July 12, 2025
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Celebrating 15 Remarkable Years in the Microsoft MVP Community

Dear Community Members, Friends, and Colleagues,

As I mark my 15th anniversary in the Microsoft MVP program, I’m filled with immense gratitude, humility, and pride. What began as a passion for sharing knowledge and building connections has blossomed into a deeply rewarding journey—one shaped by innovation, collaboration, and the extraordinary people who make this community thrive.

Over these 15 years, I’ve had the privilege to learn from brilliant minds, contribute to inspiring projects, and witness the transformative power of technology firsthand. Whether through speaking engagements, blog posts, mentoring, or hands-on technical work, being part of the MVP program has continually deepened my commitment to empowering others and fostering open, inclusive collaboration.

To the community: thank you for challenging, supporting, and celebrating with me. Your curiosity, creativity, and kindness are what keep this ecosystem alive and forward-looking.

To Microsoft: thank you for the honor and trust. The MVP program is a unique platform that amplifies voices, nurtures growth, and builds bridges—not just between developers and users, but between ideas and action.

While this milestone is a moment to reflect, it’s also a reminder that there’s always more to explore, create, and share. I look forward to continuing this journey together—with the same spark, but even greater purpose.

With heartfelt appreciation,
James

Here are some photos with Awesome people that I have met during these years:

Here you see Vijay Tewari in the middle who nominated me for the first time 🙂
Damian Flynn on the left and me on the right are Microsoft MVPs for Virtual Machine Manager (VMM)
at that time in 2011.

Here you see Tina Stenderup-Larsen in the middle, she is amazing! A Great Microsoft Community Program Manager
supporting all the MVPs in the Nordics & Benelux doing an Awesome Job!
On the right is Robert Smit a Great Dutch MVP and friend.

Mister OMS alias Scripting Guy Ed Wilson.

When there is a Microsoft Windows Server event, there is Jeff Woolsey 😉
“The three Musketeers”

Meeting Brad Anderson, he had great lunch breaks interviews in his car
with Awesome people.

The Azure Stack Guys on the 25th MVP Global Summit 😊

Mister PowerShell Jeffrey Snover at the MVP Summit having fun 😂

Scott Guthrie meeting him at the Red Shirt Tour in Amsterdam.

Great to meet Yuri Diogenes in 2018 with his book Azure Security Center.
I know him from the early days with Microsoft Security, like ISA Server 😉

Mister Azure, CTO Mark Russinovich meeting at the MVP Global Summit in Redmond.
a Great Technical Fellow with Awesome Azure Adaptive Cloud Solution Talks!

Mister DevOps himself Donovan Brown in Amsterdam for DevOps Days

My friend Rick Claus Mister MS Ignite.

Mister Azure Corey Sanders at the MVP Summit.

Mister Channel 9, MSIgnite, AI Specialist Seth Juarez
He is a funny guy.

Meeting Scott Hanselman in the Netherlands together with MVP Andre van den Berg.
Scott is Awesome in developer innovations and technologies.
Following Azure Friday from the beginning.

Windows Insider friends for ever meeting Scott Hanselman.
With on the left MVP Erik Moreau.

Windows Insiders for Ever 💙
Here together with Dona Sarkar here in the Netherlands

Windows Insider Friends having fun with Ugly Sweater meeting.
On the right my friend Maison da Silva and on the upper right Erik Moreau and Andre van den Berg.
Friends for Life 💙

Microsoft Global MVP 15 Years Award disc is in the House 🫶
on Monday the 14th of July 2025.

Thank you All 💗

April 4, 2025
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Happy Anniversary Day 50 years of Microsoft Innovation

50 years of Microsoft

A Legacy of Innovation and Transformation

Half a century ago, on April 4th, 1975, two young visionaries, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, co-founded Microsoft with a bold ambition: to make computing accessible and essential for everyone. What began as a small software company has grown into a global technology leader, continuously transforming industries and empowering billions of lives. As we celebrate Microsoft’s 50-year journey, let’s explore its milestones, innovations, and impact, including its contributions to datacenters, Windows Server, Hyper-V, Azure, and the leadership of its CEOs.

The Early Years: Coding the Future

Microsoft’s first big breakthrough came with the creation of an operating system for the fledgling personal computer market. In 1980, the company introduced MS-DOS, laying the groundwork for the revolutionary Windows operating system, launched in 1985. This graphical interface transformed computing, making it accessible to both businesses and individuals.

Guiding Microsoft Through Its Evolution: The CEOs Who Shaped the Company

Microsoft’s trajectory has been shaped by its visionary leadership. From the founders to the present, each CEO has left an indelible mark:

Bill Gates (1975–2000): As co-founder and first CEO, Gates spearheaded the company’s initial growth, launching pivotal products like MS-DOS, Windows, and Office. His focus on innovation and accessibility built the foundation of Microsoft’s success.
Steve Ballmer (2000–2014): During his tenure, Ballmer led Microsoft through massive expansion, particularly in enterprise solutions and cloud computing. He introduced Windows Server and laid the groundwork for services like Azure. Ballmer’s energy and passion defined his leadership style and kept Microsoft competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Satya Nadella (2014–Present): Nadella ushered in a cloud-first, AI-driven era, transforming Microsoft’s culture and business model. His emphasis on inclusivity, empathy, and sustainability revitalized the company. Under his leadership, Azure became one of the world’s leading cloud platforms, and Microsoft made transformative acquisitions like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Activision Blizzard.

Lake Bill on Redmond Campus

Redefining Enterprise Technology: Datacenters, Windows Server, and Virtualization

As businesses increasingly relied on technology, Microsoft expanded its offerings to support enterprise needs. Windows Server, introduced in 1993, became a cornerstone for server management and networking. It evolved over the decades, incorporating features such as Active Directory, high availability, and security enhancements.

Microsoft played a pivotal role in virtualization with Hyper-V, launched in 2008. Hyper-V allowed organizations to maximize resource efficiency and reduce costs by running multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. Modern datacenters powered by Microsoft’s hardware and software solutions now form the backbone of its cloud services.

Embracing the Cloud: The Azure Revolution

Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, launched in 2010, redefined computing. It enabled organizations to access scalable infrastructure, deploy applications globally, and harness artificial intelligence with ease. Azure spans over 60 regions worldwide, making it one of the most comprehensive cloud platforms. Its ecosystem includes hybrid cloud solutions, advanced analytics, and IoT technologies.

Gaming, Devices, and Consumer Innovation

Microsoft entered the gaming industry with the Xbox in 2001, creating a thriving gaming ecosystem. Beyond gaming, the company innovated with devices like the Surface lineup, combining sleek design with productivity. Its integration of hardware and software demonstrated Microsoft’s versatility.

Shaping the Future: AI, Sustainability, and Datacenters

Microsoft continues to lead in artificial intelligence with tools like Microsoft Copilot. Its pledge to be carbon-negative by 2030 highlights environmental responsibility, with sustainable datacenter operations playing a central role.

Conclusion: A Legacy Built to Inspire

Microsoft’s 50-year journey is a testament to the power of innovation and visionary leadership. From Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer to Satya Nadella, each CEO has steered the company to new heights. With contributions ranging from datacenters and Windows Server to Hyper-V and Azure, Microsoft’s impact has been profound. As the company looks ahead, it remains dedicated to empowering people and organizations to achieve more, ensuring the next 50 years are as groundbreaking as the last.

Here’s to Microsoft—a company built to inspire and shape the future.

at Building 92 of the Microsoft Campus in Redmond.

February 10, 2025
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Windows 11 with Copilot on Microsoft Surface Devices

Introduction to Windows 11 with Copilot on Microsoft Surface Devices

Welcome to the exciting world of Windows 11, where innovation meets productivity with the combined power of Copilot and Microsoft’s Surface devices. In this blogpost, we’ll explore how Windows 11 enhances the user experience, and how pairing it with Copilot on a Surface Laptop or Surface Pro creates an unmatched synergy that transforms the way you work and play.

Microsoft Copilot + PC for Business

User Interface and Design

Windows 11 introduces a sleek, modern interface with a centered Start menu, rounded corners, and new iconography. The redesigned taskbar, Action Center, and widgets provide a more intuitive and streamlined experience, making navigation a breeze on the stunning high-resolution displays of Surface devices. With the Surface’s touch and pen capabilities, the new themes and wallpapers can be tailored to fit your unique style.

New Features and Improvements

Enhanced Touch and Pen Support

Surface devices are known for their exceptional touch and pen support, making Windows 11’s enhanced touch features even more impactful. Whether you’re using the Surface Pen for precise drawing or multitouch gestures to navigate seamlessly, the combination offers unparalleled interactivity.

Virtual Desktops and Snap Layouts

With Windows 11, organizing your workspace becomes effortless. The introduction of Snap Layouts and Snap Groups allows for better multitasking, perfectly complemented by the Surface’s spacious screen real estate. Virtual desktops let you create customized workspaces for different projects, maximizing productivity on the go.

Improved Gaming Capabilities

Gaming on a Surface Laptop or Surface Pro reaches new heights with Windows 11’s optimized gaming features. From DirectStorage for faster load times to Auto HDR for vibrant visuals, your gaming experience becomes more immersive and enjoyable.

What is the NPU, and how does it enhance performance.

The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is a newer addition to modern Windows devices and plays a key role in handling tasks related to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It is designed to speed up complex processes such as facial recognition, voice assistance, and data analysis, which require advanced computation. The NPU’s ability to offload these tasks from the CPU and GPU allows for faster, more efficient operation of the entire system.

Unlocking the power of NPU on Surface: Our “Hello World” journey for DevOps and developers

AI Integration

Copilot – Your AI Companion

Integrating Copilot into Windows 11 on Surface devices brings a new level of intelligence and assistance. Copilot can help you with tasks like setting reminders, generating content, and providing insights. With improved speech recognition and the power of the Surface’s microphones and speakers, interacting with Copilot feels natural and efficient.

Microsoft Office and AI

Windows 11 leverages AI to enhance productivity tools like Microsoft Office. Copilot can offer intelligent suggestions and insights, helping you create polished documents, manage emails, and stay organized, all while utilizing the Surface’s powerful hardware.

Security Enhancements

Security is paramount in Windows 11, with features like Windows Hello, Microsoft Defender, and BitLocker providing robust protection. The new Windows Security Center offers a comprehensive overview of security settings, ensuring your Surface device is always secure. Windows Hello takes full advantage of the Surface’s IR camera for quick and secure logins.

Windows 11 Security

Hyper-V and Virtualization

Windows 11 includes advanced virtualization capabilities through Hyper-V, allowing you to create and manage virtual machines with ease. This feature is particularly useful for developers, IT professionals, and power users who need to run multiple operating systems or isolated environments on their Surface devices.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 11 provides a seamless way to run Linux distributions natively on your Surface device. WSL offers improved performance, compatibility, and integration with Windows tools, making it an essential feature for developers and tech enthusiasts.

WSL

Performance and Optimization

Windows 11 is designed to deliver improved performance and efficiency, with faster boot times, enhanced battery life, and better resource management. Surface devices leverage hardware advancements to provide a smoother and more responsive experience, ensuring you can work and play without interruptions.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Windows 11 on your Surface device:

Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize the Surface’s keyboard shortcuts to navigate quickly and efficiently.
Customization: Personalize your device with themes, wallpapers, and widgets that reflect your style.
Pen Shortcuts: Take advantage of Surface Pen shortcuts for quick access to apps and features.
Battery Optimization: Manage power settings to maximize battery life and keep your Surface running longer.
Troubleshooting: Use the Windows Security Center and Device Manager to diagnose and fix common issues.
Become a Windows Insider: Here you can test almost every week a new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build

Conclusion

Windows 11, combined with Copilot on Microsoft Surface devices, represents a significant leap forward in terms of design, functionality, and performance. The innovative features and improvements make it the operating system of choice for users around the world, providing a seamless and powerful experience that enhances every aspect of your digital life.

Here you find more information about Microsoft Windows 11

The New Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot + PC

Microsoft Windows 11 Free training on MS-Learn

Microsoft Windows 11 Security Book for free 👍✅

Enjoy your New Microsoft Surface Device with Copilot!
It’s Awesome 😉

December 18, 2024
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

A little Christmas Story

Once upon a time, in a world where technology and holiday cheer intertwined, there was a bustling community of developers eagerly awaiting the latest updates from the Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server Insider programs. As the festive season approached, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.

In the heart of this community were the Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) and Docker Captains, who were known for their expertise and passion for technology. They decided to come together to create something truly magical for developers around the world.

One snowy evening, as the MVPs and Docker Captains gathered around a virtual fireplace, they began to brainstorm ideas. “What if we could combine the power of Windows 11, Windows Server, and Docker Containers to create a seamless development experience?” suggested one MVP, their eyes twinkling with excitement.

The idea quickly gained momentum, and soon, the group was hard at work. They envisioned a world where developers could effortlessly build, test, and deploy applications using the latest features of Windows 11 and Windows Server, all within the flexible and scalable environment of Docker Containers.

With the help of the Insider programs, they gained early access to cutting-edge features and updates. The MVPs and Docker Captains worked tirelessly, sharing their knowledge and expertise to create a series of tutorials, guides, and sample projects. These resources were designed to help developers harness the full potential of Windows 11, Windows Server, and Docker Containers.

As the holiday season progressed, the community began to see the fruits of their labor. Developers from all corners of the globe started to adopt the new tools and techniques, marveling at the ease and efficiency they brought to their workflows. The combination of Windows 11’s sleek interface, Windows Server’s robust capabilities, and Docker Containers’ flexibility created a harmonious symphony of technology.

To celebrate their success, the MVPs and Docker Captains organized a virtual holiday party. Developers joined from far and wide, sharing stories of their experiences and the innovative projects they had created. The virtual room was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

As the night drew to a close, one of the Docker Captains raised a toast. “Here’s to the power of collaboration, the spirit of innovation, and the joy of the holiday season. May we continue to push the boundaries of technology and inspire developers everywhere.”

And so, the story of the Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows Server Insider Christmas, made possible by the dedication and expertise of the MVPs and Docker Captains, became a cherished tale in the developer community. It was a reminder that, with passion and teamwork, even the most ambitious dreams could come true.

Happy holidays, and may your coding adventures be merry and bright! 🎄💻🐳

November 22, 2024
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

My Highlights Day 3 of Microsoft Ignite 2024

Mark Russinovich and Scott Hanselman on Stage talking about Copilot, ChatGPT and AI

Scott and Mark learn responsible AI

Always check the output of AI 😉

Microsoft Azure Local

NEW Microsoft Introducing disconnected Operations (Preview) ✅

Azure Local with disconnected Operations
Awesome!

NSG with Azure Local ✅🚀

Security in Azure Local video

Defender for Cloud

Get Started Today 🚀

Azure Linux 3.0 on AKS kubernetes in Preview

QuickStart

AKS Automatic
Dynamic System Node pool in Preview

More Buit-in policies for AKS

Auto-Instrumentation with Application Insights
Preview in January 2025

Enhanced Risk & Attack Path Analysis for Containers

Microsoft Azure Container Registry – Image Auto Patching in Private Preview
Security on Vulnerabilities

Network Isolated Cluster in Public Preview
Here you find Best practices for cluster isolation in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Microsoft Container Vulnerabilities Management

Container Vulnerabilities Assessment throughout the software development lifecycle.

Defender for Cloud Container Security
Continuously reduce risks.

Attack path and remediation on your AKS Kubernetes Cluster Inside overview

Container Security posture from Code to runtime is important! ✅

Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager Auto-Upgrade

Microsoft AKS Static Egress Gateway for Pod-level Access Control.

Block pod access to the Azure Instance Metadata Service (IMDS) endpoint (preview)

Trusted launch for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Seccomp Default Public Preview

Node Auto Provisioning GA January 2025

Comprehensive Security Controls overview

Experience Security Copilot Today ✅🚀

My Conclusion

Always start small with New innovative features like Azure Copilot or making your Adaptive Cloud first in a test environment.
Do your own experiences, testing and make your Secure architecture designs for your production. Keep it simple because it can be quick complex with a lot of dependencies. Microsoft works hard to make your life more easy in this changing IT landscape 👍
I like to thank all the people who supported the Microsoft Ignite 2024 event, it was Awesome with a lot of Great News. 🚀

Here you find the Microsoft Ignite 2024 Book of News.

November 20, 2024
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Day 1 of Microsoft Ignite 2024 was Awesome with Great New Features and Products

Photo of the Day Rick Claus at the Microsoft MVP – RD Wall at MS Ignite 2024

Keynote by CEO Satya Nadella

Love 💗this Windows 365 Link Device (Preview)

The world’s Computer

Microsoft Azure Local announcement

Microsoft Azure Integrated HSM

for Security first ✅

Microsoft Azure Boost DPU Chip

Microsoft adopts NVIDIA Blackwell to power the next frontier of AI supercomputing

Security is a Team Effort

Microsoft Security Exposure Management

Scott Guthrie on Stage with the Most 💗 Developer Tools

Microsoft Azure AI Foundry Announcement

Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Preview Announcement by Scott

Microsoft SQL Overview Slide with Fabric 😉

Jeremy Winter about Azure and staying ahead of evolving threats at every layer

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Hyper-V

This was my first day impression of Microsoft Ignite 2024 Event, It was Awesome to see and hear all the News!

Here you find the Microsoft Ignite 2024 Book of News

Let’s go for Day 2 of Microsoft Ignite 2024

December 22, 2023
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Happy Holidays

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year 2024!
Thank you for all your support in the Community.

Join these Free LinkedIn Community Groups during the Holidays and keep up-to-date 😉

Microsoft Azure Monitor & Security for Hybrid IT

Azure Hybrid Community

Windows Admin Center Community

Azure DevOps Community

Containers in the Cloud

Azure Copilot and Security Copilot (NEW)

December 22, 2022
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

Thank you #Community and #Microsoft for this Awesome Year 2022! Happy Holidays

What a Year 2022!!

I like to thank you Community for Supporting, Sharing and Reading New Microsoft technologies on my Blog, Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn Community Groups 💗 I wish you all happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 2023 may the Best Wishes comes true ! 🎄🥂

I’m very proud and Honored on the Microsoft Global MVP Awards 2022-2023 !

MVP Award for Cloud and Datacenter Management
MVP Award for Windows Insiders
MVP Award for Azure Hybrid

Thank you Microsoft Product Groups, MVP Award Program, Windows Insider Team, Azure Hybrid Team, Windows Server and Azure Stack HCI Team for all your support, NDA PGI sessions, and for the Awesome software, Features, solutions you are building 🙂
Wish you all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 2023 may the Best Wishes comes true ! 🎄🥂

Here are some Great links for Reading and Sharing :

JOIN these LinkedIn Community Groups for free and Share New Microsoft Technologies Together:

Windows Admin Center Community Group

Containers in the Cloud Community Group

Microsoft Azure Monitor & Security for Hybrid IT Community Group

Azure Hybrid Community Group

Azure DevOps Community Group

What I really love is the Microsoft Tech Community platform

For Microsoft Azure Hybrid:

Azure Arc Jumpstart site

Azure Hybrid and Multi Cloud documentation

Microsoft Azure Arc Community monthly Meetup (GitHub)

Follow on Twitter for Azure Hybrid:

@ThomasMaurer

@LiorKamrat

@rcTibi

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For Windows Insiders:

Microsoft Windows Insiders Blog

Windows Insider Team on YouTube

The Windows Insider Program Team is really active on Twitter:
@WindowsInsider

Get started with the Windows Server Insider program

What’s New in Windows Server 2022

Overview of Windows Admin Center

What’s New in SQL Server 2022

October 31, 2021
by James van den Berg Leave a comment

JOIN Microsoft Ignite 2021 Event November 2-4 #MSIgnite #Azure #Winserv #Windows11 #Hybrid

Microsoft Ignite 2021

Join Microsoft and the Community November 2–4, 2021 to explore the latest tools, training sessions, technical expertise, networking opportunities, and more. You can register here

Here you find some great MSIgnite guidance on Microsoft Tech Community :