Softpanorama (slightly skeptical) Open Source Software Educational Society

May the source be with you, but remember the KISS principle ;-)

Windows Resource Kits

Windows Resource Kits is a must for any serious/professional Windows user and can serve as a quick test of the level professionalism on the applicant to the Windows related position. It is essentially a set of command line tools, that simplify managing Windows from the command line (Unix-way).  Before SFU 3.5 it included major Posix utilities (for example Reskit 2000 did). It is interesting to note that command line tools exist for almost any administrative task in Windows.

Non-Posix tools that are included ResKits are still in flux and change from one version to another, but there is several core tools that survived in the last three versions of OS (2000, XP and 2003). See for example Microsoft Registry Tools.

The Windows 2003 Resource Kit is a free download and can be used on Windows XT (Workstation and Server) and Windows 2003 server. Along with its hidden extension (SFU 3.5)  is is probably the most underutilized component of  Windows.  It contains a better command line shell  and 188 tools.  If SFU is installed command line shell provides a very smooth integration with Unix utilities present in SFU including ls, grep, find, crontab, vi.  It also has allows based command history retrieval (Like C-shell). 

Among other useful general purpose command tools in ResKit2003 (all of them are usable of Windows XP) I would like to mention:

1. cdburn & dvdburn -- ISO CD-ROM and DVD Burner Tools
2. chklnks -- Link Check Wizard
3. Creatfil.exe: Create File
4. Diskuse.exe: User Disk Usage Tool somewhat similar to du (Scans the hard disk and reports how much disk space is allocated to a particular user.
5. Dnsdiag.exe: SMTP DNS Diagnostic Tool (documented in Readme.htm)
6. Linkd.exe
7. List.exe: List Text File Tool
8. Logtime.exe
9. Moveuser.exe: Move Users
10. Nlsinfo.exe: Locale Information Tool
11. Now.exe: STDOUT Current Date and Time
12. Ntimer.exe: Windows Program Timer
13. Ntrights.exe
14. Oh.exe: Open Handles
15. Oleview.exe: OLE/COM Object Viewer
16. Pathman.exe: Path Manager
17. Permcopy.exe: Share Permissions Copy
18. Perms.exe: User File Permissions Tool
19. Pmon.exe: Process Resource Monitor
20. Qgrep.exe  analog of grep
21. Regini.exe: Registry Change by Script
22. Regview.exe (documented in Readme.htm)
23. Remapkey.exe: Remap Windows Keyboard Layout
24. Robocopy.exe: Robust File Copy Utility (powerful copy tool that you can use to create mirror images of large folder tree structures on the same computer or on a network drive. )
25. Rpccfg.exe: RPC Configuration Tool
26. Rpcdump.exe
27. Showacls.exe
28. Showpriv.exe: Show Privilege
29. Sleep.exe: Batch File Wait
30. Srvmgr.exe: Server Manager
31. Tail.exe
32. Tcmon.exe: Traffic Control Monitor
33. Timeit.exe (documented in Readme.htm)
34. Usrmgr.exe: User Manager for Domains
35. Vfi.exe: Visual File Information
36. Vrfydsk.exe: Verify Disk
37. Winexit.scr: Windows Exit Screen Saver (A screen saver that will automatically log the current user out after a period of inactivity)

Microsoft Services for Unix  should be considered as an important (but hidden for unprofessional) part of Resource Kit It is a separate download but logically it is a Reskit component. It contains ports of all classic Unix Utilities like grep, find,  sed, ex, vi as well as several scripting languages (Korn shell, awk, Perl, python ). That's kind of Microsoft Linux and as such is extremely useful both to Windows administration and for application development.

Actually ResKits provides ports of some Unix tools. Some of the tools while not direct ports are close analogs of Unix utilities (Diskuse.exe, Creatfil.exe, Qgrep.exe, Oh.exe, Sleep.exe).  For example ResKit2003 provides tail.exe. But full assortment of classic Unix command line tools and ksh improves the quality of Windows environment considerably, especially if you are working with http or proxy logs:

Tail is a command-line tool that displays a user-specified number of the last lines of a text file, such as a log file, in a console window.

A log file lists actions that have occurred. For example, servers running Microsoft SQL Server maintain log files that list every query made to that server. With analysis software, it is possible to analyze these log files to improve database performance and to verify the data contained in the database is not being accessed without authorization.

The Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit includes seven books that deliver in-depth information enabling professionals to understand, deploy, and make optimal use of their Windows 2000 operating systems. It also contains several references including the Technical Reference to the Windows 2000 Registry, Error and Event Messages Help, the Group Policy Reference, and the Performance Counters Reference.

If you still off not download and learn Reskit and SFU it's time for it right now.

Notes: Those pages are written by people for whom English is not a native language. Some amount of grammar and spelling errors should be expected. This is a Spartan WHYFF (We Help You For Free) site. It cannot replace the best teachers and the best books. The site contain some obsolete pages as it develops like a living tree... Some links on older pages are broken. Please try to use Google, Open directory, etc. to find a replacement link (see HOWTO search the WEB for details). We would appreciate if you can mail us a correct link. Search Amazon by keywords:     Open directory Research Index

Old News ;-)

Here's a list of some new tools mixed up with the old favorites that will make any Linux user feel at home with the command prompt. A lot of these commands are intended for administrating a network, but they are great for savvy home users as well.  We even listed which OS you need for these commands.

With most of these commands, you can just type the command without any options and a list of possible arguments will be displayed.

• bootcfg (XP only) This utility allows you to set up your boot options, such as your default OS and other loading options.
• cacls (XP, 2000, & NT4.0)  Changes the ACLs (security Settings) of files and folders. Very similar to chmod in Linux. 
• comp (XP & 2000) This utility is very similar to diff in Linux.  Use the /? switch to get examples of command usage.
• contig (NT4.0 and newer) A great defrag utility for NTFS partitions.
• defrag (XP only - NT4.0 and Win2k use contig) Yes, XP comes with a command line disk defrag utility. If you are running Win2k or NT4.0 there is still hope. Contig is a free defrag program that I describe on the defrag page.
• diskpart (XP only) Use this command to manage your disk partitions.  This is the text version for the GUI Disk Manager.
• driverquery (XP only) Produces a list of drivers, their properties, and their versions. Great for computer documentation.
• fsutil (XP only) This is a utility with a lot of capability.  Come back soon for great examples.
• getmac (XP & 2000) This command gets the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your network cards.
• gpresult (XP & 2000 This generates a summary of the user settings and computer group policy settings.
• ipconfig (XP, 2000 & NT4.0) This handy tool displays IP settings of the current computer and much more.
• MMC (XP, 2000 & NT4.0) - Microsoft Management Console This is the master tool for Windows, it is the main interface in which all other tools use starting primarily in Windows 2000 and newer systems.
• msconfig (XP only) The ultimate tool to change the services and utilities that start when your Windows machine boots up. You can also copy the executable from XP and use it in Win2k.
• msinfo32 (XP & 2000) An awesome diagnostic tool. With it you can get a list of running processes, including the residing path of the executable (great for manually removing malware) and get detailed information about hardware and system diagnostics.
• netsh (XP & 2000) A network configuration tool console.  At the 'netsh>' prompt, use the '?' to list the available commands and type "exit" to get back to a command prompt.
• openfiles (XP Only) Allows an administrator to display or disconnect open files in XP professional. Type "openfiles /?" for a list of possible parameters.
• Pathping (XP & 2000) A cross between the ping and traceroute utilities. Who needs Neotrace when you can use this? Type "pathping <ip address>" and watch it go.
• recover (XP & 2000) This command can recover readable information from a damaged disk and is very easy to use.
• reg (XP & 2000) A console registry tool, great for scripting Registry edits.
• schtasks (XP only) A newer version of the AT command.  This allows an administrator to schedule and manage scheduled tasks on a local and remote machines.
• secedit (XP & 2000) Use this utility to manually apply computer and user policy from your windows 2000 (or newer) domain.  Example to update the machine policy: secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce
  To view help on this, just type secedit.
  NOTE: In Windows XP this command is superceded by: gpupdate /force
• sfc (XP & 2000) The system file checker scans important system files and replaces the ones you (or your applications) hacked beyond repair with the real, official Microsoft versions.
• shutdown (XP & 2000) With this tool, You can shut down or restart your own computer, or an administrator can shut down or restart a remote computer.
• sigverif (XP only) Microsoft has created a driver signatures. A signed driver is Microsot tested and approved. With the sigverif tool you can have all driver files analysed to verify that they are digitally signed. Just type 'sigverif' at the command prompt.
• systeminfo (XP only) Basic system configuration information, such as the system type, the processor type, time zone, virtual memory settings, system uptime, and much more.  This program is great for creating an inventory of computers on your network.
• tasklist (XP pro only) Tasklist is the command console equivalent to the task manager in windows. It is a must have when fighting scumware and viruses. Try the command: tasklist /svc to view the memory resources your services take up.
• taskkill (XP only) Taskkill contains the rest of the task manager functionality.  It allows you to kill those unneeded or locked up applications.

Microsoft Windows 2000 Command Reference

If you think these commands were handy, check out our list of helpful Windows Shortcut Keys.

Download Free Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools

• Pstat: Process and Thread Status - Shows the status of all running processes and threads.

• PTree: Process Tree - Process Tree allows you to query the process inheritance tree and kill processes on local or remote computers.

• PViewer: Process Viewer - Process Viewer is a Windows-based tool that displays information about a running process and allows you to stop (kill) processes and change process priority. See also Microsoft pviewer

This GUI tool displays information about a running process and allows you to stop processes and change process priority.  Note Process Viewer is similar to Pview.exe, but it can view processes on remote computers.

Mastering the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit

The Windows 2003 Resource Kit is by far the most underutilized arsenal I have seen in my work as a Manager. I see many Administrators doing tasks or not having solutions for tasks that are totally provided with this toolkit. In the next series of articles I present, we shall cover the Windows 2003 Resource kit 'In Depth'. This article starts the series by fundamentally covering where to get the software, the basic use of the resource kit, online resources and file set.

Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference/Networking Collection

[Jul 6, 2005]  Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools Updates

1. ADTest.exe Released: 10/7/2003 - Simulate client transactions on a host server to assess the performance of Active Directory.
2. CAPIMON.exe Released: 11/17/2003 - Monitor an application's CryptoAPI calls and the results.
3. CepSetup.exe Last updated: 8/24/2003 - Support for the SCEP protocol which allows Cisco routers and other intermediate network devices to obtain certificates.
4. ClusDiag.exe Last updated: 8/14/2003 - Perform diagnostics tests on pre-production server clusters and create log files to help identify configuration issues.
5. ClusterRecovery.exe Last updated: 10/3/2003 - Recover a server cluster after a disk on the shared bus has failed.
6. DelProf.exe Last updated: 8/29/2003 - Delete user profiles on a local or remote computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.
7. FRSDiag.exe Released: 10/8/2003 - Troubleshoot and diagnose problems with FRS.
8. GPInventory.exe Released: 10/3/2003 - Collect Group Policy and other information from any number of computers in the network.
LockoutStatus.exe Last updated: 10/3/2003 - Display lockout information for a particular user.
9. LSView.exe Last updated: 10/16/2003 - View information useful for monitoring and logging the status of all available Terminal Services license servers in the current domain and current site.
10. RQS.exe Last updated: 4/20/2004 - Restrict remote access clients from full access to a network until they meet the requirements of the network.
11. SecInspect.exe Last updated: 8/28/2003 - View the contents of master boot records, boot sectors, and IA64 GUID partition tables.
12. SrvMgr.exe Last updated: 11/25/2003 - Manage Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT 3.51 domains and computers.
13. SubInAcl.exe Last updated: 6/14/2004 - View security information about files, registry keys, and services, and transfer this information from user to user, from local or global group to group, and from domain to domain.
14. UsrMgr.exe Last updated: 11/25/2003 - Manage security for Windows NT 4.0 domains, member servers, and workstations.
15. WinHttpCertCfg.exe Last updated: 9/2/2003 - Install and configure client certificates in any certificate store that can be accessed by the Internet Server Web Application Manager (IWAM) account.

[Jul 6, 2005] Amazon/Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Resource Kit Special Promotion Edition

• Paperback: 4992 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; Kit edition (May 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735614717
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 17.5 pounds.
• Average Customer Review: based on 1 review.

This official Microsoft RESOURCE KIT delivers seven comprehensive volumes, including:

Microsoft Windows Security Resource Kit, Second Edition

Microsoft Windows Group Policy Guide

Microsoft Windows Registry Guide, Second Edition

Microsoft Windows Administrator’s Automation Toolkit

Microsoft Windows Internals, 4/e

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Performance Guide

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Troubleshooting Guide

The Resource Kit also includes:

1. Tools: 120+ ResKit Tools and Tools help files, plus 114 IIS ResKit tools

2. Scripting tool library: 120+ scripted tools with command-line interface

3. Group Policy utilities: group policy scripts, templates, and whitepapers

4. WS03 Technical Reference Collection: 5,400 pages created by the Windows UA team

5. Unique e-book library: e-book versions of the books in the RK, plus 4 other titles

[Jul 6, 2005] Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit Books The Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit includes seven books that deliver in-depth information enabling advanced IT customers to understand, deploy, and make optimal use of their Windows 2000 operating systems.

1. The Deployment Planning Guide assists teams in charge of deploying Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional. It provides both rollout planning guidelines and strategies for deploying Windows 2000 technologies. Topics include network infrastructure prerequisites, Active Directory^® infrastructure, advanced management, and upgrade information.

   See the following sample chapters from this Resource Kit book:

   • Determining Domain Migration Strategies
   • Deployment Tools

   Download the entire Deployment Planning Guide.

2. The Distributed Systems Guide provides a conceptual, theoretical, functional, and practical view of the various technologies that make up the Windows 2000 distributed systems. Topics include Active Directory^®, distributed security, enterprise technologies, and desktop configuration management.

   See the following sample chapters from this Resource Kit book:

   • Active Directory Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, and Recovery
   • Active Directory Replication
   • File Replication Service
   • Group Policy
   • Troubleshooting Change and Configuration Management
3. The TCP/IP Core Networking Guide provides you with in-depth technical information to help you understand, manage, and troubleshoot all facets of TCP/IP networking. Topics include address allocation and name resolution and network security and management.

   See the following sample chapters from this Resource Kit book:

   • Introduction to TCP/IP
   • TCP/IP Troubleshooting
   • Windows 2000 DNS
4. The Internetworking Guide describes the services and protocols that allow you to extend Windows 2000 networks across a variety of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and remote network connections. Topics include routing, remote access, interoperability, media integration, and other protocols.

   See the following sample chapters from this Resource Kit book:

   • Virtual Private Networking
   • Unicast Routing Overview
5. The Server Operations Guide provides the information you need to understand and maintain your server installations. Topics include storage, file systems, printing, performance monitoring, system recovery, and troubleshooting.

   See the following sample chapters from this Resource Kit book:

   • Disk Concepts and Troubleshooting
   • Troubleshooting Strategies
   • Windows 2000 Stop Messages
   • Startup Process
   • Repair, Recovery, and Restore
6. The Internet Information Services Resource Guide provides in-depth technical information about Internet Information Services (IIS) version 5.0 This guide explains what is new in IIS 5.0; provides instructions on how to migrate settings, content, and applications to IIS 5.0 from other Web servers; and describes how to upgrade from IIS 4.0 to IIS 5.0.

   In addition, the guide discusses how to plan Web server installations, how to optimize and tune an IIS-based Web server, how to maintain an Internet service provider (ISP) installation, and how to use the Web to access older data and applications.

   The Internet Explorer Resource Guide provides comprehensive information about planning, customizing, installing, and supporting the latest versions of Microsoft^® Internet Explorer.

[Dec 11, 2004]  Dureg: Registry Size Estimator - Shows how much data is stored in the registry, or in any registry subtree, key, or subkey.

[Dec 11, 2004] FileVer: This command-line tool examines the version resource structure of a file or a directory of files on either a local or remote computer and displays information on the versions of executable files such as .exe files and dynamic-link libraries DLLs.

[Dec 11, 2004] Download Free Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools

Recommended Links

Windows Deployment and Resource Kits -- page with links to all reskits.

Microsoft TechNet Resource Kits

Online books for Windows 2000 Resource Kits

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation

• Sample Chapter from Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation by Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Product Information Center Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Resource Kit, Second Edition Overview

Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Errata

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation Comments And Corrections

Windows XP Professional Resource Kit System Restore Scripting Samples

Desktop Resource Kits

• Windows XP Professional
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows NT Workstation 4.0
• Windows 98

Tutorials and Articles

Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation
Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation helps IT professionals deploy, manage, and support the Windows XP operating system. In addition to this free online version of the printed book, Windows XP Professional Resource Kit Documentation is available in print from Microsoft Press.