Microsoft Windows Operating System Essentials

Tom Carpenter is the author of several books for the IT industry, including Sybex's Microsoft Windows Server Administration Essentials. He is the founder and Senior Consultant for The Systems Education Company (SysEdCo), a training and consulting company specializing in Microsoft and network infrastructure technologies. Tom has trained the U.S. Department of Defense, the FBI, Procter & Gamble, Wells Fargo, and several other companiesand organizations on topics ranging from Windows Server administration to wireless LAN penetration testing.

Introduction xix Chapter 1 Windows Operating Systems Overview 1 Discovering the History of Windows 1 DOS The Precursor 2 Windows 3.1 The GUI 4 Windows Evolution 7 Understanding the OS Architecture 8 The Layers in Windows 8 Windows Compared to Other Systems 13 Identifying Windows Interfaces 14 Using the GUI Interface 14 Using the Command Prompt Interface 17 Using Windows PowerShell 18 The Essentials and Beyond 19 Chapter 2 Installing Windows 23 Exploring OS Editions 23 Comparing Windows Editions 23 Defining System Requirements 26 Using the PC Upgrade Advisor 27 Planning Clean Installs vs. Upgrades 28 Understanding Upgrade Paths 29 Considering Application Compatibility 30 Planning for Upgrades 32 Planning for Clean Installs 32 Understanding Installation Types 33 Installing from Removable Media 33 Performing Network-Based Installations 37 Managing Product Identification Keys 37 Using Virtualized Installations 38 Introducing Virtualization 38 Application Virtualization 40 Using Windows Virtual PC 40 Using Third-Party Virtualization Software 42 Understanding Windows XP Mode 43 The Essentials and Beyond 43 Chapter 3 Managing the Desktop 45 Understanding Desktop Features 45 Exploring the Desktop 45 Using the Desktop Configuration Interfaces 48 Start Menu Settings 48 Taskbar Settings 50 Notification Area Settings 53 Understanding User Profiles and Desktop Relationships 55 Working with Gadgets 56 Adding Gadgets to the Desktop 56 Configuring Gadgets 57 Installing and Removing Gadgets 58 Changing Display Settings 59 Configuring the Screen Resolution 59 Configuring Screen Magnification 60 Using Multiple Display Devices 61 Creating Shortcuts 61 Creating a New Desktop Shortcut 61 Modifying a Shortcut 63 Adding System Icons to the Desktop 64 Configuring the Aero Interface 65 Understanding the Aero Features 65 Using Aero Themes 66 Configuring Aero Settings 67 The Essentials and Beyond 68 Chapter 4 Using Native Applications 71 Using the Traditional Tools 71 Editing Text 71 Working with Images 78 Performing Calculations 79 Working with Internet Explorer 80 Exploring the Browser Interface 80 Using the Tools Menu 82 Creating Screenshots 83 Using the Print Screen Button 84 Working with the Snipping Tool 84 Using Media Applications 85 Understanding Media Applications 85 Configuring Windows Media Player 86 Viewing Configuration Settings 87 Using MSCONFIG 88 Using System Information 89 PowerShell and Command Prompt Information Gathering 90 The Essentials and Beyond 90 Chapter 5 Managing with the Control Panel 93 Understanding Applets . 93 Defining a Control Panel Applet . 93 Exploring the Available Applets 94 Configuring Administrative Tools 99 Understanding the Administrative Tools Applet 99 Working with the Administrative Tools 100 Configuring Accessibility 105 Windows Accessibility Features 105 Using the Ease of Access Center 106 Using Important Applets 107 Configuring Default Programs 107 Using the Power Management Tools 110 Understanding the System Applet 112 The Essentials and Beyond 113 Chapter 6 Mobility and Remote Management 115 Understanding Mobility 115 Using the Sync Center 115 Using Windows Mobility Center 116 Using Remote Desktop 118 Enabling Remote Desktop 118 Connecting to Remote Desktop 118 Using Remote Assistance 119 Enabling and Configuring Remote Assistance 119 Requesting Assistance 120 Responding to a Request 120 Understanding the MMC 121 Exploring the MMC Interface 121 Creating Custom Consoles 122 Working with Windows PowerShell 123 Understanding Cmdlets 124 Executing Remote Commands 125 The Essentials and Beyond 126 Chapter 7 Managing Applications 129 Planning for Local and Network Applications 129 Using Localized Applications 129 Using Networked Applications 130 Installing, Configuring, and Removing Applications 131 Understanding Installation Methods 132 Configuring Applications 133 Removing Applications 134 Using Group Policy for Application Control 136 Restricting Application Installation 136 Disabling Access to Removable Media 139 Deploying Applications with Group Policy 140 Understanding Application Virtualization 142 Understanding Med-V 142 Understanding VDI 144 The Difference between Services and Standard Applications 145 Defining Services 145 Configuring Service Settings 150 Managing Service Accounts 152 Understanding Service Dependencies 154 Stopping, Starting, and Restarting Services 155 The Essentials and Beyond 157 Chapter 8 Controlling Malware 159 Understanding Malware Types 159 Understanding Viruses and Worms 159 Defining Trojans and Backdoors 161 Avoiding Phishing Attacks 161 Planning for Malware Protection 162 Security Defined 163 Configuring and Using UAC 167 Selecting Anti-Malware Solutions 171 Protecting the Windows Registry 172 Understanding Microsoft Protection Methods 173 Working with the Action Center 174 Understanding the Malicious Software Removal Tool 175 Using Windows Defender 176 Using Microsoft Security Essentials 177 Understanding Microsoft Forefront 178 The Essentials and Beyond 179 Chapter 9 File Management 181 Understanding Filesystems 181 Exploring the Purpose of a Filesystem 181 Comparing Windows Filesystems 182 Contrasting 32-Bit and 64-Bit Systems 184 Working with Encryption 185 Encrypting Files and Folders 185 Understanding BitLocker Encryption 189 Managing Encryption Keys 190 Using Compression 190 Using Libraries 191 Library Features and Functionality 192 Organizing with Libraries 193 Creating a New Library 195 Configuring Library Properties 196 The Essentials and Beyond 198 Chapter 10 Network Shares 201 Planning for File Sharing 201 Understanding Network Hardware 201 Understanding TCP/IP 202 Working with Network Types 205 Participating in a Workgroup 207 Creating a New Homegroup 208 Joining a Windows Domain 211 Creating File Shares 212 Creating Share Types 212 Mapping Drives 215 Understanding NTFS and Share Permissions 217 Understanding Authentication and Authorization 217 Comparing NTFS and Share Permissions 219 Creating Share Permissions 222 Creating NTFS Permissions 222 Sharing Printers 223 Creating Printer Shares 223 Managing Printer Shares 224 Providing Printer Drivers 225 The Essentials and Beyond 226 Chapter 11 Device Management 229 Understanding Device Drivers 229 Defining Device Drivers 229 Locating and Downloading Drivers 230 Installing Third-Party Software 233 Using the Device Manager 234 Exploring Plug-and-Play Operations 237 Understanding Plug-and-Play Features 237 Defining the Plug-and-Play Process 239 Connecting and Managing Devices 240 Initial Device Installation 240 Updating Drivers 241 Creating a Driver List 242 Printers 243 Comparing Local and Network Printers 243 Connecting and Disconnecting Printers 243 Using Print Queues 245 Printing to a File 246 Internet Printing 248 System Devices 248 Understanding Multimedia Devices 248 Using Input Devices 249 Exploring System Board Chipsets 250 The Essentials and Beyond 251 Chapter 12 Storage Management 255 Data Storage Concepts 255 Selecting Hard Drives for Your Computers 256 Choosing a Filesystem 259 Understanding Networked Storage 260 Using DFS 261 Understanding RAID 263 Identifying Storage Technologies 267 Understanding Disk Types 268 Basic and Dynamic Disks 268 Virtual Hard Disks 270 Optical Media 271 Using Online Storage 271 Microsoft Online Storage Solutions 272 Third-Party Online Storage Solutions 273 The Essentials and Beyond 274 Chapter 13 Windows Troubleshooting 277 Troubleshooting Processes 277 REACT 278 OSI Model 283 The Hardware/Software Model 288 Symptom, Diagnosis, and Solution 289 Systems Thinking 290 Using Disk Defragmenter 292 Working with the Defragmenter GUI 292 Using the DEFRAG Command Prompt Tool 292 Using Defraggler 294 Performing a Disk Cleanup 295 Using the Disk Cleanup Tool 295 Searching for Large Files 296 Scheduling Tasks 297 Accessing Additional Troubleshooting Tools 298 Using Event Viewer 299 Task Manager 301 Resource Monitor 303 The Essentials and Beyond 305 Chapter 14 Backup and Recovery 307 Planning for Backups 307 Comparing Backup Methods and Tools 308 Understanding Backup Options 314 The Backup Planning Process 315 Testing Recovery Processes 316 Documenting the Recovery Process 316 Performing Periodic Tests 316 Updating the Recovery Process 317 Working with System Restore 317 Understanding System Restore 317 Creating Restore Points 319 Reverting to a Restore Point 320 Selecting Third-Party Backup Software 321 Determining Backup Needs 321 Evaluating and Selecting Solutions 322 Using Recovery Boot Options 323 Understanding the Boot Menu 323 Booting to the Last Known Good Configuration 324 Using Safe Mode Options 325 The Essentials and Beyond 325 Chapter 15 Windows Update 327 Understanding Hotfixes and Service Packs 327 Microsoft s Recommended Update Life Cycle 327 Hotfixes, Service Packs, and Update Terminology 329 Planning for Windows Update and Microsoft Update 330 Updating with Windows Update 332 Using Windows Server Update Service 336 The Essentials and Beyond 341 Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 343 Chapter 1 343 Chapter 2 344 Chapter 3 344 Chapter 4 345 Chapter 5 345 Chapter 6 346 Chapter 7 347 Chapter 8 348 Chapter 9 348 Chapter 10 349 Chapter 11 350 Chapter 12 350 Chapter 13 351 Chapter 14 352 Chapter 15 352 Appendix B Microsoft's Certif ication Program 355 Certification Objectives Map 356 Index 361