When it comes to managing Windows, I find myself turning time and time again to two Web sites. My first choice—the Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto)—will be no surprise to anyone who supports Microsoft systems. You might not be as familiar, though, with my second most-visited spot: the Microsoft Download Center (www.microsoft.com/downloads). If your job involves running and fixing Windows networks, these sites offer a goldmine of free information and tools. Here are six of my favorite downloads—and a bonus tip to make navigating the Knowledge Base easier. (Note that I’m not providing specific URLs, for two reasons. First, Microsoft URLs generally are huge. Second, Microsoft loves to rearrange its Web sites every few weeks, so you’d end up spending 5 minutes typing in a complex URL only to get a 404 error message. I find that searching by keywords is the best bet.)
1. The GPMC
My number-one download pick has to be the Microsoft Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) with Service Pack 1 (SP1), released last November. Go to the Download Center, enter "GPMC" in the Keywords search box, and you’ll get a link to this essential tool. GPMC simplifies the use of Group Policy by letting you clearly see which Group Policy settings are configured for your systems and users. GPMC also generates quick summaries of the effects of any given Group Policy Object (GPO) and lets you back up and restore GPOs. This tool is essential, free, and (as of the SP1 version) legal for use even on an all–Windows 2000 network. . . .
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shchan July 30, 2004 (Article Rating: