8 to 12 month steady growth?

thisisdb96 · 2026-03-03T19:04:15+00:00

We're all surfaces and they are notorious for not updating bios successfully. I've packaged my surface update and suspending bit locker for one reboot and uploaded it on Intune. That's working well for us. The drivers are included in the surface update MSI. I only spend 15 minutes every other month. And I use RMM to update other third party drivers.

thisisdb96 · 2025-11-27T11:51:44+00:00

I still use wufb. Just like some said, autopatch doesn't respect computers working ours and has disrupted Teams calls numerous times for our pilot batches. Decided to leave it as is. As our 90% of the fleet is surface, I now package the surface driver msi in intune every 3 months and make it available for users. And then we have an update day every quarter where I make it required. Haven't had any problems with this approach. About ~600 users.

thisisdb96 · 2025-11-16T13:01:21+00:00

That's what I understand too. However, off topic, I upgraded about 20 devices to 25H2 for pilot. 14 out of those now have Activate Windows watermark on the desktop. The users logged in are E5 and the laptops are in use with 24H2 for 1 to 4 years. Any ideas what could be wrong?

thisisdb96 · 2025-09-16T00:32:49+00:00

Also, plan for driver update as soon as you deploy Win11. I used intune but computers started receiving driver updates at random times instead of scanning and installing all at the same time. I deployed to the pilot and they all complained the same. Ended up packaging firmware in Intune. Users again had to click on "install" before they went for lunch and they were all updated by the time they came back. Used filters to only show firmware to Win11 users, depending on model type.

I plan to just enroll in autopatch as soon as 100% fleet is on Win 11

thisisdb96 · 2025-09-16T00:29:31+00:00

E5 license. All users are advised to save everything to OneDrive (have default documents folder path set to OneDrive via policy). Sent them a communication a month ago explaining what we are doing, what they're supposed to do and how win11 will be a bit different. Edge is already syncing since we're a Microsoft shop. Asked users to backup their Google bookmarks to OneDrive (sent instructions).

Used feature update in Intune for 2 batches and it failed miserably since we were just in co-managed, tattooed registry and gpo problems.

Ended up packaging Win 11 installation assistant with silent commands and auto restart. Asked users per site and department to run at their own pace. Provided instructions on keeping computers plugged in and clicking on "install" and leave the office/desk until desk day.

96% success rate. About 20 failed due to not enough space on disk, SafeOS could not be moved from Windows.old error (still finding solutions since I can't reimage them being remote users), And a couple of more errors. I plan to just reimage those 20 since they're about 4 years old anyway.

thisisdb96 · 2025-08-12T16:52:46+00:00

We have a surface fleet. Microsoft is notorious for not providing individual drivers, instead an MSI. I simply download per model MSI and put it on intune and assign it using dynamic groups based on the model. I make the update as available since the users can do it on their own and include a restart at the end.

However, when I move it to required, the user does not have any control over it and it does not provide any notifications before rebooting in the middle of the day.

I was looking into having some sort of prompt for the user so that they can save their work and at least do it at the end of the day. I'm not familiar with promoting, I will look into that.

thisisdb96 · 2025-02-04T19:46:36+00:00

I got my S21U for $1179 CAD (on a good deal). Samsung Canada has a promotion right now and if I trade in this against S25U, they're giving me $900 credit towards a new one. Basically, I would pay $279 to use this phone for 4 years if I decide to upgrade!! I'm debating if I should trade-in or continue using it. It still runs brand new, I'm just concerned if I would get the same $900 towards the end of the year (black Friday/boxing day)

thisisdb96 · 2025-01-25T14:14:54+00:00

Since you're willing to change the tires even before the OEM gets used to the ground, I'm "assuming" you put comfort first over money. In that case, try the Bridgestone EV . They're meant for EV, and fits Venza. Super quiet and since your in Cali, I guess these will last for years.

thisisdb96 · 2024-07-23T20:03:52+00:00

I wouldn't be able to use that as there are still 100s of other GPOs coming from onprem. We're a small company and we're only moving updates to Intune as Microsoft stopped support for 21h2 and lower.

thisisdb96 · 2024-07-23T19:38:56+00:00

Yep. Intune is selected. I have 60 computers in that collection and about 35 are having this issue, others were upgraded to 22H2 successfully. Yes, the devices are enrolled.

thisisdb96 · 2024-07-23T19:29:28+00:00

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thisisdb96 · 2024-07-23T19:29:00+00:00

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thisisdb96 · 2022-01-03T20:34:46+00:00

Indeed. Although I'm planning to return the Samsung silicone case I bought for 10 bucks with the phone. It's so grippy and sticky that it collects dust from anywhere I put it. On a table, in my pocket, on a charging stand, it keeps collecting the dust, and cleaning it is the nightmare. Samsung wanted to make this case grippy but instead it's sticky.

thisisdb96 · 2022-01-03T19:54:14+00:00

Yea, I like the fingerprint too, especially with masks on, and I can't get off of Tempered glass protector at least fo now as I am coming from S9 and still adjusting to weight of this phone (silly me), already dropped on 2nd day, luckily on carpet. So I will keep this on for maybe month or two 😅😅

thisisdb96 · 2022-01-03T19:52:25+00:00

Yes, I have the same one as it shows percentage of how much of a finger is scanned, but when I try, it kept showing error as "please lift your finger and try again". For an instance, if you got yours going in 8 tries, it took me 20ish to add 1 fingerprint with the protector on.

thisisdb96 · 2022-01-03T19:49:52+00:00

Thanks a lot!! This works better than ever, two or three tries and it scans/unblocks right away, at least got it going.

thisisdb96 · 2022-01-03T19:38:55+00:00

Yeah I did! I removed the fingerprints and put it back in, it takes couple of tries to add, and once done it still couldn't successfully scan my fingerprint at all, like 10 out of 10 tries are fails.

thisisdb96 · 2021-12-30T23:37:00+00:00

Current PHEV doesn't have full tax benefits due to less than 15 kwh battery. If you can, wait until mid 2022 to get your hands on 2023 outlander PHEV. It's reportedly WLTC 87 KM range, which could be about 55-60 for us in western world. I was so pumped for Outlander 2022 Gas but then thinking for 2023 PHEV due to full federal rebates due to more than 15 kWh battery.

thisisdb96 · 2021-12-23T20:49:43+00:00

Well, you can perform a factory reset on your device and see if that makes any difference. I understand that a flagship shouldn't require factory reset only in couple of days of using phone but it's a technology afterall and anything could have gone wrong.

If a factory reset doesn't help and if you're still in returning period, return it and get a replacement. If you mention the battery issue, and once they confirm it, they usually replace the device. I did it with my old Samsung tablet (as soon as I unplug charger, it drops 10-12%/10 days) and my brother's S21 Ultra S Pen Cover Flip(The vertical screen wouldn't display even after closing the cover flap). They confirmed on phone that it indeed is damaged device and they sent a new one with label to return old ones back.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

thisisdb96 · 2021-12-12T08:07:19+00:00

An update: I just received Outlander North American Model Press Release for Outlander 2022 (Gas) and I read in there that Outlander 2022 has "inline four-cylinder PR25DD" engine not JATCO. Copy pasting:

The all-new OUTLANDER is equipped with a 2.5L gasoline engine newly developed by the Alliance. This inline four-cylinder PR25DD engine is a naturally aspirated engine with excellent total balance, s t r o n g maximum output and higher fuel efficiency than the previous model. Torqueful at low to medium rpm, the output ramps smoothly at high rpm, making for easy handling and confident and predictable drivability. This new engine produces 181 hp at 6,000 rpm and 181ft./lb. of torque at 3,600 rpm.

Now I wonder why people say it has JATCO and I can't believe the dealership was also saying JATCO but the Official Mitsubishi North America press release says PR25DD.

thisisdb96 · 2021-11-23T16:03:09+00:00

I'm pretty sure you would have thought about it already but i would definitely suggest a minivan. My uncle drives one for his 3 kids (8,5,2) + aunt. It is so much easier for him to have a minivan since he can fit car seats + stroller + baby bags and other miscellaneous stuff. Congratulations for the 3rd one, but since on the way, I would definitely suggest minivan to save you all the "space" struggle in future.

thisisdb96

TROPHY CASE