How to Change the Logon Screen Background in Windows 7 through Group Policy

First, Create a jpg file you want as logon screen background which should be less than 256kb, name it as backgroundDefault.jpg and place it inside a server share, ex. \\servername\share\backgroundDefault.jpg

1. Copy our wallpaper file to the user’s workstation.
2. Instruct Windows to use our file instead of the default %WinDir%\System32\oobe\background.bmp file.

With the  Group Policy Preferences , we can copy our wallpaper to the user’s computer, while reserving the right to pull it off if the computer leaves the scope of the GPO.  To copy files, open GPMC and follow these steps:

Script to Backup folder with date

This tutorial will show you how to use a simple Windows Batch file and the task scheduler to create an automated daily backup. We will use the date variable to backup the files into folders with  Date as the folder name.

First you will need to open notepad. The easiest way is going to start > run and typing notepad.

copy and paste the following to the notepad  and set drive as the destination drive and folder where do you want to backup (here its my D drive and folder name is BCK,and my source folder is C:DVR )and save it with the .bat extension

Creating a Starter GPO in Windows Server 2008

Starter GPOs (Group Policy Objects) can be created or added to a domain in a few ways. A starter GPO can be created from scratch using a blank template, it can be created by restoring from a starter GPO backup folder, or it can be imported from a provided Starter GPO cabinet file.

To create a new starter GPO, follow the below steps:

1. Log on to a designated Windows Server 2008 administrative workstation.

2. Open the Group Policy Management Console.

3. Expand the domain to expose the Starter GPOs container and select it.

4. Verify that the starter GPO functionality is enabled by viewing the right pane.

5. Right-click the Starter GPOs container in the left pane, and select New.

6. In the New Starter GPO dialog box, type in a name for the new starter GPO, and enter a comment to describe what will be included in this starter GPO and when and where it should be applied as a template.

7. Click OK to create the new starter GPO.

Starter GPO explained

With Windows Server 2008 (Codename Longhorn) you will notice a new container called "Starter GPOs" inside the GPMC (version 2.0 - BTW this version will also be available as a separate download for Windows Vista with SP1).

Using the ping command

If you are having connectivity problems, you can use the ping command to check the destination IP address you want to reach and record the results. The ping command displays whether the destination responded and how long it took to receive a reply. If there is an error in the delivery to the destination, the ping command displays an error message.

You can use the ping command to:

• Ping your computer (by address, not host name) to determine that TCP/IP is functioning. (Pinging your computer does not verify that your network adapter is functioning.)
• Ping the local router to determine whether the router is running.
• Ping beyond your local router.

How to Backup Outlook Pst Files

Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup

Backing up your Microsoft Outlook information is quicker and easier with the Personal Folders Backup feature. Personal Folders Backup creates backup copies of your .PST files at regular intervals, in Outlook 2002 and later versions, making it easy to keep all of your Outlook folders safely backed up.

With Personal Folders Backup, you can choose which of your .PST files you wish to back up, and how often you wish to back them up.

Each .PST file contains all of your Outlook folders, including the Inbox, Calendar, and Contacts. You can have a single .PST file (usually called "Internet Folders" or "Personal Folders" in your Folder List), but you might also have an additional .PST file that you use for archiving ("Archiving Folders"). Personal Folders Backup lets you back up any or all of these .PST files.

System requirements

Supported operating systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows ME, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Works with the following Office programs:
        Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
        Microsoft Outlook 2003
        Microsoft Outlook 2002

Using the PST Backup tool

Before you begin the backup process, you might want to check the size of your .pst file. If you have multiple folders in your .pst file, you must select the top-level folder to determine the total file size for all the folders.

Hidden Regional Themes in Windows 7

Windows 7 offers you location specific Aero themes based on the language and location you pick during installation.  Here we will take a look at accessing other hidden themes from different countries.

When you first start the Windows 7 installation the first thing you will do is select a language, time and currency format.  This is where Windows determines what themes you’re presented with by default.

How to Reset Your Forgotten Domain Admin Password on Server 2008 R2

Boot off the Windows Server 2008 R2 disk and select the “Repair your computer” option from the lower left-hand corner.

Follow through until you get to the option to open the Command Prompt, which you’ll want to select.
 


First you’ll want to type in the following command to backup the utilman.exe file:


    MOVE C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe.bak



Now you will need to copy cmd.exe and rename it Utilman.exe:



    COPY C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe



Now you can go ahead and reboot your machine. When its done booting up again and you are at the Logon screen click on the Ease of access icon.