Tips

Tips

Microsoft Active Directory Migration

• Ease migrations with Windows Server Migration Tools cmdlets

  An in-place Windows Server upgrade is easier than a server migration. When an upgrade isn't possible, admins can ease the transition with a Microsoft snap-in.  Continue Reading

• Make the right move with the Active Directory Migration Tool

  Migrating Active Directory to a new version should go smoothly if you follow best practices and make sure you have a way to undo the procedure if things start to go wrong.  Continue Reading

• New Active Directory features coming in Windows Server 2016

  Lost in the containers buzz are several key improvements to Active Directory to make identity and access administration easier.  Continue Reading

• Do Active Directory functional levels still matter?

  Will there be enough improvements in the next version of Active Directory for administrators to consider raising functional levels?  Continue Reading

• Stop disk drive overload to increase system performance

  This user submitted tip reveals how admins can can use RAID arrays stop hard disk drive overload to increase system performance.  Continue Reading

• Remote control of Windows PCs simpler through PsExec than Remote Desktop

  The Remote Desktop feature is the most common way to control a Windows box remotely, but sometimes you need something simpler than Remote Desktop. The command-line utility PsExec from Mark Russinovich lets you run a remotely executed command instead...  Continue Reading

• TCP/IP no longer supported over Firewire/IEEE 1394 in Vista

  In Vista, Microsoft has discontinued support for TCP/IP over IEEE 1394. So much for Firewire networking. But there are a few consolations.  Continue Reading

• Changes to Active Directory: Windows Server 2003 SP1

  While Active Directory changed a lot with the release of Windows Server 2003, even more changes took place when the first service pack came out. Expert Laura E. Hunter walks through what's new in AD with Windows Server 2003 SP1.  Continue Reading

• Calculating folder sizes simplified

  Microsoft Explorer won't calculate the size of a folder unless you specifically ask for it, and the process of calculating a folder size can take a long time. But there are third-party programs that allow you to obtain this information more easily.  Continue Reading

• Active Directory for Windows 2000 and 2003: What's the difference?

  A common question among IT admins involves the differences in Active Directory for Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. Expert Laura E. Hunter breaks down the key changes that took place in Active Directory when the new operating system was ...  Continue Reading

• BOOT.INI file demystified by configuration tool

  The BOOT.INI file, which contains the basic startup information for a given installation of Windows, is not self-documenting. Now a company called Open Systems Resources has created a free utility that helps admins work with this sometimes ...  Continue Reading

• Installer hangs when upgrading or removing .NET Framework

  A problem is encountered when trying upgrade or remove an edition of Microsoft's .NET Framework. The installer (or uninstaller) hangs when trying to register (or unregister) a number of the .NET .DLLs.  Continue Reading

• Run admin tools from a desktop

  Find out how to act as a standard user and still be able to run administrative tools from your own desktop.  Continue Reading

• Active Directory: Dealing with upgrades and user logs for Windows Server 2003 AD

  Expert Laura E. Hunter answers reader questions ranging from how many users can be implemented in a Win2K3 Active Directory to how to upgrade from an NT4 domain.  Continue Reading

• Patch testing on a budget

  While it is best to test patches prior to production, testing environments can be costly. This tip explains how to reduce these costs.  Continue Reading