook App or Outlook on the web.

If you create the group via the Microsoft 365 admin center it works fine.

SOLUTION:-

1. Open up Windows Powershell and connect to Exchange online using the following command. (Make sure you have Powershell 7 and the exchange EXO V2 module installed).

connect-ExchangeOnline -UserPrincipalName [email protected]

2. Set the groups visibility using the following command

Set-UnifiedGroup -Identity "Name of Your Group Here" -HiddenFromExchangeClientsEnabled:$false
by Jamston

Install the latest Windows PowerShell and Exchange Online Management EXO V2module

I often find that I’ll jump on to a server, PC or laptop and I’m trying to run commands in PowerShell that it doesn’t understand. Normally because it’s an old version of PowerShell, certain modules aren’t installed or I’m just bad at typing.

Here’s where to get the latest version of Windows PowerShell and EXO V2 that you will need if you’re working with Exchange Online.

PowerShell 7
https://aka.ms/PSWindows

Exchange Online Management
https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/ExchangeOnlineManagement/

At the time of writing the following command will get you the module…

Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement -RequiredVersion 2.0.5

Check what modules are installed…

Get-InstalledModule
Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket
by Jamston

Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket Review

https://foxracing.co.uk/product/ranger-2.5l-water-jacket/27361.html

Features:-

  • Advanced weather protection for a wide range of weather conditions
  • Lightweight 10K/3K 2.5-layer, waterproof, breathable main body fabric
  • DWR finish sheds moisture, dirt, and debris
  • Two zippered front hand pockets
  • Draw cord, cinching at hem and elastic cuff, provides customized fit
  • Helmet-compatible hood fits over most helmets
  • Length (HPS): 29″, size large
MATERIALS
  • 100% polyester ripstop, 2.5-layer fabric
  • Weather rating: 10K waterproof, 3K breathability

Nice jacket, looks great but could be better…

I’ve had this jacket for about 11 months. I live in the UK and have used it through the winter so it’s seen PLENTY of rain! First off it’s a great looking jacket and I’ve worn it on and off the bike. It fits well and does keep the majority of the elements out. It does a good job in general and I wanted to love this jacket but there are a few little things that could be done better which is probably why I wouldn’t recommend it.

The hood… it’s big and can easily fit over your helmet… great, but it doesn’t have any bungee type cords to pull it snug around your neck / helmet / head so when you’re bombing down a trail in the wind and rain it acts like a sail then flies off the back of your head and starts to fill with rain. This also means that if you’re not wearing a helmet and put the hood up, it goes over your head and face and again blows open in the wind. If you don’t put the hood up and it’s raining or windy then it flaps about quite a bit and you cant make it fit snug around your neck.

The last thing I think is missing is some kind of ventilation (apart from the gaping neck hole!). Lot’s of modern jackets have ventilation of some description whether it be under the arms or the sides but this has none so can get a bit “boil in the bag” but I understand that this might be the case for most jackets of this type anyway.

Overall I like the aesthetics of the jacket but the hood lets it down.

by Jamston

Drivers for Digital Persona U.are.U 4500 Fingerprint Reader USB

Below you will find 2 zip files that can be used to get your Digital Persona U.are.U 4500 up and running. The first 4500_wbf_driver_5.0.0.5_rs3.zip is smaller in size and is just the basic drivers, probably all you need to get up and running on Windows 10. The second DP_UareU_WSDK223.zip I believe is the SDK kit and has all the drivers and full software.

 

by Jamston

MFA not working in Outlook 2019 – Exchange Online

Scenario:-

Microsoft 365 tenant, mainly using Exchange Online (Plan 1) licenses. I enabled MFA for a couple of users which works fine logging in to https://office.com

Users can access Outlook on the web without any problems and get notifications sent to the “Microsoft Authenticator” app to approve or SMS if they choose one of the other authentication options.

When it comes to Outlook 2019 they just repeatedly get asked for their email credentials in a standard type popup box as opposed to the newer MFA style popup that you see like when you login to https://office.com where it asks for email, then password, then MFA option.

I know this type of problems exists with older versions of Outlook 2013 and lower and there are workarounds for it but this is Office 2019!

Solution:-

After raising a support ticket with Microsoft and getting a call back pretty much straight away from a very knowledgeable “Support Ambassador” we managed to sort the problem. Turns out that if your tenant was created before 2017 (ours was 2014) then the default policies in place for the basic Azure type licenses that come with the lower tiered licenses like Exchange Online might not work very well when enabling MFA on a user account! Tenants created later than 2017 tend to work just fine.

Here’s what we did…

  1. Run PowerShell as admin
  2. Connect to Exchange Online (If user has MFA enabled) using the following steps:- 
    $MFA = New-Object -ComObject InternetExplorer.Application -Property @{Navigate2="https://cmdletpswmodule.blob.core.windows.net/exopsmodule/Microsoft.Online.CSE.PSModule.Client.application"}

    The command above installs a module which then launches another PowerShell window.

  3. In the newly opened window enter the following:- 
    Connect-EXOPSSession

    Enter your tenant administrator login information.

  4. Enter the following command:- 
    Set-OrganizationConfig -OAuth2ClientProfileEnabled $true 

This pretty much enables the use of MFA now for your Exchange Online tenant. It can take a few hours for things to propagate and for Outlook 2019 to make use of this. If you need to speed this process up you can add the following registry key to the users computer. Make sure to close Outlook first.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange
  • On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  • Type AlwaysUseMSOAuthForAutoDiscover, and then press Enter.
  • Right-click AlwaysUseMSOAuthForAutoDiscover, and then click Modify.
  • In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  • Exit Registry Editor.

Open Outlook and you should now get the MFA type prompt as you would expect. I think if you continue to have problems then it’s worth deleting the Outlook profile on the computer and starting again.

The following article may also be of use as it goes into a lot more detail about how to enable or disable modern authentication for Outlook in Exchange Online https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/Exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/enable-or-disable-modern-authentication-in-exchange-online

One last thing… enabling modern authentication for Outlook in Exchange Online wont affect any of your other users who may not have MFA setup.

Hopefully this may help someone somewhere one day!

by Jamston

Enable or Disable write protection to a USB drive

PROBLEM: I need to stop users saving data to a bitlocker usb flash drive that they use to unlock their laptop.

SOLUTION: Use the DiskPart command line utility to enable read only access to the USB flash drive in question.

STEPS:-

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the run box.
  2. Type diskpart and press enter.
  3. If you receive a UAC prompt asking for permission click Yes.
  4. At the DISKPART > prompt type list disk and press enter.
  5. Figure out which is your USB disk based on the size (mine was disk 1) so I typed select disk 1 and pressed enter.
  6. You can check the attributes for the disk by typing attributes disk.
  7. To enable disk write protection (making it not possible to save files to the disk) use the command attributes disk set readonly and press enter.
  8. You’re done! Type exit to quit.
  9. If you ever wanted to revert back and disable write protection then use the command attributes disk clear readonly and press enter.

DiskPart

Please note that the above method will only enable write protection for that particular usb flash drive on that specific windows machine. If you were to put the same usb flash drive in a different machine you can still write files to it.

Trek Remedy 8 2021 GX
by Jamston

Trek Remedy 2021 GX

After owning a Specialized Camber Expert 2011 for nearly 9 years it was about time for a change! I ride plenty of local trails with a mix of uphill, downhill, dirt jumps, drop off’s, descents and everything in between. I also regularly visit trail centres such as Gisburn, Whinlatter, Hamsterley, Llandegla and plenty of other places that Wales & Scotland have to offer.

Bikes have changed quite a lot since my last purchase and I wanted a bigger hitting more capable bike based on the different types of riding I do. More travel, slacker head angle, bigger wheels, 1×12 blah blah blah.

The COVID pandemic was upon us so it was a going to be a struggle to find any bikes in stock but after a bit of shopping around I found that Trek Bicycle Sheffield Fox Valley had x2 Trek Remedy 8’s in stock so I organised a visit and went over. As soon as I saw the bike I was wowed! It just looked a beast compared to my old one! It looked beefy with it’s 27.5 / 2.6″ tires, wide bars and extra travel, it just looked like it could handle some abuse.

Took it out for a quick blast down the road and round the car park and was sold. £200 deposit and it was secured. Couple of weeks later I had managed to sell the Specialised and got the rest of the cash together to make a purchase. No better feeling than NBD!

Specifications

Frameset

Fork RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 46 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 160 mm travel
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 230×57.5 mm
Max compatible fork travel 170mm

Wheels

Wheel front Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Hub front Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Spokes DT Swiss Champion, J-Bend, Black
Tyre Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5×2.60″
Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5×2.60″
Tyre part Bontrager TLR sealant, 180 ml/6 oz
Bontrager TLR valve, 50 mm
Max tyre size Frame: 27.5×2.80″ Fork: See manufacturer

Drivetrain

Shifter SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Rear derailleur SRAM GX Eagle
Crank
SRAM X1 Eagle, DUB, 30T steel ring, Boost, 175 mm length
Bottom bracket SRAM DUB, 92 mm, PressFit
Cassette SRAM Eagle XG-1275, 10-52, 12-speed
Chain SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Max. chainring size 36T

Components

Saddle Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138 mm width
Seatpost
Size: M, M/L, L, XL
Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 440mm length
Handlebar Bontrager Line, alloy, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 820 mm width
Grips Bontrager XR Trail Pro, alloy lock-on
Stem Bontrager Line, 35 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 50 mm length
Brake SRAM Code R hydraulic disc
Brake rotor SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 180 mm
SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 200 mm

Weight

Weight 14.07 kg (with TLR sealant, no tubes)
Weight limit This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 136 kg (300 lb).
by Jamston

How to add Azure Active Directory user to local administrator group

Windows 10 allows you to join your computer to the Azure Active Directory and login with your cloud credentials. The first account that joins the AAD becomes a local administrator. Subsequent users are not.

To add additional azure accounts as local admins you need to do the following…

  1. Open a command prompt with Administrator proviledges
  2. Enter the following command…
net localgroup administrators /add "AzureAD\<users office 365 email address>"

You should see “The command completed successfully”, now go check it worked by going into computer management > Local Users and Groups > Groups > Administrators and check to see if the user is listed.