220-1102 1.3 Microsoft Operating Tools for Windows 10

Disk cleanup (cleanmgr.exe)

• Frees up space while not affecting the integrity of the files

• Cleans up:

  • Files in recycling bin

  • Temp. internet files

  • Downloaded program files

  • Temp. files

Disk Defrag (dfrgui.exe)

• For optimizing and defraging drvies

• For HDD = defrag

• For SSD = trimming

• Doing this too much can decrease the lifespan of the drive

What does it mean for a HDD to be defragged?

Bits on the drive are rearranged so files can load faster

What does it mean for a SSD to be trimmed?

Makes sure that the NAND memory chips on it are placed evenly to maximize the lifespan of the drive

Registry Editor (regedit.exe)

• A database that stores all the settings and configs for Windows and its apps

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Registry key that stores file association info

HKEY_USERS

Registry key that stores settings for all users

HKRY_CURRENTUSERS

Registry key that stores settings for individual users

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Registry key that stores settings for all devices that have been installed or removed from the system

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG

Registry key that stores settings for individual devices when multiple of the same type of device have been installed

Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)

Displays logs of the timestamped events which can be used to assist with troubleshooting

Window logs for system

Lists OS events

Windows logs for security

List security events

Windows logs for app

List app events

Event viewer icon color indication - Red, Yellow, White

• Red = Error

• Yellow = Warning

• White = Info

Microsoft Management Console (mmc)

• Gives you the ability to create a custom toolbox of useful utilities referred to as '“snap-ins”

  • Snap-ins = Other consoles that are available elsewhere, e.g. Device Manager, Disk Management, Windows Defender Firewall, etc.

System Info (msinfo32.exe)

• View detailed info on your system’s hardware and software

• Sections:

  • Hardware Resources - Identifies hardware conflicts

  • Components - Identifies drivers details and hardware capabilities

  • Software Environment - Identifies software details

System Config (msconfig.exe)

• General usage is to change the setup between normal, selective, or diagnostic and what programs Windows starts with

• Includes:

  • Boot - Change to multiboot or boot order

  • Services - Enable or disable services

  • Startup - Link to the startup tab in the task manager

  • Tools - Useful tools

Task Manager (taskmgr.exe)

Displays and manages running apps/services, logged-in users, and system performance

Task Manager Processes Tab

• Displays all running processes including ones in background

• Can close unresponsive apps here

Task Manager Performance Tab

• Displays performance graphs if CPU, memory, Disk I/O, and network resources

• Can help in identifying a bottleneck in a slow computer

Task Manager Users Tab

Shows current logged in users and what apps they are running

Task Manager Startup Tab

Disable or enable auto-starting apps

Task Manager Services Tab

Shows running services with identification info including description, group, and status of service

Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)

Manage disk partitions

Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)

Config automated tasks that will run at designated times

Device Manager (devicemgmt.msc)

• Check, update, and install device drivers

• View status of devices, properties of devices, and modify config parameters

Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc)

Check and manager certificate that are installed for the OS and web browser

Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)

• Create and delete users

• Maintain accounts and update passwords

Performance Monitor (perfmon.msc)

• Real time info on how computer is using CPU, memory, disk, and network

• Used to help diagnose performance issues

Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Edit local group policy