The Best Free Tools for Windows Desktop Administration

(Yes! Right Here! Right Now!)(You Are in the Right Session!)

(You Have Made an Excellent Choice!)

Greg Shields, MVPPartner and Principal Technologist

www.ConcentratedTech.com

This slide deck was used in one of our many conference presentations. We hope you enjoy it, and invite you to use it

within your own organization however you like.

For more information on our company, including information on private classes and upcoming conference appearances, please

visit our Web site, www.ConcentratedTech.com.

For links to newly-posted decks, follow us on Twitter:@concentrateddon or @concentratdgreg

This work is copyright ©Concentrated Technology, LLC

Overview

Server&

Security

File&

Disk

NetworkMonitoring

&Troubleshooting

Agenda

• Topics● Part I: Server & Security Tools● Part II: File & Disk Tools● Part III: Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting

The intent of this session is to dump on you

as many FREE tips and toolthat I can in a short 75 minutes.

You May Applaud Now.

• I must warn you.● You may have used some of these tools before.● You may have seen some of these tools before.

• This Game Is Interactive!• When you see a tool that’s saved your kiester,

you must HOWL GRACIOUSLY.● Conversely, when you see one that’s kicked

your kiester...● …I want to know!

So, Where am I Gonna’ Get all this Stuff?

• Process Explorer is freeware. Download from: http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html• Memtest86 is shareware. Download it from: http://www.memtest86.com/• WSName.exe is freeware (though the author begs you to click a few of his Google ads if you like it) and can be

downloaded from: http://mystuff.clarke.co.nz/wsname.asp• Systenance Index.dat Analyzer is freeware and can be downloaded from

http://www.systenance.com/indexdat.php  • Although Diskeeper’s flagship products are not freeware, Diskeeper Disk Performance Analyzer is. You can get a

copy of it from: http://downloads.diskeeper.com/DiskPerformanceAnalyzer.exe • SafePasswd.com is an on-line resource accessible at www.safepasswd.com. KeePass is an open-source tool

that can be downloaded from: http://www.keepass.info/• LookInMyPC is advertising-driven, but freeware and can be downloaded from: http://www.lookinmypc.com • NewSID is a freeware Sysinternals tool (man, they’ve got lots of tools…). Download NewSID at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/NewSid.mspx• PSTools are freeware. Download from: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/PsTools.mspx• SetAcl is freeware. Download it from: http://setacl.sourceforge.net• AccessEnum is a SysInternals tool and is freeware. Download it at:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/AccessEnum.mspx• You can access easyVMX from http://www.easyvmx.com/easyvmx.shtml.• OpenFiler is an open source tool that can be downloaded from: http://www.openfiler.com• WinSCP is a freeware tool and can be downloaded from: http://winscp.net/eng/download.php• WinDirStat or “Windows Directory Statistics” is a freeware tool and can be downloaded from:

http://windirstat.info/• DiskPart is part of the Windows Resource Kit.• Daemon Tools appears to be freeware and available from: http://www.daemon-tools.cc• JDiskReport is freeware. Download at: http://www.jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/

So, Where am I Gonna’ Get all this Stuff?

• Notepad++ supports 44 languages, including some other useful ones like shell, SQL, batch, KIXtart, and XML formats. It can be downloaded from: http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net

• FPort is a freeware Foundstone tool that can be downloaded from: http://www.foundstone.com/index.htm?subnav=resources/navigation.htm&subcontent=/resources/proddesc/fport.htm

• TCPView is freeware. Download it from Sysinternals at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/TcpView.mspx

• SpiceWorks is ad-driven but freeware and can be downloaded from: http://www.spiceworks.com• The Dude is freeware, has potentially one of the best names of any tool in this session, and can be downloaded

from: http://www.mikrotik.com/thedude.php • Visionapp is a freeware product and can be downloaded from: http://www.visionapp.com • Angry IP Scanner is a freeware tool and can be downloaded from: http://www.angryziber.com • Wireshark is licensed as open source and can be downloaded from: http://www.ethereal.com/• HowNetWorks is freeware available from the VMware site. As it runs in a VMware virtual machine, it requires a

version of VMware installed to host the virtual machine. You can download it from: http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/

• M0n0wall can be downloaded either as a binary or as a pre-built VMware Appliance. Either are easy to set up and use, though the appliance is a little easier/faster. Download the binaries and documentation from: http://m0n0.ch Download the VMware appliance from: http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/

• Iometer http://www.iometer.org/• Hyper-V Monitor Gadget http://mindre.net/post/Hyper-V-Monitor-Gadget-for-Windows-Sidebar.aspx• EventSentry Light http://www.netikus.net/products_downloads.html• SpecOps Software Gpupdate http://www.specopssoft.com/products/specopsgpupdate/• ShellRunAs http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc300361.aspx• Recuva http://www.recuva.com/

PART I:SERVER & SECURITY

Process Explorer

• Sysinternals.com tool● Extensive listing of

processes● Can use in place of Task

Manager

• LOTS of features● Individual performance

graphs for each process● Search for files, handles,

named pipes, etc● Takes a little practice

Memory Issues

• Memtest86● Runs a thorough, stand-

alone memory test for x86 architecture RAM

● Can build a bootable CD from an ISO image

● Allow to test for at least one full pass of all 9 tests

● If errors occur, try reseating or re-ordering RAM. If they still occur, replace.

● While Vista & Server 2008 have their own memory diagnostic tool built in, this works well for older O/S’s.

● Like XP, you crazy XP hold outs!

Rename en masse

• WSName.exe● Easy to use tool to rename workstations, in Workgroups and in

Domains!● Rename remote machines● Use batch files or VBScript along with this tool to rename multiple

machines or an entire network.● Very handy for migrations. Vista aware, W7 soon.

oldCmp.exe

• An ancient JoeWare tool that remains useful today!• Command-line AD tool used to identify and remove stale

computer accounts.• Computer accounts reported on or removed based on

last DS access.● HTML reports● DHTML reports● CSV reports

ShellRunAs

• Windows Vista and Server 2008 no longer natively have the Run as… context menu item!

● Replaced with the Run as Administrator item.● An omission that happens because of UAC.

• Lacking this, no way to run processes under alternate credentials.

• Get it back with ShellRunAs.● GUI and command-line exposure

Diskeeper Disk Perf. Analyzer

• Intended to drive you to Diskeeper’s for-cost defragmentation tools

● …but good for finding disk-based performance bottlenecks.• Target multiple systems or entire network.• Results show perf. loss reports based on fragmentation.

IOmeter

• Designed to measure disk subsystem performance.• With disk being a major bottleneck for many applications,

provides an understanding of relative speed.

SafePasswd.com

• Generates difficult to crack passwords.

• For users and administrators.

• Point your users to this web site when they complain.

KeePass

• Highly secured (AES & Twofish) password tool.• Stores passwords in encrypted format, requires master

password to unlock the contents.● Can use master password plus separate encryption key

• Copy/Paste toclipboard capabilitywith timed wipe

• Nifty passwordgeneration tools

• Hide & unhidepasswords

Completely Disable UAC• UAC had great intentions, but let’s be honest – it is truly annoying.

● Not that I’m recommending you ever do this. But if you wanted to completely disable UAC, split tokens, virtualization, and all the other new security features…

• Computer Configuration | Windows Settings | Security Settings | Local Policies | Security Options | User Account Control

● User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account (Disabled)

● User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode (Elevate without prompting)

● User Account Control: Detect application installations and prompt for elevation (Disabled)

● User Account Control: Only elevate executables that are signed and validated (Disabled)

● User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode (Disabled)● User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation

(Disabled)● [This is under “other”] User Account Control: Only elevate UIAccess applications

that are installed in secure locations (Disabled)

The RAID 1 Undo• Personally, my favorite little “trick”• Most server-class equipment includes hardware RAID

● However, most admins are used to RAID 5 for its expandability• Use “The RAID 1 Undo” immediately prior to major

software changes, like patching. Here’s the trick:● Just before the patch, yank one of the drives.● If the patch goes well after the reboot, reseat the drive and let the

RAID rebuild.● If the patch doesn’t go well, then power down the machine, pull

the now “bad” drive and drop in the “good” drive.● Once the system restarts, reseat the “bad” drive and let the RAID

rebuild.

SpecOps Gpupdate

• Tool that augments ADUC with additional right-click functionality for managing computers.

● Gpupdate● Restart● Shut Down● Start (via WOL)● Immediately

install WSUSupdates

● Graphicalreporting

The PSTools

• SysInternals Suite of Tools● Should be an important component of any administrator’s quiver● UNIX-like tools

• Psexec – Remote command execution• Psfile – List files opened by remote systems• Psgetsid – Get computer or user SID’s• Psinfo – Get local or remote computer information• Pslist – List local or remote running processes• Psloggedon – Lists logged on users• Psloglist – View local or remote Event Logs• Pspasswd – Change local or remote passwords• Psservice – Views/Modifies local or remote service config• Psshutdown – Shutdown/Reboot local or remote machines• Pssuspend – Suspend local or remote processes

ExtremelyUseful!

PSExec

• Easily the most useful of all the PSTools• Launch remote processes:

Psexec \\<ComputerName> iexplore.exe http://www.hampsterdance.com

• Start remote command shell:Psexec \\<ComputerName> cmd

• Verify Terminal Server logged-on users:Psexec \\<ComputerName> quser

Hyper-V Monitor Gadget

• Once Hyper-V is installed, it is challenging to determine the state of virtual machines from the server console

• This sidebar gadget shows virtual machines and their status

• Enables Turn Off | Shut Down | Save | Start functionality• Can monitor multiple servers

report on status, and RDP.• Install to your management

Vista workstation.

PART II:FILE & DISK

icacls• Icacls > xcacls.vbs > xcacls > cacls• Configuring perms at the command

line is harder than you’d think.• This is due to how Windows

permissions themselves are now very complex.

• Icacls can configure DACLs, SACLs, and now Integrity Levels

• Must set permission on (OI)(CI) for object and container.

icacls• Icacls C:\Shared /inheritance:r /grant:r “Domain

Users”:(OI)(CI)R /grant:r “File Admins”:(OI)(CI)F

• Icacls C:\Shared\Finance /inheritance:r /grant:r “Finance Users”:(OI)(CI)R /grant:r “File Admins”:(OI)(CI)F

• Icacls C:\Shared\Finance\Budget /grant:r “Budget Users”:(OI)(CI)M

• Icacls C:\Shared\Finance\Metrics /grant:r “Metrics Users”:(OI)(CI)M

• Icacls C:\Shared\Marketing /inheritance:r /grant:r “Finance Users”:(OI)(CI)R /grant:r “File Admins”:(OI)(CI)F

• Icacls C:\Shared\Marketing\Product /grant:r “Product Users”:(OI)(CI)M

• Icacls C:\Shared\Marketing\Restricted /inheritance:r /grant:r “File Admins”:(OI)(CI)F /grant:r “Restricted Users”:(OI)(CI)M

Visual Tool for ACL’s

• AccessEnum● Visual tool for seeing ACE’s in ACL’s● Good at finding differing ACE’s in down level ACL’s● Useful for locating long paths

Recuva

• Freeware undelete program• Identifies files that have been deleted and can be

restored. Does not need to be present when the file was deleted.

• Capable ofsearching medialike digitalcamera cards,etc.

• Shows recoverableand unrecoverablefiles.

OpenFiler

• Looking for a low-end iSCSI target for a file server?● Useful for ESX datastores. Win2008 cluster support soon.

• OpenFiler “appliance” is configured via web interface.• Can also be used as a NFS or NAS device.

StarWind iSCSI SAN Software

• Windows-based iSCSI Target.• Works with ESX and Hyper-V hosts• Fully Windows Failover Clustering capable• (I like it better than OpenFiler…)

WinSCP

• Transferring files between UNIX/Linux and Windows machines is challenging from the command-line.

● Linux “smbclient” tool, but without all the command line nastiness.

• WinSCP is a graphical tool to do this.● Like FTP, but with security.● Also supports

SFTP.

WinDirStat

• Graphical representation of file sizes across the disk.● Pac Man Rocks!

• Assists users/administrators with eliminating files.• Odd looking at first, but the graphical view immediately

draws the eye toproblem spots onthe disk drive.

• Easy to distributeto users to havethem do theirown cleanupactivities.

Daemon Tools / Virtual CloneDrive

• Service for mounting ISO images● Resides in system tray and creates mounted drive letters● Generates/uses software CD’s for virtual machines● Can emulate some forms of copy protection● Daemon Tools: Like CloneDrive, but with Malware!

Disk Usage Reporting

• JDiskReport● Java-based tool that

scans a file tree and reports statistics on use.

● Can scan large areas, but tends to crash with very large scans

● Can report on usage by extension, size, location.

● Pie charts, bar charts.● Show your users how

much space they’re wasting!

Notepad++

• Multiple-language markup and editing tool● Supports VBScript among others● Numerous built-in text manipulation macros● Neat zooming, highlighting, and level collapsing features

PART III:NETWORK MONITORING& TROUBLESHOOTING

FPort

• Foundstone tool for “enhanced netstat”

• Does a better job than netstat at mapping ports to processes, PID’s, and process paths

Tcpview

• GUI view of TCP/UDP connections● Shows opening

and closing in different colors

● No service or permanent footprint

DSL Speed Testers

• On-line speed testers, intended for DSL users can be helpful for any network connection.

• www.dslreports.com/ stest

• Be aware of firewalls and proxies

DSL Speed Testers

www.pingtest.net

www.speedtest.net

EventSentry Light

• Very basic Event Log, log file, and system health management across multiple machines.

● System health monitors for disk space, software installs/uninstalls, limited performance counters.

• Alerts and notifications through numerous mechanisms.

• Limited capabilities, designed to whet the appetite for the full version.

SpiceWorks

• Surprisingly full-featured multi-platform help desk/ management utility in a small 6M footprint.

• Ad-driven.• Designed for the < 250 machine networks.• Built-in help desk ticketing system.• Built-in over-the-network automated inventory system.• Built-in reporting system with canned and administrator-

created reports with smartly-designed reports.• Built-in remote control.• Built-in SMS/email/alerting.• Scanning can be resource intensive.

The Dude

• Freeware network scanning and mapping utility.• Discovers numerous device types

● Even found my printer!• SNMP device enumeration/manipulation.• Syslog, Alerting, Probing, the NMS gamut.

NetWrix AD Change Reporter

• Reports changes to AD.• Delivers reports with summary and detailed (before/after)

information via email.• Handy for maintaining compliance.• Part of NetWrix family of products.

visionapp Remote Desktop

• Central console for all Terminal Services connections.• Create credential stores for auto-login.• Central management of all your Windows servers• Nice screen

auto-adjustmentfeature.

Angry IP Scanner

• Super-fast tool for scanning IP and port ranges ranges• Can identify any IP range for scanning.• Utilities for showing target network info and

opening/viewing remote computer.

RDP Port Trickery!

• Need to connect to your home network, but don’t want to expose RDP through your firewall?

• Reconfigure RDP to listen on a non-standard port!● Outbound firewalls often don’t filter/scan non-80/443 TCP ports● Use 444/tcp to bypass outbound filters

LogMeIn.com

• Remote access to any machine from any network.• Requires the target machine to have functioning Internet

access.• One of a suite of remoting products (of increasing cost).

Wireshark

• Powerful and freeware protocol analyzer• Open source

● Many packet parsers for identifying traffic● Continuously updated and very commonly used

HowNetWorks

• Graphical Ubuntu-based VMware-homed Ethereal wrapper● Makes Ethereal much easier to use● Groupings of flows, identities, and protocols● Interesting flows can be further packet-inspected in Ethereal● Captures all incoming traffic. Must mirror port of interest to

HowNetWorks virtual system.

m0n0wall

• Graphical VMware appliance software firewall● VMware has capability of connecting machines in private networks,

but no built-in firewall.● m0n0wall is a small-signature, easy to setup firewall that can serve

that purpose

The Best Free Tools for Windows Desktop Administration

(Yes! Right Here! Right Now!)(You Are in the Right Session!)

(You Have Made an Excellent Choice!)

Greg Shields, MVPPartner and Principal Technologist

www.ConcentratedTech.com

This slide deck was used in one of our many conference presentations. We hope you enjoy it, and invite you to use it

within your own organization however you like.

For more information on our company, including information on private classes and upcoming conference appearances, please

visit our Web site, www.ConcentratedTech.com.

For links to newly-posted decks, follow us on Twitter:@concentrateddon or @concentratdgreg

This work is copyright ©Concentrated Technology, LLC