.. -*- coding: utf-8; -*-

=============

 Windows OS.

=============

.. contents::

   :local:

Determining windows version

===========================

To show GUI dialog with Windows build/version information type::

  <Win+R> winver <Enter>

  <Win+Break>

or run::

  cmd> winver

``cmd`` has built-in command ``ver``.

For Win 2000 and upper check registry key::

  cmd> reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v CurrentVersion

To check 32/64-bit OS use PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE env var (it has such values:

x86, AMD64, IA64).

Full info about Windows edition available from this .vbs::

  cmd> slmgr -dli

Windows history.

================

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/windows-10/release-information

  Windows 10 release information. Table with schedules.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/history

  A history of Windows

Windows update

==============

To find updates and drivers visit (подлинность Windows not checked):

* http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/

You can search driver by keywords from Device Manager like::

  VEN_10DE DEV_0247

  VID_22B8 PID_2A62

After obtaining ``.cab`` file for driver unpack files::

  cmd> expand FILE.cab -F:* c:\tmp\dir

and use that directory in "Update driver" dialog.

Also you can find updates on:

* http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ru-ru/default.aspx

Updates that reset pirate copy of Windows: КВ971033.

List of installed updates with full information::

  cmd> wmic qfe

  power# get-hotfix

List only hotfix id::

  cmd> wmic qfe get hotfixid

  power# get-hotfix -id KB...,KB...

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/faqgeneric.aspx

  Microsoft Update Catalog FAQ

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/323166

  How to download updates that include drivers and hotfixes from the Windows

  Update Catalog.

Check system files integrity

============================

Run check with (utility is available starting from Windows 2000)::

  cmd> sfc /Scannow

Look to ``c:/Windows/Logs/CBS/CBS.log`` for errors and warnings.

To repair run::

  dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

  dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Alternative cmdlet in PowerShell::

  Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth

  Repair-WindowsImage -Online -CheckHealth

  Repair-WindowsImage -Online -ScanHealth

If Windows Update is broken you can provide path::

  dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess

See:

* http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

* http://support.microsoft.com/kb/222471

* http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747/ru

Repair boot.

============

If you only damage boot sector of master or system partition boot from Windows

XP installation CD, enter to recovery console and run::

  cmd> fixboot

  cmd> fixmbr

See:

* http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/ru

Automatically connect to shared resource.

=========================================

Add to autorun such .bat file::

  net use x: \\server\share /user:username password

See:

* http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/net_use.mspx

Activate Windows

================

Show current key details::

  : basic

  slmgr.vbs /dli

  : detailed

  slmgr.vbs /dlv

Install an activation key::

  slmgr.vbs /ipk YGR45-THIS9-WONT5–0WORK-D7667

Activate Windows::

  slmgr.vbs /ato

Reset the evaluation period/licensing status and activation state of the machine::

  slmgr.vbs -rearm

Check exparation date::

  slmgr.vbs /xpr

See:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-10-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227

  Windows Product Key Update Tool Instructions

Activate Windows XP.

--------------------

Replace %WINDIR%/system32/winlogon.exe with valid in Safe Mode and run Windows Product Key Update

Tool.

Windows images.

===============

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2fcde6ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e

  Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File

hosts file.

===========

Edit ``%windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts``. Under Windows 7/8/10 you need to

run editor with "Run as administrator".

Access to Samba from Vista/7.

=============================

By default, you cannot authenticate and share files to and from Mac OS X or

Linux Samba due to a well known authentication method turned off by default.

To enable this,

Only for Windows Vista Ultimate/Business/Enterprise Editions.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Goto Start->Run and open gpedit.msc or secpol.msc

Select Continue on the User Account Control prompt. This will launch the Group

Policy Object Editor for the Local Computer Policy.

In the Group Policy Object Editor, expand:

-> Computer Configuration

-> Windows Settings

-> Security Settings

-> Local Policies

-> Security Options

Open the "Network security: LAN Manager authentication level" policy and

change the Security Setting to:

Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated

Windows Vista Home Edition.

---------------------------

Since Windows Vista Home Edition does not feature the Group Policy Editor, you

may do the following to enable this feature:

Goto Start->Run-> and type regedit.

Select Continue on the User Account Control prompt.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

Create the following DWORD value (if it doesn't exist): LmCompatibilityLevel

And set its value to: 1

Map dir to disk.

================

To create::

  cmd> subst [to-disk: [from-disk:]path]

To remove::

  cmd> subst disk: /d

Standard scripts.

=================

:``msconfig``: System Configuration Utility, you can disable services registered

               at boot.

:``regedit``: Registry Editor.

:``services.msc``: Service management.

:``compmgmt.msc``: Computer management.

:``devmgmt.msc``: Device manager.

:``diskmgmt.msc``: Disk management.

:``msinfo32``: System Information.

:``perfmon.msc``: Performance monitor.

These scripts can be invoked via ``Win+R``::

  dfrg.msc - Disk defrag

  eventvwr.msc - Event viewer

  fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders

  gpedit.msc - Group policies

  lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups

  secpol.msc - Local security settings

  win.ini - windows loading information(also system.ini)

  winver - Shows current version of windows

  command - Opens command prompt

  control fonts - Fonts Folder

  control printers - Printers Folder

  appwiz.cpl - Add & Remove Programs

  timedate.cpl - Date/Time Properties

  desk.cpl - Display Properties

  inetcpl.cpl - Internet Options

  mmsys.cpl - Sound Settings

  sysdm.cpl - System Properties

  password.cpl - Password Options

  main.cpl - Mouse and Keyboard Options

User Account applets::

  Netplwiz.exe

  control /name Microsoft.UserAccounts

``.cpl`` scripts can be run from command line as::

  cmd> Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL

  cmd> Rundll32 Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL Mmsys.cpl,,0

Path

====

Max path length

---------------

260 chars. Use MAX_PATH macros from 'windows.h'.

Allowed characters

------------------

Not allowed:

* characters from 0 to 31

* ``<`` (less than)

* ``>`` (greater than)

* ``:`` (colon)

* ``"`` (double quote)

* ``/`` (forward slash)

* ``\`` (backslash)

* ``|`` (vertical bar or pipe)

* ``?`` (question mark)

* ``*`` (asterisk)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa365247.aspx

  Naming Files, Paths, and Namespaces.

Memory

======

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff542275%28v=VS.85%29.aspx

  Boot Parameters to Configure DEP and PAE

PAE

---

All 32-bit Windows XP support only 4 GiB RAM. To enable PAE (Physical Address

Extension) edit ``c:\boot.ini``, add option ``/pae``::

  multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="MS Windows XP Prof" /fastdetect /pae

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff557168.aspx

  ``/pae`` option.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/pae/paedrv.mspx

  PAE support.

NX

--

NX (no execute) in Windows realised in Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

technology.

On 64-bit processes, DEP is enabled by default and cannot be disabled. For

32-bit Windows DEP is supported in Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows XP

with SP2, Windows Vista, and later versions of Windows.

To enable NX on 32-bit Windows edit 'c:\boot.ini', add option

'/noexecute=...' (alwayson/optout/optin/alwaysoff)::

  multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="MS Windows XP Prof" /fastdetect /noexecute=alwayson

To see current DEP status run::

  cmd> wmic OS Get DataExecutionPrevention_Available

  cmd> wmic OS Get DataExecutionPrevention_SupportPolicy

  cmd> wmic OS Get DataExecutionPrevention_Drivers

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff557134%28VS.85%29.aspx

  /noexecute parameter

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912923

  How to determine that hardware DEP is available and configured on your computer

Windows ISO images.

===================

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=25129

  Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File

Life cycle.

===========

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/servicepacks.mspx

  Windows Service Pack Road Map

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx

  Windows Life-Cycle Policy

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect

  Life-Cycle Policy by product

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search

  Microsoft Product Lifecycle Search. Type product name into

  search box (like "Windows 95", "Windows XP", "Windows Server

  2003", etc)!

NTFS junction points.

=====================

To craete use 'junction.exe' from Mark Russinovich or 'linkd.exe' from

Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit.

'junction.exe' included with Sysinternals suite::

  cmd> md c:\Program-Files

  cmd> junction c:\Program-Files "c:\Program Files"

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/bb896768.aspx

  Junction v1.05, Published: July 24, 2007

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=205524

  How to create and manipulate NTFS junction points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point

  NTFS junction point

Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit.

====================================

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927229

  Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools for administrative tasks

  separate tools downloads

Microsoft security tools.

=========================

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=CD057D9D-86B9-4E35-9733-7ACB0B2A3CA1&displayLang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=B1E76BBE-71DF-41E8-8B52-C871D012BA78&displayLang=en

  Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1.1 (for IT

  Professionals)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?familyId=4a2346ac-b772-4d40-a750-9046542f343d&displayLang=en

  Enhanced Mitigation Evaluation Toolkit

http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2009/10/27/announcing-the-release-of-the-enhanced-mitigation-evaluation-toolkit.aspx

  Announcing the release of the Enhanced Mitigation Evaluation

  Toolkit (old version 1.0)

http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2010/07/28/announcing-the-upcoming-release-of-emet-v2.aspx

Enable/Disabling UAC.

=====================

To disable UAC on the computer, you must be able to log on with or provide the

credentials of a member of the local Administrators group.

Starting with Windows 7, UAC is disabled by following these steps:

1. On the Start menu, type "UAC" and then click Change User Account settings.

2. Move the slide bar to the bottom (Never Notify) and then click OK.

On Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, UAC is disabled by following these steps:

1. Start Control Panel and double-click User Accounts.

2. In the User Accounts tasks window, click Turn User Account Control on or off.

3. Clear the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer check box, and then click OK.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Turn-User-Account-Control-on-or-off

  Turn User Account Control on or off

Fix file association.

=====================

Check current association::

  $ cmd /c assoc | grep -i "^\.mp3"

  .mp3=mp3file

Get list of all available commands::

  $ cmd /c ftype

  ...

  AIMP.mp3="C:\Program Files\AIMP2\AIMP2.exe" "%1"

  ...

and select one on them::

  $ cmd /c assoc .mp3=AIMP.mp3

Clean up Windows system directories

===================================

Run ``cleanmgr.exe``.

Disable hibernation::

  powercfg /hibernate off

On Windows 10 use compaction (compressing Windows bloatware). It frees about 2 GiB::

  Compact.exe /CompactOS:always

Clean up WinSXS directory (from admin permission)::

  DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded

  DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

You can safely remove SP restore files::

  %Systemroot%\$NtServicePackUninstall$

Also check such directories::

  %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files\Common Files

  %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data

  %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290402

  HOW TO: Remove the Service Pack Restore Files and Folders in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253597

  Automating Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17421/windows-free-up-drive-space

  Tips to free up drive space on your PC.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/clean-up-the-winsxs-folder

  Clean Up the WinSxS Folder.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2795190/how-to-address-disk-space-issues-that-are-caused-by-a-large-windows-co

  How to address disk space issues that are caused by a large Windows component store (WinSxS) directory.

Schedule Tasks in Windows

=========================

List registered of task::