Tag: windows

  • Start Encrypting Your Files in Windows

    Start Encrypting Your Files in Windows

    Getting Started

    File encryption adds a level of security to your critical files. In Windows, you can create an encrypted folder and it will auto encrypt any files you drop into the folder.

    Windows uses the Encrypted File System (EFS) platform. The first time you encrypt a file, it will auto generates a key set and a certificate. Windows manages the encryption for you on the backend. In other words, once you set it all up, it will automatically decrypt a file when you open it, and encrypt it when you close the file.

    After you set up a folder in windows and encrypt it, any files you drop into that folder will automatically be encrypted too. No need to set the encryption on each file.

    Check to see if your files are already encrypted.

    Does the folder or file has a lock on it?

    An alternate method, is to go to the file, right click, select details, check the attributes for the E flag. (Note: The A flag means the archive bit is set).

    Finally, you can open a command prompt and run cipher. 

    ciper /s:Users/user1/Desktop/test

    Here are two folders, one has encrypted files inside it and one does not.

    Encrypt a folder or files

    The easiest way to encrypt multiple files is to create an encrypted folder and drop files into it. Make a new folder on the desktop, right click on folder, select properties, go to general tab, select advanced button, and check the encrypt box.

    After you see the lock icon on the folder, this means the folder is encrypted. Any files you drop into it, will automatically be encrypted too and will display the lock icon. If you drag the the file outside the folder, it will remain encrypted.

    Note: the lock symbol does not always show up right away after you encrypt a file/folder, don’t panic.

  • Top Windows Terminal Commands

    Top Windows Terminal Commands

    Introduction

    Although PowerShell has made progress over the last few years as the preferred command line tool, I find that knowledge of the original command line is still very valuable. You can use the command line to quickly get system information or write batch scripts to automate simple tasks.

    Most commands can be run as a regular user. But, as always, depending on what you are doing some commands may need to be run at an elevated prompt. To see all available commands, type “help”. To see help about a specific command use “<command> /?”.

    Navigate & Help

    cd /d H:Change drive to H: drive
    cd \Change directory to C:\
    helpSee all commands.
    <command> /?Get help about command <command>.

    User Information

    net user administrator /active:yesEnable the hidden Administrator acct (run cmd as admin).
    gpupdate /forceUpdate the user’s group policies.
    net user username1 /domainGet current user details (last logon, passwd age, etc).
    gpresult /user <user1> /r | moreGet a list of the user’s domain groups.
    psloggedon \pcname or ipSee who is logged in (sys internals).
    net usersprint a list of all system users.
    sc query | moreDisplay status of active services.
    net localgroup administratorsList all local administrators.
    net localgroup “remote desktop users”List users allowed to login remotely.

    Folder & Files

    dirDisplay files in the current folder.
    cipher s:/<Folder name> Check if a folder/file is encrypted.
    cipher /cDisplay info on the encrypted file.
    mkdirMake a Directory
    find or findstr “Find”Find all lines with the word “joe”.
    del newfile.txtDelete the file newfile.txt.
    move [source] [ target]Move file to new location.
    fc /a monthly.txt sales.txtCompare two text files.
    robocopy /s [src] [dst]Copy directories except empty ones.

    System Information

    msinfo32Launch the system info GUI.
    hostnameDisplay the name of the computer.
    wmic cpu get numberofcores, NumberOfLogicalProcessorsDisplay # of CPU cores and logical processors.
    wmic /node:10.10.56.10 bios get name, versionDisplay BIOS name & ver. from a remote PC.
    wmic os get caption, versionDisplay OS name and version.
    wmic computersystem get manufacturer, modelDisplay PC manufacturer and model.
    systeminfo <hostname> | find “OS Name”Display the OS Name only.
    net shareList all files on the system that you are sharing.

    System Tasks

    msconfigLaunch sys config GUI. Manage startup programs.
    taskkillKill running processes.
    shutdown /rShutdown and reboot the pc.
    mstsc /adminStart an RDP session.
    tasklistdisplay running processes.
    wmic process get description, executablepathdisplay running executables.
    schtasks /query | moreDisplay scheduled tasks

    Networking

    ping -aTest network connectivity and resolve DNS.
    ipconfig /allDisplays current IPv4, DNS server name, and Gateway router IP, and other info.
    nslookupReturns an IP address or a name.
    tracert <url>Trace & displays path to reach an internet host.
    netstat Check the UDP/TCP connections. ( See Article)
    route printList routing table.
    arp -aGet address resolution table.
    netshChange network setting, like whether to use DCHP (See below).
    nbstat Display stats and current connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP.

    How to Manually Set Your Networking

    Run these commands at an elevated prompt.

    Set a static IP

    netsh interface ip set address name="Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.1 255.255.255.0 192.168.0.254

    Set DHCP from a static IP address

    netsh interface ip set address name="Local Area Connection" source=dhcp

    Set A Primary DNS Server To a static IP

    netsh interface ip set dns name="Local Area Connection" static 192.168.0.250

    Set the secondary DNS server to a static IP

    netsh interface ip add dns name="Local Area Connection" 8.8.8.8 index=2

    Set your DNS settings to be assigned dynamically

    netsh interface ip set dnsservers name="Local Area Connection" source=dhcp

  • Make a Batch Script to Map Your Drives

    Make a Batch Script to Map Your Drives

    Introduction

    Although Microsoft calls it mapping a drive, in truth, you are just mapping the location of a specific local or remote folder. You are not technically mapping an entire hard drive.

    There are several reasons it is worthwhile to write a batch script that can auto connect your frequently used folders. A common reason is that enterprise users frequently get their network folders disconnected. Problems arise from VPN disconnects, power fluctuations, or other concerns.

    We can make a batch script and save it on their desktop (or in their startup folder) to quickly get their folders re-connected. The user’s just need to double click the script file and it will quickly restore their network folders.

    Map the folders (aka. drives)

    Let’s create a script called ‘mapdrives.bat’ using notepad.

    Add information to the headers. Anything with REM or :: will not be executed.

    REM mapdrives.bat
REM Place this file on your desktop, in your startup folder, or create a task.
TITLE MAP NETWORK & LOCAL FOLDERS

    Use ‘echo off’, at the top of the script. This tells the script to not display the commands or results to the screen, as they are executed. Use ‘echo.’ to print a blank line, and use just ‘echo’ to print data to the screen.

    @echo off
cls
echo ******************************************
date /t
echo.
echo Mapping folders . . .
echo.

    Comment your code using descriptors and use ‘net use’ to map the folder paths. Be sure to put quotes around the file path if there is a space somewhere in the path.

    REM Map a Network Folder.
net use S: \\server_name\folder\folder
net use H: \\website.com\folder\folder
REM Map a local folder called scripts.
net use N: "\\localhost\c$\Users\<username>\Cool Stuff\scripts"
echo.

    Let’s create a short delay and exit the program. We can add the command ‘pause’ and it will hold the command prompt open until a key is struck or use ‘ping’ and it will wait three seconds and exit automatically. 

    echo All folders are mapped - End of Task
:: This will create a 3 sec delay before exiting.
:: ping 127.0.0.1 -n 3 -w 1000 > NUL
pause
echo.
exit

    Finally, save the file with ‘.bat’ file extension and then double click the file to execute it.

    Open File Explorer and you will see your newly mapped folders.