If you are not sure if the time of your Windows Server or Client is synchronized properly or if you would like to know which is the time source, you can use the following command lines (Start cmd with Administrator privileges):
net start w32time
w32tm /resync
w32tm /query /status
You should see something like this:
C:\Users\Administrator>w32tm /query /status
Leap Indicator: 0(no warning)
Stratum: 2 (secondary reference - syncd by (S)NTP)
Precision: -6 (15.625ms per tick)
Root Read more [...]
In Internet Explorer, I found that my favorites list loads slowly and when I hover over it with the mouse, the mouse pointer is hanging and jumpy.
I have redirected my favorites to a network folder, so I can have the same favorites on all my Windows machines. The problem does not occur if my favorites are kept on a local drive (but that is not a solution for me).
What helped and made the favorites list (and the favorites bar) quick and snappy again was the following:
Open File Explorer Read more [...]
Many companies have a policy that require their users to change their passwords regularly (e.g. every 90 days). In Active Directory, this is normally enforced via Group Policy.
This works well, but can be problematic if the user is out of the office while the password expires. An example: If he or she is using a mobile phone to access company emails via ActiveSync, the access will be blocked once the password has expired. ActiveSync does not support password changes, so the user has no way to Read more [...]
I recently wanted to uninstall SQL Server 2008 R2 completely after I have upgraded to SQL Server 2014. The uninstall of the
"SQL Server 2008 R2 Setup Support Files"
did not work and produced the error:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Setup Support Files cannot be uninstalled because the following products are installed:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 RsFx Driver
Strangely, the "Add/Remove Programs" section did not list the "Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 RsFx Driver". To uninstall this "hidden" Read more [...]
On a workgroup computer that's running Windows 7/8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2/2012 R2, the Windows Time service stops immediately after system startup. This issue occurs even after the Startup Type is changed from Manual to Automatic. Additionally, the following event is logged in the System log:
Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Event ID: 7036
Level: Information
The Windows Time service entered the running state.
Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Event ID: Read more [...]
In IIS 7.5, which is installed on Windows 2008 R2 servers, only SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0 are enabled for HTTPS encryption by default. To enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 and disable the insecure SSL 3.0 protocol, add the following keys to the Registry of the server:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\SSL 3.0\Server]
"Enabled"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.0\Server]
"DisabledByDefault"=dword:00000000
"Enabled"=dword:ffffffff
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS Read more [...]
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MRT) is downloaded and run with the monthly Windows Update cycle on many Windows versions (e.g. Windows 7, 8.1, 10, Windows Server 2012 R2 and others). It always uses the same KB/Patch number:
KB890830
You can disable this in Windows Update by hiding the update, but it will be re-offered next month. To permanantly disable the offering via Windows Update, change this registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT]
"DontOfferThroughWUAU"=dword:00000001
It's Read more [...]
As I have already written here, Microsoft released a lot of unwanted updates for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 recently to promote the update to Windows 10.
Now they want to get more data out of your system. By releasing a couple of "Telemetry" updates, they hope to get the same data from you as they get with Windows 10. In addition, these updates slow down your machine and use disk space. Here is the list you need to uninstall
KB3022345
KB3068708 - Replaces KB3022345
KB3075249
KB3080149
To Read more [...]
On Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1, you might recently have got the update KB3035583. It installs folders and functions to promote the launch of Windows 10 and of course, it calls home to do that.
See more details in this article.
Luckily, you can un-install this update, or, if you have not installed it already, hide it in the "recommended updates" screen.
If you are on Windows 7 and don't plan to upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 you can also uninstall:
KB2952664
KB2990214
KB3068708 Read more [...]
Sometimes it is faster to access Control Panel items via command line than clicking and searching in the UI. To use a command, just press <Windows-Key>-R, which will open the Run window. Then just type the command and press <Enter>.
For the .cpl files, the "control" command can even be left out, so that is even less to type.
Control Panel Applet
Command
OS
Accessibility Options
control access.cpl
XP
Action Center
control /name Microsoft.ActionCenter
8, 7
control Read more [...]
