Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 & 2022 How To’s
In this short video we demonstrate how to push software to Windows 10 and Windows 11 client PC’s using Group Policy. To get started, launch the GROUP POLICY MANAGEMENT TOOL, create new policy then expand COMPUTER CONFIGURATION > POLICIES > SOFTWARE SETTINGS > SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
We have worked with Windows Server Update Services since its inception in early 2000’s and while it is a very handy tool to manage patching, it does have several recurring problems. One of those common WSUS problems is the dreaded: RESET SERVER NODE. In addition to running the WSUS SERVER Read more…
If you are running out of disk space or just don’t want your computer to be full of junk, you may want to delete files from C:\WINDOWS. If you need to make space on your hard drive, the fastest and least painful way is to delete garbage files. How to Read more…
If your Windows Updates are failing with Windows Could Not Search For New Updates CODE 8024402F, the problem is communications. Something is blocking that computer’s connection to download.windowsupdate.com which is the source of all Windows Updates. One way to confirm the problem is to try and download THIS Windows 10 Read more…
UPDATE July 19 2023: This article is still relevant and should still work, but if you are having problems we have a newer much more comprehensive article here: How To Easily Convert Windows Server Evaluation To Standard / Datacenter If you try to convert / upgrade Windows Server Evaluation to Read more…
Are you angry? If not, you will be in about 5 seconds. If you see this error: Cannot Connect To – Login Failed For User You most likely have not forced SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to RUN AS AN ADMINISTRATOR:
Many people say they cannot remove an RD Session Host Server or RD Session Gateway Server or RD Licensing Server because RDS has a limitation that Microsoft still has not accounted for. If a server that was previously added to your Remote Desktop Services Manager configuration is removed (or disabled) Read more…
If you think your APPDATA folder is missing, you likely have just not enabled Hidden Items. Microsoft sets several files and folders to not appear in the your FILE EXPLORER because they are so sensitive, normal users should not be playing with them. How To See Hidden Files & Folders Read more…
The short answer is, you can’t. We have hunted for this unicorn of IT apps and commands for years and thought at very least there should be a ready way to see WHEN a certificate was last used, but there is none. Certificates could be used in IIS, LDAPS, Admin Read more…
If you are new to Windows administration or to PowerShell, little things like getting a .PS1 script to run in Task Scheduler can be quite frustrating. As you can see in the screenshot below, it is easy to set a .PS1 file to automatically run: Launch Task Scheduler Expand Task Read more…
So many things require Microsoft’s .NET Framework it is inevitable that administrators will run into problems. Sometimes the best thing to do is just repair or remove .NET. 1: Repair .NET Go to APPS AND FEATURES, then click on .NET and select REPAIR. Note that .NET will only appear here Read more…
After working on a corrupt .NET installation for many hours we placed a call to Microsoft tech support because we could not get around errors like: This application requires one of the following versions of the .NET Framework v4.0.30319 when launching Azure AD Sync or even Server Manager. Microsoft Server Read more…
If you are trying to install, uninstall or just work with the Features installed on your Windows computer, especially thought a script, it is good to have a simple command that lists all Features and their status: dism /online /get-features /format:table
UPDATED: OCT 10 2024 If you are using SCONFIG to set Windows Update to MANUAL or DOWNLOAD ONLY but seeing it always as CUSTOM, your Windows Server is either not activated, missing registry keys, or has a GPO applied: To allow SCONFIG to stop reverting back to CUSTOM, you have Read more…
If you are trying to download a module from the PowerShell gallery and seeing a message like UNABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM URI: HTTPS://GO.MICROSOFT.COM/FWLINK… You are likely working on an older operating system with old cryptography. Fortunately, this is very easy to fix: Launch a new PowerShell as an Administrator Check Read more…
Lets clear up a couple of quick questions for Dell or server admin newbies first. If you know what you are doing, just skip down two sections to the screenshot. What Does iDRAC Stand For? Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller What Is An iDRAC? An iDRAC is a very small Read more…