Publications

Zubair Alexander - Microsoft Certified Trainer

Windows Advisor Columns

Windows Update Troubles, Or What to Do When the Mother of All Patches Fails
Windows Update didn’t update my Windows servers like it’s supposed to, so here’s the process I went through to get my servers back up to speed.

5 Cool PowerShell Cmdlets for Speeding Up Active Directory Tasks
Five of my favorite PowerShell cmdlets to speed up Active Directory tasks.

Browser Title Basics
The default browser title in top-level SharePoint sites is “Home”, which is a little too generic. Learn how to change the default title.

How to Move Files That are in Use
Learn how to use PendMove and MoveFile tools to move files that are in use.

GPMC Support for 64-bit Versions of Windows
Understand some of the issues related to 32-bit and 64-bit versions of GPMC.

Recipient Not Receiving Messages
How to fix the problem of individual users in a distribution list not receiving messages from outside vendors who e-mail that list.

Windows Server Adrift
The Application Log on Windows Server 2003 may log numerous errors with Event ID 1054. The source of the error is Userenv and the error is logged in the Event Viewer every five minutes. Find out how you can fix this problem.

Who took my IIS Manager?
A few things you need to know to understand how to manage IIS permissions and services in IIS 7.

Understanding and Configuring BitLocker with TPM
Vista SP1 has a greatly improved BitLocker. Still, use BitLocker with a Trusted Platform Module for best results.

Preventing external user access to a private Web site
How to block external users from accessing your private internal Web site.

Credential Caching on a Windows Server 2008 RODC
Learn how much of a threat is a stolen RODC in Windows Server 2008.

Taking ISA Server Into the Danger Zone
Configuring ISA Server 2004/2006 to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the external interface.

Windows Vista Shell Commands
What are Windows Vista shell commands and how to use them. The Shell commands also work on Windows XP SP2/SP3.

Unable to read .MDI files on Vista
How to open a .MDI file on Windows Vista running Office 2007.

The new switch for console connections
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 use a different console switch than Windows Server 2003. Use the new switch for remote desktop console connections.

Slow Internet access behind an ISA Server Firewall
If you are experiencing slow Internet access behind an ISA Server firewall here are a couple of tips that will help.

POP3 users getting rejected in Exchange 2007
There are a couple of ways that you can resolve this issue where some users get rejected when they log in to Exchange Server 2007 via POP3.

File permissions through Group Policy
How to set file permissions for a user on a folder using Group Policy in Windows Server 2003/2008.

How to add your PAB from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007
Adding Personal Address Book (PAB) from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007 Contacts.

How to fix RSS feeds in Outlook 2007
How to fix RSS feeds and published calendar errors in Outlook 2007; Disabling passport reminders in Windows XP.

Making your mouse work in the command prompt
Making your mouse work in the command prompt in Windows 2000/XP/2003; Keeping new messages in Outlook 2003 inbox marked as “Unread” indefinitely.

Using SrvInfo to obtain server information
Obtaining server information in Windows 2003; Getting rid of the Vista shortcut arrows.

Where is SCOPY in Windows Server 2003?
Replacement for SCOPY in Windows Server 2003; Disabling the trust password for a domain’s workstation.

Missing drive letters in Windows Server 2003
How to fix “The local policy of this system does not permit you to log on interactively.” error when connecting to Domain Controllers remotely; Making Windows Server 2003 recognize an external USB drive and display missing drive letters.

Deleting files that are hard to erase
Some files and folders are just too stubborn to delete easily. Try these tips.

Safer Laptops with BitLocker
BitLocker takes the next step to securing your data by offering a transparent solution that secures the entire drive and doesn’t require end user training.

Under Secure Control
Windows Vista is a safer OS for users due to its many new features, including one that you as an admin should look at more closely: The User Account Control.

Quickly Searching KB articles
Here’s a registry modification that will have you looking up Microsoft Knowledge Base articles instantly in your browser.

Securing Data on the Move with Cryptainer
Carry your files with you, but make sure they’re also encrypted and safe with this nifty tool from Cypherix.

Tools to Monitor DNS
DnsCmd and DnsLint gets your more information than can be derived by using Nslookup.

Running Multiple Versions of .NET
You can install multiple versions of .NET on a single server and benefit from their peaceful coexistence by running them simultaneously.

Searching Active Directory Objects
Learn the ins and outs of Active Directory searches and see how you can create your own customized LDAP search box.

Troubleshooting Tips Virtual Server 2005
A bunch of useful troubleshooting tips for Virtual Server 2005.

ForestPrep Failure
DCDIAG comes to the rescue, as usual, when diagnosing some strange ForestPrep problems occurring during an Exchange migration.

Disable Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications
Your Windows is genuine, so why the constant disruption? Here’s how to disable those pesky notices.

TCP/IP Reset
Don’t reinstall Windows XP/2003 when you’ve got a corrupted TCP/IP stack. Use NetShell to get you out of a jam quickly.

Securing OWA with Forms-Based Authentication
Make remote e-mail readily accessible to users through the Web, but do it securely with forms-based authentication.

Two Tools for Network Junkies
IPMonitor makes quick work of monitoring network processes, while NetInfo gives you a nice, formatted view of your network’s activity.

Cleaning Up After AD
How to gracefully demote Active Directory domain controllers and the mess left behind by doing so.

What’s That Trojan Doing on My Server?
Root cause of some inexplicable reboots or other strange events on your systems might be a rootkit.

Recovering Deleted Files From Digital Cameras
Review of a product that allows you to recover data from Flash Cards, Smart Media, any Memory Sticks, IBM’s Micro Drive, Multimedia Card and Secure Digital Card or any other data carrier for digital cameras. The software is supported on Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP.

Missing Computers in WSUS
Why computers that are part of a workgroup are not showing up in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Updates Gone Wild
Why Windows Update keeps offering the same update over and over again and why Automatic Updates repeatedly downloads and installs the same update.

Move Up or Stay Put?
When it makes sense to raise the forest and domain functional levels to Windows Server 2003.

Repetitive Log-in Syndrome
Windows’ Stored User Names and Passwords feature can help this admin from developing a common, on-the-job stress.

Dead Security Policy Icons
Why after upgrading to Windows Server 2003 the Default Domain Controller Security Policy icon or the Domain Security Policy icon no longer works.

What’s That Service For?
Spyware or necessary? How to find out what the services running on a Windows XP machine are really used for.

Locking Down the Kiosks
How to set up a custom user interface for computers used in kiosk mode.

Where in the World are IPSec Policies?
How to configure a persistent IP Security (IPSec) policy on my Windows Server 2003 that takes affect if other policies are not available.

Query-based Distribution Groups in Exchange 2003
How to use dynamic e-mail groups based on LDAP queries in Exchange Server 2003.

State of the System
Find out how System Restore handles password and how much disk space is being used by System Restore.

Right-click Gone Wrong
Windows XP crashes when context-menus or other right-clicking tasks are used in Windows Explorer.

Unable to upload to an FTP Server through ISA Server 2004
ISA Server seems to be preventing outbound traffic to an external FTP server.

The Invisible Administrator
Running an application or a batch file on a user’s desktop with a different credential.

Tools to troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity
Resolving ISA Server TCP/IP connectivity issues with free tools.

Additional Account Info Tab for Users Properties
Use AcctInfo.DLL to reset passwords and find the last good logon for users on your Windows 2003 systems.

Windows Server 2003 Disaster Recovery Best Practices
As most disaster recovery experts will tell you, when it comes to disaster, it’s not a matter of if but when the disaster will strike. Here’s how you can plan ahead and minimize your risks.

Lighten Up the Group Policy Load
Microsoft’s new Group Policy Management Console is a solid—and much needed—tool for enterprise environments. Here’s your chance to really get to know GPMC.

The Treasures of Windows 2000 SP4
Besides amending the EULA to maintain antitrust compliance and adding USB and wireless support, Microsoft rolls up fixes for a slew of performance bugs into its latest service pack.

Windows 2000 SP3 Top 10 Fixes
Along with hardware and software fixes, this patch addresses recent antitrust settlement compliance issues.

After the Crash
It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” your system turns that particular shade of blue that makes administrators see red. That’s when you’ll need to know what your options are to bring the dead box back to life.

Automated System Recovery and System Restore in Windows XP
In addition to the recovery tools available in Win2K, Windows XP includes yet another feature known as Automated System Recovery (ASR). Learn how to take advantage of this useful feature.