Microsoft Windows Scripting Self Paced Learning Guide

Get expert guidance on how to use scripting to automate Windows system administration--straight from the Microsoft scripting experts. This title features hands-on, self-paced learning exercises, timesaving tips, and sample scripts to help readers get more done in less time.

Go beyond simple queries and get the inside track on how to write system administration scripts with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)—straight from a Microsoft scripting expert. With labs and lessons you complete at your own pace, this definitive tutorial helps you build your scripting expertise and provides the professional guidance you need to automate Windows administrative tasks. Teach yourself how to write and run scripts to: Configure WMI—without editing the registry Audit and inventory software on local or remote desktops and servers Manage system components, including keyboards, motherboards, disk drives, and printers Monitor and report on real-time changes in system performance and respond to critical events Configure network components Test security access rights and make changes to one or multiple systems And learn how to: Test, diagnose, and resolve errors with WMI Back-up and restore the registry PLUS—Get more than 900 script samples that you can use to help simply the management of your system resources CD-ROM features: More than 900 sample scripts to adapt for your own work Time-saving scripting tools—including Script-o-Matic 2.0 and WMIcheck Fully searchable eBook A Note Regarding the CD or DVD The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [email protected].

Get guidance from a well-known scripting expert—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript). This tutorial delivers hands-on, self-paced learning labs to help you get started automating Microsoft Windows administration—one step at a time. Discover how to: Manage folders and files with a single script Configure network components with Windows Management Instrumentation Administer users and groups using subroutines and Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) Design logon scripts to configure and maintain user environments Monitor and manage network printers Back up and edit the registry—avoiding common pitfalls Handle errors and troubleshoot scripts Simplify administration for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and Internet Information Services 6.0 Includes a CD featuring: All practice exercises 100+ sample scripts to adapt for your own work For customers who purchase an ebook version of this title, instructions for downloading the CD files can be found in the ebook.

THE ONLY HANDS-ON, UP-TO-DATE GUIDE TO VBSCRIPT, THE WINDOWS COMMAND LINE, AND WINDOWS POWERSHELL Windows 7 and Vista contain state-of-the-art tools for streamlining or automating virtually any system management task. If you’re a power user, administrator, or developer, these tools can help you eliminate repetitive work and manage your systems far more reliably and effectively. Renowned Windows expert Brian Knittel brings together the practical knowledge you need to use all these tools, including VBScript and Windows Scripting Host (WSH), traditional batch files, the advanced PowerShell command console, and more. Using plenty of examples, Knittel explains how each tool works, and how to solve real-world problems with them. You’ll master techniques ranging from accessing files to manipulating the Registry, sending automated emails to configuring new users. Knittel also provides concise, handy references to Windows 7/Vista’s command line, GUI scripting, and object-based management tools. The only single-source guide to all leading methods of Windows scripting and automation, this book will help you get far more done–in far less time! Understand Windows Scripting Host (WSH) and the modern Windows scripting environment Script objects with VBScript, JScript, ActivePerl, and ActivePython Read and write files, including XML and HTML files Manipulate programs and shortcuts Manage network, printer, and fax connections Make the most of PowerShell under Windows 7 and Vista Monitor and administer Windows systems with Windows Management Interface (WMI) Use ADSI to control Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange, and manage users more efficiently Avoid mistakes that can compromise script security Use Windows’ debugging tools to test and troubleshoot scripts Develop batch files that take full advantage of the command line Send faxes and email messages from scripts with Windows Fax and Collaboration Data Objects (CDO) Deploy your scripts throughout your organization Brian Knittel has been a software developer for more than 30 years. He has coauthored five titles in Que’s Special Edition Using series, covering Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, and 2000. He is also author of Windows XP Under the Hood, and coauthor of Upgrading and Repairing Windows (with Scott Mueller).

Expert recommendations, pragmatically applied. Automate system administration using Windows PowerShell best practices—and optimize your operational efficiency. With this practical guide, Windows PowerShell expert and instructor Ed Wilson delivers field-tested tips, real-world examples, and candid advice culled from administrators across a range of business and technical scenarios. If you’re an IT professional with Windows PowerShell experience, this book is ideal. Discover how to: Use Windows PowerShell to automate Active Directory tasks Explore available WMI classes and methods with CIM cmdlets Identify and track scripting opportunities to avoid duplication Use functions to encapsulate business logic and reuse code Design your script’s best input method and output destination Test scripts by checking their syntax and performance Choose the most suitable method for running remote commands Manage software services with Desired State Configuration

Presenting a fully updated resource for Windows Vista that shows you how best to use Group Policy in order to take full advantage of Active Directory and create a managed desktop environment. You’ll learn details about the GPMC, Group Policy troubleshooting techniques, and configuring Group Policy to create a resilient desktop environment. You’ll also discover how to create and manage ADMX files and leverage the Group Policy Central Store as well as deploy Office 2007, Office 2003, and more using Group Policy Software Installation.

135,000 words... 2 Full-length Personal Training Guides in 1 Convenient Kit! Designed for anyone who wants to learn Windows PowerShell. Inside, you'll find comprehensive overviews, step-by-step procedures, frequently used tasks, documented examples, and much more. One of the goals is to keep the content so concise that the training kit remains compact and easy to navigate while at the same time ensuring that this training kit is packed with as much information as possible--making it a valuable resource. After reading this training kit, you’ll have a better understanding of using Windows PowerShell to work with and manage Windows. Techniques for working at the prompt and using scripts are covered extensively. Take control of Windows and Windows Server today using PowerShell! Includes the full contents of: Windows PowerShell: The Personal Trainer Windows PowerShell for Administration: The Personal Trainer Windows PowerShell Self-Study Training Kit starts by teaching you how to: Streamline daily tasks using cmdlets Initialize the scripting environment Format output and use output streams Extend Windows PowerShell Use sessions and remoting Execute remote commands and schedule jobs Manage computers using scripts Validate PowerShell requirements while scripting Use conditional statements to control script execution Use control loops to execute commands repeatedly Record PowerShell sessions using transcripts Manage blocks of commands More, more, more Then Windows PowerShell Self-Study Training Kit shows you how to: Manage system configuration Gather system information Inventory and evaluate computers Work with files, directories and drives Configure security permissions and auditing Configure event logging Write custom events Manage configuration of system services Create and use restore points Manage computer accounts and join computers to domains Manage running processes and services Monitor system performance Resolve performance issues More, more, more