15 Tasks for New Windows 2012 Servers

These tasks I do for every Windows 2012 server that I setup. 1) Change the time zone 2) Enable remote management 3) Enable remote desktop 4) Turn off Windows Firewall 5) Verify the time is correct 6) Give server a descriptive name following the standard naming...

Active Directory PowerShell Commands

You can add Active Directory commands to PowerShell on a Windows 7 or Windows 8 workstation by adding the Remote Management Tools. Use one of these links to install the PowerShell Active Directory module for your client. Remote server administration tools for Windows...

Determine current version of PowerShell

PowerShell gives you an easy way to determine what version is installed on your computer.  Use the automatic variable $PSVersionTable. Name —– Value —– PSVersion 3.0 WSManStackVersion 3.0 SerializationVersion 1.1.0.1 CLRVersion 4.0.30319.18046...

Windows Update vs Microsoft Update

Windows update is installed by default on recent versions of Windows, but Microsoft Update is not.  Windows update only checks for operating system and Internet explorer patches and updates.  You need Microsoft update in order to receive patches and updates on Office,...