Windows Server Hacks

One of the secrets to the ever-increasing popularity of Windows Server can be found in the simplicity its administration. The easy-to-use GUI, consistent set of tools, and wizards that walk you through complex tasks allow you to install, configure and maintain Windows servers without any knowledge of programming or scripting languages or learning complicated command-line syntax. It's possible, in fact, to accomplish about 90% of all Windows administration without ever opening a command prompt or running a script!

But what about the other ten percent of the time? While it's true that most common, day-to-day tasks of Windows administration can be performed from the GUI, it's not always the best way, especially with complex or repetitive tasks Scripts and command-line tools often provide a faster, more flexible approach. Windows Server Hacks reveals techniques that go well beyond basic management tasks found in most handbooks to help busy system administrators master the more powerful features of Windows Server.

Windows Server Hacks focuses on scripts and other tools that will make your life as an administrator much easier. These tools, or hacks--quick and dirty solutions to problems, or clever ways of doing things--were created by other professionals who've also had to struggle to find solutions to administering Windows environments. You'll save valuable time using their scripts, tools, tips, and advice. Plus, you can easily learn to customize the scripts to create even more powerful tools for your own, specific needs.

The book includes secrets of the masters in such areas as Active Directory, User Management, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP, File and Print, IIS, performance and security. The hundred, industrial strength hacks in the book range from those that deal with general administration to more esoteric hacks in the areas of network deployment, patch management, and backup and recovery.

No matter which Windows server you use--NT, IIS, 2000, or 2003--this book will put the knowledge and expertise of veteran system administrators and hackers to work for you. Windows Server Hacks will make your life easier while expanding your understanding of the capabilities of Windows Server

Table of Contents：

Credits   

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1. General Administration  

       1. Use Run As to Perform Administrative Tasks

       2. Drag and Drop to the Run Menu

       3. Find and Replace Registry Keys from a Command line

       4. Automatically Log On After Booting

       5. Wait for and Optionally Terminate a Process

       6. Shut Down a Remote Computer

       7. Rename Mapped Drives

       8. Execute a Command on Each Computer in a Domain

       9. Add, Remove, or Retrieve Environment Variables

       10. Extend Group Policy

       11. Disable EFS

       12. Get Event Log Information

       13. Shortcut to Remote Assistance

       14. Desktop Checker

       15. Top Five Tools

       16. myITforum.com

Chapter 2. Active Directory  

       17. Retrieve the List of Old Domain Computer Accounts

       18. Automate Creation of OU Structure

       19. Modify All Objects in the OU

       20. Delegate Control of an OU to a User

       21. Send OU Information in Active Directory to an HTML Page

       22. Display Active Directory Information

       23. Store and Display Contact Information in Active Directory

       24. Restore the Active Directory Icon in Windows XP

Chapter 3. User Management  

       25. Search for Domain Users

       26. Manage User Accounts in Active Directory

       27. Get a List of Disabled Accounts

       28. Get User Account Information

       29. Check for Passwords that Never Expire

       30. Enumerate Group Membership to a CSV File

       31. Modify User Properties for All Users in a Particular OU

       32. Check Group Membership and Map Drives in a Logon Script

       33. Script Creation of a User's Home Directory and Permissions

       34. Prevent Ordinary Users from Creating Local Accounts

       35. Put a Logoff Icon on the Desktop

Chapter 4. Networking Services  

       36. Manage Services on Remote Machines

       37. Simplify DNS Aging and Scavenging

       38. Troubleshoot DNS

       39. Manually Recreate a Damaged WINS Database

       40. Change WINS for All Enabled Adapters

       41. Ensure DHCP Server Availability

       42. Change a Network Adapter's IP Info

       43. Change from Static IP to DHCP

       44. Release and Renew IP Addresses

       45. Use netsh to Change Configuration Settings

       46. Remove Orphaned Network Cards

       47. Implement Windows 2000 Network Load Balancing

Chapter 5. File and Print  

       48. Map Network Drives

       49. Determine Who Has A Particular File Open on the Network

       50. Display a Directory Tree

       51. Automate Printer Management

       52. Set the Default Printer Based on Location

       53. Add Printers Based on Name of Computer

Chapter 6. IIS  

       54. Back Up the Metabase

       55. Restore the Metabase

       56. Map the Metabase

       57. Metabase Hacks

       58. Hide the Metabase

       59. IIS Administration Scripts

       60. Run Other Web Servers

       61. IISFAQ

Chapter 7. Deployment  

       62. Get Started with RIS

       63. Customize RIS

       64. Tune RIS

       65. Customize SysPrep

       66. Remove Windows Components from the Command Line

       67. Unattended Installation of Windows Components

       68. Easily Create a Network Boot Disk

Chapter 8. Security  

       69. Fundamentals of a Virus-Free Network

       70. Antivirus FAQ

       71. Rename the Administrator and Guest Accounts

       72. Get a List of Local Administrators

       73. Find All Computers that Are Running a Service

       74. Grant Administrative Access to a Domain Controller

       75. Secure Backups

       76. Find Computers with Automatic logon Enabled

       77. Security FAQ

       78. Microsoft Security Tools

Chapter 9. Patch Management  

       79. Best Practices for Patch Management

       80. Beginners Guide to Enterprise Patch Management

       81. Patch-Management FAQ

       82. Enumerate Installed Hotfixes

       83. Apply Patches in the Correct Order

       84. Windows Update FAQ

       85. Obtain Updates via the Windows Update Catalog

       86. Use Automatic Updates Effectively

       87. Use Group Policy to Configure Automatic Updates

       88. Automatic Updates FAQ

       89. Software Update Services FAQ

Chapter 10. Backup and Recovery  

       90. Collect Disaster Recovery Files

       91. Back Up Individual Files from the Command Line

       92. Back Up System State on Remote Machines

       93. Back Up and Restore a Certificate Authority

       94. Back Up EFS

       95. Work with Shadow Copies

       96. Back Up and Clear the Event Logs

       97. Back Up the DFS Namespace

       98. Recover with Automated System Recovery

       99. Recovery Roadmap

       100. Data Recovery of Last Resort

Index