microtom.net

VB Script: Copy Active Directory Group Members

microtom — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:48:02 +0000

VB Script that copies all members of Group A to Group B. Requires 2 Arguments (Source Group Name, Destination Group Name)

^?Download ADS_CopyGroupMembers.vbs

Set objSystemInfo = CreateObject("ADSystemInfo") 
strDomain = objSystemInfo.DomainShortName
 
strSGroupDN = GetObjectDN(WScript.Arguments(0), strDomain)
strDGroupDN = GetObjectDN(WScript.Arguments(1), strDomain)
 
WScript.Echo ""
WScript.Echo "     Source Group: " & strSGroupDN 
WScript.Echo "Destination Group: " & strDGroupDN 
WScript.Echo ""
 
set dicSeenGroupMember = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")
set objDGroup = GetObject("LDAP://" & strDGroupDN)
 
CopyMembers "LDAP://" & strSGroupDN, dicSeenGroupMember
 
Function CopyMembers (strGroupADsPath, dicSeenGroupMember)
	set objGroup = GetObject(strGroupADsPath)
	WScript.Echo "Adding Users to " & WScript.Arguments(1)
	for each objMember In objGroup.Members
		On Error Resume Next
		If (objDGroup.Add("LDAP://" & objMember.distinguishedName)) Then
			WScript.Echo "  " & objMember.displayName & " (Already Member)"
		Else 
			WScript.Echo "  " & objMember.displayName
		End If
	next
End Function
 
Function GetObjectDN(strObject, strDomain)
	Const ADS_NAME_INITTYPE_GC = 3
	Const ADS_NAME_TYPE_1779 = 1
	Const ADS_NAME_TYPE_NT4 = 3
 
	Dim objNameTranslate
	Dim strObjectDN
 
	On Error Resume Next : Err.Clear
	Set objNameTranslate = CreateObject("NameTranslate")
 
	objNameTranslate.Init ADS_NAME_INITTYPE_GC, ""
	objNameTranslate.Set ADS_NAME_TYPE_NT4, strDomain & "\" & strObject
	strObjectDN = objNameTranslate.Get(ADS_NAME_TYPE_1779)
	If Err.Number <> 0 Then
		strObjectDN = ""
	End If
 
	Set objNameTranslate = Nothing
	On Error Goto 0
	GetObjectDN = strObjectDN
End Function

Change Outlook 2003 Free Busy Update Information

microtom — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:28:30 +0000

Here’s a small batch that changes Outlook Free Busy Information in your local Registry.

^?Download UpdateOutlookFreeBusy.cmd

@ECHO OFF
 
SET FBPublishRange=%1
SET FBUpdateSecs=%2
 
IF NOT DEFINED FBPublishRange (
  SET FBPublishRange=6
  )
IF %FBPublishRange% LSS 1 (
  GOTO :HELP)
IF %FBPublishRange% GTR 12 (
  GOTO :HELP)
 
IF NOT DEFINED FBUpdateSecs (
  SET FBUpdateSecs=1800
  )
IF %FBUpdateSecs% LSS 1800 (
  GOTO :HELP)
IF %FBUpdateSecs% GTR 7200 (
  GOTO :HELP)
 
ECHO Updating Outlook Free Busy Options  
ECHO  Updating FBPublishRange using value %FBPublishRange%
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Preferences /t REG_DWORD /v FBPublishRange /d %FBPublishRange% /f>NUL
ECHO  Updating FBUpdateSecs using value %FBUpdateSecs%
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Preferences /t REG_DWORD /v FBUpdateSecs /d %FBUpdateSecs% /f>NUL
IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
	ECHO Update Completed Successfully
  GOTO :EOF
	) ELSE (
	ECHO There was an error updating Outlook Free Busy Options. Return Value: %ERRORLEVEL%
	GOTO :EOF
	)
:HELP
ECHO.
ECHO Invalid Arguments Found
ECHO ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
ECHO.
ECHO Allows 2 optional arguments: [FBPublishRange] and [FBUpdateSecs]
ECHO.
ECHO Argument 1 specifies the number of months to publish Free/Busy information
ECHO   Valid values for argument 1 (FBPublishRange): 1 to 12
ECHO.
ECHO Argument 2 specifies the update interval to publish Free/Busy information
ECHO   Valid values for argument 2 (FBUpdateSecs): 1800 to 7200
ECHO.
ECHO Examples:
ECHO.
ECHO "UpdateOutlookFreeBusy.cmd" Uses default values 
ECHO   -FBPublishRange = 6, FBUpdateSecs = 1800
ECHO.
ECHO "UpdateOutlookFreeBusy.cmd 9"
ECHO   -FBPublishRange = 9, FBUpdateSecs = 1800
ECHO.
ECHO "UpdateOutlookFreeBusy.cmd 9 2400"
ECHO   -FBPublishRange = 9, FBUpdateSecs = 2400
GOTO :EOF
 
:EOF

Windows 7: Desktop Icons suddenly disappear

microtom — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:20:37 +0000

I love Windows 7! It’s robust, fast, looks great and command lines / power shell / wmi / scripting platforms are just awesome.
In other words: It kicks the hell out of a Banana (or some other proprietary fruit I can’t remember).
However, there still are some little things that cause headache: Why would anyone do this!?
This is what I thought after my desktop shortcuts disappeared for the 3rd time after a while being unused.

Turned out there is a maintenance Task that runs as a Scheduled task under Windows 7. It executes various powershell scripts including this:

%windir%\diagnostics\scheduled\Maintenance\
RS_RemoveUnusedDesktopIcons.ps1

If you comment out line 57, you should be good to go and your Desktop Icons won’t disappear anymore:

Replace “Remove-FileList $deleteList”
with “# Remove-FileList $deleteList”

Note: To edit the file you must first take ownership and grant you permissions to it!

Hope that helps…

“vssadmin list writers” does not return any writers

microtom — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:44:40 +0000

If you get one of the following events in your Application Event Log, try the solution below:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: VSS
Event ID: 20
Description: Volume Shadow Copy Service error: A critical component required by the Volume Shadow Copy Service is not registered. This might happened if an error occurred during Windows setup or during installation of a Shadow Copy provider. The error returned from CoCreateInstance on class with CLSID {faf53cc4-bd73-4e36-83f1-2b23f46e513e} and Name VSSEvent is [0x80040154].

Event Type: Error
Event Source: VSS
Event ID: 8193
Description: Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling routine CoCreateInstance. hr = 0×80040154.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: VSS
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8193
Description: Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling routine CoCreateInstance. hr = 0×80004002.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: VSS
Event ID: 12302
Description: Volume Shadow Copy Service error: An internal inconsistency was detected in trying to contact shadow copy service writers. Please check to see that the Event Service and Volume Shadow Copy Service are operating properly.

Solution:
Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
Type the following commands at a command prompt. Press ENTER after you type each command.

cd /d %windir%\system32 Net stop vss Net stop swprv regsvr32 ole32.dll regsvr32 oleaut32.dll regsvr32 vss_ps.dll vssvc /register regsvr32 /i swprv.dll regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll regsvr32 es.dll regsvr32 stdprov.dll regsvr32 vssui.dll regsvr32 msxml.dll regsvr32 msxml3.dll regsvr32 msxml4.dll cd /d %windir%\system32 Net stop vss Net stop swprv regsvr32 ole32.dll regsvr32 oleaut32.dll regsvr32 vss_ps.dll vssvc /register regsvr32 /i swprv.dll regsvr32 /i eventcls.dll regsvr32 es.dll regsvr32 stdprov.dll regsvr32 vssui.dll regsvr32 msxml.dll regsvr32 msxml3.dll regsvr32 msxml4.dll

How to reset the Primary Key Index Value on an SQL Table

microtom — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:04:56 +0000

I recently had to reset the Primary key (Integer, AutoIncrement) from a Table I removed all entries from.

You can use the DBCC CKECKIDENT Statement to achieve this.

Reset Primary Key Index on SQL Table

USE YourDatabase DBCC CHECKIDENT('YourTable', RESEED, 0)

This would reset the next identity value to begin at 1.

If you are receiving the following error, you might have not switched to the correct Database before executing the Statement:

Msg 2501, Level 16, State 45, Line 1 Cannot find a table or object with the name "YourTable". Check the system catalog.

Make sure you are using the “USE YourDatabase” statement before executing the DBCC .

Convert BMP to JPG Command Line Utility (Free)

microtom — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:11:13 +0000

A small and free command line utility that converts a single .bmp file or a directory containing multiple .bmp files into jpg’s.

Requires .Net Framework 2.0 or later.

UPDATE! Sorry, the previous download File was corrupted. Please download this zip file now.

Download Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Help:
BMP2JPG :: Converts BMP to JPG (100% JPEG Quality only) :: Version 1.0


Converts BMP Files
Syntax :: BMP2JPG [Source Directory or File] [Destination Directory or File] [overwrite]
::

:: Examples

::

BMP2JPG "C:\Temp\My Bitmap.bmp" "C:\Temp\My JPEG File.jpg"

Converts a single File
BMP2JPG "C:\Temp\My BMP Folder" "C:\Temp\My JPEG Folder"

Converts all Files found in "C:\Temp\My BMP Folder" to "C:\Temp\My JPEG Folder"
BMP2JPG "C:\Temp\My BMP Folder" "C:\Temp\My JPEG Folder" overwrite

Converts all Files found in "C:\Temp\My BMP Folder" to "C:\Temp\My JPEG Folder"

Overwrites Existing Files

Author :: Tom Schindler, 2010 | http://www.microtom.net Codename :: WIN32_ConvertBMP2JPG

How to improve Windows XP Performance

microtom — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:19:21 +0000

Good old Windows XP never dies! If you’re suffering of poor performance on your Windows XP Computer, you might want to try some of the following settings.

Machine Tweaks (Require Admin Rights)

Disable Startup Programs

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Click Start
Click Run
Type “regedit”
Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”
Export the key to a safe location
Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys
Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion

Disable unnecessary Services

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Click Start
Click Run
Type “services.msc”
Disable the following Services
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support (You will not be able to use Remote Desktop Help after disabling this)
Machine Debug Manager

Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Click Start
Click Run
Type “CMD”
In the command windows type the following:del %temp%\*.* /Q del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q

Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows
Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options
Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$

Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”

Defragment the System Drive

Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
Click Start
Click Run
Type “CMD”
Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”
Hit Enter

Use a resource friendly Virus Scanner

Many Virus Scanners are even worse the a Viruses they want to protect you from. I found Microsoft Security Essentials is a very efficient and resource friendly Virus Scanner, and it’s free! :) Refer to this post to get more information: http://www.microtom.net/?p=493

User Tweaks

Disable Search for Network Folders

Logon with the User Account
Open Windows Explorer
Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”
In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”
Click “OK”

Remove Startup Programs

Logon with the User Account
Click Start
Click Run
Type %userprofile% and click “OK”
Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)

Cleanup Desktop

Logon with the User Account
Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.

Compress /Split PST Files

Logon with the User Account
Start Outlook
For each Personal Folder File:a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”
b. Click “Advanced”
c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish
d. Click “OK”
e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”
f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s

Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)

Open Microsoft Outlook 2003
Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”
Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”
Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”
Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”
Click “OK” on the Dialog
Click “Finish”
Restart Outlook

Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp

Right click somewhere on your Desktop
Select Properties
In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)
In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”

Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme

Right click somewhere on your Desktop
Select Properties
In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)
In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”
Click “OK”
Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme->Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service

Per-Machine Tweaks (Require Admin Rights)
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run

4. Type “regedit”

5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run

6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”

7. Export the key to a safe location

8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys

9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “services.msc”

5. Disable the following Services

Error Reporting Service

Help and Support

Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. In the command windows type the following:

del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q

del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows

3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options

4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$

Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”

Defragment the System Drive

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”

6. Hit Enter

Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Open Windows Explorer

3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”

4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”

5. Click “OK”

Remove Startup Programs

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”

5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.
Compress /Split PST Files

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Start Outlook

3. For each Personal Folder File:

a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”

b. Click “Advanced”

c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish

d. Click “OK”

e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”

f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s

Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)

1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003

2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”

3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”

4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”

5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”

6. Click “OK” on the Dialog

7. Click “Finish”

8. Restart Outlook

Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)

4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”

Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)

4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”

5. Click “OK”

6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme

*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service

Per-Machine Tweaks (Require Admin Rights)
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run

4. Type “regedit”

5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run

6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”

7. Export the key to a safe location

8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys

9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “services.msc”

5. Disable the following Services

Error Reporting Service

Help and Support

Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. In the command windows type the following:

del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q

del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows

3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options

4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$

Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”

Defragment the System Drive

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”

6. Hit Enter

Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Open Windows Explorer

3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”

4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”

5. Click “OK”

Remove Startup Programs

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”

5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Start Outlook

3. For each Personal Folder File:

a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”

b. Click “Advanced”

c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish

d. Click “OK”

e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”

f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s

Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)

1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003

2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”

3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”

4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”

5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”

6. Click “OK” on the Dialog

7. Click “Finish”

8. Restart Outlook

Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)

4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”

Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)

4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”

5. Click “OK”

6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme

*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service

Per-Machine Tweaks (Require Admin Rights)
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run

4. Type “regedit”

5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run

6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”

7. Export the key to a safe location

8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys

9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “services.msc”

5. Disable the following Services

Error Reporting Service

Help and Support

Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. In the command windows type the following:

del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q

del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows

3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options

4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$

Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”

Defragment the System Drive

1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type “CMD”

5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”

6. Hit Enter

Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Open Windows Explorer

3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”

4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”

5. Click “OK”

Remove Startup Programs

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Click Start

3. Click Run

4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”

5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop

1. Logon with the User Account

2. Start Outlook

3. For each Personal Folder File:

a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”

b. Click “Advanced”

c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish

d. Click “OK”

e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”

f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s

Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)

1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003

2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”

3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”

4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”

5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”

6. Click “OK” on the Dialog

7. Click “Finish”

8. Restart Outlook

Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)

4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”

Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme

1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop

2. Select Properties

3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)

4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”

5. Click “OK”

6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme

*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service

WinDirStat: Visual Directory Statistics (Freeware)

microtom — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:57:33 +0000

WinDirStat is a very nice disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Windows. You can get it for free at this location: http://windirstat.info

Add Domain Users / Groups to local Groups remotely

microtom — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:23:27 +0000

Script that adds a Domain User to a local Group remotely.

Change the “DomainName” variable to suit your requirements.

Requires 3 Arguments:
[Machine Name] [Local Group to modify] [Domain User/Group to add]

^?Download AddToLocalGroup.vbs

If (WScript.Arguments.Count < 3) Then
        WScript.Echo "3 Arguments required: [Machine Name] [Local Group to modify] [Domain User/Group to add]"
        WScript.Quit 1
End If
 
Dim DomainName
Set net = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
 
DomainName = "yourdomain.com"
 
WScript.Echo ""
WScript.Echo WScript.Arguments(0)
WScript.Echo "==================="
 
set group = GetObject("WinNT://"& WScript.Arguments(0) &"/"& WScript.Arguments(1) &"")
 
on error resume next
 
WScript.Echo "Before:"
For Each objUser In group.Members
  WScript.Echo objUser.Name
next
group.Add "WinNT://"& DomainName &"/"& WScript.Arguments(2) &""
CheckError
 
sub CheckError
        if not err.number=0 then
        set ole = CreateObject("ole.err")
                WScript.Echo ole.oleError(err.Number)
                err.clear
        else
                WScript.Echo ""
                WScript.Echo "After:"
                For Each objUser In group.Members
                  WScript.Echo objUser.Name
                next
        end if
end sub

Get Service Pack Levels of Servers via Active Directory

microtom — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:20:25 +0000

Script that queries Active Directory to retrieve Service Pack Levels (In this example only from Windows Server 2003 Machines)
Modify the strContainer variable to your requirements.

^?Download GetServicePacks.vbs

 
On Error Resume Next
 
Const ADS_SCOPE_SUBTREE = 2
strContainer = "DC=yourdomain,DC=com"
 
Set objConnection = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Set objCommand = CreateObject("ADODB.Command")
objConnection.Provider = ("ADsDSOObject")
objConnection.Open "Active Directory Provider"
objCommand.ActiveConnection = objConnection
objCommand.Properties("Searchscope") = ADS_SCOPE_SUBTREE
objCommand.Properties("Page Size") = 1000
objCommand.CommandText = _
  "SELECT CN, operatingSystem, operatingSystemVersion, operatingSystemServicePack FROM 'LDAP://" & strContainer & "' " _
   & "WHERE objectCategory='computer' AND operatingSystem = 'Windows Server 2003' "
Set objRecordSet = objCommand.Execute
objRecordSet.Sort = "CN"
objRecordSet.MoveFirst
Do Until objRecordSet.EOF
  Wscript.Echo objRecordSet.Fields("CN").Value & "," & objRecordSet.Fields("operatingSystem").Value & "," & objRecordSet.Fields("operatingSystemVersion").Value & "," 
  & objRecordSet.Fields("operatingSystemServicePack").Value
  objRecordSet.MoveNext
Loop