Tutorials

Tutorials

• Build a PowerShell logging function for troubleshooting

  A basic administrative skill is checking over logs to find out why something broke. Learn how to build a proper logging mechanism to catch errors for diagnostic purposes.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Windows Server 2019 virtual network encryption

  Microsoft tightens the security on its virtualization platform, even if a breach occurs, to prevent intruders from eavesdropping on traffic between VMs.  Continue Reading

• Use PowerShell workflows when performance matters

  When time is of the essence, add parallel processing to your PowerShell scripts to perform tasks more efficiently by using the workflows feature in the automation tool.  Continue Reading

• Using wsusscn2.cab to find missing Windows updates

  Avoid unnecessary security headaches by using the Windows Update offline scan file and PowerShell to ensure your systems have all their Microsoft patches.  Continue Reading

• Get back on the mend with Active Directory recovery methods

  Administrators should have a few of these data protection techniques up their sleeves to keep Active Directory from a total breakdown.  Continue Reading

• Learn PowerShell scripting using the PSKoans module

  Want to get started with PowerShell automation to manage your Windows systems? Try the PSKoans module to learn as you go through its exercises to build your scripting skills.  Continue Reading

• Migrating file servers using Storage Migration Service

  Need to move from Windows Server 2003 and up? The Storage Migration Service in the Windows Admin Center does most of the heavy lifting to make this procedure more routine rather than risky.  Continue Reading

• Azure Bastion brings convenience, security to VM management

  This cloud service gets around the problem associated with jump servers and cloaks the identity of your VMs to avoid potential security issues.  Continue Reading

• How to manage Server Core with PowerShell

  New PowerShell users will need to overcome a learning curve to work with Server Core, but the tool has some built-in aids to help you progress.  Continue Reading

• Set up PowerShell script block logging for added security

  Learn how to set up your systems to capture abnormal PowerShell behavior as one way to shore up your defenses.  Continue Reading

• How to work with the WSUS PowerShell module

  The PoshWSUS module automates the process to synchronize and approve Windows updates. You can also use it to perform essential maintenance on the WSUS server.  Continue Reading

• Implement automated employee onboarding with PowerShell

  Your time is precious and you shouldn't waste it by clicking through menus to set up a new user. Look at these code examples to put together your own provisioning script.  Continue Reading

• Learn to set up and use PowerShell SSH remoting

  Remoting over SSH in PowerShell Core has some advantages over the traditional Windows PowerShell remoting method, but it will require a fair amount of manual configuration work.  Continue Reading

• How to automate patch management in Windows

  Automating Windows updates with PowerShell will ease some of the labor associated with the routine patch deployment process.  Continue Reading

• Using the Sysinternals Sysmon tool to check DNS queries

  A recent update to the Sysinternals Sysmon utility adds DNS query logging to give deeper insights into the connections made by your Windows machines.  Continue Reading

• Pester tests help pinpoint infrastructure issues

  The Pester testing framework gives IT pros a way to develop sophisticated and consistent testing routines that monitoring tools just can't duplicate.  Continue Reading

• How to transfer FSMO roles with PowerShell

  You might need to shift Active Directory FSMO roles for a few reasons. If you need to do it more than once, there's a way to automate the procedure with PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Use PowerShell printer management for quicker setups

  Don't fiddle with printer configurations and tiresome upkeep work from the GUI when you can automate a lot of the tediousness with PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Try these PowerShell networking commands to stay connected

  Ping has its place, but PowerShell gives you a way to dive deeper into a networking issue when a server drops its connection or starts to drop packets.  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell for Azure service principal authentication

  With help from the Azure PowerShell module, you can avoid login prompts and automate the authentication process when using service principals on Microsoft's cloud platform.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Office 365 modern authentication

  Learn how to manage modern authentication with a relatively new PowerShell cmdlet to keep end users in touch with their Exchange Online mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Painlessly deploy Azure File Sync with PowerShell

  Have you ever run low on file server capacity or struggled to access files? Setting up Azure File Sync can give your organization centralized file shares with local accessibility.  Continue Reading

• How to uninstall Exchange 2013 after a cutover migration

  Don't throw a retirement party for that Exchange 2013 server and pull the plug prematurely without going through this checklist to avoid any issues.  Continue Reading

• Set up users with key PowerShell Active Directory commands

  User management in Active Directory doesn't have to fill you with click-induced anxiety. Try these PowerShell tips for a more efficient way to get this work done.  Continue Reading

• How to configure SSL on IIS with PowerShell

  SSL encryption is a necessary component when building an IIS website that communicates with the outside world. Use this PowerShell tutorial to streamline the deployment process.  Continue Reading

• How to avoid the double-hop problem with PowerShell

  IT pros who manage with PowerShell will run into the double-hop problem and use CredSSP to work around it. This tutorial offers a more streamlined way to avoid that roadblock.  Continue Reading

• Working with PowerShell module downloads from the gallery

  Learn how to get the most out of the PowerShell Gallery with some distinctions for administrators who use Windows PowerShell or PowerShell Core.  Continue Reading

• How PowerShell Direct helps polish off those VMs

  PowerShell Direct offers administrators a remoting option that does not rely on a network connection to manage Hyper-V VMs, but be sure you meet the requirements for its use.  Continue Reading

• How to use PowerShell JEA for task delegation

  System administrators don't have to do every mundane task themselves anymore with help from Just Enough Administration. Get started with these instructions using PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• Tips to track down and neutralize PowerShell malware

  The benefit of PowerShell is its wide-ranging access to Windows systems, but industrious hackers can exploit its abilities to launch attacks from inside your data center.  Continue Reading

• How to manage Active Directory groups with 7 PowerShell commands

  Managing users, devices and other resources with Active Directory doesn't always require a GUI tool. Try PowerShell to streamline some of your administrative workload.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with AWS Tools for PowerShell

  Want to make a move from on-premises systems? The AWS Tools for PowerShell module builds on your knowledge of handling Windows machines and carries it into the Amazon cloud.  Continue Reading

• How to track Office 365 guest users

  Administrators should get familiar with the platform tools at their disposal to check Office 365 Groups access and ensure tenant security.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for using PowerShell ISE for scripting

  Administrators who want to break into PowerShell scripting need to work with an editor for a more effective workflow. Learn how to edit and manage scripts with PowerShell ISE.  Continue Reading

• Windows PowerShell Scripting tutorial for beginners

  Once administrators get comfortable with the PowerShell basics, it's time to start scripting. This PowerShell scripting tutorial for beginners will help you efficiently complete tasks.  Continue Reading

• How to start using Ansible for Windows management

  Ansible is a configuration management offering that runs on Linux but controls Windows systems with PowerShell. Find out how to get the tool running in your data center.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell logging boosts security in the enterprise

  Want to track any suspicious PowerShell activity across your network? Use these PowerShell logging techniques to curb potential threats that originate from scripts.  Continue Reading

• Configuring a VyOS router for home lab use

  Administrators can install an open source virtual software router to practice networking skills, such as IP routing and subnetting.  Continue Reading

• Learn Git basics with a sample case study

  Git allows team members to work together using the same files. This tutorial will help Windows systems administrators learn how to use Git for version control.  Continue Reading

• How to deploy Windows containers in Microsoft Azure

  Want to build and manage your own Windows Server containers? Here's how to do it using native Docker commands and a PowerShell module.  Continue Reading

• BYOD considerations for Exchange admins

  Having a tough time saying "no" to BYOD? Good news, you don’t have to. Get up-to-date on key BYOD concerns and discover PowerShell cmdlets you can use to manage and gather ActiveSync info.  Continue Reading

• Mastering the art of Exchange 2010 migration documentation

  Documenting your Exchange Server 2010 migration is an often-overlooked part of the upgrade process. Learn why it’s important and what to include before putting pen to paper.  Continue Reading

• Five Quick Links: SharePoint and Outlook integration

  Frustrated that you have to manage SharePoint and Outlook? There might be some benefits to it after all.  Continue Reading

• Optimizing the OWA experience

  Improve OWA performance and protect users with custom configurations, some simple HTML code and an EMS command.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2007 performance monitoring primer

  Performance Monitor counters are cost-effective alternatives for manually managing Exchange servers. Learn about the threshold values of a range of Performance Monitors and how to configure different counters and alerts.  Continue Reading

• Sharpen your Exchange PowerShell scripting skills

  Newbie admins and seasoned pros will all benefit from this PowerShell tutorial. Learn how to control PowerShell use in Exchange 2010 and ways to protect the server from buggy scripts.  Continue Reading

• Comprehensive guide to an Exchange Server 2010 upgrade

  The buzz surrounding Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 isn’t just noise. But new features fall short without a proper setup. Get the lowdown on how to install, test and protect your Exchange upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Delving into Exchange Server 2010 features

  From high-availability features to new management functions, Exchange Server 2010 sports enough changes to be considered a full-blown release.  Continue Reading

• Prerequisites to an Exchange Server 2010 upgrade

  Do you know which prerequisites you must meet before deploying Exchange 2010 in your environment? Find out and get a few tricks to help along the way.  Continue Reading

• Behind the wheel of a new Exchange Server 2010 installation

  You’ve upgraded to Exchange 2010, but don’t call it a day just yet. First, test your Exchange Server setup to be sure it’s ready for all users throw at it.  Continue Reading

• Protecting Exchange Server 2010 and its users

  Protecting Exchange Server 2010 is largely a matter of following best practices before and during each step of the server’s lifecycle.  Continue Reading

• Conducting clear-cut performance reviews of your IT staff

  Performance reviews are often a defining moment in an employee's career, but there are several points to consider when conducting an evaluation.  Continue Reading

• Testing Exchange Server 2010

  Testing your Exchange Server setup lets you explore exactly how well your configuration will hold up under real-world conditions.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 migration and testing

  The buzz surrounding Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 isn’t just noise. But new features fall short without a proper setup. Get the lowdown on how to install, test and protect your Exchange upgrade.  Continue Reading

• What's new in Exchange Server 2010

  From high-availability features to new management functions, Exchange Server 2010 sports enough changes to be considered a full-blown 4.0 release.  Continue Reading

• Migrating to Exchange Server 2010

  There are a few prerequisites you must meet as well as tricks to keep in mind when deploying Exchange 2010 in your environment.  Continue Reading

• Mastering Exchange Management Shell commands

  No matter your level of EMS expertise, this tutorial will improve your ability to manage Exchange from the command line.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell basics for the Exchange admin

  Creating PowerShell scripts in Exchange can help you avoid typing out long EMS commands for daily administrative actions. Here are the basics.  Continue Reading

• IT staff training: Assessing the need

  Investing in employee training sessions for your IT staff can be a costly undertaking, but the benefits will boost employee performance, morale and your organization as a whole.  Continue Reading

• Why throttling PowerShell in Exchange 2010 is a good idea

  Did you know that you can restrict PowerShell use in Exchange 2010 to improve server performance? Get the details on setting PowerShell limits in your environment.  Continue Reading

• How to connect an iPhone to OWA

  Discover how easy it is to connect an iPhone to OWA on Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange 2010. You'll also learn how to retire your Windows Mobile device in favor of an iPhone  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2010 throttling policy construction

  Learn how to build client throttling policies using Exchange Web Services parameters and EMS commands to balance Exchange 2010 resources and overall performance.  Continue Reading

• Hackers' guide to Windows file server security

  Many network hacks can quickly happen right under your nose. Learn to test your file servers from common attacks by taking on the mindset of a hacker.  Continue Reading

• Prioritize backups for virtualized Exchange 2010 servers

  When you virtualize Exchange Server 2010, determine which restores are critical and then select a backup location to evade backup and restore mistakes.  Continue Reading

• How to mount a recovery database in Exchange Server 2010

  Because of architectural changes, you'll need to create and mount a database to recover items in Exchange Server 2010. Follow these steps for mailbox recovery and get some command-line switches that will refine the scope of recovered items.  Continue Reading

• Help your IT team avoid burnout

  See how to make your IT team more effective by monitoring workloads and teaching employees to watch out for signs of burnout in this excerpt from the IT Manager's Handbook.  Continue Reading

• Lessen your client access server burden via throttling policies

  Users can connect to Exchange Server 2010 using several different methods, which can overwork a client access server. Setting up client-throttling policies via the Exchange Management Shell will evenly distribute Exchange Server resources.  Continue Reading

• Advice for virtualizing Exchange 2010 server roles

  Are you planning to virtualize Exchange Server 2010? Find out the best server role configurations for optimal performance.  Continue Reading

• Effectively managing your IT team

  Get valuable information and insight into becoming a better manager of your IT team. Keeping employees focused, improving team communication and setting priorities are just a few skills you'll learn.  Continue Reading

• Single item recovery changes in Exchange Server 2010

  With the release of Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft eliminated storage groups. Learn why recovery databases are important, how they've changed since Exchange 2007 and why you'll need them for single item recovery in Exchange 2010.  Continue Reading

• What to look for when troubleshooting DSAccess for Exchange Server

  Analyzing Event 2080 to troubleshoot DSAccess problems in Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange 2003 is a great practice. Looking at the correct data is the only way to ensure the health of your domain controllers.  Continue Reading

• Protect Exchange Server from viruses and spam with Forefront security

  When configuring Microsoft's Forefront security scanning engines to ward off viruses and spam, make sure that bias settings don't affect Exchange Server performance too much.  Continue Reading

• How not to overload Exchange Server 2007 domain controllers

  Moving Exchange servers to a non-dedicated Active Directory site can negatively affect domain controller performance. DNS load balancing and upgrading to 64-bit hardware are two ways to prevent overuse of your domain controllers.  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 R2 Learning Guide

  Want to learn more about Microsoft's latest server OS? This guide has you covered. Here you'll find tips, videos and expert advice on all things Windows Server 2008 R2.  Continue Reading

• Tools automate an Exchange UM and OCS 2007 integration

  Successfully combining Exchange Server 2007 unified messaging with OCS 2007 can be a daunting task without the Exchange UM Integration Utility.  Continue Reading

• Integrating Exchange unified messaging with OCS 2007

  Exchange Server 2007 and OCS 2007 may be part of the same unified communications strategy, but each has separate and defined roles. When integrated together, they can enhance an enterprise's unified messaging experience. This guide gives you all the...  Continue Reading

• Event logs shed light on Exchange Server DSAccess issues

  Exchange Server 2003 uses DSAccess to communicate with Active Directory. However, the distributed nature of Active Directory may make it difficult to get to the root cause of DSAccess issues. Begin the process by analyzing Event 2080 data.  Continue Reading

• How to display Exchange Server 2007 public folders via SharePoint

  Using a custom block of code, these instructions and some Web parts, you can display Exchange Server 2007 public folder content in Microsoft SharePoint.  Continue Reading

• How to create multiple instances of OWA

  Creating multiple instances of OWA is a great way to assign varying sets of features to different OWA users. It can also provide users with file share access. These steps explain how to create multiple instances of OWA no matter which version of ...  Continue Reading

• Tests for securing the internal Windows network

  While hardening your network against hackers is important, it's also critical to look out for internal threats. Protect your environment from the inside with these security tests.  Continue Reading

• Set-ExchangeServer cmdlet can ease domain controller workloads

  Exchange Server can distribute workloads evenly among domain controllers, but external factors can cause them to become overworked . Executing Exchange Management Shell's Set-ExchangeServer command can help lessen domain controller workloads.  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

• Recover Exchange databases and mailboxes with DPM 2007

  You can use Data Protection Manager 2007 to recover Exchange databases and Exchange mailboxes. Get the steps to recover both and see what role storage groups play in the recovery process.  Continue Reading

• Steps to clean AD to prepare for Exchange Server 2010

  You need a clean Active Directory to deploy Exchange Server 2010. Follow these steps to remove Exchange Server 2007 remnants from AD before you begin the migration.  Continue Reading

• Re-evaluate your Exchange 2007 Active Directory architecture

  Exchange Server 2007 usually works well with existing Active Directory designs. A poorly designed AD architecture can actually hinder performance. The first step in evaluating your AD design is to understanding site structure and topology.  Continue Reading

• Effects of excessive mailbox size and storage on Outlook performance

  So you applied the February 2009 cumulative update or Microsoft Office 2007 SP2, but Outlook is still performing poorly. Why? Maybe it's time to check how much data is being stored in your users Exchange mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint interoperability considerations

  There are ways to tweak SharePoint to make it run more efficiently for Outlook and OWA users. One way is to create a shortcut within Outlook, giving users direct access to your SharePoint portal.  Continue Reading

• How to install Forefront Security for Exchange Server

  By installing Forefront Security for Exchange Server, you can take advantage of its antivirus features. Using multiple virus scanning engines will better protect you from new virus signatures.  Continue Reading

• Block Web beacons and protect OWA users from spam

  Web beacons confirm the validity of email addresses and confirm that spam has made it through a user's filter. Outlook blocks Web beacons by default, but OWA doesn't. Learn more about Web beacons and how to protect your users from spam with EMS ...  Continue Reading

• Remove Exchange 2003 from Active Directory to install Exchange 2010

  A clean Active Directory is vital for an Exchange Server 2010 migration. If you still have Exchange 2003 remnants hanging around, use the ADSI Edit tool to remove them.  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

• Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint calendar dos and don'ts

  Improperly linking and labeling calendar entries from Microsoft Outlook can confuse other SharePoint team members. Here are some dos and don'ts for copying an event from one calendar to another.  Continue Reading

• Is your Exchange 2007 hub transport server healthy?

  By monitoring the Hub Transport Server role, you can monitor the transport queue's health in Exchange Server 2007. Read this article and check your Performance Monitor counters to see your servers are operating at their best.  Continue Reading

• OWA 2007 configuration tricks to boost performance

  Outlook Web Access 2007's default configurations work well for most, but what about users with a slow Internet connection? You can configure Gzip compression and enable WebReady Document Viewing to improve OWA performance.  Continue Reading

• Free tools facilitate large-scale Outlook and SharePoint integrations

  There's no single tool for performing large-scale SharePoint and Outlook integrations. Download these two free tools and follow the steps to successfully integrate MOSS 2007 and Outlook on a large scale.  Continue Reading

• Two useful tools for documenting an Exchange Server installation

  Exchange BPA and ExchDump tools let you collect data about your Exchange installation, including settings and server configuration information. Learn how to translate this data and include it into your installation documentation.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of Outlook 2007's storage engine redesign

  The release of Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 brought about a redesign of Outlook's internal storage engine. However, with the increase in performance comes bloating of your .ost and .pst files. Learn about the performance improvements this new file ...  Continue Reading

• Lock down direct file access and protect OWA users

  Built-in OWA security features may not be enough to secure direct file access. If you can't disable the feature, what's the next best security measure?  Continue Reading

• Controlling spam in Exchange 2007 at the edge transport server level

  While having an effective antispam and antivirus plan is critical in Exchange organizations, improperly configuring it can cancel out even the best product. Whether you're planning to use hosted filtering or protecting user mailboxes locally, ...  Continue Reading

• Simplify an OWA URL on Windows Server 2008

  Although the process is fairly straightforward, the method to simplify an OWA URL for users is different if you're running Windows Server 2008. Get the steps to simplify an OWA URL redirect and learn about some possible side effects.  Continue Reading