Run a command prompt in the Local System context!
Sometimes you may need to run a command, especially when you are troubleshooting a problem that requires the System context to execute and return results. The Local System context, which is normally a protected layer for the operating system to execute services, can be accessed using a privileged service account called NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM or LocalSystem. If a service running in the Local System context is compromised then your system is at risk!
Categories: Utilities Tags: command, command prompt, LocalSystem, Mark Russinovich, privilege, psexec, psexec.exe, pstools, Technet, Windows Sysinternals
Changing the default Windows Shell in Windows 7
The default Windows shell in Windows 7 is the Windows Explorer, however you can replace it with other shells such as, the command prompt, Windows PowerShell or custom built shells. This may become handy when computers are running specific tasks and you want to restrict their usage or free up resources taken by the default shell. However, remember that if for example you set the command prompt as the default shell, users can still load the default shell and other hidden applications.
Categories: Admin, GUI, Tweaks Tags: command prompt, PowerShell, regedit, registry, shell, windows explorer
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WFAS) Basics
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WFAS) allows you to create rules based on port addresses and services, unlike the basic Windows Firewall where you can create rules based on programs. The basic Windows Firewall should be enough for the normal safe operation of your computer but advanced users can use WFAS to:
Categories: Security, Utilities Tags: advfirewall, command prompt, configuration, Export, Firewall, firewall rules, Import, netsh, traffic, WFAS, windows firewall, WinRS
Get more options from Windows Explorer
Most users use Windows Explorer to search for a specific folder in order to perform some tasks related to that particular folder or files within that folder. Additionally, you may need to copy the folder’s path or even open a command prompt at that particular location. In previous versions of Windows you could enable this functionality by tweaking the registry but now Windows Explorer allows you to access these additional options by a simple click as you can see below:
Categories: Admin, Tweaks Tags: command prompt, copy path, process, Shift key, tweak, tweaks, windows explorer
Filename extensions – Can’t open .exe files?
Every filename has a name and a three-character filename extension with the exception of the latest versions of Microsoft Office products that have four characters. This extension typically defines the type of file. For example, files ending in .doc are Word documents while files ending in .xls are Excel sheets. When you double-click a file that ends with an .exe extension, the system will attempt to execute the file. If you change the extension of an executable file, the file will still contain executable instructions; however, the system will not attempt to execute the file because it does not recognize the filename as an executable file type. To change the associate program of a file you right-click the filename from windows explorer and click the properties menu. The file properties window opens:
Categories: Troubleshooting Tags: .exe, assoc, command prompt, filename extensions
