Tutorials

Tutorials

• Microsoft Group Policy Tutorial

  This guide introduces you to Group Policy. From the basics of using GP to run your environment to the changes you can expect after migrating to Windows Vista, we've got all the tips, article and how-to's administrators need to know.  Continue Reading

• How to protect an Exchange journaling mailbox from email spoofing

  In pure Exchange Server 2007 environments, traffic that flows between the hub transport servers and the mailbox servers is encrypted. This makes man-in-the-middle attacks unlikely against an Exchange journaling system, but not impossible. Get the ...  Continue Reading

• Set up messaging records management (MRM) in Exchange Server 2007

  After moving Exchange Server 2007 mailbox data from .PST files to another location, it's best to manage this data using messaging records management (MRM). This tip from Microsoft MVP Brien Posey explains how to plan, implement and test a successful...  Continue Reading

• Prevent SSL-related synchronization errors on emulated mobile devices

  Setting up a Windows Mobile device emulator to test Exchange ActiveSync is easy. Unfortunately, getting the synchronization process to work properly can be tricky. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate issues are the number one cause for these ...  Continue Reading

• Lock down Microsoft Outlook 2007 to prevent .PST file access

  Eliminating the use of .PST files for mailbox data storage in Exchange Server 2007 is the last step to locking down Microsoft Outlook 2007. Read this tip to learn how to completely prevent users from opening .PST files in Exchange Server ...  Continue Reading

• Using Exchange Server journaling as an email-archiving solution

  As more companies choose to archive email messages for e-discovery, ensuring that those archives remain secure is paramount. In this tip, you'll learn how Exchange Server archiving and journaling differ. Plus, you'll discover how to use Exchange ...  Continue Reading

• Using the NTBackup tool for Exchange Server backup and recovery

  Many Exchange Server administrators relish the fact that Microsoft's Windows backup tool, NTBackup, is Exchange-aware. Peruse this fast guide to learn more about the NTBackup tool, including its feature limitations, best practices for backing up and...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot Windows Mobile device emulator synchronization errors

  Although it's simple to connect the Windows Mobile device emulator to Microsoft Exchange Server, the synchronization process can be tricky. Learn a few handy synchronization troubleshooting techniques to set up Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) on the ...  Continue Reading

• Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 backup and disaster recovery tutorial

  Learn how to create a Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 disaster recovery plan and get the steps and tools you need to back up and restore MOSS.  Continue Reading

• Migrating .PST files to an Exchange Server information store

  The first step to migrate .PST files to an Exchange Server information store is to get Microsoft Outlook users to save .PST data to their Outlook mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Setting up email disclaimers and signatures in Exchange Server

  Get up-to-speed on available methods of configuring email disclaimers in Microsoft Exchange Server, including scripts, event sinks and third-party tools.  Continue Reading

• Create a group policy to prevent .PST file storage in Exchange 2007

  Use the Group Policy Object Editor in Active Directory to prevent users from storing new data in .PST files on Exchange 2007 and Microsoft Outlook 2007.  Continue Reading

• Synchronizing the Windows Mobile emulator with Exchange Server 2007

  Once you install the Windows Mobile emulator, you must synchronize the mobile device emulator with Exchange Server 2007. Here are step-by-step instructions.  Continue Reading

• Why are .PST files a security threat to Exchange Server mailboxes?

  The use of .PST files can threaten mailbox security in an Exchange Server organization. Learn why these files are so problematic and how to disable them.  Continue Reading

• EMS add-on tool generates graphical Exchange Server 2007 reports

  Use the Power Gadgets add-on tool for Exchange Management Shell (EMS) to collect Exchange Server 2007 data and display it in graphical reports.  Continue Reading

• VPN setup requirements for Microsoft Exchange Server

  Before setting up a virtual private network (VPN) to connect remote users to Microsoft Exchange Server, find out what VPN hardware and software is needed.  Continue Reading

• A primer on the Exchange Server 2007 Exchange Management Shell

  Don't be wary of the Exchange Server 2007 Exchange Management Shell (EMS). Get an introduction to basic EMS commands and how to use them in this tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Use the free Windows Mobile emulator to test mobility on Exchange

  Learn how the free Windows Mobile emulator can test mobile device connections to Exchange Server before spending money on infrastructure and hardware.  Continue Reading

• How to generate HTML reports with the Exchange Management Shell (EMS)

  Use Exchange Management Shell commands to extract Exchange 2007 mailbox statistics from the server and display them in HTML format in Internet Explorer.  Continue Reading

• Using Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication on a SAN

  Use Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication on a storage area network (SAN) to implement high availability server resiliency and failover protection.  Continue Reading

• SAN vs. SCR -- which is the best Exchange high availability solution?

  Find out why a storage area network (SAN) may be a better Exchange Server 2007 high availability solution than Standby Continuous Replication (SCR).  Continue Reading

• Replacing Local Continuous Replication with SAN storage technology

  Find out how to enable Local Continuous Replication (LCR) or storage area network (SAN) methods in Exchange 2007 to control server backup and recovery.  Continue Reading

• Exchange Server 2007 high availability strategies and SANs

  How to extend Exchange 2007 high availability with Standby, Local and Cluster Continuous Replication (SCR, LCR, CCR) using storage area networks (SANs).  Continue Reading

• How to test Exchange Management Shell commands

  Understand how to use the Exchange Management Shell parameters WhatIf and ValidateOnly in Exchange 2007 to preview and test EMS commands before executing them.  Continue Reading

• Control query results with Exchange Management Shell's Format command

  Get details on how to use Exchange Management Shell's Format command and Pipe symbol to perform complex queries in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• How to use Exchange Management Shell's Filter command

  Learn how to use the Filter command and operators in Exchange Server 2007's Exchange Management Shell to obtain more granular search results.  Continue Reading

• How to improve Outlook Web Access (OWA) security

  Two big Outlook Web Access security issues are email attachments and OWA user authentication. Get tips on how to improve Outlook Web Access security here.  Continue Reading

• How to use the Exchange Management Shell command syntax

  Learn the basic syntax of Exchange Management Shell commands in Exchange Server 2007 and how to use the Get-Mailbox command to retrieve a list of mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Global Knowledge Microsoft Training Directory

  Now is a great time to get the Microsoft training that you need to keep your skills up to date. Purchase any Microsoft training course online by September 30th and save $400 instantly. Train on the latest Microsoft technologies including Windows ...  Continue Reading

• Email archiving and e-discovery best practices for Microsoft Exchange

  Learn Exchange Server email archiving and e-discovery best practices, including how to implement backups, email retention and archiving strategies.  Continue Reading

• Secure Edge Transport servers using the Security Configuration Wizard

  Find out how to extend Windows Server 2003's Security Configuration Wizard in Exchange 2007 to protect Edge Transport servers from email viruses and spam.  Continue Reading

• Domain Name System (DNS) Guide

  Active Directory relies heavily on DNS to function. This guide breaks down the basics of DNS, and provides some helpful tips on how to assess, manage and protect your environment.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 registry hacks

  Learn about 10 Microsoft Exchange 2003 registry hacks that will optimize Exchange Server performance and automate time-consuming administration tasks.  Continue Reading

• How to handle file attachment access in OWA

  Set email attachment rules in Outlook Web Access to enhance OWA security on public computers and protect systems from malicious files or viruses.  Continue Reading

• Control how mobile users access files with WebReady Document Viewing

  Install the WebReady Documents Viewing feature in Exchange Server 2007 to manage the files and attachments that Outlook Web Access (OWA) users can access.  Continue Reading

• Customizing Outlook Web Access (OWA) in Exchange Server 2007

  Customize Outlook Web Access (OWA) themes in Exchange Server 2007 and set rules to control how OWA users access email attachments and components.  Continue Reading

• Using cascading style sheets to change a color in OWA

  Use cascading style sheets (.CSS files) in Exchange 2007 to change Outlook Web Access theme colors, add a legal disclaimer and modify an OWA sign-on screen.  Continue Reading

• Modifying the look of OWA in Exchange Server 2007

  Learn how to customize default Outlook Web Access (OWA) themes, add a company logo or create a custom header in Exchange Server 2007.  Continue Reading

• Enable user-level segmentation to control OWA components

  Learn how to enable user-level OWA segmentation in Exchange Server 2007 to control email components, and get details on functions of different features.  Continue Reading

• Using a file share witness with Exchange 2007 CCR

  The new MNS quorum model with file share witness is required for using the CCR functionality in Exchange Server 2007. Learn how to configure it here.  Continue Reading

• How to install Exchange 2007 on the active node and passive node

  Get step-by-step instructions on how to install Exchange Server 2007 on the active node and passive node in a basic Cluster Continuous Replication setup.  Continue Reading

• Creating a Windows Server 2003 cluster for an Exchange 2007 CCR setup

  Learn to how to configure a Windows 2003 cluster for an Exchange 2007 CCR setup and how to install the required Windows components on each cluster node.  Continue Reading

• Setting up Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) in Exchange 2007

  Learn how to set up Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) in Exchange Server 2007 and configure the servers to act as nodes in the cluster.  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) setup overview

  Refer to this list of Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) features and facts for a quick overview of an Exchange Server 2007 CCR-based setup.  Continue Reading

• Testing clustered mailbox server functionality in a CCR setup

  To verify clustered mailbox server functionality in an Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication setup, use these commands and best practices.  Continue Reading

• Enable the Transport Dumpster on the Hub Transport server

  Discover how to enable the Transport Dumpster on the Hub Transport server to avoid lost email if the active node fails in an Exchange 2007 CCR cluster setup.  Continue Reading

• Managing an Exchange 2007 Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) setup

  Get an overview of the Cluster Continuous Replication (CCR) feature in Exchange Server 2007 and learn how to configure and manage a CCR setup.  Continue Reading

• Monitor mail flow with the Exchange Server 2007 Queue Viewer tool

  Learn how to use the Exchange Server 2007 Queue Viewer tool to monitor mail flow and get details on five messaging queues that function as email repositories.  Continue Reading

• Understanding message queues in Exchange 2007 Queue Viewer

  Read how Exchange Server 2007 message queue types guide mail flow through a transport pipeline and learn how to monitor the Queue Viewer to prevent issues.  Continue Reading

• Using Queue Viewer in Exchange 2007 to prevent mail flow problems

  Check mail flow in Exchange Server 2007 with the Exchange Management Console's Queue Viewer to proactively prevent email message delivery problems.  Continue Reading

• Part 1: Exchange Server 2007 requirements

  Get an overview of Exchange Server 2007 pre-migration requirements, including running on 64-bit CPU and native mode, as well as some legacy server issues  Continue Reading

• Part 2: Deploying Exchange 2007 server roles

  Learn about the Exchange 2007 Client Access, Hub Transport, Mailbox, Edge Transport and Unified Messaging server roles and the order to deploy them.  Continue Reading

• A primer on Exchange 2007 server roles

  When planning and designing an Exchange Server 2007 deployment (even in a lab), one of the first concepts you need to understand is what server roles are and when to use them. In this tutorial, Microsoft Exchange MVP David Sengupta introduces ...  Continue Reading

• Part 4: How to set up and run an Exchange 2007 test lab environment

  Get instructions and tools for lab testing you're your Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 server migration and backups before full production-level deployment.  Continue Reading

• Part 3: Testing considerations for Exchange 2007 hardware and clustering

  Understand Exchange 2007 64-bit hardware configuration and clustering topology issues before lab testing an Exchange 2007 migration scenario.  Continue Reading

• 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

• Planning a Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 migration

  Discover Exchange Server 2007 migration planning requirements and best practices, and find out how to set up and test Exchange 2007 in a lab environment.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Set email storage quota limits on Exchange 2007 folders

  Create, apply and associate an email-retention policy on Exchange 2007 managed folders to limit how long messages are stored in Microsoft Outlook mailboxes  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Use Exchange 2007 public folders for extended email archiving

  Create Exchange Server 2007 public folders, adjust storage limit settings, and configure a mail-enabled folder for long-term email archiving and retention.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Configure transport rules to auto-archive Exchange 2007 email

  Configure Exchange Server 2007 transport rules to move email to a managed folder address automatically for long-term message retention and email archiving.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Create Exchange 2007 managed folders for email retention

  Set up managed folders for email retention and storage on Exchange 2007 mailboxes and save messages related to specific projects.  Continue Reading

• Email archiving and retention with Exchange 2007 managed folders

  Learn how to use managed folders in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 for email archiving, message retention, and storage quota limits on user mailboxes.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Define email-retention limits for Exchange 2007 managed folders

  Learn how to use the management console in Exchange Server 2007 to set an email message retention period for a custom managed folder.  Continue Reading

• Verify Exchange 2007 clustered mailbox server functionality

  To ensure a successful Single Copy Cluster setup, learn the commands to verify that the Exchange 2007 clustered mailbox server is online and functioning.  Continue Reading

• Installing Exchange Server 2007 clustered mailbox roles on SCC nodes

  Find out how to install Exchange Server 2007 clustered mailbox server roles on both active and passive single copy cluster (SCC) nodes.  Continue Reading

• Creating a Windows Server 2003 cluster for an Exchange 2007 SCC setup

  Discover how to create a Windows Server 2003 cluster for a basic Exchange 2007 Single Copy Cluster (SCC) setup with these step-by-step instructions.  Continue Reading

• Configuring Single Copy Cluster (SCC) nodes and shared cluster disks

  Learn how to configure Exchange 2007 Single Copy Cluster nodes and shared cluster disks for an SCC setup in an Exchange organization with a CCR-based cluster.  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2007 Single Copy Cluster-based setup review

  For a quick reference on an Exchange 2007 Single Copy Cluster-based setup, check out this list of SCC facts and features.  Continue Reading

• Managing an Exchange 2007 Single Copy Cluster (SCC) setup

  Get an overview of the Exchange Server 2007 Single Copy Cluster (SCC) architecture and learn how to set up the SCC feature in a virtual server environment.  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

• Suspending and resuming LCR for an Exchange 2007 storage group

  Learn how to suspend and resume Local Continuous Replication (LCR) via the EMC or ESM for an Exchange 2007 storage group that has become unavailable.  Continue Reading

• Enable Local Continuous Replication on an Exchange 2007 storage group

  Learn how to enable Local Continuous Replication on an Exchange Server 2007 storage group with step-by-step instructions, screenshots and script commands.  Continue Reading

• Adding Local Continuous Replication performance objects and counters

  Discover Local Continuous Replication performance objects and counters that can help determine the replication progress of an LCR-enabled storage group.  Continue Reading

• Manually adding an Exchange 2007 database to a storage group copy

  Sometimes it's necessary to manually seed or add an Exchange Server 2007 database to a storage group copy. Learn how to manually seed a database copy here.  Continue Reading

• Switching to the LCR copy for database disaster recovery

  When Exchange 2007 log files and databases become corrupted, the Exchange Local Continuous Replication copy can recover database availability. Learn the methods here.  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

• Viewing the status for a Local Continuous Replication copy

  Discover how to view the health of an Exchange 2007 Local Continuous Replication copy and retrieve the LCR status via the Exchange Management Shell (EMS).  Continue Reading

• Exchange 2007 Local Continuous Replication administration summarized

  Discover a quick reference for Exchange 2007 Local Continuous Replication (LCR) administration best practices and facts in this quick checklist reference.  Continue Reading

• Disabling Local Continuous Replication on an Exchange storage group

  Find out how to disable Local Continuous Replication for an Exchange 2007 storage group using the Exchange Management Console or Exchange Management Shell.  Continue Reading

• Use Exchange Eseutil for a passive storage group copy integrity check

  Learn how to use the Exchange Eseutil utility to verify the integrity of the passive storage group copy to ensure Exchange 2007 database and log file health.  Continue Reading

• Improve Exchange 2003 Internet connectivity, mail flow and performance

  Learn how to configure SMTP virtual servers, connectors, bridgeheads and routing groups to improve Exchange 2003 Web connectivity and email performance.  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

• Recommended practices with Group Policy for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" suggests some important habits that every admin should get into when working with Group Policy Objects.  Continue Reading

• Further understanding GPOs for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" provides an in-depth analysis of the GPOs are availabe with Windows Vista.  Continue Reading

• Moving policies between domains with Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" breaks down the process of taking GPOs created in one domain and moving them to another.  Continue Reading

• Examples of useful GPOs in Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" takes a look at GPOs that can help admins deploy printers and standardize event logging on Vista clients.  Continue Reading

• Windows Vista Group Policy Objects: What's available?

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" provides info on which GPOs are new to the Windows Vista operating system.  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

• Spotlight on e-discovery

  IT managers are now being asked to help out with e-discovery, here are some tips and articles that will help.  Continue Reading

• What's new in Group Policy Objects?

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" takes a look at how Group Policy has changed with the release of Windows Vista.  Continue Reading

• How to manage Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" offers some useful tips for managing Group Policy Objects in Windows Vista, including advice on linking a GPO to an OU and GPO filtering.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" provides some helpful tools for troubleshooting Group Policy Objects in Active Directory environments.  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

• A basic primer on Microsoft Group Policy

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" explains the basics of Group Policy and why it is important to IT administrators.  Continue Reading

• Managing Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 in mixed mode

  Get best practices for managing Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2007 in mixed mode and performing administration tasks in their different management consoles.  Continue Reading

• Understanding Group Policy basics for Windows Vista

  These excerpts from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" provide Group Policy management tips for working with Windows Vista, with info on troubleshooting, configuration and more.  Continue Reading

• Best practices in working with Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows Vista Management and Administration" details best practices for IT admins when managing Group Policy Objects.  Continue Reading

• Solve server problems with the Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant tool

  Learn how to use the free Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant tool to diagnose and fix server performance issues, mail flow and database problems.  Continue Reading

• Part 1: Fix email performance with Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant

  Run the free Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant tool to identify Exchange server symptoms, collect data and resolve email performance issues.  Continue Reading

• Part 3: Diagnose database problems with Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant

  Use the free Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant tool to identify database mounting failures and repair Exchange Server database problems quickly.  Continue Reading