Practical Tips for Using and Managing Windows XP

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Practical Tips for Using and Managing Windows XP

• Brent Williams
• Instructor Networks, Systems, and Security
• MSTM, CNE, MCSE, XP-MCP, A, N
• brwillia_at_kennesaw.edu
• Presentation Available www.ksuetc.org/brent

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Objectives

• Give Quick Overview of XP
• From a Support and Management Perspective
• Provide Tips You Find Useful
• Demonstrate Tips
• Provide You With Solutions to Annoying Problems

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Basics

• Released October 2001
• Yes, it has been that long -)
• Windows 98 Died January 2004
• Most Stable MS OS Yet
• Integrates Many Utilities

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AdvantageNew, Friendlier Look

• Cartoonish
• Clean Desktop
• Quick run program list
• Better font smoothing
• Multi-monitor support
• Policy Control of Start Menu Desktop

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Issues

• General OS Complexity/Support
• Look and Feel changes may stress some users
• Permissions for users
• Profiles are always on
• Different logins change Start menu desktop

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Tips

• Turn on Clear-Type on any LCD
• Display Control Panel, Appearance
• Useto Smooth Edges, ClearType
• Use Multi-Monitor support
• Display Control Panel
• Settings, Extend My Desktop

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Tips

• Turn on Classic Start Menu
• Right-click Start, Properties, Classic Start Menu
• Turn on Classic View of Control Panel
• Click Classic View in upper left of Control Panel

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Tips

• Force Security Tab to Appear on Drives and
  Folders
• My Computer, Tools, Folder Options
• Uncheck Use Simple File Sharing
• Examine Default Drive Permissions
• Right-click the C drive, Properties
• Security Tab

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Issues

• Hardware Requirements
• P233 (P400 recommended)
• 64Mb RAM (256Mb Recommended)
• 5 Gb HD (20Gb Recommended)
• www.evertech.com
• www.powerleap.com
• www.pricewatch.com
• Cost

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Tips

• Evaluate Cost/Performance of Hardware Upgrades
• Memory
• Processor
• Hard-Drive
• See
• www.pricewatch.com
• www.evertech.com
• www.powerleap.com

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AdvantageSecurity

• NTFS Protects the drives
• Quotas Limit Disk Space Use
• Built-in Firewall

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Issues

• Tech folks must learn to
• Use NTFS Permissions
• Manage Users and Groups
• Use Compatibility Tools
• Excessive Privileges for Users
• Security Holes Exploited

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Tips

• Dont make every user a supervisor
• Learn NTFS permissions
• Most software needs Read and List permissions
• Turn on Firewall
• Right-click My Network Places
• Properties, Right-click Icon
• Properties, Advanced, Protect

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AdvantageSecurity

• Policies Control the User
• Requires a Windows 2000/2003 Server or Novell
  Server with ZenWorks
• Allows Easy Control of Student Stations
• Restrict Access to Almost Any Part of XP
• Updates Every 90 Minutes

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Issues

• To Lock PC Still Requires Policies
• Huge Number of Policies
• Time to study them
• Time to test them
• Time to implement them

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Tips

• Install Group Policy Management Console on your
  server
• Search for this free download
• technet.microsoft.com
• Manage Group Policies right on the PC if you have
  to
• Start, Run, gpedit.msc
• Apply polices one at a time

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AdvantageRestore Points

• Allows Easy Recovery of a Trashed PC
• Simple Calendar Interface
• System State is Recorded
• At first boot for the day
• At any significant system change
• Uses about 12 of drive

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Tips

• Learn to use this feature
• When simple troubleshooting fails, restore the PC
  to previous day
• Accessories, System Tools
• System Restore
• Repeat if necessary
• Teach teachers to use this feature

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AdvantageDeployment

• Windows XP Can Be Deployed by Ghost
• Get Open License Copy of XP
• Use Ghost 7, 7.5, or 8
• Sysprep or Ghostwalker for SID
• Sysprep Can Compensate for HW

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Tips

• Get Current Deployment Tools
• technet.microsoft.com
• Use Setup Manager
• Rename the Deploy folder to Sysprep
• Use the Sysprep program

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AdvantageAutomatic Updates

• XP Can Automatically Check
• http//windowsupdate.microsoft.com
• Choice of How Updates Are Applied
• Can be configured to pull updates from your
  server
• SUS Server (free)

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Issues

• PC Must Be On At Time of Update
• Only Critical Updates are Pulled
• Make sure you check others now and then

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Tips

• Use Automatic Updates
• Get SUS Server
• Free download from
• technet.microsoft.com
• Have a fixed schedule for reviewing MS updates

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AdvantageRemote Access

• Tech Can Connect Anytime
• Must have IP or System NameLogin and password
• Remote Access Must Be Allowed
• System Control Panel

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Issues

• User Can Not Watch
• User Can Interrupt
• Off-campus Access Through Firewall
• Must be Enabled in Control Panel

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Tips

• Enable this feature it is very useful
• Set Local Administrator Password Consistently
• Use this tool instead of traveling to a user

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AdvantageProgram Compatibility Wizard

• Wizard at Start Programs Accessories
• You Can Also Set With Right Click on Program Icon
• Allows Old Software to Run in Windows 95, 98, ME,
  2000 Modes

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Issues

• Rarely, Software Will Not Work
• Frustrating for End User
• Rights Get in the Way

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Tips

• Use Compatibility Features on Shortcut to Program
• Be Prepared to Experiment and Call Vendor
• Permissions are the Most Common Problem

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AdvantageUsing XP with Camera, Scanner, CD

• Simply Connect Camera or Scanner
• Camera Images Show Up in My Computer
• Control Scanner with Scanner Camera Wizard
• Copy, Save, Delete, Edit, Print
• Copy and Paste to CD

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Issues

• Not All Cameras, Scanners Supported
• Use 3rd Party Software
• Built in Manipulation Limited
• Use 3rd Party Software
• CD Capability Does Not include Copy CD

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Tips

• Do Not Install Vendor Scanner Software
• Do Not Install EZCD Creator or similar
• Download and install ISO and CD Copier
  Enhancements

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AdvantageSpecial Tools

• MSConfig
• GPEdit.MSC
• PowerToys
• www.microsoft.com/windowsxp
• Downloads
• TweakUI

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Tips

• Learn to Use MSConfig
• Get and Install the MS Powertoys
• www.microsoft.com/windows
• Downloads

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Conclusion

• There are dozens of tip/tricks
• Visit XP Web Sites
• Test tips/tricks on non-critical PC
• Get Training XP is Complex

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This Presentation Available

• Visit http//www.ksuetc.org/brent
• See our schedule at http//www.ksuetc.org