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Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Windows PowerShell: What you absolutely need to know

  You won't get far with PowerShell unless you know the basics. This article breaks down the key components and terminology to get you started. Continue Reading

• Defining the relationship between Outlook, AD and Exchange Server

  Find out how Outlook, AD and Exchange are connected and the roles each play for users. Continue Reading

• The anatomy of a Distributed File System namespace

  Namespaces in DFS present users with a centralized view of file server resources. This article dissects the basic components of a DFS namespace. Continue Reading

• Crash course on Microsoft Outlook 2007 calendar sharing

  Microsoft Outlook 2007's calendar is a great way to keep tabs on your schedule and let co-workers know when you're free. Learn how to share your calendar and access other user's calendars. Continue Reading

• Nine Exchange Server risks you shouldn't overlook

  Missing patches, inadequate malware protection and OWA weaknesses can set up your Exchange Server for attacks. What security measures have you overlooked? Continue Reading

• What's new in Microsoft Outlook 2010?

  Microsoft upped the ante with Outlook 2010 by adding new features to help users increase productivity and become less reliant on the Help Desk.Continue Reading

• Disaster prevention strategies for Active Directory forests

  While the need to restore an entire AD forest is rare, having a solid forest recovery plan in place can ensure that smaller components like objects and DCs are recovered quickly.Continue Reading

• Web server security practices for Windows environments

  Web server security is critical to overall network protection. Learn how to harden a Web server and test the security of your deployment.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a priv1.edb and a pub1.edb file?

  Find out how to discern between priv1.edb and pub1.edb files on Exchange Server and the type of backup solution you should be using.Continue Reading

• Fixing lingering object problems in complex Active Directory forests

  Lingering objects can provide an inconsistent view of the Active Directory and confuse administrators. Learn how to find and remove them in complex forests.Continue Reading

• Message date and send times showing incorrectly in Outlook and OWA

  After an IMAP migration, users' mailboxes are showing messages with the wrong date and time. Find out why this may be happening and how to remedy it.Continue Reading

• How to find and remove lingering objects in Active Directory

  Don't you hate when deleted objects continue to pop up in Active Directory? Learn to troubleshoot the issue with a little AD housecleaning.Continue Reading

• Outlook 2007 shut-down problems and fixes

  Several issues can cause errors when Microsoft Outlook 2007 shuts down. Finding and diagnosing the root cause should be your first line of defense in preventing future problems. Check the add-in applications that use Outlook's data files to see if ...Continue Reading

• Perfmon made easy with PAL utility

  Performance Monitor in Windows is a great troubleshooting tool, but analyzing logs can be tedious. Learn to use the free PAL utility to take the time out of troubleshooting.Continue Reading

• Working with Active Directory snapshots in Windows Server 2008

  Taking snapshots of your Active Directory is a good idea if you plan on making any major changes. This tip walks you through the process of creating and managing snapshots in AD.Continue Reading

• Converting Citrix XenServer source machines to Hyper-V format

  Migrating from Citrix XenServer to Microsoft Hyper-V is easier than you think. Check out these two different methods for converting your virtual machines.Continue Reading

• Should you disable IE ESC, or manage it in Windows servers?

  Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration (IE ESC) locks down IE on Windows servers, but admins often disable it.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows application crashes or hangs

  A hanging or failed application can be one of the most challenging problems for admins to resolve. Fortunately, several free tools and techniques can be used to help sort things out.Continue Reading

• Creating Windows taskpad views for Active Directory management

  Large enterprises can't get by with just one Active Directory admin. Learn to use taskpads in Windows to help delegate responsibilities in AD.Continue Reading

• Fix Outlook 2007 and SharePoint synchronization breaks

  The .pst file that is created when synchronizing Outlook and SharePoint is linked to a user's profile. However, synchronization can break if roaming profiles are being used. There are a couple of settings you can enable to work around this ...Continue Reading

• Preventing duplicate SMTP addresses on Exchange

  See our expert's advice for dealing with and removing duplicate SMTP addresses.Continue Reading

• Connecting Hyper-V hosts to iSCSI targets in Windows

  Creating failover clusters is key to ensuring high availability of your virtual machines. Learn to use iSCSI targets for single-site host clusters.Continue Reading

• Understand the pros and cons of Microsoft Windows 7 DirectAccess

  Discover how Microsoft's Windows 7 DirectAccess can help midsized companies obtain secure remote end-to-edge and end-to-end access, tunneled through a Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess Server. Plus, examine the advantages and limitations of this ...Continue Reading

• Using DFSR for SYSVOL replication in Windows Server 2008

  With the release of Windows Server 2008, admins can now use DFSR for SYSVOL replication (instead of FRS). The catch? A tricky migration process when upgrading from Windows Server 2003.Continue Reading

• The most useful SharePoint Web Parts

  Applying MOSS 2007 Web Parts can add functions to SharePoint and increase user adoption. And best of all, they don't require administrator intervention to install, maintain and upgrade.Continue Reading

• Custom error message redirects OWA users

  If SSL encryption is required and your Outlook Web Access users forget to type the HTTPS:// prefix, they may receive an error message. Set up a custom error message to redirect OWA users to the correct site using this HTML code.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook error message: 'Mailbox Size Limit exceeded'

  An Exchange administrator keeps receiving an error message stating 'Mailbox Size Limit exceeded.' See what to check before taking action.Continue Reading

• Obtaining and verifying SSL certificates in Exchange Server

  Many security features in Exchange Server rely on SSL. Obtaining trusted certificates can tighten security and boost performance for SSL-based applications, including OWA and Exchange mobile devices.Continue Reading

• How SQL Server recovery models impact your SharePoint databases

  SharePoint administrators can minimize data loss by selecting the appropriate SQL Server recovery model. But which model is right for your enterprise?Continue Reading

• Document version control goes deeper in SharePoint 2007

  MOSS 2007 has the ability to differentiate between major and minor versions, but that adds to its complexity.Continue Reading

• Migrating virtual machines from Microsoft Virtual Server to Hyper-V

  Upgrading from Virtual Server 2005 to a Hyper-V environment? This tip breaks down the steps to converting your old virtual machines to the Microsoft Hyper-V format.Continue Reading

• Debugging Windows client logon delays: Narrowing the scope

  There are several potential causes of slow client logons. The question is, once you find the source, how do you fix it?Continue Reading

• Common causes of Windows server security vulnerabilities

  When it comes to Windows security most organizations are making the same mistakes, but there are ways to avoid these slipups.Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook Web Access problems

  When logging on to Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), unexpected problems can occur. This tutorial explains how to diagnose some tricky OWA problems and login issues, gives tips on how to fix IIS metabase corruption and more.Continue Reading

• Simple tools and techniques for finding Windows memory leaks

  Symptoms of a memory leak can show up long before a server fails. Check out these tips for catching a leak early and plugging it up.Continue Reading

• Using Active Directory to manage Macs in a Windows environment

  He's a Mac, she's a PC, and you're a Windows admin. Learn to integrate Mac OS X clients into your Windows environment without causing AD headaches.Continue Reading

• Restore contacts from an Exchange public folder

  Learn the best methods to restore contacts that were stored in an Exchange public folder.Continue Reading

• Sending poll questions through Exchange to non-Outlook users

  Learn if you can send out polling questions through Exchange Server to recipients who don't use Microsoft Outlook.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting poor Windows logon performance in Active Directory environments

  Battling slow client logon times is a common (and frustrating) problem for Windows admins. Find the steps to quickly diagnose and resolve these issues when they crop up.Continue Reading

• Top Windows server hardening standards and guidelines

  Take a look beyond the basics of server hardening and learn about the most common policies and standards for ensuring Windows server security.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows print spooler crashes

  Wondering why your print spooler keeps crashing? This tip teaches you to troubleshoot and repair print spooler problems and issues for Windows networks.Continue Reading

• Disable ActiveSync in bulk with Exchange Management Shell commands

  With this Exchange Management Shell script, you can disable 5,000 or more ActiveSync device users in Exchange Server 2007, securing sensitive data from potential loss.Continue Reading

• Does Microsoft SharePoint make a good email archiving solution?

  After overhearing one Exchange Server administrator mention that he was using Microsoft SharePoint for email archiving, contributor Brien Posey wondered if this was a good idea. Read about how one Exchange Server expert set up SharePoint as an email...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting your toughest Windows server crashes

  Learn to debug some of the toughest Windows server outages by using crash dump analysis and a few simple commands to locate faulty drivers.Continue Reading

• Eight steps to accomplishing your IT career goals

  Stand out from your colleagues. These eight steps can help you achieve your IT career goals and take control of your career.Continue Reading

• Performing a remote wipe on ActiveSync devices in Exchange Server 2007

  Exchange Server 2007 natively supports remotely wiping of ActiveSync mobile devices. This capability required an add-on to Exchange Server 2003 and the final result was not nearly as polished and easy to use as it is in Exchange 2007. Learn ...Continue Reading

• Fix 'Service unavailable' errors and other common OWA login problems

  Common Outlook Web Access (OWA) logon errors involve unavailable service or inheritance errors. Causes for these errors can range from the use of mismatched ASP.NET versions on an OWA Server to incorrect user permissions. This tip explains why users...Continue Reading

• How to keep IIS logs from filling up your server hard drives

  IIS log files can take up a lot of space on your servers' hard drives if you don't clean them up regularly. But who has time for that? Check out this simple script to automatically delete IIS logs and clear space on your Windows servers.Continue Reading

• A seven-step disaster recovery planning checklist for Windows

  This disaster recovery planning checklist will help Windows shops build a solid DRP to avoid data loss and comply with a wide range of laws and industry standards.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook Web Access logon issues

  Are you experiencing problems logging into Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA)? Although OWA isn't the most complicated application, its numerous deployment options can cause problems. In this tip, Exchange Server expert Brien Posey explains ...Continue Reading

• Self-healing NTFS keeps admins one step ahead of data corruption

  While it's not perfect, the new self-healing NTFS has several benefits over past Windows file systems. Learn to avoid data corruption with this new feature in Windows Server 2008.Continue Reading

• How to install the Change Request Management template in MOSS 2007

  Integrating change management into SharePoint 2007's document library can be a little easier if admins install the change request management template.Continue Reading

• The efficacy of backup-as-a-service solutions

  Online backup services can lower costs and help eliminate the administrator's worst nightmare – the lost backup. But is BaaS right for your organization?Continue Reading

• Defining system stability helps improve change management processes

  Keeping track of changes made to Windows can be difficult, especially if there's no way to determine the system's stability. Fortunately, there are guidelines IT managers can use to define policies, practices and procedures to proactively ensure ...Continue Reading

• Group Policy Object modeling simplifies network security

  Group Policy modeling is a great security tool for troubleshooting Group Policy settings and testing GPOs before they are applied with Windows Server 2008.Continue Reading

• Implementing change management in the Windows server environment

  Creating a baseline server configuration and documenting all updates thereafter are two techniques admins can use to implement change management in their Windows server environment. Learn the steps involved in creating a standard server ...Continue Reading

• How to revoke and delete Active Directory user certificates

  In this Ask the Expert Q&A, our identity and access management expert examines how to set up Active Directory autoenrollment feature to revoke and delete user certificates on the Certificate Authority (CA) automatically.Continue Reading

• Four steps to creating practical SharePoint governance standards

  Many of the qualities that make SharePoint accessible can also cause problems for those responsible for governance. To keep their SharePoint environment under control, IT managers should create SharePoint governance standards. Learn how to do so in ...Continue Reading

• Using WBAdmin to create backups in Windows Server 2008

  Who needs a GUI? Check out how the WBAdmin command allows you to perform Windows Server Backup functions from the command line.Continue Reading

• Taming the LSASS.exe process for Active Directory performance and security

  Many admins have trouble understanding how the Local Security Authority Subsystem works. This article breaks down the purpose of LSASS and explains why it can sometimes result in network performance problems.Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of a hosted Exchange Server deployment?

  Microsoft offers traditional Exchange Server licenses and cloud computing-based Exchange Server subscriptions. This raises the question of which licensing model makes sense for your enterprise. Is it better to use a traditional Exchange Server ...Continue Reading

• A quick guide to Server Manager for Windows Server 2008

  New to Windows Server 2008, the Server Manager feature can be a huge benefit to admins – once they figure out where to find everything. This article gives you a crash course on everything Server Manager has to offer.Continue Reading

• Restrict access to Outlook Web Access via Exchange System Manager

  Learn how to configure Exchange System Manager (ESM) to restrict certain users from accessing Outlook Web Access (OWA), without limiting users' LAN access.Continue Reading

• Implementing simple Network Access Protection for Windows Server 2008

  The installation process for Network Access Protection in Windows Server 2008 is easier than you think. Learn the basics of implementing NAP in your environment.Continue Reading

• Creating a SharePoint site map using out-of-the-box features

  Giving SharePoint site owners the power to manage their own part of the SharePoint site map frees up administrators to manage more critical areas of the SharePoint environment.Continue Reading

• Can Microsoft Hyper-V meet high availability requirements?

  While Hyper-V does not support live migration, admins can rely on Windows Server 2008's internal tools to avoid service interruptions for end users.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Apple iPhone and Exchange Server integration issues

  Find out how to configure Exchange ActiveSync to synchronize Apple iPhone and Exchange Server email, calendars and contacts. You'll also get tips and advice on how to avoid common iPhone and Exchange Server setup issues; how to mitigate iPhone ...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting why some Microsoft Outlook 2007 email disappears

  Exchange Server users have reported that their Microsoft Outlook 2007 email messages mysteriously disappear and then reappear later from their Sent Items or Deleted Items folders. Is this due to a configuration issue? Is it a latency issue? In this ...Continue Reading

• How to custom-configure a Microsoft Outlook 2007 install using OCT

  Installing and configuring Microsoft Outlook in an identical fashion throughout your organization gives users a uniform experience when accessing a workstation. Unfortunately, Microsoft's installation wizard doesn't provide many customization ...Continue Reading

• Breaking down the Windows Server Backup tool for Windows 2008

  A lot has changed with the NTBackup tool in Windows Server 2008 – including its name. Learn how loss of flexibility paved the way for enhanced functionality with Windows Server Backup.Continue Reading

• Top Exchange Server performance monitoring and troubleshooting tools

  Maintaining a healthy Exchange server is critical to achieving peak performance. Leveraging the monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities of tools such as the Performance Monitor, which prevents growth-related performance issues through capacity ...Continue Reading

• Extracting Exchange ActiveSync data from IIS log files

  Mobile messaging is one of the few Exchange Server features that can have a direct effect on a company's bottom line. Unfortunately, Microsoft Exchange Server lacks native reporting capabilities. Even so, it's possible to extract Exchange ActiveSync...Continue Reading

• Creating a SharePoint governance document

  Learn which issues to include in your SharePoint governance document to avoid problems down the road.Continue Reading

• Executing an .MSP customization file in Microsoft Outlook 2007

  The Office Customization Tool (OCT) from Microsoft doesn't save Outlook 2007 configuration changes automatically. You must save these changes as an .MSP file. Learn what to do with the .MSP file once it's created and how to install an .MSP file ...Continue Reading

• OWA Light vs. Exchange ActiveSync on Windows Mobile devices

  Are you wondering whether to use Outlook Web Access (OWA) Light or Exchange ActiveSync for email messages on your Windows Mobile devices? This tip details how each method affects mobile device battery life, security, ease of use and cost.Continue Reading

• Create a secure Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) redirect page

  Incorrectly typing the URL for your Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) page will result in an error message. Because users may mistakenly type HTTP instead of HTTPS to access OWA, you can easily create an OWA redirect page that doesn't sacrifice ...Continue Reading

• Why can't I grant users permissions to an Exchange public folder?

  Exchange Server public folder permissions can be complex. Get troubleshooting advice on delegating permissions to Exchange Server public folders here.Continue Reading

• Configure SMTP relay restrictions in Exchange Server 2003 to stop spam

  Find out how to configure SMTP relay restrictions in Exchange Server 2003 to stop your Exchange server from sending massive amounts of spam email.Continue Reading

• Why does a security alert pop up when accessing Outlook Web Access?

  Find out how to prevent security alerts when users access Outlook Web Access (OWA) from Internet Explorer.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Active Directory database errors

  While database errors in Active Directory can crop up occasionally, they are usually simple to fix. Check out these troubleshooting tips for when you think your AD database might be corrupted.Continue Reading

• Why too much memory can hurt Exchange Server 2007 performance

  Because Exchange Server 2007 runs on 64-bit hardware, it's tempting to add more memory to improve server performance; but don't. Find out why too much memory can actually hurt Exchange Server 2007 performance, and learn more about Microsoft's ...Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting slow Outlook Web Access (OWA) performance

  Do your Exchange mobile users struggle with slow Outlook Web Access (OWA) server performance? The initial cause may not be your OWA server, but instead a firewall or infrastructure issue. To pinpoint the root cause of slow OWA server performance, ...Continue Reading

• Windows PowerShell: A backdoor to malware?

  While Windows PowerShell is great for automating tasks, it can pose a serious security risk if you aren't careful. Learn to diffuse the situation in Windows Server 2008.Continue Reading

• Moving dynamic disks to a new Windows server

  It's a simple enough process to migrate dynamic disks into another Windows system as long as you take certain factors into account to avoid data loss.Continue Reading

• Why can't POP3 clients receive Exchange Server email?

  Get tips on how to download POP3 email to Microsoft Outlook mailboxes in a Microsoft Exchange Server setup.Continue Reading

• Checklist for harnessing Microsoft SharePoint governance

  Use these Microsoft SharePoint governance pointers to get your enterprise sites under control.Continue Reading

• Active Directory database basics: Performing an offline defrag

  A fundamental understanding of how the Active Directory database works is important for Windows admins. Learn how the database sits in the AD architecture, as well as how to properly defrag the database for peak performance.Continue Reading

• A first look at Storage Explorer for Windows Server 2008

  We've had Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer. Now say hello to Storage Explorer, a new Windows Server 2008 utility designed to help improve the management of SAN resources.Continue Reading

• Revised Outlook out-of-office (OOF) messages don't update in OWA

  If Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Web Access (OWA) display different out-of-office (OOF) messages, Cached Exchange Mode may be to blame.Continue Reading

• How to export Global Address List data to Microsoft Office Access

  Exporting an Exchange Server Global Address List into a Microsoft Office Access database can help administrators filter through GAL data easily.Continue Reading

• Branch office security: Pros and cons of read-only domain controllers

  Windows administrators have long wondered whether or not to use domain controllers for authentication in remote branch offices. In this tip, learn about the pros and cons of domain controllers in Windows environments and how read-only domain ...Continue Reading

• When (and when not) to use Windows server failover clustering

  Failover clustering offers several benefits to those running Windows Server 2008, including simpler patching processes and increased business continuity. Still, IT pros should also be aware of the potential disadvantages of clusters before ...Continue Reading

• How Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0 enhances IT service management

  The push to combine Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0 with a set of integrated tools that adhere to the IT service management lifecycle is just what the doctor ordered.Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Windows server clusters with ClusDiag

  Learn how Microsoft's Cluster Diagnostics Tool (ClusDiag) simplifies the way admins investigate and report on problems with server clusters in Windows environments.Continue Reading

• Tips for Windows domain controller optimization

  Learn to use Performance Monitor counters in Windows to optimize domain controllers for maximum system and database performance.Continue Reading

• Using ClusDiag for enhanced Windows server cluster reporting

  Learn to use some of the reporting capabilities of ClusDiag, Microsoft's free tool for Windows server cluster management, with details on how to capture logs and view cluster reports.Continue Reading

• How to access SharePoint sites through Microsoft Outlook

  If you have both Microsoft Exchange Server and SharePoint, you can easily access SharePoint sites directly from Microsoft Outlook. Here's how.Continue Reading

• Take control of server clusters with Microsoft's ClusDiag tool

  Microsoft's Cluster Diagnostics tool is a great utility for managing Windows server clusters. Learn the basics of ClusDiag, as well as installation tips to get you started.Continue Reading

• What makes Microsoft Outlook 2007's Search feature special?

  Discover how Microsoft Outlook 2007's Search feature takes advantage of Windows Vista's Desktop Search functionality. Still using Windows XP? Don't despair. You can still benefit from Outlook Search.Continue Reading

• How to verify Exchange Server email forwarding

  Find out how to verify Exchange Server email forwarding to both internal and external email accounts.Continue Reading