1) OS Features & Utilities Flashcards
Device Manager
Allows users to view/control the hardware attached to the computer.
Can update drivers.
Can enable/disable devices.
Local Security Policy
Tool used to set local policies on an individual system
Can be used to deny Guest account
Only good for individual computers
Performance Monitor (Object & Counter)
The primary tool for tracking system resources over time. (Perfmon.msc)
Object: A system component given a set of characteristics that can be managed by the OS as a single entity.
Counter: Tracks specific info about an object
Services
Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services
Can also be found in task manager (Win10)
A program that runs in the background.
Similar to a UNIX daemon.
System Configuration
AKA: msconfig
A system utility used to help troubleshoot & change startup settings.
Task Scheduler
An administrative tool for scheduling maintenance or monitoring.
Triggers: Actions/schedules that start a program
Actions: Steps that define both the program to run and how it is run.
Conditions: Extra criteria that must be met for the program to run.
Component Services
Enables programmers to share data objects between applications on a single computer.
Used for rare times when a programmer needs you to make manual changes or when something is wrong.
Data Sources
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)
Coding standard that enables programmers to write databases & applications that use them to query ODBC on how to locate/access a database without concern about what app or OS is used.
ODBC Data Source Administrator:
Enables you to create/manage entries (Data Source Names/DSNs) that point to the ODBC database
Print Management
A snap-in MMC (Microsoft Management Console) that enables you to install, view, & manage all printers in your organization from any computer running Windows Server.
Can send emails/notifications or run scripts when a printer needs attention.
Windows Memory Diagnostics
Control Panel > Admin Tools > Memory Diagnostic
A Windows diagnostic tool that helps detect bad RAM.
Windows Defender Firewall
Default software firewall on Windows computers.
Handles port blocking, security logging, & more.
Exceptions: Allows you to choose which programs/services can pass through the firewall.
Domain Networks, Private Networks, Guest/Public Networks
Advanced Security
Advanced settings in Windows Defender Firewall.
You have much more control over how Windows treats exceptions. Expands exceptions to include custom rules for inbound/outbound data.
Rules: Name, Group, Associated Profile, Enabled/Disabled Status, Remote/Local Address, Remote/Local Port Number
Event Viewer
Powerful tool for examining issues with software/hardware via logs.
By default, stores logs as .evtx files
C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs
Four Main bars over center pane: Overview Summary of Administrative Events Recently Viewed Notes Log Summary
User Account Management
Settings > Accounts
Control Panel > User Accounts
MSCONFIG - General Tab
Select startup type for next boot. Normal Startup Diagnostic Startup (Basic devices/services only) Selective Startup (You choose)
MSCONFIG - Boot Tab
Contains advanced boot features.
Can view every copy of Windows installed, set default OS, or delete an OS from boot menu.
Set up safe boot
(Forces Windows to boot in safe mode until turned off)
MSCONFIG - Services Tab
Almost identical to services tab in task manager.
Displays services (programs running in background) Can enable/disable services
MSCONFIG - Startup Tab
Toggle on/off any startup programs
Windows 10: This is located in task manager
It’s still in msconfig, but it links you to open task manager.
MSCONFIG - Tools Tab
Lists available utilities:
Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, Command Prompt, etc
Task Manager
Tabs in task manager:
Processes, Performance, App history, Startup, Users, Details, Services
Disk Management - Drive status, Mounting, Initializing
Status: Will display if drives are healthy or not.
Foreign drive, formatting, failed, online, offline.
Mounting: Right click partition > Change Drive Letter & Paths > Add
Initializing: Adding a drive letter to a new disk that doesn’t show up in file explorer.
Right Click Drive > Initialize Disk
Disk Management - Extending, Splitting, & Shrinking Partitions
Right click on the drive & select either Shrink or Extend volume.
Disk Management - Assign Drive Letters
Right click partition/drive > Change Drive Letter & Paths > Add
Disk Management - Arrays, & Storage Spaces
Arrays: When you mirror or stripe a volume, it will be converted to a dynamic disk.
Mirrored Volume; Striped Volume; RAID5 Volume
Storage Spaces:
Functions like a RAID management tool
Simple Spaces, Mirror Spaces, Parity Spaces
Windows 8+ you can create a storage pool (turns 1+ physical drives into single storage pool)
Thin Provisioning: You can create a space with more capacity than current drives. Once capacity is reached, storage spaces will allow you to add more.
Regedit
Allows you to edit registry files.
Registry includes virtually everything in Windows in regards to settings/components/software/hardware.
Contains root keys with subkeys listed within.
Root Keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Defines standard class objects.
Class object: Named group of functions that defines what you can do with the object it represents.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER | HKEY_USERS
Current User: Current user settings
Users: All personalized info for each user
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
All data for system’s non-user-specific configurations
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
If values in local machine have more than one options, this key defines which one is currently being used
Services.msc
Allows you to view & manage all services.
Start/Stop/Pause/Resume/Restart
MMC
A shell program that holds individual utilities (snap-ins).
Designed for administration & troubleshooting.
Snap-in Examples:
Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, Services, Task Scheduler, Defender, GPO, Performance Monitor, etc
MSTSC
Runs Remote Desktop Application (RDP)
Allows for one user to take control of desktop at a time.
Allows remote access to another computer’s GUI
Others that are related:
Remote Assistance: Enables you to give anyone control of your desktop or take control of someone else’s.
RemoteApp: Windows can run specific applications hosted on another machine.
Explorer
GUI application for viewing drives/folders/files in hierarchical form.
Msinfo32
Collects information about hardware resources, components, & the software environment.
System summary provides hardware specifications.
Provides a report, helping to troubleshoot & diagnose issues/conflicts.
You can also gather info about remote computers over the network.
DxDiag
DirectX Diagnostic Tool
A diagnostic tool used to identify current DirectX version & specifications.
DirectX is a Microsoft protocol used to help programmers take control of certain pieces of hardware and talk directly to it (ex: GPU)
Disk Defragmenter
Tool used for defragmenting hard disks.
Reduces the fragmentation in the memory of a hard disk.
Control Panel: Internet Options - Connections
Allows you to add Dial-Up or VPN connection.
You can also choose a proxy (in LAN settings)
Control Panel: Internet Options - Security
Allows you to adjust internet security settings.
Can adjust “Security zone level”
Medium, Medium-High, High
Can add trusted & restricted websites.
Control Panel: Internet Options - General
Change default home page. Tab settings. Browsing history. Appearance.
Control Panel: Internet Options - Privacy
Allows you to adjust browser cookie settings.
Can choose what type of cookies to allow, or specify websites to disable cookies on.
Toggle pop-up blocker on/off
Disable toolbars/extensions on InPrivate browsing.
Control Panel: Internet Options - Programs
Set default browser, manage add-ons, select HTML editor, choose default internet programs, choose file extensions for browser to use.
Control Panel: Internet Options - Advanced
Advanced internet options
Accessibility, Accelerated Graphics, Browsing, HTTP, International, Multimedia, Security
Control Panel: Folder Options - View Hidden Files, Hide Extensions
Windows 10: File Explorer Options > View Tab
Hidden Files:
Check “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”
File Extensions:
Check on/off “Hide extensions for known file types”
Control Panel: Folder Options - General & View Options
View Tab:
Adjust settings for what file explorer displays.
General Tab: Open File Explorer To: Quick Access/Drive Open each folder in same/new window Single Click/Double Click Privacy: Show Recently Used Files/Folders Clear file explorer history
Control Panel: System - Performance (Virtual Memory)
Windows 7:
Control Panel > System/Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance Tab
Adjust page file size (Initial Size & Max Size [2x])
Windows 10:
Settings > Search “Performance” > Adjust the appearance/performance of Windows
Advanced Tab > Virtual Memory > Change
Control Panel: System - Remote Settings
Control Panel or Settings > System > Remote Desktop
Allows you to change remote desktop settings.
Control Panel: System - System Protection
Control Panel > System > System Protection (Right Pane)
Create a restore point or perform system restore.
Control Panel: Power Options
Settings > Power & Sleep
Control Panel > Power Options
Plans: Balanced, Power Saver, High Performance (more energy), Ultimate Performance (most energy)
Advanced: Adjust sleep settings for different devices
Control Panel: Credential Manager
Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager
Allows you to save web & Windows credentials
Control Panel: Programs/Features
Control Panel > Programs > Programs/Features
Allows you to uninstall/change, reinstall all programs.
Other options:
View installed updates
Turn Windows features on/off
Control Panel: HomeGroup
Windows 7:
Control Panel > Network/Internet > HomeGroup
HomeGroup: Group of PCs on a home network that can share files & printers.
Control Panel: Sound
Displays playback and recording devices.
Allows you to edit windows sounds.
Communications tab allows you to reduce volume of other sounds or mute other sounds during a call.
Control Panel: Troubleshooting
Allows you to troubleshoot:
Programs
Run programs for previous Windows versions.
Hardware/Sound
Troubleshoot Audio Recording/Playback
Use a printer
Network/Internet
Connect
Access shared files/folders
System/Security
Fix Windows Update problems
Run maintenance tasks (clean up files)
Improve power usage
Control Panel: Network/Sharing Center
Set up new connection/network
Troubleshoot problems
Change adapter settings
Media streaming options
Change advanced settings
Turn on/off network discovery
Turn on/off file/printer sharing
Control Panel: BitLocker
Allows you to toggle BitLocker on/off
Allows you to add BitLocker To Go for removable flash media.
Control Panel: Sync Center
Allows you to sync files with a network server so that you always have the most updated copies when you need them.
Can allow you to access shared files/folders on your network at any time, even when not connected to the network.
