Manage

Manage

Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Methods for moving mailboxes and public folders to Exchange 2007

  Learn how to migrate older Exchange Server mailboxes and public folders to Exchange 2007 using the Move Mailbox Wizard GUI tool or Exchange Management Shell. Continue Reading

• How to create a cross-forest trust in Active Directory

  Building a cross-forest trust in Active Directory allows a trust to be created between the root domain of two forests. Continue Reading

• How to format NTFS: More tricks to improve file system performance

  The best security features are the ones that protect a system without slowing down the NTFS. Microsoft MVP Brien Posey offers some suggestions for finding the right balance between NTFS performance and system security. Continue Reading

• The six-layered secret of effective Exchange Server email filtering

  Discover the six key message-filtering layers that best block spam and viruses and keep unwanted email out of your Exchange 2003 or Exchange 2007 system. Continue Reading

• Managing Local Continuous Replication (LCR) in Exchange 2007

  Get an overview of Exchange Server 2007's new Local Continuous Replication (LCR) feature and learn how to manage Local Continuous Replication to provide high availability for Exchange 2007 storage groups. Continue Reading

• Windows scripting secrets for disk quota management

  Despite improvements made to disk quota management, Windows Server 2003 does not include any built-in reporting tools. Fortunately, admins can use a simple script to create reports on disk space usage.Continue Reading

• An extended look at Windows file management with PowerShell

  Scripting expert Christa Anderson explains how to use Windows PowerShell to create folders in a temporary directory and populate them from a network share.Continue Reading

• Manage Exchange 2007 public folders with the Exchange Management Shell

  Find out how to use the Exchange Management Shell to execute command-line scripts and parameters to manage Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 public folders.Continue Reading

• Recovery Manager for Active Directory Forest Edition

  This tool extends the value of Recovery Manager for Active Directory by allowing restoration of the entire forest to a point-in-time before the directory became corrupt.Continue Reading

• Recovery Manager for Active Directory

  Recovery Manager from Quest Software can help Windows administrators provide backup and recovery functionality for Active Directory.Continue Reading

• How to solve common ActiveSync error messages

  Discover how to fix common Exchange ActiveSync errors, including SSL Event ID errors 3029, 3030 and 30031, HTTP, SMTP and 0x80830003 synchronization errors.Continue Reading

• How to set up Remote Desktop for Exchange Server administration

  Learn how to use the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to manage and troubleshoot Microsoft Exchange Server from a distance via a terminal service session.Continue Reading

• How to use RACI charts to define service desk roles and responsibilities

  Using a management tool called RACI charting can help IT managers simplify the daunting task of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the service desk.Continue Reading

• How to configure ActiveSync and manage mobile devices in Exchange 2007

  Find out how to configure ActiveSync in Exchange Server 2007, set up mailbox policies and partner with mobile devices to determine their status and health.Continue Reading

• How to configure Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" provides step-by-steps for Group Policy configuration, with tips on how to use the Group Policy Management Console and GPO Editor.Continue Reading

• Best practices for using Outlook .PST files on portable USB drives

  You can save Microsoft Outlook email data in a .PST file to a portable USB storage drive, but make sure you understand these best practices first.Continue Reading

• How to configure DNS records for Exchange Server on Windows SBS 2003

  Get instructions on how to configure DNS records for an Exchange Server and Windows Small Business Server 2003 implementation.Continue Reading

• DNS troubleshooting tips for Active Directory

  Take a look at some tools and tests that will keep DNS performing well.Continue Reading

• Moving Microsoft Exchange Server databases and logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs

  Discover how to move Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or Exchange 2007 databases and transaction logs to iSCSI SAN LUNs.Continue Reading

• iSCSI SAN storage design options for Microsoft Exchange Server

  Discover three storage design approaches for deploying an iSCSI SAN for Microsoft Exchange Server and the pros and cons of each approach.Continue Reading

• Connecting Windows Server and Microsoft Exchange to iSCSI SAN LUNs

  Learn how to connect Windows Server 2003 to iSCSI SAN target LUNs and the procedure for partitioning and formatting disks on the Exchange Server system.Continue Reading

• A basic primer on iSCSI storage architecture

  Discover the basic mechanics of iSCSI storage technology and how typical iSCSI standards and components operate, including targets, initiators and LUNs.Continue Reading

• When and how to use worker process recycling with IIS

  Configuring Internet Information Services to automatically reset worker processes can solve a lot of Web application issues, but it should only be used in certain situations.Continue Reading

• How to manage and troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook rules

  Find out how to manage multiple Microsoft Outlook rules using the Outlook Rules Wizard to prevent potential email message processing conflicts.Continue Reading

• How to uninstall Exchange Server 2007 and individual server roles

  Get detailed instructions on how to uninstall Exchange 2007 and its server roles, including the Client Access, Edge Transport, Hub Transport and Mailbox server roles.Continue Reading

• Part 4: Security-related and Exchange-specific ESMTP commands

  Discover several security-related and Exchange-specific ESMTP commands that offer enhanced email delivery notification, host authentication and encryption.Continue Reading

• Part 3: How Extended SMTP works and common ESMTP commands

  Learn how Extended STMP (ESMTP) works and discover the functionality of several common ESMTP commands.Continue Reading

• Part 2: How to perform a Telnet SMTP session for Exchange Server 2003

  Get a demonstration of how to perform an SMTP session via Telnet to send email messages in Exchange Server 2003.Continue Reading

• Part 1: SMTP commands and server response codes

  Learn how several common SMTP commands work and the meaning of SMTP numeric response codes.Continue Reading

• Using the Active Directory Migration Tool in a large environment

  Discover why using the Active Directory Migration Tool in a large Exchange Server environment may not be the best option for a successful migration.Continue Reading

• How to use SSL Diagnostics 1.0 to identify issues in IIS

  Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit's SSL tool to diagnose Secret Socket Layer related IIS issues.Continue Reading

• How to use Microsoft's IIS Diagnostics Toolkit

  In this resource guide, contributor Tim Fenner offers an overview of the seven utilities in the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit and provides instructions on how to download and use them.Continue Reading

• How to use the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit's WFetch 1.4 utility

  Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit's WFetch 1.4 utility to troubleshoot connectivity issues between IIS and Web clients.Continue Reading

• How to install the Microsoft IIS Diagnostics Toolkit

  In this excerpt from "Inside the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit," contributor Tim Fenner explains the ways Windows admins can install the Toolkit so they can use it to tackle IIS-related issues.Continue Reading

• How to use SMTP Diagnostics 1.0 to troubleshoot IIS issues

  Learn about the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit's SMTP Diagnostics 1.0 utility which admins can use to troubleshoot DNS or SMTP configuration issues .Continue Reading

• How to use Trace Diagnostics 1.0 to troubleshoot IIS issues

  Learn how to use the IIS Toolkit's Trace Diagnostics 1.0 utility to troubleshoot Internet Information Services (IIS) - related problems.Continue Reading

• How to use the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit's Log Parser 2.2. utility

  Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostics Toolkit's Log Parser 2.2 utility to troubleshoot IIS Web server issues.Continue Reading

• How to use AuthDiag 1.0 to troubleshoot IIS problems

  Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit's AuthDiag 1.0 utility to diagnose, check and monitor permission or security problems for Web and FTP requests.Continue Reading

• How to use Debug Diagnostics to troubleshoot IIS issues

  Learn how to use the IIS Diagnostic Toolkit's Debug Diagnostics utility to troubleshoot performance issues in any Win32 user-mode process.Continue Reading

• A Windows administrator's guide to printer management

  This guide examines the printer management issues Windows admins commonly encounter and the tools and tactics that can help optimize printer performance.Continue Reading

• How to use PowerShell to build a disk cleanup utility

  For people interested in how things tick, computers can be a satisfying test medium because the changes you make have an immediate effect. But it's also possible to make changes that can't be reversed or can only be reversed with a lot of pain. ...Continue Reading

• How to configure Exchange 2003 as a front-end server

  Learn how to configure an Exchange 2003 server to act as a front-end server after a Microsoft Exchange/Windows upgrade and hardware migration.Continue Reading

• How to set up Exchange 2007 message classifications

  Learn how to set up Exchange 2007 message classifications and transport rules to secure and control the way email is handled and distributed in your organization.Continue Reading

• Part 2: Displaying message classifications in Outlook 2007

  Exchange 2007 message classifications are hidden from Microsoft Outlook 2007 by default. If a message is classified by a transport rule, Outlook will display the classification. However, Outlook 2007 cannot be used to manually classify a message ...Continue Reading

• How to automate Windows Server 2003 defrag

  Learn how to set up Windows Server 2003's DEFRAG command-line tool so it runs without the need for manual administrative maintenance.Continue Reading

• Why detective controls are important in change management

  Change is a way of life in Windows IT shops. By using detective controls, Windows managers can minimize the risks associated with changes to production services.Continue Reading

• How to set up an SSL certificate to encrypt OWA and ActiveSync traffic

  Learn step-by-step how to set up Windows 2003 as a certificate authority, create an SSL certificate and encrypt email traffic for OWA and Exchange ActiveSync.Continue Reading

• How to reverse NTFS object ownership from administrators to object's creator -- and why

  When an admin adds their personal user account to the Administrators group and then creates an NTFS object, Windows sets the object's owner to the administrators and not to its creator's account. By completing these six simple steps, admins can ...Continue Reading

• Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Administration Guide

  Browse Exchange Server 2003 administration best practices, tips, and tools that will help you manage all aspects of your Microsoft email environment.Continue Reading

• How to perform an inter-site replication between two domain controllers

  Our server management expert explains how to perform an inter-site replication between two domain controllers.Continue Reading

• How to reset a BIOS password

  Our systems management expert explains how to reset a BIOS password.Continue Reading

• How to disable the Open File Security Warning dialog box

  Our server management expert reveals two ways that admins can disable the Open File Security Warning dialog box.Continue Reading

• How to use SMTP queues to troubleshoot mail flow

  Find out how you can use SMTP queues to diagnose and troubleshoot Exchange Server mail flow and email performance issues.Continue Reading

• Manage folder permissions in Windows networks

  Learn how to prevent users from creating and deleting folders, and improve folder management and file management for Windows network security.Continue Reading

• How to create a network printer pool

  You can avoid congestion on a network printer by creating a printer pool -- a group of printers attached to a common print queue, so multiple documents can be printed simultaneously. Here's how to create a printer pool in a Windows Server 2003 ...Continue Reading

• How to retrieve email from an SMTP server using POP3

  Follow these steps to retrieve email from an SMTP server using POP3 in Microsoft Outlook 2003.Continue Reading

• How to repair damaged Master Boot Records and boot sectors

  Boot problems can be relatively easy to fix and do not require reinstalling Windows. But you should understand how the boot process works in order to recognize circumstances that will cause problems.Continue Reading

• Part 1: How Microsoft Exchange Direct Push technology works

  Learn how Microsoft Exchange Direct Push technology works and how it uses HTTPS and "heartbeat messages" to synchronize email to mobile devices.Continue Reading

• How to get process information with Windows PowerShell

  In this column, Christa Anderson explains how to use Windows PowerShell's get-process cmdlet to retrieve information about the processes on your computer and how to kill the unnecessary ones.Continue Reading

• Enabling incoming email functionality in SharePoint

  Learn how to install the SMTP service to enable inbound email on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 from Exchange Server 2007.Continue Reading

• How to properly authenticate a Linux client in a Windows domain

  MVP Gary Olsen describes the step-by-step process of configuring a Red Hat Fedora client into a Windows Server 2003 domain.Continue Reading

• IT communication builds incident management successes

  The key to successful incident management is a strong connection among the incident management, service desk and problem management staffs. If a disconnect between them exists, you can make things better, says expert Stuart Galup.Continue Reading

• Windows Remote Management

  Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is a feature of Windows Vista that allows administrators to remotely run management scripts... (Continued)Continue Reading

• Windows Remote Management (WinRM)

  Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is a feature of Windows Vista that allows administrators to remotely run management scripts... (Continued)Continue Reading

• How to find your Exchange Server store size limit

  Learn how to find your Exchange Server store size limit in the event log and what to do if you get an error saying you don't have the correct .DLL files to render an event.Continue Reading

• How to install and configure an Edge Transport server for Exchange 2007

  Learn how an Edge Transport server for Exchange 2007 works, and get step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure one to filter spam, viruses and unauthorized content from your organization's incoming and outgoing email.Continue Reading

• How to detect data corruption in files and folders

  Data corruption that occurs within a file or folder will usually go unnoticed if you're simply backing up the data and testing the backup by restoring it elsewhere. If the files or folders that have been corrupted are used infrequently, you may ...Continue Reading

• How to set up Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) for Exchange Server monitoring

  Learn how to set up Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 to monitor Exchange Server 2003 performance, interpret the results and display them in an easy-to-understand manner.Continue Reading

• A Windows administrator's guide to file management

  File management in Windows is not just about finding the right places for user data and application data, but also anticipating and planning for changes that may need to be made in how things are stored—all the while, dealing with quirks of ...Continue Reading

• Incident management made easier with Microsoft Service Desk

  Expert Stuart Galup gives the skinny on Microsoft's help desk software, called Service Desk, and explains why help desk software and automated incident management can make your life a lot easier.Continue Reading

• SLAs and service-level management: What does it mean for Windows managers?

  Windows service-level management is a business process for managing Windows user service requirements in an IT environment. A key component of a Windows service-level management plan is a service-level agreement (SLA). Expert Harris Kern explains ...Continue Reading

• How to save and run scripts with Windows PowerShell

  Learn how to save a Windows PowerShell cmdlet and edit Powershell settings so saved scripts will execute.Continue Reading

• How to terminate SCSI devices

  Termination is the practice of placing a terminator at the end of a chain of SCSI devices. The terminator prevents an echo, which disrupts communications along the SCSI bus.Continue Reading

• How to use Microsoft Outlook 2007's Quick Parts feature

  Discover how to use Microsoft Outlook 2007's Quick Parts feature (formerly known as AutoText) to save fragments of text in a gallery for repeated use in email.Continue Reading

• How to retrieve lost files using Group Policy folder redirection

  Learn how to combat many file and folder disasters using the 'Redirect My Documents' option via Group Policy in the Windows domain.Continue Reading

• How to recover email in a specific date range from a .PST file

  Get step-by-step instructions on how to recover email that falls within a specific data range from a Microsoft Outlook 2003 .PST file.Continue Reading

• Case Study: How to force immediate Active Directory replication for all core sites

  Just how fast can replication take place in your Active Directory network? You might be surprised. Systems software expert Gary Olsen presents a case study on how to use intrasite replication to achieve convergence of all core sites in one Active ...Continue Reading

• AGDLP reduces account management, permissions management headaches

  AGDLP is a practice that can greatly reduce your administrative headaches related to account management and permissions management.Continue Reading

• Step 1: How to create an ActiveSync Mailbox Policy in Exchange Server 2007

  Learn how to create an Exchange 2007 mobile device security policy, called an ActiveSync Mailbox Polilcy, that can password protect mobile devices on a per-user basis.Continue Reading

• Part 3: How the SMTP categorizer works in Exchange Server and Active Directory

  Learn how the SMTP categorizer, a part of Exchange's message transport engine, performs Active Directory LDAP queries to determine which server contains the recipient's mailbox.Continue Reading

• How Exchange Server performs Active Directory LDAP queries

  Exchange MVP Brien Posey describes the three services Exchange Server uses to perform Active Directory LDAP queries: DSAccess, DSProxy and the SMTP categorizer.Continue Reading

• Part 1: How the DSAccess service works in Exchange Server and Active Directory

  DSAccess service is one of three components responsible for Exchange Server's LDAP queries to Active Directory. Find out why DSAccess is considered the most critical.Continue Reading

• Part 2: How the DSProxy service works in Exchange Server and Active Directory

  DSProxy service, one component responsible for Exchange Server's LDAP queries, helps alleviate communication issues that older and newer versions of Microsoft Outlook encounter.Continue Reading

• How to enable Exchange Server public folder logging

  SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta explains how to enable Exchange 2000 Server public folder logging so an administrator can track which users are deleting items from public folders.Continue Reading

• Using S/MIME in Microsoft Outlook

  In this tip from "8 tips in 8 minutes: A Microsoft Outlook email security tutorial," you'll learn everything you need to know about setting S/MIME options, managing certificates, signing or encrypting a message, and steps to updating the Microsoft ...Continue Reading

• An overview of Microsoft Outlook email security features

  In the following tip from "8 tips in 8 minutes: A Microsoft Outlook email security tutorial," you'll gain an in-depth overview of Microsoft Outlook's email security features including security zone changes, the Outlook security update, S/MIME ...Continue Reading

• Customizing Microsoft Outlook email security settings for end users

  In this tip from "8 tips in 8 minutes: A Microsoft Outlook email security tutorial," you'll learn tricks to allow or prevent your users from customizing their own Microsoft Outlook email security settings.Continue Reading

• Using Information Rights Management in Microsoft Outlook

  In this tip from "8 tips in 8 minutes: A Microsoft Outlook email security tutorial," you'll learn how to set up Information Rights Management (IRM) and Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) client components to protect and control Microsoft ...Continue Reading

• Group Policy management: Disabling CMD

  You can disable CMD in Group Policy in two steps according to Wes Noonan, our Windows-based network infrastructure security design expert. In this tip, he'll tell you how to prevent your network users from enabling CMD.Continue Reading

• Create and manage hardware profiles

  Hardware profiles, which are set by a systems administrator, describe which pieces of hardware are enabled or disabled when a system is booted under a given profile. They eliminate the process of Windows having to redetect hardware. This tip will ...Continue Reading

• A disciplined approach to the Windows change management process

  Change management is a simple concept, but the process can be complex. Expert Harris Kern highlights the IT staff's roles in the Windows change management process.Continue Reading

• Part 1: An overview of the Exchange public folder replication process

  Get a general overview of how the Exchange public folder replication process works through the use of the Exchange Information Store service and Active Directory.Continue Reading

• Part 4: How to create Exchange public folder replicas

  Get step-by-step instructions on how to create, configure and modify Exchange public folder replica settings in Exchange System Manager.Continue Reading

• Kerberos protocol: What every admin should know about Windows authentication

  Kerberos can be a difficult protocol to understand for some Active Directory admins, so it's best to start at the beginning. Expert Gary Olsen describes the basics of how Kerberos authentication and authorization works for Windows.Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery planning: The execution methodology

  There are certain methods to creating a solid disaster recovery plan that every IT manager should follow. Expert Russell Olsen breaks down the key steps to proper disaster recovery planning.Continue Reading

• How to obtain Exchange 2007's commercial version, self-extracting version and .ISO version

  There are three different media editions of Exchange Server 2007 -- the commercial version, self-extracting version and .ISO version. Learn how to obtain each version and discover a couple of hardware caveats you should be aware of before ...Continue Reading

• Manage servers and SANs better by understanding SCSI

  Most servers and SANs use SCSI drives, which typically perform better than the IDE hard drives prevalent in workstations and consumer-grade computers. In short, it's almost impossible for an administrator to allocate storage in a SAN, build a ...Continue Reading

• Improve your Windows server's performance: 10 tips in 10 minutes

  There are a number of simple things you can do to help increase your server's performance. None of these things -- with the possible exception of moving the pagefile to a dedicated disk -- will do much by itself, but collectively these techniques ...Continue Reading

• How to add the 'Create Mailbox' menu option to Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)

  If you're Recipient Update Server (RUS) has not stamped your Exchange Server accounts, you may not see the "Create Mailbox" menu option in Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC). SearchExchange.com expert David Sengupta explains how to remedy ...Continue Reading

• Guide to hard disk drive management

  SearchWinComputing.com contributors identify issues they've encountered while managing and maintaining hard disk drives.Continue Reading