Tutorials

Tutorials

• How to perform a Windows Subsystem for Linux install

  Want to run Linux on a Windows desktop? Take these steps to perform a Windows Subsystem for Linux install, which includes downloading a distribution and providing authentication.  Continue Reading

• Manage Windows 10 default file type associations with SetUserFTA

  Windows 10 default file type associations dictate which applications open for different file types. Find out how IT can manage these associations with the SetUserFTA tool.  Continue Reading

• How to fix printer problems after a Windows 10 update

  Windows 10 updates, especially an update to Windows 10 version 1809, can sometimes cause printer issues. You can fix these problems with these tips.  Continue Reading

• Connect to networks with Windows 8 Group Policy and AD

  Administrators need to be careful when connecting Windows 8.1 endpoints to enterprise domains. Windows 8 Group Policy and Active Directory can help.  Continue Reading

• Polish your IT reporting by tinkering with Excel table formatting

  Admins can manage IT reporting data on things such as vendor support levels in an Excel table, if they can properly format, save and update that data.  Continue Reading

• Set IT support and reporting priorities with an Excel pivot table

  An Excel pivot table can help IT report on support, especially if admins use its ability to prioritize data by location, date and other criteria.  Continue Reading

• Excel pivot tables can help IT admins track support, costs

  Excel isn't just for end users. If you know how to properly filter data with Excel pivot tables, you can track expenses and create detailed reports.  Continue Reading

• Windows 8 Task Manager: Finding and using its updated features

  Not many of the changes in Windows 8 Task Manager are obvious, but there are definite improvements. See which features are worth another look.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 migration guide

  Need a little direction for your Windows 7 migration? This guide will point you on the right path and introduce the pros and cons that come with the move.  Continue Reading

• Windows 7 Learning Guide

  The recent release of Windows 7 SP1 means Microsoft's newest operating system is likely coming to a desktop near you. Prepare for the unexpected with this guide.  Continue Reading

• Patch management guide for Windows desktops

  Routinely patching your Windows desktops is a necessary evil -- but patch management can be overwhelming. Get a grasp on the process with this learning guide.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise desktop tutorials

  SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com’s tutorials provide IT professionals with the latest information on implementing, managing and securing Microsoft Windows desktops including Windows Vista, Windows XP, desktop security, desktop virtualization, terminal ...  Continue Reading

• A desktop admin's guide to passwords in the enterprise

  If password management causes headaches in your enterprise, don’t stress. This guide will get you back to basics and help heal your password woes.  Continue Reading

• Weighing Microsoft Office 2010

  Microsoft Office 2010 offers a slew of new features for both end users and IT pros. Check out the pros and cons of the newest suite in this guide for enterprises and consumers.  Continue Reading

• A comparison of Windows 7 migration tools

  The results are in. Our expert tested five Windows 7 migration tools from a variety of vendors. Check out the findings.  Continue Reading

• A guide to Windows 7 migration tools

  Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP is no easy task, but several tools from Microsoft and third-party vendors can simplify the process.  Continue Reading

• Netbook guide

  Netbooks are becoming increasingly popular with corporate workers and in the enterprise. Check out this guide for netbook trends, news and reviews.  Continue Reading

• 20 days to a more secure enterprise

  Desktop administrators can improve the security of their organizations by doing a little each day. Learn how small steps can help you keep up.  Continue Reading

• Guide to converting from Windows XP to Windows 7

  While Windows 7 won't be difficult for users and administrators familiar with Vista to learn, power users and admins used to Windows XP will find this conversion guide helpful.  Continue Reading

• Protect your computer from direct attacks in Windows 7

  Secure Windows 7 by taking basic precautions like turning on Windows Firewall, locking your computer and requiring Ctrl+Alt+Delete at startup.  Continue Reading

• Manage Microsoft Windows Firewall

  Windows Firewall is an important weapon in computer security. However, there are times when you'll need to poke a hole in the barrier by creating an exception.  Continue Reading

• Confirm crucial Windows 7 security settings are enabled

  Windows 7 includes four security features by default. Make sure these important settings are enabled.  Continue Reading

• How to secure Microsoft Windows 7

  This excerpt from "Microsoft Windows 7 Unleashed" dissects Windows 7 security, providing tips on protecting your PC from computer hackers to advice on managing Windows Firewall.  Continue Reading

• Windows security tools for the busy desktop administrator

  Looking for Windows security tools, but don't have time to do the research? Learn about a few that come highly-recommended by one of our top security experts.  Continue Reading

• Windows XP management tutorial

  In this Windows XP management tutorial, get helpful tips on improving XP security, performance and general management best practices.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: How it can happen

  Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: How to crack a laptop

  Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Laptop security summation

  Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Laptop hacking

  Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Configure the drives

  In Vista, the BitLocker function allows you to encrypt your hard drive, but a computer with Trusted Platform Module is preferred. Not to worry … learn how to use BitLocker on a computer without TPM and encrypt your hard drive with this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Edit the local policy

  In Vista, the BitLocker function allows you to encrypt your hard drive, but a computer with Trusted Platform Module is preferred. Not to worry … learn how to use BitLocker on a computer without TPM and encrypt your hard drive with this ...  Continue Reading

• Password Hardening Journal

  One of the forgotten elements of a truly secure infrastructure is password security. If a hacker can break through your password defenses, he will have unchecked access to everything that an authorized user or even a network administrator has. Check...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Crack them with software

  An unknown BIOS password can be a pesky obstacle to overcome. Find out the best methods for solving this problem in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Managing the BIOS password

  An unknown BIOS password can be a pesky obstacle to overcome. Find out the best methods for solving this problem in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Windows Vista and IE7: Step 5

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• Protection against international domain names, URL handling: Step 3

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• General security configuration: Step 1

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• Tools for virus removal and detection

  Learn about antivirus tools and best practices for removing viruses from your system in this section of our malware learning guide.  Continue Reading

• Windows security in the enterprise: Tutorials

  In this collection of Windows security tutorials, learn about Windows security threats, Microsoft patch management policy, managing network access and more.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Know your hardware

  In Vista, the BitLocker function allows you to encrypt your hard drive, but a computer with Trusted Platform Module is preferred. Not to worry … learn how to use BitLocker on a computer without TPM and encrypt your hard drive with this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Guess BIOS passwords yourself

  An unknown BIOS password can be a pesky obstacle to overcome. Find out the best methods for solving this problem in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Fiddle with the hardware

  An unknown BIOS password can be a pesky obstacle to overcome. Find out the best methods for solving this problem in this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• ActiveX opt-ins, information bar and cross-domain protection: Step 4

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• Phishing filter: Step 2

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Start the BitLocker encryption process

  In Vista, the BitLocker function allows you to encrypt your hard drive, but a computer with Trusted Platform Module is preferred. Not to worry … learn how to use BitLocker on a computer without TPM and encrypt your hard drive with this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: How to secure a laptop

  Laptops with sensitive data are getting stolen every day. Contributor Kevin Beaver says the best way to secure your laptops is to understand how they will be attacked. He provides the basic attack methods and a set of contingencies in this ...  Continue Reading

• How to evaluate a Windows Vista test environment

  Before you launch a full Vista deployment, it's important to analyze your Vista pilot deployment test results.  Continue Reading

• How to execute Windows Vista deployment plans

  What's the best way to deploy Windows Vista in your desktop environment? Should you perform a manual deployment or an automated deployment? Find out in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to handle your Vista migration

  Now that Microsoft has stopped selling Windows XP, many companies are considering whether or not to upgrade to Windows Vista. While Vista is not without its problems, many of the operating system's migration horror stories are exaggerated. Several ...  Continue Reading

• Successful Vista deployments require proper training

  Even a successful Vista deployment can cause headaches without proper training for both support teams and end users.  Continue Reading

• How to select a Vista testing group

  Testing various scenarios prior to deploying Vista is important in your Windows shop. Learn how planning a pilot deployment program can ease Vista migration pains.  Continue Reading

• How to handle your Vista migration

  Now that Microsoft has stopped selling Windows XP, many companies are considering whether or not to upgrade to Windows Vista. While Vista is not without its problems, many of the operating system's migration horror stories are exaggerated. Several ...  Continue Reading

• Recover from configuration changes to Windows XP

  In this three-part series, Microsoft MVP Brien Posey runs through the best practices and strategies for returning Windows XP to a functional state -- with minimal effort.  Continue Reading

• Windows XP Troubleshooting Tutorial

  Need help troubleshooting Windows XP? This tutorial features tons of tips and tricks that admins can use to solve a variety of system and network problems, with advice on troubleshooting Windows XP system startup issues, printer problems and more.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Office Project Server 2007: New features and some that have been retired

  These excerpts from "Microsoft Office Project Server 2007: The Complete Reference" provide info on some of the new features included with Project Server 2007, as well as those that have been left out.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft patch maintenance and post-patch security

  Learn how to handle problems that occur after installing Microsoft patches. Learn about Windows patch maintenance, post-patch security best practices and more.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft patch management policy

  In the Microsoft Patch Management tutorial, learn about Windows patch management policy, patch maintenance and post-patch security as well as what tools you can use for patch management in Windows networks.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft patch management tools

  Check out some Microsoft patch management tools, including our entirely free patch management toolbox.  Continue Reading

• Five Windows desktop tasks you should automate

  Automating desktop tasks is one way for Windows administrators to make better use of their time. This guide suggests five desktop tasks that should be automated.  Continue Reading

• Internet Explorer security settings and controls

  Managing Internet Explorer security is a complicated job. You need to be aware of all of the latest IE flaws and threats as well as how to prevent hackers from using these flaws to hack your Windows network. Read about how you can keep IE secure in ...  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Windows Firewall security

  Learn how to manage Windows Firewall, disable the Microsoft firewall and the basics of Windows Firewall in this section of our network access learning guide.  Continue Reading

• Securing Microsoft Internet Explorer 7

  Microsoft's latest version of their Web browser, Internet Explorer 7, was touted as their most secure browser to date. In this section of our Internet Explorer security learning guide, find out what is so secure about IE 7 and what you can do to ...  Continue Reading

• Securing Microsoft Internet Explorer 6

  Internet Explorer 6 is not Microsoft's most up-to-date Web browser, but that doesn't mean you can't still find it being used in Windows networks. Check out this section of our learning guide for tips and expert advice on keeping Internet Explorer 6 ...  Continue Reading

• Rootkit and malware detection and removal guide

  This malware learning guide will provide several tips and tools on rootkit prevention, spyware and adware removal, antivirus tools, malware removal best practices and more.  Continue Reading

• Preventing malware with tools, patches and education

  To protect your Windows systems, stop malware intrusions from the get-go. This overview explains the major steps to take, including patching, prevention tools and education.  Continue Reading

• Removing malware from your Windows system

  Now that you know what malware is, you'll want to obliterate it from your system. But first you must classify what you're dealing with and learn more about malware removal tools.  Continue Reading

• What is malware?

  This complete malware overview explains the different types of malware that threaten Windows platforms daily, including spyware, Trojans and viruses, as well as flaws and vulnerabilities.  Continue Reading

• How to use BitLocker without TPM in Vista

  the BitLocker function allows you to encrypt your hard drive, but a computer with Trusted Platform Module is preferred. Not to worry...learn how to use BitLocker on a computer without TPM and encrypt your hard drive with this step-by-step guide.  Continue Reading

• Plan for a security breach, step by step

  Do you have a solid plan in place for if and when you experience a security breach? Does that plan include important contact information, and have you and your co-workers walked through the plan together? This step-by-step guide will help you to set...  Continue Reading

• A step-by-step guide to configuring IE7 security in Vista

  Trying to find out what's so special about IE7? Read up on the new security features present in IE7, and learn which of these features are user configurable.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Bulletproof your efforts

  It's difficult -- but not impossible -- to be totally sure that your system is 100% rootkit free, says Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. In this step-by-step guide, Beaver shows you how to strengthen your Windows systems against the rootkit ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Choose the right scanning tool

  It's difficult -- but not impossible -- to be totally sure that your system is 100% rootkit free, says Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. In this step-by-step guide, Beaver shows you how to strengthen your Windows systems against the rootkit ...  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Clean up the mess

  It's difficult -- but not impossible -- to be totally sure that your system is 100% rootkit free, says Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. In this step-by-step guide, Beaver shows you how to strengthen your Windows systems against the rootkit ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Is there a problem

  It's difficult -- but not impossible -- to be totally sure that your system is 100% rootkit free, says Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. In this step-by-step guide, Beaver shows you how to strengthen your Windows systems against the rootkit ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-Step Guide: Finding and removing a rootkit

  It's difficult -- but not impossible -- to be totally sure that your system is 100% rootkit free, says Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. In this step-by-step guide, Beaver shows you how to strengthen your Windows systems against the rootkit ...  Continue Reading

• BIOS password hacking

  An unknown BIOS password can be a pesky obstacle to overcome. Contributor Kevin Beaver presents a step-by-step methodology to hack, crack or otherwise reset your unwanted BIOS password.  Continue Reading

• Blocking peer-to-peer applications

  Peer-to-peer applications are often designed to circumvent security. No single method can block all such applications. Contributor Brien Posey recommends a few different methods to keep peer to peer apps off your desktops.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Application-level filters

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• Step 2: Firewalls

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• Step 1: Blocking peer-to-peer applications

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• Step 3: Drive your point home

  The multitude of processes and services on your servers are ripe for exploitation. This step-by-step guide from vulnerability testing expert Kevin Beaver provides specific steps for testing the security of your servers' configurations.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Setting up Internet Explorer

  Virtual machines are a great way to maximize your hardware investments, but they can also help you secure your client OS. According to contributor Brien M. Posey, you can run Internet Explorer on a virtual machine to prevent any viruses or spyware ...  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Deploying Microsoft Virtual PC

  Virtual machines are a great way to maximize your hardware investments, but they can also help you secure your client OS. According to contributor Brien M. Posey, you can run Internet Explorer on a virtual machine to prevent any viruses or spyware ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: VMware versus Microsoft Virtual PC

  Virtual machines are a great way to maximize your hardware investments, but they can also help you secure your client OS. According to contributor Brien M. Posey, you can run Internet Explorer on a virtual machine to prevent any viruses or spyware ...  Continue Reading

• Fast Guide: Hardening Remote Desktop

  Remote Desktop allows users to access their work computers from virtually any computer they can get their hands on. With such functionality, however, comes great security risk. Check out this collection of tips, guides and expert advice to see how ...  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Elevating privileges for an administrator

  Many users are looking forward to the user account control feature in Windows Vista, but you can elevate privileges as needed in Windows XP with a little know-how. Microsoft consultant Aaron Margosis explains the particulars of RunAs, its caveats ...  Continue Reading

• Importing restricted sites into IE

  How to import a restricted site list into Internet Explorer through Group Policy.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Blocking IM and P2P

  In the wrong hands, IM and P2P file sharing can be too much of a risk for your organization. There are many ways to block this traffic, but some are more elegant -- with fewer adverse effects -- than others. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp details the ...  Continue Reading

• Step 4: The "block the application" approach

  In the wrong hands IM and P2P file sharing can be too much of a risk for your organization. There are many ways to block this traffic, but some are more elegant -- with less adverse effects -- than others. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp details this ...  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Understanding the limitation

  Security scans taking a long time? Start with Windows XP SP2, Microsoft put a limitation on TCP connections. Improve your security scan speed by using a tcpip.sys hack.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Be forewarned

  Security scans taking a long time? Starting with Windows XP SP2, Microsoft put a limitation on TCP connections. Improve your security scan speed by using a tcpip.sys hack.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Hack to speed up security scans

  Security scans taking a long time? Starting with Windows XP SP2, Microsoft put a limitation on TCP connections. Improve your security scan speed by using a tcpip.sys hack.  Continue Reading

• Step 4: Encrypting e-mail in WinPT

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• Step 5: Verifying signed e-mail in WinPT

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• Step 4: More complicated Google queries

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Let contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey guide you through a Google hack of your Web site.  Continue Reading

• Step-by-step guide: Google hacking to test your security

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Let contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey guide you through a Google hack of your Web site.  Continue Reading

• Step 5: Harden your Web site against Google hacks

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Let contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey guide you through a Google hack of your Web site.  Continue Reading

• Step 3: Queries to Google hack your site -- Simple stuff

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Let contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey guide you through a Google hack of your Web site.  Continue Reading

• Step 2: Understand your Web applications

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Use this step-by-step guide by contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey to test your site.  Continue Reading

• Step 1: Identify what could be Google hacked

  Make sure your Web site is not vulnerable to Google hacking. Use this step-by-step guide by contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey to test your site.  Continue Reading