Windows Vista

Windows Vista™ Administrator's

Pocket Consultant

By William R. Stanek

...............................................

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Pub Date: November 29, 2006

Print ISBN-10: 0-7356-2296-5

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7356-2296-

Pages: 576

Table of Contents | Index

Heres the ideal, on-the-go reference that desktop administrators and support professionals can

carry with them as they support and manage Windows Vista.

Windows Vista™ Administrator's

Pocket Consultant

By William R. Stanek

...............................................

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Pub Date: November 29, 2006

Print ISBN-10: 0-7356-2296-5

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7356-2296-

Pages: 576

Table of Contents | Index

Heres the ideal, on-the-go reference that desktop administrators and support professionals can

carry with them as they support and manage Windows Vista.

Windows Vista™ Administrator's

Pocket Consultant

By William R. Stanek

...............................................

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Pub Date: November 29, 2006

Print ISBN-10: 0-7356-2296-5

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7356-2296-

Pages: 576

Table of Contents | Index

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction to Windows Vista Administration

Getting Started with Windows Vista

Installing and Running Windows Vista

Navigating Architecture Changes in Windows Vista

Chapter 2. Managing Windows Vista Systems

Getting Around Windows Vista

Managing User Account Control and Elevation Prompts

Supporting Computers Running Windows Vista

Using System Support Tools

Managing System Properties

Chapter 3. Configuring Systems, Hardware Devices, and Drivers

Introducing Automated Help And Support

Working with the Automated Help System

Installing and Maintaining Devices: The Essentials

Getting Started with Device Manager

Working with Device Drivers

Managing Hardware

Customizing Hardware Device Settings

Managing Internet Time

Chapter 4. Customizing the Desktop and the Interface

Optimizing Windows Vista Menus

Customizing the Taskbar

Optimizing Toolbars

Working with Desktop Themes

Optimizing the Desktop Environment

Screen Saver Dos and Don'ts

Modifying Display Appearance and Video Settings

Chapter 5. Installing and Maintaining Programs

Managing Application Virtualization and Run Levels

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Installing Programs: The Essentials

Deploying Applications Through Group Policy

Configuring Program Compatibility

Managing Installed and Running Programs

Chapter 6. Managing User Access and Security

Understanding User and Group Accounts

Managing Local Logon

Managing Stored Passwords

Managing Local User Accounts and Groups

Managing Remote Access to Workstations

Chapter 7. Managing Laptops and Traveling Users

Working with Windows Mobility Center

Configuring Power Management Settings

Configuring Networking for Laptops

Chapter 8. Configuring User and Computer Policies

Group Policy Essentials

Configuring Policies

Working with File and Data Management Policies

Working with Access and Connectivity Policies

Working with Computer and User Script Policies

Working with Logon and Startup Policies

Chapter 9. Managing Disk Drives and File Systems

Disk Management Essentials

Improving Disk Performance

Working with Basic and Dynamic Disks

Using Basic and Dynamic Disks

Working with Disks, Partitions, and Volumes

Partitioning Disks and Preparing Them for Use

Moving a Dynamic Disk to a New System

Troubleshooting Common Disk Problems

Chapter 10. Managing File Security and Resource Sharing

File Security and Sharing Options

Controlling Access to Files and Folders with NTFS Permissions

Sharing Files and Folders Over the Network

Using and Configuring Public Folder Sharing

Chapter 11. Configuring Advanced Windows Explorer Options, Offline Files, and Disk Quotas

Configuring Advanced Windows Explorer Options

Managing Offline Files

Configuring Disk Quotas

Chapter 12. Configuring and Troubleshooting TCP/IP Networking

Navigating Windows Vista Networking Features

Installing Networking Components

Configuring Local Area Connections

Managing Local Area Connections

Troubleshooting and Testing Network Settings

Chapter 13. Managing Mobile Networking and Remote Access

Understanding Mobile Networking and Remote Access

Creating Connections for Remote Access

Configuring Connection Properties

Establishing Connections

Wireless Networking

Chapter 14. Managing Advanced Internet Options and Security

Customizing URLs

Customizing the Browser User Interface

Setting Default Internet Programs

Managing Connection and Proxy Settings

Managing Browser Cookies and Other Temporary Internet Files

Secure Browsing and Local Machine Lockdown

Managing Internet Explorer Security Zones

Additional Policies That Might Be Useful for Managing Internet Options

Chapter 15. Optimizing Windows Vista

Optimizing and Safeguarding Disk Drives

Enhancing Computer Security

Chapter 16. Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows Vista

Using Remote Assistance to Resolve Problems

Detecting and Resolving Windows Vista Errors

Scheduling Maintenance Tasks

Backing Up and Recovering a Computer

Troubleshooting Startup and Shutdown

About the Author

Additional Resources for IT Professionals

Microsoft Windows Server

Microsoft Windows Client

Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Scripting

Related Titles

More Great Resources for IT Professionals

Administrator's Pocket Consultant

Administrator's Companion

Resource Kit

Index

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Published by

Microsoft Press

A Division of Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, Washington 98052-6399

form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2006934393

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 QWE 1 0 9 8 7 6

Distributed in Canada by H.B. Fenn and Company Ltd.

Microsoft Press books are available through booksellers and distributors worldwide. For further

information about international editions, contact your local Microsoft Corporation office or contact

Microsoft Press International directly at fax (425) 936-7329. Visit our Web site at

www.microsoft.com/mspress. Send comments to [email protected].

Microsoft, Microsoft Press, Active Desktop, Active Directory, ActiveX, Aero, Authenticode, BitLocker,

DirectX, Excel, FrontPage, Internet Explorer, JScript, MS-DOS, MSN, Outlook, PowerPoint,

SuperFetch, Visual Basic, Windows, Windows Media, Windows NT, Windows Server, and Windows

Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States

and/or other countries.

The example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people,

places, and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company,

organization, product, domain name, e-mail address, logo, person, place, or event is intended or

should be inferred.

This book expresses the author's views and opinions. The information contained in this book is

provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties. Neither the authors, Microsoft

Corporation, nor its resellers, or distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged

to be caused either directly or indirectly by this book.

Acquisitions Editor: Martin DelRe

Developmental Editor: Jenny Moss Benson

Project Editor: Maria Gargiulo

Technical Editor: Ben Smith

Copy Editor: Sarah Wales-McGrath

Indexer: Jeanne Busemeyer

Body Part No. X13-23788

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Acknowledgments

Writing Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant was a lot of funand a lot of work. As I set

out to write this book, my first goal was to determine what had changed between Windows XP and

Windows Vista and what new administration options were available. With any new operating

system, and especially with Windows Vista, this meant a great deal of research to determine

exactly how things work and a lot of digging into the operating system internals. Thankfully, I'd

already written a book introducing Windows Vista and its new features, so I had a point of

reference for my research, but not necessarily a complete one.

When you start working with Windows Vista, you'll see at once that this operating system is

different from earlier releases of Windows. On the desktop, you'll see the fancy interfaces featuring

Aeroglass and the cool new bells and whistles like the sidebar gadgets. In the Control Panel, you'll

see the increased focus on centralized management and configuration. What won't be readily

apparent, however, is just how different Windows Vista is from its predecessorsand that's because

many of the most significant changes to the operating system are under the surface. These changes

affect the underlying architecture and not just the interfacesand these changes were some of the

hardest for me to research and write about.

As Pocket Consultants are meant to be portable and readablethe kind of book you use to solve

problems and get the job done wherever you might beI had to carefully review my research to

make sure I focused on the core of Windows Vista administration. The result is the book you hold in

your hands, which I hope you'll agree is one of the best practical, portable guides to Windows

Vista.

It is gratifying to see techniques I've used time and again to solve problems put into a printed book

so that others may benefit from them. But no man is an island and this book couldn't have been

written without help from some very special people. As I've stated in all my previous books with

Microsoft Press, the team at Microsoft Press is top-notch. Throughout the writing process, Maria

Gargiulo was instrumental in helping me stay on track and getting the tools I needed to write this

book. Maria did a first rate job managing the editorial process. Thanks also to Martin DelRe for

believing in my work and shepherding it through production.

Unfortunately for the writer (but fortunately for readers), writing is only one part of the publishing

process. Next came editing and author review. I must say, Microsoft Press has the most thorough

editorial and technical review process I've seen anywhereand I've written a lot of books for many

different publishers. Ben Smith was the technical editor for the book. It was a great pleasure

working with Ben. He watched the technical details very carefully and was always ready to help out

if needed. Two additional reviewers, Kai Axford and Shawn Rabourn, focused on security issues and

technologies, and provided helpful feedback throughout the review process. Thank you, Kai and

Shawn.

Last but not least, I want to thank my agents at Studio B: David Rogelberg and Neil Salkind. It has

been a pleasure having you as my non-fiction agents over the past decadehard to believe it's

already been 10 years.

Hopefully, I haven't forgotten anyone but if I have, it was an oversight. Honest. ;-)

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Introduction

Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is designed to be a concise and compulsively

usable resource for Microsoft Windows Vista administrators. This is the readable resource guide

that you'll want on your desk at all times. The book covers everything you need to perform the core

administrative tasks for computers running Windows Vista.

Because the focus is on giving you maximum value in a pocket-sized guide, you don't have to wade

through hundreds of pages of extraneous information to find what you're looking for. Instead, you'll

find exactly what you need to get the job done. In short, the book is designed to be the one

resource you turn to whenever you have questions regarding Windows Vista administration. To this

end, the book zeroes in on daily administration procedures, frequently used tasks, documented

examples, and options that are representative while not necessarily inclusive.

One of the goals is to keep the content so concise that the book remains compact and easy to

navigate while at the same time ensuring that the book is packed with as much information as

possiblemaking it a valuable resource. Thus, instead of a hefty 1,000-page tome or a lightweight

100-page quick reference, you get a valuable resource guide that can help you quickly and easily

perform common tasks, solve problems, and implement everyday solutions for systems and users.

Who Is This Book For?

Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is designed for

Current Windows system administrators

Accomplished users who have some administrator responsibilities

Administrators upgrading to Windows Vista from earlier Windows releases

Administrators transferring from other platforms

To pack in as much information as possible, I had to assume that you have basic networking skills

and a basic understanding of Windows operating systems. With this in mind, I don't devote entire

chapters to understanding Windows basics, Windows architecture, or Windows networks. I do,

however, cover desktop customization, mobile networking, TCP/IP configuration, user profiles,

system optimization, and troubleshooting.

I also assume that you are fairly familiar with Windows commands and procedures as well as the

basics of navigating the Windows user interface. If you need help learning Windows basics, you

should read the Windows Vista documentation.

How Is This Book Organized?

Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is designed to be used in daily administration, and

as such, the book is organized by job-related tasks rather than by Windows Vista features. The

books in the Pocket Consultant series are down-and-dirty, in-the-trenches books.

Speed and ease of reference is an essential part of this hands-on guide. The book has an expanded

table of contents and an extensive index for finding answers to problems quickly. Many other quick

reference features have been added as well. These features include step-by-step instructions, lists,

tables with fast facts, and extensive cross-references.

Chapters 1 through 5 cover the fundamental tasks you need for Windows Vista administration.

Chapter 1 introduces key administration tools, techniques, and concepts. Chapter 2 covers

customizing system and environment settings. Chapter 3 explores hardware and device

management. Chapter 4 focuses on customizing the Windows desktop. Chapter 5 discusses how to

install, manage, and maintain programs.

Chapters 6 through 11 focus on the essential tasks for managing access, permissions, and more.

Chapter 6 discusses techniques you can use to manage user access to systems and configure global

settings. Chapter 7 zeroes in on administration issues that are specific to laptops and traveling

users. The chapter details considerations you should make when configuring laptops, such as power

management, hardware profiles, and networking. Group Policy is the subject of Chapter 8. In this

chapter, you'll find extensive lists that tell you exactly what policies you should use to manage

permissions, rights, and capabilities. Chapter 9 discusses partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing

drives. The chapter also details file compression and encryption. Chapter 10 covers working with

files and folders with a particular focus on security. Chapter 11 discusses additional file and folder

options including offline files, shadow copies, and disk quotas.

Chapters 12 through 16 zero in on networking, optimization, and security techniques and tasks.

Networking is the subject of Chapter 12, which examines local area network settings. You'll find a

complete discussion of installing and configuring TCP/IP networking. The chapter also covers

troubleshooting networking and provides steps for performing detailed network diagnostics.

Chapter 13 moves from corporate network environments to mobile environments, examining dialup networking, wireless client connections, and remote access with virtual private networks (VPNs).

Chapter 14 explains how to configure advanced Internet options and security, such as default

applications, trusted sites, and security zones. You'll also learn how to customize Internet security

settings through Group Policy. In Chapter 15, you'll learn how to improve system performance,

optimize drives, and enhance data security. In Chapter 16, you'll learn how to use Remote

Assistance to remotely troubleshoot problems with devices, applications, and the Windows

operating system itself. You'll also learn how to troubleshoot problems with startup and shutdown

and how to back up and recover a computer. Hopefully, after reading these chapters, you'll be able

to improve the overall experience of your users and reduce downtime.

Conventions Used in This Book

I've used a variety of elements to help keep the text clear and easy to follow. You'll find code terms

and listings in monospace type, except when I tell you to actually type a command. In that case,

the command appears in bold type. When I introduce and define a new term, I put it in italics.

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Other conventions include:

Note To provide additional details on a particular point that needs emphasis

Tip To offer helpful hints or additional information

Caution To warn you when there are potential problems you should look out for

Real World To provide real-world advice when discussing advanced topics

Best Practice To examine the best technique to use when working with advanced

configuration and administration concepts

I truly hope you find that Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant provides everything you

need to perform the essential administrative tasks on Windows Vista systems as quickly and

efficiently as possible. You are welcome to send your thoughts to me at [email protected].

Thank you.

Support

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this book. Microsoft Press provides

corrections for books through the World Wide Web at the following address:

http:/www.microsoft.com/mspress/support

If you have comments, questions, or ideas about this book, please send them to Microsoft Press

using either of the following methods:

Postal Mail:

Microsoft Press

Attn: Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant Editor

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399

E-mail:

[email protected]

Chapter 1. Introduction to Windows Vista

Administration

In this chapter:

Getting Started with Windows Vista 2

Installing and Running Windows Vista 4

Navigating Architecture Changes in Windows Vista 16

Microsoft Windows Vista is the single largest rollout of the Windows operating system since

Windows 95. From startup to shutdown, Microsoft Windows Vista is different from earlier versions

of Windows. Not only is the operating system more versatile than its predecessors are, but it also

introduces revolutionary architecture that fundamentally changes the way you work with and

manage computers running the operating system. The most significant architecture changes are the

following:

Modularization and disk imaging

Preinstallation and pre-boot environments

User account controls and elevation of privilege

This chapter covers getting started with Windows Vista and exploring the extent to which these

architecture changes affect working with and managing computers running Windows Vista.

Throughout this and all the other chapters this book, you'll also find detailed discussion of the allencompassing security changes that introduce techniques for enhancing all aspects of computer

security including physical security, information security, and network security. Although this book

focuses on Windows Vista administration, the tips and techniques discussed throughout the text can

help anyone who supports, develops for, or works with the Windows Vista operating system.

Keep in mind that this book is meant to be used in conjunction with the Microsoft Windows Server

2003 Administrator's Pocket Consultant, Second Edition (Microsoft Press, 2006) or the Microsoft

Windows Vista Server Administrator's Pocket Consultant (Microsoft Press, 2007). In addition to

coverage of broad administration tasks, these server-focused Administrator's Pocket Consultants

examine directory services administration, data administration, and network administration. This

book, on the other hand, zeroes in on user and system administration tasks. You'll find detailed

coverage of the following topics:

Customizing the operating system and Windows environment

Configuring hardware and network devices

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Managing user access and global settings

Configuring laptops and mobile networking

Using remote management and remote assistance capabilities

Troubleshooting system problems

Getting Started with Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the latest release of the Windows operating system for client computers. The six

main editions of Windows Vista available are:

Windows Vista Starter A budget edition of Windows Vista for emerging markets. It is

compatible with the latest applications and devices, and is more reliable and secure than

earlier releases of Windows are.

Windows Vista Home Basic A budget edition of Windows Vista for home users. It includes a

basic set of entertainment features, but does not include features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Home Premium An enhanced edition of Windows Vista that includes a

premium set of entertainment features, but does not include features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Business A basic edition of Windows Vista for business users. It includes a

basic set of management features as well as features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Enterprise An enhanced edition of Windows Vista for business users. It

includes an extended set of management features as well as features for joining a domain.

Windows Vista Ultimate An enhanced edition of Windows Vista that includes the best of all

the available home user and business user features as well as features for joining a domain.

Thanks to Windows Vista's new hardware-independent architecture, which is discussed later in this

chapter, all editions of Windows Vista except Starter support both 32-bit and 64-bit hardware. This

means every product edition except Starter can be used with computers that have 32-bit x86, 64-

bit (IA-64), and 64-bit extension architecture. Computers with 32-bit x86 architecture can have up

to 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. Computers with 64-bit architecture can have up to 8 GB RAM on Home

Basic; 16 GB RAM on Home Premium; and 128+ GB on Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.

Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions also provide two-processor support. A detailed list of

differences between the various Windows Vista editions is provided online at

http://www.williamstanek.com/vista/.

While earlier releases of the Windows operating system could not be upgraded from one edition to

another, Microsoft provides an easy upgrade path from the basic editions to the enhanced editions

of Windows Vista using Windows Anytime Upgrade. You can buy an upgrade disc at a retail store or

use the built-in Windows Upgrade Anytime feature to buy the upgrade online. To start an upgrade

using the built-in Windows Anytime Upgrade feature, click Start and then click Control Panel. In

Control Panel, click System And Maintenance and then click Windows Anytime Upgrade. To

complete the upgrade, follow the instructions provided. You'll need the Windows Vista distribution

media. The distribution media contains the components for all Windows Vista versions, and it is the

product key you provide that unlocks and installs the features for a specific version.

Table 1-1 provides an overview of the upgrade paths. As the table shows, you have several options

for upgrading the most basic editions to the enhanced editions.

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Table 1-1. Upgrade Paths for Windows Vista Editions

Version of Windows Upgrades to... Upgrades to...

Home Version Windows Vista Home

Premium

Windows Vista

Ultimate

Windows Vista Home

Basic

Yes Yes

Windows Vista Home

Premium

Yes

Business Version Windows Vista Enterprise Windows Vista

Ultimate

Windows Vista Business Yes Yes

Windows Vista Enterprise Yes

Additionally, Windows Vista provides four levels of user experience:

Windows Classic Provides a Windows 2000 look and feel while retaining the functionality

improvements in Windows Vista. The Classic user experience can be used on any edition of

Windows Vista, including Starter, and has no hardware requirements beyond the core

Windows Vista system requirements.

Windows Vista Basic Provides the basic user experience for entry-level desktops. The user

interface (UI) is upgraded and streamlined compared to earlier versions of Windows. You'll

find a refined Start menu that allows you to instantly find and start anything on your PC,

streamlined Explorer windows with integrated desktop search and icons that let you more

easily see your data, live icons that show their contents, preview and reading panes, and new

wizards and dialog boxes. The Basic user experience can be used on any edition of Windows

Vista, including Starter, and has no hardware requirements beyond the core Windows Vista

system requirements.

Windows Standard Adds improved performance and enhanced reliability to the Basic user

experience. This experience level is ideal for mid-level computers equipped with graphics

hardware that supports the new Windows Driver Display Model (WDDM). With the Standard

experience, Windows Vista uses the advanced WDDM graphics technology to enable smooth

window handling, increase stability, and reduce glitches, such as relics and slow screen

refreshes while moving UI elements. The Standard user experience can be used with any

edition of Windows Vista except the Starter edition, and has the same hardware requirements

as Windows Aero.

Windows Aero Adds improved visual design and enhanced dynamic effects to the Standard

user experience. These enhancements allow you to use UI elements with transparent glass,

live taskbar thumbnails, and the Windows Flip and Flip 3D viewsall of which are discussed in

Chapter 2. Aero is available only on the Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate

editions of Windows Vista.

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