Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Administrator's Pocket Consultant

Author William R. Stanek Pages 384 Disk N/A Level All Levels Published 09/26/2001 ISBN 9780735613812 ISBN-10 0-7356-1381-8 Price(USD) $29.99 To see this book's discounted price, select a reseller below.	More Information About the Book Table of Contents Sample Chapter Index Related Series Related Books About the Author Support: Book & CD Rate this book

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	xix
PART I   MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL ESSENTIALS
1   Introduction to Microsoft Windows XP Professional Administration	3
Getting Started with Windows XP Professional	4
Understanding Interface Changes	4
Introducing New Mouse Tricks	7
Improving the User Experience	8
Introducing Support Services	8
Working with the Automated Help System	10
Using The Help and Support Center	10
Introducing the Application Framework	12
Monitoring System Health	13
Understanding and Using Error Reporting	16
Error Reporting Basics	16
Configuring Error Reporting	16
Understanding and Using Automatic Updates	18
An Overview of Automatic Updates	18
Configuring Automatic Updates	19
Downloading and Installing Automatic Updates	20
Removing Automatic Updates to Recover from Problems	20
Restoring Declined Updates	21
2   Configuring the Environment	23
Obtaining System Information	23
Checking My Computer Information	24
Checking Advanced System Information	25
Working with WMI Control	27
Using System Support Tools	32
Working with Standard Support Tools	32
Managing System Configuration, Startup, and Boot	38
Managing System Properties	44
The General Tab	45
The Computer Name Tab	45
The Hardware Tab	46
The Advanced Tab	46
The System Restore Tab	55
The Automatic Updates Tab	58
The Remote Tab	58
3   Configuring Hardware Devices and Drivers	59
Installing and Maintaining Devices: The Basics	59
Accessing Device Utilities Through Computer Management	61
Starting and Using Computer Management	61
Managing Devices on Local and Remote Systems	62
Getting Started with Device Manager	62
Configuring Device Drivers	64
Tracking Driver Information	64
Installing and Updating Device Drivers	65
Rolling Back Drivers	67
Removing Device Drivers for Removed Devices	68
Uninstalling Device Drivers	68
Managing Hardware	69
Adding New Hardware	69
Enabling and Disabling Hardware	71
Troubleshooting Hardware	71
Customizing Hardware Device Settings	72
Configuring Keyboard Settings	72
Configuring Mouse Settings	73
Configuring Sound and Audio Devices	74
Adjusting Regional Settings	81
Setting the Date and Time	82
Configuring Network Time	82
Network Time Overview	83
Enabling and Disabling Network Time	83
Checking Time Synchronization and Forcing Updates	84
4   Customizing Menus, the Windows Taskbar, and Toolbars	85
Optimizing Windows XP Menus	85
Changing Between Classic and Simple Start Menu	85
Customizing Classic Start Menu Options	86
Customizing Simple Start Menu Settings	88
Modifying Menus and Their Options	90
Customizing the Taskbar	93
Understanding the Taskbar	93
Changing the Taskbar Size and Position	94
Auto Hiding, Locking, and Controlling Taskbar Visibility	95
Grouping Similar Taskbar Items	95
Controlling Programs in the Notification Area	96
Optimizing Toolbars	99
Displaying Custom Toolbars	99
Customizing the Quick Launch Toolbar	99
Restoring the Show Desktop Button	100
Creating Personal Toolbars	101
5   Optimizing the Desktop and Screen Appearance	103
Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Master the Desktop	103
Working with Desktop Themes	106
Applying and Removing Themes	106
Tailoring and Saving Themes	107
Deleting Custom Themes	108
Optimizing the Desktop Environment	108
Setting the Desktop Background	108
Controlling Default Desktop Icons	109
Placing Custom Content on the Desktop	110
Locking Custom Content on the Desktop	112
Cleaning Up the Desktop	112
Screen Saver Dos and Don'ts	114
Configuring Screen Savers with Password Protection	114
Reducing Screen Saver Resource Usage	115
Setting Energy-Saving Settings for Monitors	116
Modifying Display Appearance and Video Settings	118
Configuring Display Appearance	118
Configuring Video Settings	119
PART II   MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL CORE ADMINISTRATION
6   Managing User Access and Global Settings	129
Understanding User and Group Accounts	129
Local User Account Essentials	129
Group Account Essentials	132
Managing User Access to Workstations	134
Understanding User Access Levels	134
Granting Access to Workstations	135
Changing Access Levels for Users	136
Changing Workstation Passwords for User Accounts	136
Managing Stored Passwords	137
Using the .NET Passport Wizard to Create a Microsoft .NET Passport	140
Requiring Secure Logon to Workstations	140
Denying Access to Workstations	141
Managing Local User and Group Accounts	141
Creating Local User Accounts	141
Creating Local Groups for Workstations	142
Adding and Removing Local Group Members	143
Enabling Local User Accounts	144
Renaming Local User and Group Accounts	144
Deleting Local User and Group Accounts	144
Managing Remote Access to Workstations	145
Configuring Remote Assistance	145
Configuring Remote Desktop Access	146
Making Remote Desktop Connections	147
7   Managing Laptops and Traveling Users	149
Configuring Power Management Settings	149
Using Power Schemes	150
Using Alarms and Configuring Alarm Actions	153
Working with the Power Meter	157
Configuring Advanced Behaviors and Power Buttons	158
Enabling or Disabling Hibernation	158
Implementing Hardware Profiles	159
Configuring the Way Hardware Profiles Are Used	159
Configuring Docked and Undocked Profiles	160
Copying, Renaming, and Deleting Hardware Profiles	161
Configuring Networking for Laptops	161
Configuring Dynamic IP Addresses	162
Configuring Alternate Private IP Addresses	162
8   Configuring User and Computer Policies	165
Group Policy Essentials	165
Understanding Policy Application	165
Accessing and Using Local Group Policies	166
Accessing and Using Site, Domain, and Unit Policies	167
Using the Group Policy Console	168
Configuring Policies	169
Viewing Policies and Templates	169
Enabling, Disabling, and Configuring Policies	170
Adding or Removing Templates	171
Working with File and Data Management Policies	171
Configuring Disk Quota Policies	171
Configuring System Restore Policies	174
Configuring Offline File Policies	174
Working with Access and Connectivity Policies	180
Configuring Network Policies	180
Configuring Remote Assistance Policies	181
Working with Computer and User Script Policies	183
Controlling Script Behavior Through Policy	183
Assigning Computer Startup and Shutdown Scripts	185
Assigning User Logon and Logoff Scripts	186
Working with Logon and Startup Policies	187
Hiding the Welcome Screen	188
Using Classic Logon vs. Simple Logon	188
Setting Policy-Based Startup Programs	188
Disabling Run Lists Through Policy	189
9   Configuring Folder Options, Offline Files, and Quotas	191
Configuring Folder Options	191
Working with Windows Explorer	191
Setting Group Policy for Windows Explorer and Folder Views	193
Managing Folder Views Through Active Desktop	195
Displaying Hidden and Compressed Files	196
Managing Drive Access in Windows Explorer	197
Managing File Type Associations	198
Configuring Offline Files	200
Understanding Offline Files	200
Making Files or Folders Available Offline	200
Making Offline Files Unavailable	204
Configuring Computers to Use Offline Files	205
Managing Offline Files on the User's Computer	206
Configuring Quotas	210
Using Disk Quotas	210
Enabling Disk Quotas on NTFS Volumes	212
Viewing Disk Quota Entries	214
Creating Disk Quota Entries	215
Updating and Customizing Disk Quota Entries	216
Deleting Disk Quota Entries	216
Exporting and Importing Disk Quota Settings	218
Disabling Disk Quotas	219
PART III   MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
10   Managing Internet Options	223
Customizing URLs	223
Setting Home Page, Search, and Support URLs	223
Customizing Favorites and Links	225
Customizing the Browser User Interface	227
Creating Custom Titles	227
Creating Custom Logos	228
Creating Custom Buttons for Internet Explorer	230
Setting Default Internet Programs	231
Managing Connection and Proxy Settings	233
Managing Connection Settings Through Group Policy	233
Enabling and Configuring Proxy Settings	235
Managing Security Zones	237
Understanding Security Zones	237
Controlling Security Zone Usage Through Group Policy	240
Configuring Security Zones Through Group Policy	241
Configuring the Internet Security Zone	241
Configuring the Local Intranet Zone	242
Configuring the Trusted Sites Security Zone	243
Configuring the Restricted Sites Security Zone	244
Additional Policies That Might Be Useful for Managing Internet Options	245
11   Configuring TCP/IP Networking, Security, and Authentication	247
Installing Networking Components	247
Installing Network Adapters	247
Installing Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)	248
Configuring Local Area Connections	249
Configuring Static IP Addresses	249
Configuring Dynamic IP Addresses and Alternate IP Addressing	252
Configuring Multiple Gateways	252
Configuring DNS Resolution	254
Configuring WINS Resolution	256
Managing Local Area Connections	258
Enabling and Disabling Local Area Connections	258
Checking the Status, Speed, and Activity for Local Area Connections	258
Viewing Network Configuration Information	259
Renaming Local Area Connections	260
Repairing Local Area Connections	261
Troubleshooting and Testing Network Settings	261
Performing Basic Network Tests	261
Releasing and Renewing DHCP Settings	262
Registering and Flushing DNS	263
Performing Detailed Network Diagnostics	264
12   Managing Mobile Networking and Remote Access	267
Understanding Mobile Networking and Remote Access	267
Creating Connections for Remote Access	270
Creating a Dial-Up Connection	270
Creating a Broadband Connection	276
Creating a VPN Connection	277
Configuring Connection Properties	277
Configuring Automatic or Manual Connections	278
Configuring Proxy Settings for Mobile Connections	279
Configuring Connection Logon Information	282
Configuring Connection Attempts and Automatic Disconnection	283
Configuring Redialing Options	284
Setting a Connection to Use Dialing Rules	285
Configuring Primary and Alternate Phone Numbers	286
Configuring Identity Validation	287
Configuring Networking Protocols and Components	289
Enabling and Disabling the Internet Connection Firewall	291
Establishing Connections	292
Connecting with Dial-Up	292
Connecting with Broadband	295
Connecting with VPN	296
PART IV   MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL OPTIMIZATION AND RECOVERY
13   Optimizing Microsoft Windows XP Professional	301
Improving Windows XP Performance	301
Optimizing Processor Scheduling	301
Optimizing Memory Management	302
Optimizing the Menu System	302
Optimizing Applications, Processes, and Services	303
Optimizing Disk Drives	304
Reducing Disk Space Usage	304
Checking for Disk Errors	305
Defragmenting Disks	306
Converting Volumes to NTFS	308
Compressing Drives and Data	309
Encrypting Drives and Data	311
Detecting and Resolving Windows XP Errors	313
Scheduling Maintenance Tasks	314
Understanding Task Scheduling	315
Viewing Tasks on Local and Remote Systems	315
Creating Tasks with the Scheduled Task Wizard	316
Changing Task Properties	319
Enabling and Disabling Tasks	320
Running Tasks Immediately	320
Copying and Moving Tasks from One System to Another	321
Deleting Tasks	321
14   Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows XP Professional	323
Using Remote Assistance to Resolve Problems	323
Understanding Remote Assistance	323
Creating Remote Assistance Invitations	324
Offering Remote Assistance	327
Responding To and Accepting Invitations	328
Checking Invitation Status	329
Expiring, Resending, and Deleting Invitations	330
Troubleshooting Startup and Shutdown	331
Resolving Startup Issues	331
Repairing Missing or Corrupted System Files	332
Resolving Restart or Shutdown Issues	334
Using Restore Points	334
Understanding System Restore	334
Creating Manual Restore Points	336
Recovering from Restore Points	337
INDEX	339

Last Updated: September 24, 2001

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