Windows is the brand name for a series of operating systems from Microsoft. Instead of tagging a post "Windows", try to use a more specific tag, like windows-7, windows-xp or windows-server-2008-r2 .
185
votes
14answers
100k views
How do you find what process is holding a file open in Windows?
One thing that annoys me no end about Windows is the old "sharing violation" error. Often you can't identify what's holding it open. Usually it's just an editor or explorer just pointing to a relevant ...
74
votes
13answers
81k views
How to I tell Git for Windows where to find my private RSA key?
My GIT setup runs fine within linux, but when I try to set things up under Windows (using git for windows and tortoisegit) I don't know where to put my private ssh key (or, better still, how to tell ...
73
votes
7answers
12k views
How does CTRL-ALT-DEL to log in make Windows more secure?
When logging into Windows, it says on that page that CTRL-ALT-DEL somehow makes Windows more secure. I have never been able to figure a mechanism where having to press some specific key combination ...
61
votes
5answers
136k views
Does Windows have a built-in ZIP command for the command line?
Since Windows Explorer (since at least Windows XP) has some basic support for ZIP files, it seems like there should be a command-line equivalent, but I can't seem to find any sign of one.
Does ...
60
votes
8answers
72k views
How do I create a symbolic link in Windows?
Windows Vista added the ability to create symbolic links to files and directories. How do I create a symbolic link and what are the current consumer and server versions of Windows that support it?
58
votes
5answers
103k views
Boot and Install Windows from a USB thumb drive
Installing Windows from a thumb drive is vastly superior to burning a copy to a DVD which will fill some landfill somewhere with toxic stuff. Not to mention it's about 50x faster to install Windows ...
48
votes
2answers
51k views
How to Configure Windows Machine to Allow File Sharing with DNS Alias
What process is necessary to configure a Windows environement to allow me to use DNS CNAME to reference servers?
I want to do this so that I can name my servers something like SRV001, but still have ...
46
votes
12answers
4k views
Good reasons to keep 32-bit Microsoft Windows desktop OSes
Server software has been 64-bit only for a while now (Since Server 2008 R2 for Windows, even earlier for Exchange and Sharepoint) and even Ubuntu are pushing you away from 32-bit versions for their ...
46
votes
7answers
75k views
Run a .bat file in a scheduled task without a window
I have a scheduled task that starts a batch script that runs robocopy every hour. Every time it runs a window pops up on the desktop with robocopy's output, which I don't really want to see.
I ...
46
votes
1answer
26k views
What is Active Directory and how does it work?
This is a Canonical Question about Active Directory.
What is Active Directory? What does it do and how does it work?
I find myself explaining some of what I assume is common knowledge about it ...
46
votes
9answers
47k views
What's the best way to move c:\users to d:\users under vista/W7 [closed]
I just installed Windows 7 RC1 and want to move c:\users to d:\users.
What's the best way to do this?
Due to the fact that Windows 7 creates a reserved partition that is mounted as C:
in the ...
41
votes
9answers
76k views
How to refresh hosts file without rebooting
On Windows, how do you refresh the hosts file without rebooting?
37
votes
22answers
11k views
PowerShell? Do you use it? Can you show me some cool system administration things I can do with it?
I keep reading everywhere that PowerShell is the way of the future. When it was first released I did a whole bunch of virtual labs, but since then I still haven't used it in a production environment. ...
35
votes
8answers
75k views
What's the command-line utility in Windows to do a reverse DNS look-up?
Is there a built-in command line tool that will do reverse DNS look-ups in Windows? I.e., something like <toolname> w.x.y.z => mycomputername
I've tried:
nslookup: seems to be forward ...
35
votes
6answers
41k views
How do you add a Windows environment variable without rebooting?
This is probably an easy answer, but I have never been able to find it by googling. I simply would like to add an Environment variable to a Windows machine (desktop or server) and be able to use it ...
33
votes
8answers
178k views
Command line to list users in a Windows Active Directory group?
Is there a command line way to list all the users in a particular Active Directory group?
I can see who is in the group by going to Manage Computer --> Local User / Groups --> Groups and double ...
33
votes
18answers
30k views
Why hasn't rsync caught on in the Windows world? [closed]
It seems that rsync is the de-facto standard for efficient file backup and sync in Unix/Linux.
Does anyone have any thoughts on why it wouldn't have caught on in the Windows world?
Why hasn't it ...
33
votes
7answers
25k views
What is the Windows equivalent of Unix “whoami” command?
Is there a Windows equivalent of Unix "whoami" command? If so, what is it?
32
votes
3answers
30k views
How to add dependency on a Windows Service AFTER the service is installed
I have a Windows Service that makes use of a SQL Server database. I don't have control over the installation of the service, but would like to add a dependency on the service to ensure that it starts ...
32
votes
5answers
83k views
How can I tell what version of IIS is installed?
I've got a box running WinXP professional and some directions from Microsoft KB about SSL certificates, for IIS 5.0 and 6.0. How can I tell which version of IIS is currently installed?
Edit: The OS ...
30
votes
6answers
3k views
What are .DS_Store files and why does OSX leave them on Windows shares?
Whenever I access windows shares from OSX 10.5 it leaves .DS_Store files on the remote filesystem. What are they used for, and are they necessary, and can they be prevented from being created?
28
votes
14answers
45k views
Why does “Loading your personal settings” take forever?
I have come across dozens of user installations of Windows (XP) where, after logging in,
the system stays stuck on this screen for a very long time.
What are the possible causes?
How can I diagnose ...
26
votes
14answers
17k views
How to monitor a windows log file in real time?
There is a already question that asks about opening a large log files.
But my intention is different.
Is there any application that monitors a log file and updates as it is updated in real time?
...
26
votes
16answers
2k views
What antivirus do you recommend for dev boxes [closed]
What antivirus would you recommend for computers used for windows development. Would you use an antivirus for these users? These users compile quite often and therefore read and write tons of files. ...
25
votes
10answers
3k views
Ethics and Windows License Stickers [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Can you help me with my software licensing question?
I've come by some older laptops and want to re-install windows on them. (See my related question on an easy way to ...
25
votes
4answers
650 views
Should I install Windows Management Framework 3.0?
I'm posting this as a BIG CAVEAT to everyone. I know it's not a standard Q&A, but I think this is something every Windows admin should know. There is a very real risk of falling into Big ...
25
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I connect to a Windows server using a Command Line Interface? (CLI)
Especially with the option to install Server Core in Server 2008 and above, connecting to Windows servers over a CLI is increasingly useful ability, if not one that's very widespread amongst Windows ...
24
votes
3answers
1k views
Silently uninstall bloatware
The company I work at goes through computers fairly regularly. When we get a new computer, someone has to manually go through and remove all the bloatware that comes with the computer. Right now, I am ...
24
votes
4answers
13k views
How to convert text file from Windows line breaks to Unix ones on Unix/Linux?
Is there a quick way to convert text file from Unix line breaks to Windows ones in Unix environment? I thought there could be a standard utility.
24
votes
13answers
901 views
How to encourage Windows administrators to pick up scripting?
When I worked as an administrator in my first job, I was frustrated that our administration processes with Windows servers were a series of point-and-clicks; we could never match the level of ...
24
votes
5answers
1k views
What is svchost and why are multiple instances of it running?
There's six instances running on my desktop, and probably ten on a server I manage. What is this, and is it vital to system function?
24
votes
15answers
2k views
How much is IP V6 addressing being used?
Just how much IP V6 addressing is really in typical use out there?
I see that Linux/UNIX seems to be ready for this. But I don't see the readiness as much as the Windows side. Especially not for ...
24
votes
7answers
7k views
How to diagnose a Windows blue screen?
Sometimes I have to answer support calls responding to PC crashes with blue screens. How can I effectively narrow down the problem giving the information on that screen? What are the most important ...
23
votes
13answers
8k views
Do I really need MS Active Directory?
I manage a shop of arround 30 machines and 2 terminal servers (one production, one standby.) Should I really deploy Active Directory in our network?
Are there any really benefits, that could ballance ...
23
votes
8answers
16k views
How do I diff two text files in Windows Powershell?
I have two text files and want to find the differences between them using Windows Powershell. Is there something similar to the Unix diff tool available? Or is there another other way I haven't ...
23
votes
6answers
13k views
Where can I find data stored by a Windows Service running as “Local System Account”?
I'm using a service which stores data on disk.
The service is running as "local system account".
Where is the stored data for that system user?
I'm thinking about C:\Documents and Settings\Default ...
23
votes
2answers
5k views
Disable CPU Scaling in Windows Server 2008 R2
How do you disable CPU power management scaling in Windows Server 2008 R2?
After setting the Control Panel, Power Management plan to performance and then rebooting -- CPUID's Cpu-Z still shows the ...
22
votes
3answers
15k views
Windows equivalent of iptables?
Dumb question:
Is there an equivalent of iptables on Windows? Could I install one via cygwin?
The real question: how can I accomplish on Windows what I can accomplish via iptables?
Just looking for ...
21
votes
2answers
830 views
What should I name my Active Directory? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Windows AD Domain naming recommendations
There are a lot of really screwed up configurations out there, because people didn't take a minute to sit down and think about ...
21
votes
7answers
16k views
Ban IP address based on X number of unsuccessful login attempts?
Is it possible to ban an IP address after X number of unsuccessful login attempts to a Windows Server? Not to a particular account, which I know how to do, but to the whole machine.
We get hit pretty ...
21
votes
3answers
50k views
Mount Remote CIFS/SMB Share as a Folder not a Drive Letter
Is there any way to mount a remote CIFS/SMB/SAMBA share as a folder/directory and not as a drive letter. For example, I want this map:
\\Server\ShareName -> C:\Folder\ShareName
Instead of the usual ...
20
votes
11answers
24k views
What is the best windows tool to capture HTTP traffic? [closed]
When you want to capture browser traffic or general windows HTTP traffic what tool do you use?
20
votes
9answers
10k views
Convenient Windows equivalent to tail -f logfile?
Is there some convenient alternative to this on Windows? I always miss this away from Linux. And no I don't consider Cygwin or some other bash port to be "convenient". :)
Either a small app that'll ...
20
votes
8answers
1k views
What benefits are there to running a 64-bit Operating System?
I would like to hear community opinions on reasons to switch, to utilise, or when one should consider a x64 platform. Plus are there any additional benefits of running 64-bit Windows 7? over 64-bit ...
19
votes
9answers
6k views
Best way to fully update a new installed Windows?
I am wondering what is the best way to automatically update a new installed Windows (lets say Windows 7)? When I manually update a new install of Windows 7 SP1, I get about 45 updates. Installing ...
19
votes
8answers
686 views
How do I become a scripting guy?
I am a fairly new Windows Systems Administrator. I have done some basic batch files and some other scripting. I would like to know what path I should take to become a better scripter. What language ...
18
votes
6answers
1k views
Bad to be logged in as admin all the time?
At the office where I work, three of the other members of the IT staff are logged into their computers all the time with accounts that are members of the domain administrators group.
I have serious ...
18
votes
8answers
50k views
SQL Server 2008 Express - “Best” backup solution?
What backup solutions would you recommend when using SQL Server 2008 Express? I'm pretty new to SQL Server, but as I'm coming from an MySQL background I thought of setting up replication on another ...
18
votes
2answers
31k views
Howt to grant network access to LocalSystem account?
How do you grant access to network resources to the LocalSystem (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM) account?
Background
When accessing the network, the LocalSystem account acts as the computer on the network:
...
17
votes
7answers
20k views
Delete Files Older than (x) Days?
What's a good Windows command line option for deleting all files in a given folder older than (n) days?
Also note there may be many thousands of these files, so forfiles with a shell to cmd is not a ...
