Windows Vista™ Administrator's Pocket Consultant

Book description

Here’s the ideal, on-the-go reference that desktop administrators and support professionals can carry with them as they support and manage Windows Vista.

Table of contents

  1. Windows Vista™ Administrator’s Pocket Consultant
    1. SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with O’Reilly
    2. Acknowledgments
    3. Introduction
      1. Who Is This Book For?
      2. How Is This Book Organized?
      3. Conventions Used in This Book
      4. Support
    4. 1. Introduction to Windows Vista Administration
      1. Getting Started with Windows Vista
      2. Installing and Running Windows Vista
        1. Installing Windows Vista
        2. Using Welcome Center and Activating Windows
        3. Running Windows Vista in Workgroups and Domains
          1. Understanding User Account Control in Windows Vista
          2. Logging on to Windows Vista
          3. Using Fast User Switching with Windows Vista
          4. Managing User Account Passwords with Windows Vista
            1. Changing the Current User’s Password
            2. Changing Other Account Passwords
            3. Creating and Using a Password Reset Disk
            4. Resetting a User’s Password
        4. Turning Off and Shutting Down Computers Running Windows Vista
      3. Navigating Architecture Changes in Windows Vista
        1. Understanding Modularization and Windows Imaging
        2. Understanding the Windows Preinstallation Environment
        3. Understanding the Windows Pre-Boot Environment
    5. 2. Managing Windows Vista Systems
      1. Getting Around Windows Vista
        1. Working with the Taskbar
        2. Working with the Start Menu
        3. Working with Control Panel
      2. Managing User Account Control and Elevation Prompts
        1. Redefining Standard User and Administrator User Accounts
        2. Optimizing User Account Control and Admin Approval Mode
      3. Supporting Computers Running Windows Vista
        1. Working with the Computer Management Console
        2. Getting Basic System and Performance Information
        3. Getting Advanced System Information
        4. Working with WMI Control
      4. Using System Support Tools
        1. Working with Disk Cleanup
        2. Verifying System Files Using File Signature Verification
        3. Managing System Configuration, Startup, and Boot
          1. Understanding Startup Modes and Troubleshooting System Startup
          2. Changing Boot Options
          3. Enabling and Disabling Startup Applications for Troubleshooting
          4. Enabling and Disabling Services for Troubleshooting
      5. Managing System Properties
        1. The Computer Name Tab
        2. The Hardware Tab
        3. The Advanced Tab
          1. Setting Windows Performance
          2. Setting Application Performance
          3. Configuring Virtual Memory
          4. Configuring Data Execution Prevention
            1. Using and configuring DEP
            2. Understanding DEP compatibility
          5. Configuring System and User Environment Variables
            1. Creating an environment variable
            2. Editing an environment variable
            3. Deleting an environment variable
          6. Configuring System Startup and Recovery
            1. Setting startup options
            2. Setting recovery options
        4. The System Protection Tab
          1. Working with System Restore and Previous Versions
          2. Configuring System Restore
          3. Restoring a Previous Version
        5. The Remote Tab
    6. 3. Configuring Systems, Hardware Devices, and Drivers
      1. Introducing Automated Help And Support
      2. Working with the Automated Help System
        1. Introducing Support Services
        2. Introducing Support Policies
      3. Installing and Maintaining Devices: The Essentials
        1. Installing Pre-Existing Devices
        2. Installing New Devices
      4. Getting Started with Device Manager
      5. Working with Device Drivers
        1. Device Driver Essentials
        2. Using Signed and Unsigned Device Drivers
        3. Tracking Driver Information
        4. Installing and Updating Device Drivers
        5. Restricting Device Installation Using Group Policy
        6. Rolling Back Drivers
        7. Removing Device Drivers for Removed Devices
        8. Uninstalling, Reinstalling, and Disabling Device Drivers
      6. Managing Hardware
        1. Adding Non–Plug and Play Hardware
        2. Enabling and Disabling Hardware
        3. Troubleshooting Hardware
      7. Customizing Hardware Device Settings
        1. Configuring Keyboard Settings
        2. Configuring Mouse Settings
        3. Configuring Audio Devices and Sound Themes
          1. Configuring Audio Playback Devices
          2. Configuring Audio Recording Devices
          3. Configuring System Sound Effects
        4. Adjusting Regional Settings
        5. Setting the Date and Time
      8. Managing Internet Time
        1. Internet Time Overview
        2. Configuring Internet Time in Workgroups
        3. Configuring Internet Time in Domains
    7. 4. Customizing the Desktop and the Interface
      1. Optimizing Windows Vista Menus
        1. Changing Between Classic Start Menu and Simple Start Menu
        2. Customizing Classic Start Menu Options
        3. Customizing Simple Start Menu Settings
        4. Modifying Menus and Their Options
          1. Rearranging Items on the Start Menu
          2. Reorganizing Menu Options
          3. Adding, Modifying, and Deleting Menus
          4. Adding Menu Options to the Start Menu
          5. Displaying the Administrative Tools Menu
          6. Enabling and Disabling Personalized Menus
      2. Customizing the Taskbar
        1. Understanding the Taskbar
        2. Changing the Taskbar Size and Position
        3. Auto Hiding, Locking, and Controlling Taskbar Visibility
        4. Grouping Similar Taskbar Items
        5. Controlling Programs in the Notification Area
          1. Adding or Removing Startup Programs
          2. Controlling Icon Display in the Notification Area
      3. Optimizing Toolbars
        1. Displaying Toolbars
        2. Customizing the Quick Launch Toolbar
        3. Restoring the Show Desktop Button
        4. Creating Personal Toolbars
      4. Working with Desktop Themes
        1. Applying and Removing Themes
        2. Tailoring and Saving Themes
        3. Deleting Custom Themes
      5. Optimizing the Desktop Environment
        1. Setting the Desktop Background
        2. Working with the Default Desktop Icons
        3. Working with Windows Sidebar and Gadgets
          1. Configuring Windows Sidebar
          2. Hiding and Exiting Windows Sidebar
          3. Adding and Removing Windows Gadgets
      6. Screen Saver Dos and Don’ts
        1. Configuring Screen Savers with Password Protection
        2. Reducing Screen Saver Resource Usage
        3. Setting Energy-Saving Settings for Monitors
      7. Modifying Display Appearance and Video Settings
        1. Configuring Window Color And Appearance
        2. Configuring Video Settings
          1. Checking the Current Video Adapter and Monitor
          2. Changing the Video Driver
          3. Changing the Monitor
          4. Changing the Screen Resolution and Color Quality
          5. Changing the Display Refresh Rate
    8. 5. Installing and Maintaining Programs
      1. Managing Application Virtualization and Run Levels
        1. Application Access Tokens and Location Virtualization
        2. Application Integrity and Run Levels
        3. Setting Run Levels
          1. Running an Application Once as an Administrator
          2. Always Running an Application as an Administrator
          3. Always Running an Application with Different Credentials
        4. Optimizing Virtualization and Installation Prompting for Elevation
      2. Installing Programs: The Essentials
        1. Working with Autorun
        2. Application Setup and Compatibility
        3. Permissions Required for Installing, Uninstalling, and Maintaining Applications
        4. Making Programs Available to All or Selected Users
      3. Deploying Applications Through Group Policy
      4. Configuring Program Compatibility
        1. Special Installation Considerations for 16-Bit and MS-DOS Programs
        2. Forcing Program Compatibility
          1. Using the Program Compatibility Wizard
          2. Setting Compatibility Options Directly
      5. Managing Installed and Running Programs
        1. Managing Startup and Running Programs with Software Explorer
          1. Managing Startup Programs
          2. Managing Currently Running Programs
          3. Managing Network-Connected Programs and Winsock Service Providers
        2. Managing and Repairing Installed Programs
        3. Designating Default Programs
        4. Configuring AutoPlay Options
        5. Adding and Removing Windows Features
    9. 6. Managing User Access and Security
      1. Understanding User and Group Accounts
        1. Local User Account Essentials
        2. Group Account Essentials
        3. Domain vs. Local Logon
      2. Managing Local Logon
        1. Creating Local User Accounts in a Workgroup
        2. Granting Access to an Existing Domain Account to Allow Local Logon
        3. Changing Local User Account Types
        4. Enabling and Disabling User Account Control
        5. Creating Passwords for Local User Accounts
        6. Recovering Local User Account Passwords
        7. Controlling Logon: Welcome Screens and Classic Logons
        8. Removing Accounts and Denying Local Access to Workstations
      3. Managing Stored Passwords
        1. Adding Key Ring Entries
        2. Editing Key Ring Entries
        3. Removing Key Ring Entries
      4. Managing Local User Accounts and Groups
        1. Creating Local User Accounts Using Local Users and Groups
        2. Creating Local Groups for Workstations
        3. Adding and Removing Local Group Members
        4. Enabling Local User Accounts
        5. Creating a Secure Guest Account
        6. Renaming Local User Accounts and Groups
        7. Deleting Local User Accounts and Groups
      5. Managing Remote Access to Workstations
        1. Configuring Remote Assistance
        2. Configuring Remote Desktop Access
        3. Making Remote Desktop Connections
    10. 7. Managing Laptops and Traveling Users
      1. Working with Windows Mobility Center
      2. Configuring Power Management Settings
        1. Working with Power Plans
        2. Selecting and Optimizing Power Plans
        3. Creating Power Plans
        4. Configuring System-Wide Power Button and Password Protection on Wake Setting
        5. Managing Power Plans from the Command Line
        6. Managing Power Plans in Group Policy
        7. Using Alarms and Configuring Alarm Actions
          1. Configuring Low Battery Notification and Actions
          2. Configuring Critical Battery Alarms
      3. Configuring Networking for Laptops
        1. Configuring Dynamic IP Addresses
        2. Configuring Alternate Private IP Addresses
        3. Connecting to Networked Projectors
    11. 8. Configuring User and Computer Policies
      1. Group Policy Essentials
        1. Understanding Policy Application
        2. Accessing and Using Local Group Policies
        3. Accessing and Using Site, Domain, and Organizational Unit Policies
        4. Using the Group Policy Object Editor
        5. Updating Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista
      2. Configuring Policies
        1. Viewing Policies and Templates
        2. Enabling, Disabling, and Configuring Policies
        3. Adding or Removing Templates
      3. Working with File and Data Management Policies
        1. Configuring Disk Quota Policies
        2. Configuring System Restore Policies
        3. Configuring Offline File Policies
          1. Setting Offline File Configuration Policies
          2. Administratively Controlling Offline Files and Folders
          3. Setting Offline File Synchronization Policies
          4. Setting Offline File Cache Policies
      4. Working with Access and Connectivity Policies
        1. Configuring Network Policies
        2. Configuring Remote Assistance Policies
      5. Working with Computer and User Script Policies
        1. Controlling Script Behavior Through Policy
        2. Assigning Computer Startup and Shutdown Scripts
        3. Assigning User Logon and Logoff Scripts
      6. Working with Logon and Startup Policies
        1. Hiding the Welcome Screen
        2. Using Classic Logon vs. Simple Logon
        3. Setting Policy-Based Startup Programs
        4. Disabling Run Lists Through Policy
        5. Navigating Group Policy Changes
    12. 9. Managing Disk Drives and File Systems
      1. Disk Management Essentials
        1. Using the Computer Console
        2. Using Disk Management
        3. Using FSUtil and DiskPart
      2. Improving Disk Performance
        1. Understanding and Using Windows ReadyBoost
        2. Enabling ReadyBoost
          1. Configuring ReadyBoost
          2. Ejecting a USB Flash Device That Uses ReadyBoost
        3. Understanding and Using Windows ReadyDrive
        4. Understanding and Using Windows SuperFetch
      3. Working with Basic and Dynamic Disks
      4. Using Basic and Dynamic Disks
        1. Understanding the Active, Boot, System, and Other Drive Designations
        2. Installing and Initializing New Physical Disks
        3. Marking a Partition as Active
        4. Converting a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk and Vice Versa
      5. Working with Disks, Partitions, and Volumes
      6. Partitioning Disks and Preparing Them for Use
        1. Creating Partitions, Logical Drives, and Simple Volumes
        2. Creating Spanned and Striped Volumes on Dynamic Disks
        3. Shrinking or Extending Volumes
        4. Formatting Partitions and Volumes
        5. Assigning, Changing, or Removing Drive Letters and Paths
        6. Assigning, Changing, or Deleting a Volume Label
        7. Deleting Partitions, Volumes, and Logical Drives
        8. Converting a Volume to NTFS
        9. Recovering a Failed Simple, Spanned, or Striped Disk
      7. Moving a Dynamic Disk to a New System
      8. Troubleshooting Common Disk Problems
    13. 10. Managing File Security and Resource Sharing
      1. File Security and Sharing Options
      2. Controlling Access to Files and Folders with NTFS Permissions
        1. Understanding and Using the Basic Permissions
          1. Working with and Setting Basic Permissions
          2. Special Identities and Best Practices for Assigning Permissions
        2. Assigning Special Permissions
        3. File Ownership and Permission Assignment
          1. Taking Ownership of Files and Folders
          2. Assigning Ownership
        4. Applying Permissions Through Inheritance
          1. Inheritance Essentials
          2. Viewing Inherited Permissions
          3. Stopping Inheritance
          4. Restoring Inherited Permissions
        5. Determining the Effective Permissions and Troubleshooting
      3. Sharing Files and Folders Over the Network
        1. Controlling Access to Network Shares
        2. Creating a Shared Resource
          1. Sharing a Resource and Setting Share Permissions in Windows Explorer
          2. Changing or Stopping Sharing
          3. Sharing a Folder and Setting Share Permissions in Computer Management
        3. Using and Accessing Shared Resources
        4. Using and Accessing Shared Folders for Administration
      4. Using and Configuring Public Folder Sharing
        1. Using Public Folder Sharing
        2. Configuring Public Folder Sharing
    14. 11. Configuring Advanced Windows Explorer Options, Offline Files, and Disk Quotas
      1. Configuring Advanced Windows Explorer Options
        1. Setting Group Policy for Windows Explorer and Folder Views
        2. Managing Drive Access in Windows Explorer
        3. Managing File Type Associations
          1. Viewing File Type Associations
          2. Changing File Type Associations
      2. Managing Offline Files
        1. Understanding Offline Files
        2. Making Files or Folders Available Offline
          1. Step 1: Share Folders
          2. Step 2: Make Folders Available for Offline Use
          3. Step 3: Specify the Offline Files and Folders to Use
        3. Working Offline
        4. Managing Offline File Synchronization
          1. Viewing Current Sync Partnerships
          2. Syncing Offline Files Manually
          3. Syncing Offline Files Automatically
            1. Scheduling Syncing
            2. Syncing on an Event or Action
          4. Determining Synchronization Details, Errors, and Warnings
          5. Resolving Synchronization Conflicts
        5. Making Offline Files Unavailable
      3. Configuring Disk Quotas
        1. Using Disk Quotas
        2. Enabling Disk Quotas on NTFS Volumes
        3. Viewing Disk Quota Entries
        4. Creating Disk Quota Entries
        5. Updating and Customizing Disk Quota Entries
        6. Deleting Disk Quota Entries
        7. Exporting and Importing Disk Quota Settings
        8. Disabling Disk Quotas
    15. 12. Configuring and Troubleshooting TCP/IP Networking
      1. Navigating Windows Vista Networking Features
        1. Understanding Network Discovery and Network Categories
        2. Working with Network Explorer
        3. Working with Network And Sharing Center
        4. Working with Network Map
      2. Installing Networking Components
        1. Working with TCP/IP and the Dual IP Stack
        2. Installing Network Adapters
        3. Installing Networking Services (TCP/IP)
      3. Configuring Local Area Connections
        1. Configuring Static IP Addresses
          1. Using the PING Command to Check an Address
          2. Configuring a Static IPv4 or IPv6 Address
        2. Configuring Dynamic IP Addresses and Alternate IP Addressing
        3. Configuring Multiple Gateways
        4. Configuring DNS Resolution
          1. Basic DNS Settings
          2. Advanced DNS Settings
        5. Configuring WINS Resolution
      4. Managing Local Area Connections
        1. Enabling and Disabling Local Area Connections
        2. Checking the Status, Speed, and Activity for Local Area Connections
        3. Viewing Network Configuration Information
        4. Renaming Local Area Connections
      5. Troubleshooting and Testing Network Settings
        1. Diagnosing and Resolving Local Area Connection Problems
        2. Diagnosing and Resolving Internet Connection Problems
        3. Performing Basic Network Tests
        4. Resolving IP Addressing Problems
        5. Releasing and Renewing DHCP Settings
        6. Registering and Flushing DNS
    16. 13. Managing Mobile Networking and Remote Access
      1. Understanding Mobile Networking and Remote Access
      2. Creating Connections for Remote Access
        1. Creating a Dial-Up Connection
          1. Working with Dialing Rules and Locations
            1. Viewing and Setting the Default Dialing Location
            2. Creating Dialing Locations
            3. Deleting Dialing Locations
          2. Creating a Dial-Up Internet Connection to an ISP
          3. Creating a Broadband Connection to the Internet or a Dial-Up Connection to the Workplace
        2. Creating a VPN Connection
      3. Configuring Connection Properties
        1. Configuring Automatic or Manual Connections
        2. Configuring Proxy Settings for Mobile Connections
        3. Configuring Connection Logon Information
        4. Configuring Connection Attempts and Automatic Disconnection
        5. Configuring Redialing Options
        6. Setting a Connection to Use Dialing Rules
        7. Configuring Primary and Alternate Phone Numbers
        8. Configuring Identity Validation
        9. Configuring Networking Protocols and Components
        10. Enabling and Disabling the Windows Firewall for Network Connections
      4. Establishing Connections
        1. Connecting with Dial-Up
        2. Connecting with Broadband
        3. Connecting with VPN
      5. Wireless Networking
        1. Wireless Network Devices and Technologies
        2. Wireless Security
        3. Installing and Configuring a Wireless Adapter
        4. Working with Wireless Networks and Wireless Connections
        5. Connecting to Wireless Networks
        6. Managing Wireless Networks
    17. 14. Managing Advanced Internet Options and Security
      1. Customizing URLs
        1. Setting Home Page, Search, and Support URLs
        2. Customizing Favorites and Links
      2. Customizing the Browser User Interface
        1. Creating Custom Titles
        2. Creating Custom Logos
        3. Creating Custom Buttons for Internet Explorer
      3. Setting Default Internet Programs
      4. Managing Connection and Proxy Settings
        1. Managing Connection Settings Through Group Policy
        2. Enabling and Configuring Proxy Settings
      5. Managing Browser Cookies and Other Temporary Internet Files
      6. Secure Browsing and Local Machine Lockdown
        1. Understanding Dynamic Security Protection, the Browser Information Bar, and Other Browser Security Enhancements
        2. Using the Add-On Manager for Internet Explorer
        3. Configuring the Pop-Up Blocker
      7. Managing Internet Explorer Security Zones
        1. Understanding Security Zones
        2. Controlling Security Zone Usage Through Group Policy
        3. Configuring Security Zones Through Group Policy
        4. Configuring the Internet Security Zone
        5. Configuring the Local Intranet Zone
        6. Configuring the Trusted Sites Security Zone
        7. Configuring the Restricted Sites Security Zone
      8. Additional Policies That Might Be Useful for Managing Internet Options
    18. 15. Optimizing Windows Vista
      1. Optimizing and Safeguarding Disk Drives
        1. Reducing Disk Space Usage
        2. Checking for Disk Errors
          1. Running Check Disk from the Command Line
          2. Running Check Disk Interactively
        3. Defragmenting Disks
          1. Modifying or Cancelling Automated Defragmentation
          2. Performing Defragmentation Manually
        4. Compressing Drives and Data
          1. Compressing Drives
          2. Compressing Files and Folders
          3. Expanding Compressed Drives
          4. Expanding Compressed Files and Folders
        5. Managing BitLocker Drive Encryption
          1. Introducing BitLocker Drive Encryption and Trusted Platform Module
          2. Working with Trusted Platform Modules
          3. Working with BitLocker Drive Encryption
          4. Recovering Volumes Protected by BitLocker Drive Encryption
        6. Managing the Encrypting File System
          1. Encrypting Files and Folders
          2. Sharing Decrypted Files
          3. Decrypting Files and Folders
      2. Enhancing Computer Security
        1. Using Windows Security Center
        2. Managing Windows Firewalls
          1. Configuring Windows Firewall
            1. Enabling and Disabling Windows Firewall
            2. Configuring Firewall Exceptions for Programs
            3. Configuring Firewall Exceptions for TCP and UDP Ports
            4. Restoring the Original Windows Firewall Configuration
          2. Configuring Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
            1. Using Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
            2. Configuring Firewall Profile Properties
            3. Creating and Managing Inbound Rules
          3. Creating and Managing Outbound Rules
            1. Creating and Managing Connection Security Rules
        3. Managing Windows Defender
          1. Working with Windows Defender
          2. Scanning the Computer for Spyware
          3. Checking for Updates
          4. Quarantining and Allowing Programs
        4. Managing Automatic Updates
          1. An Overview of Windows Update
          2. Configuring Automatic Updating
          3. Checking for Updates
          4. Viewing Update History and Installed Updates
          5. Modifying or Removing Automatic Updates to Recover from Problems
          6. Restoring Declined Updates
          7. Recovering Encryption Keys
    19. 16. Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows Vista
      1. Using Remote Assistance to Resolve Problems
        1. Understanding Remote Assistance
        2. Creating Remote Assistance Invitations
        3. Offering Remote Assistance or Answering a Remote Assistance Invitation
      2. Detecting and Resolving Windows Vista Errors
        1. Using the Event Logs for Error Tracking and Diagnosis
        2. Viewing and Managing the Event Logs
      3. Scheduling Maintenance Tasks
        1. Understanding Task Scheduling
        2. Viewing and Managing Tasks on Local and Remote Systems
        3. Creating Tasks with the Scheduled Task Wizard
        4. Troubleshooting Scheduled Tasks
      4. Backing Up and Recovering a Computer
        1. Backing Up and Recovering Files and Folders Using Previous Versions
        2. Recovering from a Failed Resume
        3. Repairing a Computer to Enable Startup
        4. Backing Up and Recovering System State Using System Restore
          1. Understanding Restore Points
          2. Creating Manual Restore Points
          3. Recovering from Restore Points
        5. Creating and Using a Backup
          1. Automating Backups of Essential Files
        6. Performing Complete Computer Backups
      5. Troubleshooting Startup and Shutdown
        1. Resolving Restart or Shutdown Issues
        2. Reinstalling Windows Vista
        3. Making Sense of Stop Errors
    20. A. About the Author
    21. Index
    22. SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with O’Reilly

Product information

  • Title: Windows Vista™ Administrator's Pocket Consultant
  • Author(s): William R. Stanek
  • Release date: November 2006
  • Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
  • ISBN: 9780735622968