Windows 8.1 Administration · Essentials & Configuration · Pocket Consultant by Stanek, William R. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Windows 8.1 Administration: Essentials & Configuration: Pocket Consultant Acknowledgments Introduction

Who is this book for? How is this book organized? Conventions used in this book Other resources Errata and book support We want to hear from you Stay in touch

1. Introduction to Windows 8.1 administration

Getting started with Windows 8.1: the quick tour Understanding 32-bit and 64-bit computing options Deploying Windows 8.1

Using DISM Understanding Windows imaging Managing access and prestaging computers

Prestaging computers Modifying image file security Requiring administrator approval

Customizing Windows images

Installing Windows 8.1

Preparing for Windows 8.1 installation Performing a Windows 8.1 installation Creating a Windows To Go workspace

Running Windows 8.1

Using Action Center and activating Windows Running Windows 8.1 in groups and domains

Understanding UAC in Windows 8.1 Logging on to, shutting down, and restarting Windows 8.1 Managing user account passwords with Windows 8.1

Changing the Current User’s Password Changing Other Account Passwords Creating and Using a Password Reset Disk Resetting a User’s Password

Power plans, sleep modes, and shutdown

Windows 8.1 architecture

2. Configuring and optimizing Windows 8.1 computers

Supporting computers running Windows 8.1

Working with the Computer Management console Getting system information Working with WMI Control Managing Computer Browser support

Using system support tools

Working with Disk Cleanup Verifying system files with File Signature Verification Managing system configuration, startup, and boot

Understanding startup modes and troubleshooting system startup Changing boot options Enabling and disabling startup applications for troubleshooting Enabling and disabling services for troubleshooting

Managing system properties

The Computer Name tab The Hardware tab The Advanced tab: performance options

Setting Windows performance Setting application performance Configuring virtual memory Configuring Data Execution Prevention

The Advanced tab: environment variables

Creating an environment variable Editing an environment variable Deleting an environment variable

The Advanced tab: startup and recovery options

Setting startup options Setting recovery options

The System Protection tab

Understanding system protection Configuring System Restore

The Remote tab

Configuring power management settings

Managing power options from the command line Working with power plans Selecting and optimizing power plans Creating power plans Configuring systemwide power button and password protection on wakeup settings Managing power options in policy settings Using alarms and configuring alarm actions

Configuring low-battery notification and actions Configuring reserve-power mode Configuring critical-battery alarms

3. Customizing the desktop and the interface

Optimizing PC settings

Personalizing the lock screen Personalizing account settings Personalizing search and apps settings Managing privacy settings Configuring sync settings

Working with desktops and startup applications

Creating shortcuts for desktops, startup, and more Adding and removing startup applications

Customizing the taskbar

Understanding the taskbar Pinning shortcuts to the taskbar Changing the taskbar’s size and position Auto-hiding, locking, and controlling taskbar visibility Controlling programs in the notification area Controlling icon display in the notification area

Optimizing toolbars

Displaying toolbars Creating personal toolbars

Working with desktop themes

Applying and removing themes Tailoring and saving themes Deleting custom themes

Optimizing the desktop environment

Setting the desktop background Working with the default desktop icons

Screen saver dos and don’ts

Configuring screen savers with password protection Reducing screen saver resource usage Setting energy-saving settings for monitors

Modifying display appearance and video settings

Configuring window color and appearance Optimizing display readability Configuring video settings

Checking the current video adapter and monitor Changing the video driver Changing the monitor driver Configuring multiple monitor support Customizing display appearance

Troubleshooting display problems

Optimizing corner and Start navigation

4. Automating Windows 8.1 configuration

Understanding Group Policy preferences

Accessing Group Policy in Active Directory Essentials for working with preferences

Configuring Group Policy preferences

Working with management actions Working with editing states Working with alternative actions and states

Managing preference items

Creating and managing a preference item Setting Common tab options

5. Managing user access and security

Understanding user and group accounts

User account essentials Group account essentials Domain vs. local logon

Managing User Account Control and elevation prompts

Redefining standard user and administrator user accounts Optimizing UAC and Admin Approval Mode

Managing local logon

Creating local user accounts in a homegroup or workgroup Granting access to an existing domain account to allow local logon Changing local user account types Switching between connected and regular accounts Creating passwords for local user accounts Recovering local user account passwords Controlling logon Removing accounts and denying local access to workstations

Managing stored credentials

Using stored credentials Adding Windows or generic credentials Adding certificate-based credentials Editing credentials Backing up and restoring Windows credentials Removing credential entries

Managing local user accounts and groups

Creating local user accounts Creating local groups for workstations Adding and removing local group members Enabling or disabling local user accounts Creating a secure guest account Renaming local user accounts and groups Deleting local user accounts and groups

6. Managing remote access to workstations

Using the Steps Recorder prior to Remote Assistance Using Remote Assistance to resolve problems

Understanding Remote Assistance Configuring Remote Assistance Creating Remote Assistance invitations Offering remote assistance or answering a Remote Assistance invitation

Using Remote Desktop

Configuring Remote Desktop access Making Remote Desktop connections

7. Installing and maintaining applications

Managing desktop apps

Working with apps: the essentials Configuring trusted apps and Windows Store access Enhancing security for apps and overriding default settings Enhancing networking security for apps

Managing application virtualization and run levels

Application access tokens and location virtualization Application integrity and run levels Setting run levels Optimizing virtualization and installation prompting for elevation

Installing programs: the essentials

Working with Autorun Managing application setup and compatibility Making programs available to all or selected users

Deploying applications through Group Policy Configuring program compatibility

Special installation considerations for 16-bit and MS-DOS-based programs Forcing program compatibility

Using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter Wizard Setting compatibility options directly

Managing installed and running programs

Managing currently running programs Managing, repairing, and uninstalling programs Designating default programs Managing the command path Managing file name extensions and file associations Configuring AutoPlay options Adding and removing Windows features

8. Managing hardware devices and drivers

Working with the automated Help and support system

Using automated Help and support Customizing automated Help and support Working with support services

Starting, stopping, and pausing services Configuring service startup Configuring service logon Configuring service recovery Disabling unnecessary services

Managing services by using preferences

Installing and maintaining devices: the essentials

Installing preexisting devices Installing internal, USB, FireWire, and eSATA devices Installing Bluetooth, wireless, and network devices Installing local and network printers

Setting up a local printer Setting up NFC, wireless, Bluetooth, or network printers

Getting started with Device Manager Working with device drivers

Device driver essentials Using signed and unsigned device drivers Tracking driver information Installing and updating device drivers Installing a device by using the generic USB driver Enabling and disabling types of devices Restricting device installation by using Group Policy Rolling back drivers Removing device drivers for removed devices Uninstalling, reinstalling, and disabling device drivers Enabling and disabling hardware devices Troubleshooting hardware

9. Handling maintenance and support tasks

Managing automatic updates

Windows Update: the essentials Restoring payloads and components via Windows Update Configuring automatic updating Checking for updates Viewing update history and installed updates Removing automatic updates to recover from problems Hiding available updates Restoring declined updates

Detecting and resolving Windows 8.1 errors

Using the event logs for error tracking and diagnosis Viewing and managing the event logs

Scheduling maintenance tasks

Understanding task scheduling Viewing and managing tasks on local and remote systems Creating scheduled tasks Troubleshooting scheduled tasks

10. Backing up and recovering a computer

Backing up and recovering files and folders Recovering from a failed start Recovering from a failed resume Repairing a computer to enable startup Recovering from a locked disk or invalid BCD settings Backing up and recovering system state by using System Restore

Understanding restore points Creating manual restore points Recovering from restore points Troubleshooting System Restore

Using PC recovery options

Determining whether a computer has a recovery partition Initiating a PC recovery Creating a recovery partition Creating a USB recovery drive

Creating and using File History

Configuring File History backups Enabling File History backups and configuring drives Excluding folders from File History backups Modifying default save settings Recovering personal data

Troubleshooting startup and shutdown

Resolving restart or shutdown issues Making sense of Stop errors

A. About the author Index About the Author Copyright

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