Windows (EN)

  • Reset password of local administrator account in Windows 2000 / 2003 / XP / Vista / 2008 / R2 / 2012 / R2 / 8 / 8.1

    Unfortunately, sometimes we cannot log in into Windows-system because we have lost or forgot password local administrator account.

    Fortunately, there is a way to reset this password ;). Now I will show you, how to do this. I recommend to add this article to your bookmarks, to have this manual when you're really need it :-).

    First of all, you will need to download this iso image. We will use it to reset password. Burn image to CD-disk or mount it into your virtual machine (in my case it was exactly in VM). Boot from the image.

    After booting, you will get the following picture.
  • STARTTLS issues in mail server MDaemon on Windows Server 2003

    Recently MDaemon that installed on Windows Server 2003, ceased to send or receive messages from\to some mail servers. As it turned out, the problem is in the obsolete SSL\TLS protocols on Windows Server 2003.

    Symptoms (cut from log):
  • Mass remote changing of DNS-servers in network interface (NIC) settings in Windows

    During upgrade of domain controllers or theirs addition\removal in Active Directory domain, there is always a need to change DNS-servers in network interfaces settings in Windows. On those computers or servers where you set network settings with DHCP - there is no problems. But on those where you configure settings manually, you will have to change them manually also. It is long and inconvinient.
  • Windows 7/2008/R2/8/8.1 continuously loading into Recovery Mode Windows 7/2008/R2/8/8.1 continuously loading into Recovery Mode

    Not so long ago I have rebooted one of my Windows 2008 R2 servers, and after that it no longer booted. I used I think all ways to boot it (Last known good configuration, Safe mode, Disable signed drivers check) - server everytime booted into Recovery mode.

    Here is the list of commands that could help you in such cases.
  • Executable or batch-file as service in Windows with Powershell DSC Executable or batch-file as service in Windows with Powershell DSC

    In case if you ever need to create Windows service from an executable or even bat-file, please feel free to use the following configuration in Powershell DSC.

    The solution based on the NSSM software which is very similar to srvany.exe (from Windows 2003 Kit). The main difference NSSM from srvany - is that srvany does not close the underlying process if the service is stopped. And NSSM does close it. Download NSSM.

  • How to remotely restart Windows service with Powershell How to remotely restart Windows service with Powershell

    In case if you need to remotely restart Windows service, here is my Powershell script.

    As soon as we have ICMP/ping disabled between our development environments, I've used WMI pings to determine, if remote machine is running.