1) OS Features & Utilities Flashcards
Device Manager
Allows users to view/control the hardware attached to the computer.
Can update drivers.
Can enable/disable devices.
Local Security Policy
Tool used to set local policies on an individual system
Can be used to deny Guest account
Only good for individual computers
Performance Monitor (Object & Counter)
The primary tool for tracking system resources over time. (Perfmon.msc)
Object: A system component given a set of characteristics that can be managed by the OS as a single entity.
Counter: Tracks specific info about an object
Services
Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services
Can also be found in task manager (Win10)
A program that runs in the background.
Similar to a UNIX daemon.
System Configuration
AKA: msconfig
A system utility used to help troubleshoot & change startup settings.
Task Scheduler
An administrative tool for scheduling maintenance or monitoring.
Triggers: Actions/schedules that start a program
Actions: Steps that define both the program to run and how it is run.
Conditions: Extra criteria that must be met for the program to run.
Component Services
Enables programmers to share data objects between applications on a single computer.
Used for rare times when a programmer needs you to make manual changes or when something is wrong.
Data Sources
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)
Coding standard that enables programmers to write databases & applications that use them to query ODBC on how to locate/access a database without concern about what app or OS is used.
ODBC Data Source Administrator:
Enables you to create/manage entries (Data Source Names/DSNs) that point to the ODBC database
Print Management
A snap-in MMC (Microsoft Management Console) that enables you to install, view, & manage all printers in your organization from any computer running Windows Server.
Can send emails/notifications or run scripts when a printer needs attention.
Windows Memory Diagnostics
Control Panel > Admin Tools > Memory Diagnostic
A Windows diagnostic tool that helps detect bad RAM.
Windows Defender Firewall
Default software firewall on Windows computers.
Handles port blocking, security logging, & more.
Exceptions: Allows you to choose which programs/services can pass through the firewall.
Domain Networks, Private Networks, Guest/Public Networks
Advanced Security
Advanced settings in Windows Defender Firewall.
You have much more control over how Windows treats exceptions. Expands exceptions to include custom rules for inbound/outbound data.
Rules: Name, Group, Associated Profile, Enabled/Disabled Status, Remote/Local Address, Remote/Local Port Number
Event Viewer
Powerful tool for examining issues with software/hardware via logs.
By default, stores logs as .evtx files
C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs
Four Main bars over center pane: Overview Summary of Administrative Events Recently Viewed Notes Log Summary
User Account Management
Settings > Accounts
Control Panel > User Accounts
MSCONFIG - General Tab
Select startup type for next boot. Normal Startup Diagnostic Startup (Basic devices/services only) Selective Startup (You choose)
MSCONFIG - Boot Tab
Contains advanced boot features.
Can view every copy of Windows installed, set default OS, or delete an OS from boot menu.
Set up safe boot
(Forces Windows to boot in safe mode until turned off)
MSCONFIG - Services Tab
Almost identical to services tab in task manager.
Displays services (programs running in background) Can enable/disable services
MSCONFIG - Startup Tab
Toggle on/off any startup programs
Windows 10: This is located in task manager
It’s still in msconfig, but it links you to open task manager.
MSCONFIG - Tools Tab
Lists available utilities:
Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, Command Prompt, etc
Task Manager
Tabs in task manager:
Processes, Performance, App history, Startup, Users, Details, Services
Disk Management - Drive status, Mounting, Initializing
Status: Will display if drives are healthy or not.
Foreign drive, formatting, failed, online, offline.
Mounting: Right click partition > Change Drive Letter & Paths > Add
Initializing: Adding a drive letter to a new disk that doesn’t show up in file explorer.
Right Click Drive > Initialize Disk
Disk Management - Extending, Splitting, & Shrinking Partitions
Right click on the drive & select either Shrink or Extend volume.
Disk Management - Assign Drive Letters
Right click partition/drive > Change Drive Letter & Paths > Add
Disk Management - Arrays, & Storage Spaces
Arrays: When you mirror or stripe a volume, it will be converted to a dynamic disk.
Mirrored Volume; Striped Volume; RAID5 Volume
Storage Spaces:
Functions like a RAID management tool
Simple Spaces, Mirror Spaces, Parity Spaces
Windows 8+ you can create a storage pool (turns 1+ physical drives into single storage pool)
Thin Provisioning: You can create a space with more capacity than current drives. Once capacity is reached, storage spaces will allow you to add more.
