Here is a selection of my favourite Windows Server 2003 tips. My aim is to
provide variety, so I hope you will discover at least one valuable tip.
1) Disable the Original Administrator Account
In Windows Server 2003, for the first time, you CAN disable the Administrator account. My point is that every hacker knows that Windows has
a username called Administrator, so defend it by disabling the account. (right-click the Administrator, Disable)
Obviously you must create another account with administrative privileges.
There are two variations of this tip.
a) You could disable the account from logging on across the network
b) You could rename the account and create a dummy administrator to confuse
would be hackers
2) View Advanced Features
As you are an expert, display all those hidden menus and folders.
a) Go to the Active Directory Users and Computers, Select View (Menu) then
check: Advanced
Features. Now you should see the 'LostAndFound' folder and so be able to
check for any orphaned users.
b) Select the DNS Icon, View (Menu), Advanced. This brings
the DNS 'Cached Lookups' folder into view.
c) Device Manager, Show Hidden Devices. This useful for troubleshooting
Non Plug and Play devices.
3) The Easiest Way to Bring up the System Icon
Here is my favourite keyboard short cut: (Windows Key)
+ Pause/Break (Key)
4) Remote Desktop
The idea is to connect to the Windows Server 2003 from your XP Desktop. Configure
Remote Desktop from the System Icon, Remote (tab), Remote Desktop. This
will save you that long walk to the server room.
When you are logged on to your XP machine go to Accessories, Communication,
Remote Desktop connection. Incidentally, remote desktop was voted the top
reason to migrate to XP and here it is on Server 2003.
5) Troubleshooting Error Messages.
a) Start, Help and Support, Troubleshooting Strategies (Bullet point 5)
Here is a wonderful selection of tools to lead you methodically through a
problem. Each hardware device will have its own troubleshooters.
They are excellent for making sure you have not overlooked something obvious.
b) Start, Help and Support, Error and Event Log Messages. Just type in the
error message which you find in the Event Viewer, make sure you are on line, and
Microsoft will help diagnose the cause and a solution.
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(NPM)
SolarWinds'
Orion performance monitor
will help you discover what's happening on your network. This
utility will also guide you through troubleshooting; the dashboard will
indicate whether the root cause is a broken link, faulty equipment or
resource overload.
Perhaps the NPM's best feature is the way it suggests solutions to network
problems. Its
second best feature is the ability to monitor the health of individual VMware
virtual machines. If you are interested in troubleshooting, and creating network maps, then I recommend that you take advantage of SolarWinds' offer.
6) To display your Username and Computer Name on the 'My Computer'
Here is a tip for those who like to hack the registry.
Preliminary step, show the 'My Computer' icon, go to Control Panel, Display,
Desktop (Tab), Customize Desktop, Check My Computer.
Principle: Find the setting for the My Computer object in the HKey_Classes_Root,
substitute two variables for the original setting. Warning:This is a
particularly difficult registry change to make so export the registry FIRST. Regedit,
File (menu), Export.
Getting Started
a) Use regedit to locate [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
rename LocalizedString to LocalizedString.Old. I advice this step in case
anything goes wrong and you want to revert to how it was.
b) Create a new VALUE type Expand_SZ name it LocalizedString Set the
value of LocalizedString to %Username% at
%Computername%
Press F5 to refresh
the 'My Computer', there is no need to logoff and certainly do not
reboot.
»
7) Configure a Short cut to 'Run As' a Different User
This tip only works on short cuts, and not the underlying executable.
Firstly, create a short cut to one of your key
programs, for example Active Directory Users and Computers. Now, right-click
the short cut, Properties, Advanced (Button), Run with Different
Credentials. The idea behind 'Run As' is to encourage you to log on as
an ordinary user, and then use 'elevated rights' when you need to run the
administrative tools. What it does is save you having to log off and then
logon again as the administrator.
right-click the Grey Bar at the bottom of the screen, Properties - check out all
the settings.
If you have a Windows 2003 tip, please write in to
I will publish with an acknowledgment if you would like.
Assorted Other Interesting Features in Server 2003
Regedit now supports Reg_Expand. Regedit also remembers the last
place you visited.
Raise Forest Functional Level - Replaces Mixed and Native mode
see
more here
Remember to 'Authorize' your DHCP server in Active Directory
Search - Computers now on the lower part of the menu. (Search for
other Items)
IIS 6.0 is much more secure than Windows 2000's IIS 5.0. N.B. to
configure IIS go to the Add or Remove Programs, Windows Components,
Application Services see more here
RUN, CMD, type: prompt $v
Summary of Windows Server 2003 Tips
These are my favourite ideas for configuring Windows Server, please send
me yours. I also have tips for
Windows 7.
Windows
Server 2008 Enterprise Admin
Train Signal have an excellent Windows Server 2008 course. You get over 70
hrs instruction with Ed Liberman and Ben "Coach" Culbertson. Try their
step-by-step videos and master Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Admin.
The package includes the Transcender exams, which are the key to gaining the
coverted Microsoft Certified IT Professional certification. However, the
course also builds practical experience so that you can manage your network
effectively once you complete the course.
Guy Recommends: Orion's NPM - Network Performance Monitor
Orion's performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages. NPM makes it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps. It also helps troubleshooting by indicating whether the root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload.
(Windows Key)
+ Pause/Break (Key)
Press F5 to refresh
the 'My Computer', there is no need to logoff and certainly do not
reboot.
