For a random number Go to a command prompt: echo %random% To set an account to a random password net user [username] /random It will then print out the random password. Be sure to write it down. Ex: C:> net user guest /random Password for guest is: tP4edm68 The command completed successfully. … [Read more...]
Windows locked out account tools
If for any reason there is a sudden rash of user accounts locking the following tools might be useful. The AD console allows you to right click on a User and view the properties of the account. Under the 'Account' tab there is a checkbox that says "Account is locked." If it is checked, the account is locked. Simply uncheck the box to unlock the account. lockoutstatus.exe is … [Read more...]
DStools – Active Directory scripting
You can use some tools to add Active Directory interaction into your batch scripts. DS tools come with the admin pack from Microsoft for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003. You can use dsquery to retrieve information from the AD or use dsmod to adjust settings related to an OU, user, or computer account. Additionally, there is: dsadd dsget dsmove dsrm I use dsmod to change the … [Read more...]
Remote Administration – Troubleshooting without leaving your chair
Remote Desktop - Windows Server 2003 allows you to connect with multiple sessions so you can use Remote Desktop (available from Windows 2000-Vista) to work in the background to perform installs or other routine maintenance. Other operating systems have limitations on the multiple session aspect, so if you connect to a Windows XP machine, you would have to disconnect a local … [Read more...]
Disable Firefox’s ‘Set as Desktop Background’ option
For a kiosk setup, it can be a bit disruptive for users to be changing the Windows desktop wallpaper. They might change it to something offensive, hard to read, or simply unprofessional. This function can be disabled for most applications through group policy, but Firefox still allows a hole. In Firefox, if you right-click on an image the context menu offers 'Set as Desktop … [Read more...]