Here is a very helpful list of Windows 2000/XP commands. A lot of these are intended for network administration , but savvy home users will find them useful as well.


at (windows XP/2000)
Scheduling utility.

bootcfg (XP only)
This utility allows you to set up your boot options, such as your default OS and other loading options.

cacls (XP, 2000, & NT4.0)
Changes the ACLs (security Settings) of files and folders. Very similar to chmod in Linux.

comp (XP & 2000)
This utility is very similar to diff in Linux. Use the /? switch to get examples of command usage.

contig (works with NT4.0 and newer)
A great defrag utility for NTFS partitions.

control (XP only) - unpublished!
Allows you to launch control panel applets from the command line. control userpasswords2, for example will launch a helpful local user admin utility.

defrag (XP only - NT4.0 and Win2k use contig)
Yes, XP comes with a command line disk defrag utility. If you are running Win2k or NT4.0 there is still hope. Contig is a free defrag program that I describe on the defrag page.

diskpart (XP only)
Use this command to manage your disk partitions. This is the text version for the GUI Disk Manager.

driverquery (XP only)
Produces a list of drivers, their properties, and their versions. Great for computer documentation.

eudcedit(XP only) - unpublished!
Private Character editor. Yes with this program built into Windows XP you can create your own font!

findstr
Find String - similar to Linux's Grep.

fsutil (XP only) - unpublished!
This is a utility with a lot of capability. Come back soon for great examples.

getmac (XP & 2000)
This command gets the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your network cards.

gpresult (XP & 2000)
This generates a summary of the user settings and computer group policy settings.

gpupdate (XP only)
Use this utility to manually apply computer and user policy from your windows 2000 (or newer) domain.

ipconfig (XP, 2000 & NT4.0)
This handy tool displays IP settings of the current computer and much more.

mmc (XP, 2000 & NT4.0) - Microsoft Management Console
This is the master tool for Windows, it is the main interface in which all other tools use starting primarily in Windows 2000 and newer systems.

more
Utility used to display text output one screen at a time. Ex. more c:\windows\win.ini

msconfig (XP only)
The ultimate tool to change the services and utilities that start when your Windows machine boots up. You can also copy the executable from XP and use it in Win2k.

msinfo32 (XP &smp; 2000)
An awesome diagnostic tool. With it you can get a list of running processes, including the residing path of the executable (great for manually removing malware) and get detailed information about hardware and system diagnostics.

narrator (XP only)
Turns on the system narrator (can also be found in accessibility options in control panel). Will will allow your computer to dictate text to you.

netsh (XP & 2000)
A network configuration tool console. At the 'netsh>' prompt, use the '?' to list the available commands and type "exit" to get back to a command prompt.

netstat (XP)
A local network port tool - try netstat -ano.

nslookup (all)
A DNS name resolution tool.

openfiles (XP Only)
Allows an administrator to display or disconnect open files in XP professional. Type "openfiles /?" for a list of possible parameters.

pathping (XP & 2000)
A cross between the ping and traceroute utilities. Who needs Neotrace when you can use this? Type "pathping " and watch it go.

recover (XP & 2000)
This command can recover readable information from a damaged disk and is very easy to use.

reg (XP & 2000)
A console registry tool, great for scripting Registry edits.

sc (XP & 2000)
A command line utility called the Service Controller. A power tool to make service changes via a logon/logoff or startup/shutdown script.

schtasks (XP only)
A newer version of the AT command. This allows an administrator to schedule and manage scheduled tasks on a local and remote machines.

secedit (XP & 2000)
Use this utility to manually apply computer and user policy from your windows 2000 (or newer) domain. Example to update the machine policy: secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce
To view help on this, just type secedit.
NOTE: In Windows XP SP1 and news, this command is superceded by: gpupdate /force

sfc (XP & 2000)
The system file checker scans important system files and replaces the ones you (or your applications) hacked beyond repair with the real, official Microsoft versions.

shutdown (XP & 2000)
With this tool, You can shut down or restart your own computer, or an administrator can shut down or restart a remote computer.

sigverif (XP only)
Microsoft has created driver signatures. A signed driver is Microsoft tested and approved. With the sigverif tool you can have all driver files analyzed to verify that they are digitally signed. Just type 'sigverif' at the command prompt.

systeminfo (XP only)
Basic system configuration information, such as the system type, the processor type, time zone, virtual memory settings, system uptime, and much more. This program is great for creating an inventory of computers on your network.

sysedit (XP/2000)
System Configuration File Editor. An old tool that was very handy for the Windows 9X days. msconfig is what you want to use now.

tasklist (XP pro only)
Tasklist is the command console equivalent to the task manager in windows. It is a must have when fighting scumware and viruses. Try the command:
tasklist /svc
to view the memory resources your services take up.

taskkill (XP only)
Taskkill contains the rest of the task manager functionality. It allows you to kill those unneeded or locked up applications.

tree (XP & 2000)
An amazing experience everyone should try! This command will provide a 'family tree' style display of the drive/folder you specify.

WMIC (XP & 2000)
Windows Management Instrumentation Command tool. This allows you to pull an amazing amount of low-level system information from a command line scripting interface.

Suggested Reading
- How to clean your LCD screen without damaging it
- How to disable writing to USB devices in Windows Vista
- How to enable the hidden boot logo in Windows Vista
- How to "Save as PDF" in Microsoft Office 2007

Microsoft has released an updated version of it Malicious Software Removal Tool. The free tool scans and removes certain malicious viruses, worms and malware from your computer. Supported operating systems are: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003.

The updated tool currently removes the following:

Win32/Berbew
Win32/Doomjuice
Win32/Gaobot
Win32/MSBlast
Win32/Mydoom
Win32/Nachi
Win32/Sasser
Win32/Zindos
Win32/Korgo
Win32/Netsky
Win32/Randex
Win32/Zafi
Win32/Bagle
Win32/Bropia
Win32/Goweh
Win32/Sober
Win32/Sobig
Win32/Hackdef
Win32/Mimail
Win32/Rbot
Win32/Sdbot
WinNT/Ispro
Win32/Kelvir
Win32/Lovgate
Win32/Mytob
Win32/Spybot
Win32/Hacty
Win32/Optix
Win32/Optixpro
Win32/Purstiu
Win32/Wootbot
Win32/Bagz
Win32/Dumaru
Win32/Spyboter
Win32/Zotob.A
Win32/Zotob.B
Win32/Zotob.C
Win32/Zotob.D
Win32/Zotob.E
Win32/Bobax.O
Win32/Esbot.A
Win32/Rbot.MA
Win32/Rbot.MB
Win32/Rbot.MC
Win32/Bobax
Win32/Esbot
Win32/Gael
Win32/Yaha
Win32/Zotob
Win32/Antinny
Win32/Gibe
Win32/Mywife
Win32/Wukill
Win32/Bugbear
Win32/Codbot
Win32/Mabutu
Win32/Opaserv
Win32/Swen
Win32/IRCBot
Win32/Ryknos
WinNT/F4IRootkit
Win32/Bofra
Win32/Maslan
Win32/Parite
Win32/Alcan
Win32/Badtrans
Win32/Eyeveg
Win32/Magistr
Win32/Atak
Win32/Torvil
Win32/Zlob
Win32/Locksky
Win32/Reatle
Win32/Valla
Win32/Evaman
Win32/Ganda
Win32/Plexus
Win32/Cissi
Win32/Fizzer
Win32/Alemod
Win32/Chir
Win32/Hupigon
Win32/Nsag
Win32/Banker
Win32/Jeefo
Win32/Bancos
Win32/Sinowal
Win32/Harnig
Win32/Passalert
Win32/Tibs
Win32/Brontok
Win32/Beenut
Win32/Haxdoor
WinNT/Haxdoor
Win32/Stration
Win32/Mitglieder
Win32/Alureon
Win32/Funner
Win32/Renos

Get the updated Malicious Software Removal Tool: HERE [6.79 MB]

If you receive errors while running the tool, check Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 891717 for more information

There is a very simple registry tweak we can implement to prevent users from writing data to a USB devices like flash disks or external hard drives. This sort of thing is usually done at schools and company's that don't want their students or employees to download files off the internet or copy sensitive company information, to take home.

To disable writing to USB devices, follow these simple steps:

- Press Windows key + R (This brings up the Run dialog box)

- Type regedit and press Enter (The open up Registry Editor)

- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

- Right-click on Control and goto New -> Key [See pic below]



- Type StorageDevicePolicies as the name for the new Key

- Right-click the newly created StorageDevicePolicies and goto New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value[See pic below]



- Type WriteProtect as the name for the new DWORD value.

- Double-click WriteProtect and set its value to 1 [See pic below]



- You can now close Registry Editor.

From now onward, every time someone tries to write data to a USB drive will be presented with a write-protect message!




NOTE: This works for Windows XP as well.

I often need to drop to a command prompt to get various tasks done. The ability to right-click a folder and instantly open a command prompt can be very handy indeed. You could do this by way of a powertoy in Windows XP. With Windows Vista it's already there.

- Press Shift and right-click a folder you want to open a command prompt from.

- Select Open Command Window Here[See pic below]

By default, Vista does not display a boot logo when starting up. I found this very odd, as all previous version of Windows had a logo of some sort. After some investigating, it turns out that Windows Vista does indeed have a boot logo. You just have to enable it. Here's how:

- Press Windows key + R (This brings up the Run dialog box)

- Type msconfig in the Run dialog box and press Enter (This brings up the system configuration utility)

- Click the Boot tab

- Tick No GUI boot

- Click OK and close system configuration utility. A reboot is required.


The next time you start Vista you will see the boot logo.

NOTE: The scroll bar you usually see may not be displayed.

When you send an email to multiple recipients, you would probably prefer to hide the list of addresses from each recipient. You achieve this by using the blind carbon copy (BCC) function. Windows Mail, by default, has BCC hidden. Here's how to make the BCC option always visible:

- In Windows Mail, click Create Mail

- In the New Message window, click View -> All Headers. The BCC field will now appear and remain visible every time you create a new mail message. [See pic below]

If you mistakenly typed an incorrect registered user and/or company name when instaliing Vista and find yourself looking for a way to change it, you've come to the right place. Here's how its done:


- Press Windows key + R (This will bring up the Run dialog)

- In the Run dialog box type regedit and press Enter

- Once Registry Editor is opened navigate to the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

- On the right hand window pane you will see multiple String and DWORD values. Look for RegisteredOrganization and RegisteredOwner [See pic below]








- You can double-click on each and change them to whatever you like. Click OK after typing.

You can now close the Registry Editor and were done. This does not require a reboot.

NOTE: This method works for Windows XP as well.

Windows Vista can, after a while take progressively longer and longer to shut down. This is due to applications that install services that start at boot time and then take ages to stop and sometimes time out when Windows is being shut down. Luckily for us, there is a way to force Windows to shut down these services much quicker. Doing this will make Vista shut down much faster!


Here's how you do it:

- Press Windows key + R (This will bring up the Run dialog)

- In the Run dialog box type regedit and press Enter

- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

- On the right hand window pane you will see multiple string values.

- Look out for one called WaitToKillServiceTimeout. It should have a default calue of 20000. This represents 20000 millisconds or 20 seconds. [See pic below]








- Double click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout and change the value to 5000(Any lower value could cause system instability and likely errors)

- Click OK and we're done!

You can now close the Registry Editor window.

As most people now know, unlike previous versions of Windows, you can actually install Windows Vista without specifying a product key during installation. Once installed you're given a 30 day grace period to evaluate the operating system before you have to enter a product key and activate with Microsoft.

There is however, a way to legally extend the grace period up to 120 days using a method that has been put in place by Microsoft.

Here's how you do it:

- Login to Vista as Administrator
- Bring up the Run dialog box (do this by using Windows Key + R on your keyboard)
- Type cmd and press Enter. This brings up the command prompt.
- In the command prompt window, type slmgr -rearmand press Enter.
- Then reboot your computer.

You can do this 3 times. Each time extending your grace period by 30 days giving you a total evaluation period of 120 days.

Find yourself receiving "BOOTMGR is missing, Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" message? Don't stress! Its easier to fix than you think. Here's how:

SOLUTION 1

- Get your Vista installation DVD and pop it into your drive.
- Then restart your computer.
- Set your computer to boot from DVD or CD in your BIOS.

Vista will ask you for language and keyboard layout information, after which you will be asked if you want to re-install Vista or repair your existing installation.
Select Repair. After which Vista's System Recovery Tool will start.



Select Startup Repair and let Vista do its thing! That really is all there is to it!


If that doesn't work try this:


SOLUTION 2

If the previous method does not resolve the problem, you can rebuild the BCD store by using the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment. To do this, follow these steps:

- Get your Vista installation DVD and pop it into your drive.
- Then restart your computer.
- Press a key when you are prompted.
- Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next
- Click Repair your computer
- Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next
- In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt
- Type bootrec /rebuildbcd and then press ENTER

• If Bootrec runs successfully, it will present you with the installation path of a Windows directory. To add the entry to the BCD store, type Yes . A confirmation message appears that indicates the entry was added successfully.

• If Bootrec cannot locate any missing Windows installations, you must remove the BCD store, and then you must re-create it. To do this, type the following commands in the order shown below: (Remember to press ENTER after each command)

bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup

ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old

bootrec /rebuildbcd

- Restart the computer.

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Suggested Reading
- How to clean DVD and CD discs
- How to "Save as PDF" in Microsoft Office 2007
- How to enable the hidden boot logo in Windows Vista
- How to disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista
- A list of useful Windows commands and tools
- How to extend Windows Vista's 30 day activation period (legally)

- Click "Start", goto "Run"

- Type "msconfig" and click "OK"

- Click the "Tools" tab (See picture below)

Scroll towards the bottom of the list and click "Disable UAC" Click the "Launch" button This will require a re-boot.

Method 2 - Using Control Panel

- Click "Start", goto "Control Panel"

- In the search text box near the top right of the screen type "user account control" (See pic below)

Simply click "Turn User Account Control (UAC) on or off"

Set it to off. This may require a reboot.

NOTE: There are other ways to disable UAC. One is to use registry editor (regedit), the other is to use group policy. These are slightly
more complicated than the above mentioned. The methods listed above should suffice for most users!

Vista, Why Changing Over Worthwhile

What is your opinion about Vista ? Well, if we take a closer look there are many changes in Windows Vista compared to previously Windows XP operating system. Windows Vista come up with a lot features and enhancement to make sure it will suite the new technology and trend.

Desktop - Vista desktop become a lot nicer and aero desktop customizes. Vista come up with nice Sidebar just like the Apple OS. The Start menu is much faster to navigate due to the new folder-tree file design now.

Security Issues - Security is probably one of the most concentrated on subjects during the research and development of Vista. Now, security on Vista is backed by Windows Firewall. Additionally, Vista includes with it Windows Defender - a virus/spyware tool that is a step above what was previously released with XP. With these tools, there is better protection for the user against what is becoming a more and more dangerous internet.

Defragmentation - In Windows Vista, hard disk will be automatically defragmented in the background. It will make sure that the performance during accessing Windows Vista didn't drop.

Memory Management - Memory management in Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems has evolved into a rich and sophisticated architecture, capable of scaling from the tiny embedded platforms (where Windows executes from ROM) all the way up to the multi-terabyte NUMA configurations, taking full advantage of all capabilities of existing and future hardware designs. Among new improvements in Vista is dynamic system address space, enhanced NUMA and large system/page support, advanced video model support, I/O and section access, and robustness and diagnosability.

Other Vista advantages are :-

-really fast response time

-Fast sleep and resume

-Encryption features

-Flip 3D windows switchin. Its really cool.

-Search function, Self-healing system & Photo Gallery.

Actually there are a lot more that i didn't list here...You can read it by yourself at Microsoft's website.

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Windows Vista Feature To Avoid Power Misuse
By: Dhruba M

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