Turn off Windows Internet File Association service
If you want to disallow users from using the Microsoft web service to search for applications on the Internet that can open files with unhandled or unknown file extensions or if your environment dictates that the use of unnecessary web services may pose a security risk, then you can disable this feature using Group Policy.
Categories: Management Tags: association, extension, file, file extension, Internet, Search, web service
Windows Recycle Bin Forensics
When you delete files from your local computer, they are temporarily stored in a location called the Recycle Bin and this gives you an opportunity to recover any files if for instance, these files were deleted by mistake. Until files are not deleted from the Recycle Bin you can restore them to their original locations. Recycle Bins are often examined during computer forensics and Ethan Fleisher from Champlain College is working on a project to determine key differences between the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system from a forensic standpoint in order to determine if there are any significant changes that will be either beneficial or detrimental to the forensic investigation process.
Categories: Security Tags: delete file, Ethan Fleisher, file, forensics, recover deleted file, Recycle Bin
Encrypting File System
Encrypting File System (EFS) allows you to encrypt and decrypt files and directories transparently. Like its predecessor, Windows 7 supports EFS and it is very simple to apply. By just marking a directory to use EFS, any file created in that directory is encrypted. Read more…
Categories: Security Tags: API, DPAPI, EFS, EFS-encrypted files, encryption, file, key
File and Folder Naming Convention Best Practice
Regardless of the file system you may have configured on your system, it is always a good practise to follow a valid naming convention for all files and folders that are created and used on your system. The points listed below will help you get accustomed with the most important rules when naming files or folders:
Categories: Management Tags: case, character, convention, device, file, file name, folder, folder name, reserved, rule
Fixing incorrect file associations
If somehow the default program associated with a file gets corrupted or changed to another program then any files that belong to that program would not run! Apart from problems with .exe file extensions you can use the registry editor to undo any other incorrect file associations. In cases of .exe file association problems you can read a previous article titled Filename extensions – Can’t open .exe files? since, using the procedure below would not allow you to open the registry editor to resolve .exe file association issues!
Categories: Troubleshooting Tags: .cmd, extension, file, file association, program, regedit
Windows 7 Sync Center
You can use Sync Center to synchronize files, manage offline files, and resolves synchronization conflicts manually. Sync Center allows you to check the results of your recent sync activity if you’ve set up your computer to sync files with a network server. This allows you to access copies of your network files even when your computer isn’t connected to the network. Sync Center can tell you if the files synced successfully or if there are any sync errors or warnings.
Categories: Management Tags: cache, file, local cache, offline files, resolving conflicts, sync, Sync Center, synchronization, version
