Tips

Tips

• Control Microsoft Outlook .PST file size and usage via the registry

  Learn how to control and prevent Microsoft Outlook .PST problems by implementing registry keys that manage ANSI- and Unicode-based .PST file size and usage.  Continue Reading

• IT compliance documentation: Do it now

  There's no time like the present for Windows managers to discuss IT compliance issues with their legal teams.  Continue Reading

• Using a cost management analysis to manage change in a Windows shop

  When creating a cost management analysis, IT managers should examine ways to implement a cost-effective Windows change management process.  Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore Exchange data with recovery storage groups

  Learn how to back up Exchange data to recovery storage groups and restore data from an RSG to a live information store using ExMerge or Exchange System Manager.  Continue Reading

• Debugging Userenv issues using Windows new event viewer

  The event viewer will be a powerful debugging tool in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista.  Continue Reading

• An affordable Exchange Server database backup software option for SMBs

  Learn about affordable Exchange Server backup software called Backup Assist that's better than NTBACKUP and suitable for small- and medium-sized businesses.  Continue Reading

• Preview PDF files from Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Windows Vista

  Discover a free PDF preview handler for Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Windows Vista that allows PDF file previews without downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008's Group Policy has faster searching and filtering

  A new wizard in Windows Server 2008's Group Policy Management Console enables searching and filtering on comments within settings with Group Policy Object Editor.  Continue Reading

• More tips for preventing system startup issues in Windows XP

  Learn how to use the System Configuration Utility in Windows XP to disable annoying startup programs, plus why networks can complicate system startup issues.  Continue Reading

• Calculating Windows Server 2008 gains in your cost management analysis

  Learn what points to include when calculating ROI for Windows Server 2008 to ensure that your cost management analysis is accurate.  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

• Time stamps change with daylight-saving time

  Think DST glitches in Windows are gone? Think again. Time zone changes can modify the time stamp on files and events in the log.  Continue Reading

• Exploring the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit: Cmdhere.inf and CMGetCer.inf

  As we continue our series on the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit, Windows expert Tim Fenner breaks down two important tools -- Cmdhere.inf and CMGetCer.inf.  Continue Reading

• The new Microsoft System Center: What happened to SMS and MOM?

  Microsoft MVP Gary Olsen looks at Microsoft System Center and describes the things administrators should know about the new enterprise server product suite.  Continue Reading

• How can I prevent Internet access with Windows SBS?

  Clients can gain Internet access using Windows SBS 2003 if you do not have it properly configured. Learn how to troubleshoot and prevent ISA Server problems in SBS environments.  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

• Adding a standalone printer to Active Directory with Windows Vista

  A new tool in Windows Vista's Print Management console simplifies the process of listing printers in Active Directory.  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

• Windows network rights, password policy and network security testing

  The top 10 networking security tips from 2007 teach you how to test network security, manage Windows network rights and manage network passwords. Our top networking security tip of the year, Hunting down a hacker, can also help you track down an ...  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

• Testing Exchange Server 2007 on a virtual machine

  Learn how you can test Exchange Server 2007 on a virtual machine using Microsoft's new virtual computing program, VHD Test Drive.  Continue Reading

• Get up to speed on service-level agreements for IT

  Continuous SLA monitoring and periodic review help IT shops to maximize the value of internal and external agreements.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Edge Transport server redundancy and load balancing

  Learn how to configure redundancy and load balancing on Edge Transport servers to ensure high availability of your Exchange 2007 email environment.  Continue Reading

• Automated redirects to OWA directories may fail when SSL is enforced

  Find out why automatic redirects to OWA directories may fail when SSL is enforced, and learn about a technique that will allow redirects to SSL-enabled OWA directories.  Continue Reading

• DNS troubleshooting tips for Active Directory

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

• Expand Microsoft Outlook email rules with the Auto-Mate add-on tool

  Discover a Microsoft Outlook add-on tool called Auto-Mate you can use to create, prioritize and test email rules and expand message rule functionality.  Continue Reading

• Server Manager: A closer look at its role in Windows Server 2008

  Integrating a central wizard-driven interface, Server Manager in Windows Server 2008 helps IT departments tailor their servers just the way they want them.  Continue Reading

• Use Exchange 2007 ActiveSync logs to track mobile device activity

  Learn how to export ActiveSync logs to comma-separated values (CSV) files to track and analyze mobile device user activity in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery for Windows: Four critical success factors

  Improve your confidence in the entire disaster recovery process, from planning to implementation, by following these valuable Windows tips.  Continue Reading

• How to manage network access for single users in AD

  Alter a few settings to limit single user network access in an AD domain to simplify Active Directory management.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Admin 101: Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 admin privileges

  Learn about Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 administrative privileges and how to delegate management rights and responsibilities with tiered roles and permissions.  Continue Reading

• Be careful when copying Outlook Web Access (OWA) hyperlinks

  Find out why hyperlinks copied from an Outlook Web Access (OWA) message don't work for some email recipients and learn two workarounds for this problem.  Continue Reading

• How the DC locator works in Active Directory

  The DC locator depends heavily on DNS to not only locate a domain controller with the right role but also to locate one that will be efficient.  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2007 out-of-office (OOF) feature adds usability and security

  Discover how Exchange 2007 Out of Office Assistant features improve usability and security and prevent spam, and how to configure OOF in Microsoft Outlook.  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

• Avoid DC restoration problems with authoritative restore

  Restoring a domain controller can be tricky business, but by performing an authoritative restore, administrators can sidestep most problems.  Continue Reading

• Improve your Microsoft Outlook email folder file system

  Discover a third-party Microsoft Outlook add-in tool that will improve your email file folder system and simplify manual message classification.  Continue Reading

• Use Microsoft password settings to enforce IT policy

  Windows shops need to keep users in mind when setting password parameters.  Continue Reading

• LocalSystem account in the AD forest is risky business

  Beware of the Windows LocalSystem account. It has total control over the computer and cannot be locked out or denied of any privilege.  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

• Exploring the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit: Confdisk.exe

  Another great tool from the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit is the Disk Configuration Utility, which you can use to recover failed disks in a cluster. Systems administrator Tim Fenner breaks down the basics of using Confdisk.exe.  Continue Reading

• Kerberos authentication for network login on non-Windows networks

  Windows can be configured to use Kerberos authentication for network login on non-Windows networks. Find out how in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to receive automatic notification of file changes

  Are you looking to monitor changes made to log files? This simple script will do the trick.  Continue Reading

• Securely manage Windows file sharing and folder permissions

  Learn the proper way to manage file sharing and folder permissions for optimal Windows security in this tip series.  Continue Reading

• Exploring the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit: Compress.exe and Expand.exe

  Have you ever had to make a compressed copy of a file via a script or the command line? We demystify the tools in the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit -- namely, Compress.exe and Expand.exe -- to make such tasks less tedious.  Continue Reading

• Managing Microsoft Outlook search folder functionality

  Discover the pros and cons of using Microsoft Outlook search folders and learn how to configure group policies that control search folder usage.  Continue Reading

• Making the most of the Terminal Services Gateway

  Microsoft has designated TS Gateway as a Server Role, allowing it to run on a Windows Server 2008 Server Core.  Continue Reading

• Identify file extension types with TrID

  Windows, like DOS before it, uses file extensions to identify file types. But what about a file with an inaccurate extension or no extension at all? A handy application called TrID simplifies the process of figuring out what an unknown file type is.  Continue Reading

• Back up and restore Microsoft Outlook settings

  Discover a third-party Microsoft Outlook tool that can back up and restore Microsoft Outlook email settings to an existing installation or new computer.  Continue Reading

• Exploring the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit: Clusterrecovery.exe

  The free Clusterrecovery.exe tool from Microsoft helps restore server cluster resources, replace failed disks, recover from disk signature changes and migrate data to a different disk on the shared bus.  Continue Reading

• Windows Process Activation Service in IIS 7.0

  In this excerpt from Introducing Windows Server 2008, read about WPAS, which manages application pool configuration and worker processes.  Continue Reading

• Windows System File Checker helps stop system failures

  To reduce the chances of system failures due to file corruption, Windows File Protection Service tests modified system files to confirm they are authentic. Sadly, system files are not checked every time they are accessed. But, you can work around ...  Continue Reading

• How to use app virtualization for server consolidation

  Application virtualization presents a tremendous advantage during operating system migrations or server consolidation projects. It vastly reduces your system and application preparation time while ensuring that applications that are known to cause ...  Continue Reading

• Configure Windows Mobile devices to local wipe after failed logons

  Learn how to configure security policies on a Windows Mobile device to local wipe Exchange Server data after several failed logon attempts have occurred.  Continue Reading

• How to use the g4u network-based hard disk cloning utility

  If you're familiar with Symantec's Ghost Solution suite, you might want to consider g4u, a freeware alternative that can clone disks across a network to an FTP server.  Continue Reading

• For Active Directory performance gains, delegate the _MSDCS DNS zone

  Directory services expert Gary Olsen explains how to delegate the _MSDCS zone, which contains the CName records and GC records, to ensure better Active Directory performance.  Continue Reading

• Lotus Notes URLs won't hyperlink in OWA and Exchange 2003

  Find out why Outlook Web Access will not recognize Lotus Notes URL links contained in Exchange 2003 email and learn how to fix this Notes/Exchange issue.  Continue Reading

• What's missing from Exchange Server 2007

  With all the enhancements in Exchange Server 2007, it's easy to overlook the fact that many features have been "deemphasized" or completely removed from the newest version of Microsoft Exchange Server. Find out what features no longer exist so you ...  Continue Reading

• Release policies set standards for rollouts

  Before deploying Windows Vista, make sure you develop a release policy that identifies how the rollout will be managed so that the requirements of the business are met, tested and implemented.  Continue Reading

• USB encryption security for Windows: IronKey review

  The IronKey encrypted USB drive comes with some exciting security features, including a built-in password manager, application bundler and a self-destruction security protocol.  Continue Reading

• Unwinding USN rollback when faced with AD replication failure

  No matter what the cause, solving Active Directory replication failure can be a difficult task. When USN rollback is involved, however, it presents even more of a challenge.  Continue Reading

• When to use third-party tools in place of NTBACKUP

  NTBACKUP can be unreliable when you need to perform a restore or large-scale backup operation. Learn about the the third-party backup software programs, Like Backup Assist, that admins can use instead of NTBACKUP.  Continue Reading

• Solving Active Directory replication failure

  Every now and then, admins are faced with unintentional replication failure. While fixing the error is critical, knowing how to find the cause of the failure can be just as important.  Continue Reading

• Working with IIS worker process isolation mode

  Learn how IIS worker process isolation mode works in application pools to protect Web applications from mass performance failures.  Continue Reading

• Accessing a Microsoft Outlook mailbox from multiple machines

  Users can access a Microsoft Outlook mailbox from multiple machines, but problems may arise if they're using different versions of the Outlook email client.  Continue Reading

• Avoid print queue overload with priority printing

  What Microsoft Windows admin hasn't dealt with the issue of printer queue overload caused by frivolous end users who tie up network resources for hours on end with large and non-essential print jobs? Here's a simple workaround to this perennial ...  Continue Reading

• Modular architecture in IIS 7.0 aids Web server security

  The new modular architecture in IIS 7.0 allows you to manage the features you install on your Web servers.  Continue Reading

• Use GPOs to specify Windows network access for users

  If you properly configure Group Policy Objects (GPOs), you can control which users can access your network and from where they can do it. Learn how to give specific users access to one specific machine in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Automatically save Microsoft Outlook email attachments to disk

  Learn about a customizable Outlook VBA script that automatically saves email attachments from Microsoft Outlook folders to disk.  Continue Reading

• CDBurnerXP 4.0: A CD/DVD/ISO freeware tool for Windows

  The CDBurnerXP CD/DVD/ISO freeware tool has been rewritten to offer administrators more media and disc support and functionality and less of what's not central to the program.  Continue Reading

• Manage Windows network permissions and admin rights

  Our security experts share their advice on how you can better manage your network users' level of rights.  Continue Reading

• How to index standalone printers in Active Directory

  Occasionally users will need to send a job to a network printer they don't normally print to. Here's how Windows administrators can use Active Directory to create a print queue for a standalone printer.  Continue Reading

• Multi-core processors on the desktop offer major boost

  Better performance for several applications running side by side is just one advantage of multiple-core processors on desktop PCs.  Continue Reading

• Use SLAs to assign help desk incident priorities

  Service-level agreements help service desks categorize and prioritize IT incidents according to an organization's strategic plan.  Continue Reading

• Prerequisites for group management in Active Directory

  Do you suffer from massive group proliferation? Learn how to tightly control your Active Directory groups and eliminate group proliferation once and for all.  Continue Reading

• Data backup utility mkisofs uses UDF disk-image format

  Learn about the mkisofs utility, a program that lets administrators create ISO disk images of practically any size, now with a number of third-party enhancements.  Continue Reading

• Access contacts in an LDAP or X.500 directory from OWA

  Access contacts in an LDAP or X.500 directory from Outlook Web Access with a third-party OWA add-in called MasterKey.net.  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

• Sysinternals TCPView monitors network connections on Windows systems

  Learn how to use Sysinternals TCPView 2.51, the network monitoring tool from Mark Russinovich that keeps track of endpoint connections and processes on your Windows desktop and server systems.  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

• HD_Speed: A speed testing utility for storage devices

  With the HD_Speed input/output testing tool, Windows administrators can test hard drive and other storage device speed-levels.  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

• Windows hot-add memory hurts Exchange Server performance

  Learn how to prevent and resolve Microsoft Window's hot-add memory issues on Exchange Server 2003 with these performance troubleshooting options.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting account lockouts in Group Policy

  While the account lockout setting in Group Policy is designed to protect systems from attackers, it can also be an inconvenience to users. Directory services expert Gary Olsen explains how to troubleshoot account lockout issues and offers tips for ...  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

• Error: 'The name of the security certificate is invalid or does not match the name of the site'

  When Microsoft Outlook 2007 users connect to an Exchange 2007 server, they may experience the error: The name of the security certificate is invalid or does not match the name of the site. Find out the cause of this problem and how to fix it.  Continue Reading

• Unlocking Group Policy account lockout secrets

  While Microsoft designed the account lockout settings to protect your environment from attackers, they can also be a real inconvenience for users. Directory services expert Gary Olsen explains how to get the security you want from the Account ...  Continue Reading

• Managing Microsoft Outlook's AutoComplete option

  Discover freeware for Microsoft Outlook's AutoComplete option that lets you manage, edit and delete AutoComplete data and troubleshoot corrupt .NK2 files.  Continue Reading

• Preparing for Exchange Server 2007

  Because of major Exchange Server architecture changes, moving from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 is going to be as dramatic and complex as upgrading from Exchange 5.5 to Exchange 2000. SearchExchange.com contributor Brien Posey discusses the ...  Continue Reading

• Get hotfixes from Microsoft without phoning PSS

  A new Web form from Microsoft lets you request a hotfix by its Knowledge Base article number.  Continue Reading

• SMTP greylisting problem on Exchange Server 2003 SP2

  A greylisting problem on Exchange Server 2003 SP2 causes sent email to stack up in the SMTP queue and not get delivered. Discover three workarounds that fix the issue.  Continue Reading

• Create a script to check integrity of your server's drives

  When using a script to perform an automated chkdsk on your server's drives, it's a good idea to configure the script so that it emails the report to you.  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

• Demystifying the AutoExNT tool in the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit

  The Windows Server 2003 tool AutoExNT lets admins start batch files or tasks in a certain order before they log on.  Continue Reading

• Tracking help desk tickets: Policies and procedures

  Your help desk gets a lot of requests, so how should you keep track of what's coming in and what gets the highest priority? Learn how to analyze data to create and implement a finely tuned help desk policy.  Continue Reading

• Patch management; Windows Update for network security

  Learn about the importance of patch management best practices and of keeping a watchful eye on Windows Update during Microsoft network configuration and deployment in this tip from Windows security expert Jonathan Hassell.  Continue Reading

• An alternative to the Microsoft Outlook vCard

  Learn about a Microsoft Outlook vCard alternative that automatically sets up contacts and appointments based on email text you highlight.  Continue Reading

• URLProtocolView tool displays all registered URL protocols

  URLProtocolView, Nir Softer's newest utility, will display a list of all the URL types currently registered with your system, their status, a description of the URL type, the command line used to invoke the URL and the program name and manufacturer ...  Continue Reading

• Turn any non-PostScript printer into a PostScript printer

  You can give any non-PostScript printer a PostScript front end from a Windows computer. You'll need to download three free utilities: Ghostscript, GSview and RedMon.  Continue Reading