PC Pro Chapter 9.1 - Windows System Tools
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
A framework that provides a common user interface for performing system administration tasks.
Automatic - Startup Service Behavior
Service is started automatically by Windows when the system boots.
Manual - Startup Service Behavior
Service must be manually started.
Disabled - Startup Service Behavior
Service will not run.
Computer Management
A built-in MMC console that includes common snap-ins used to manage your computer.
Event Viewer
A Window applet used to view logs about programs, system events, and security. Each entry is listed as a warning, error, or information event.
Application Log (Event Viewer)
A list of all application- related events such as application installations, un-installations, and application errors.
Security Log (Event Viewer)
A list of all security-related events such as security modifications and user login events.
System Log (Event Viewer)
A list of all system-related events such as system modifications, malfunctions, and errors.
Service
A program that processes requests from other applications or users.
DirectX
A set of programming interfaces for multimedia (video and audio).
Microsoft Registry Editor
A tool for modifying entries in the Windows registry.
DxDiag
A tool that shows information related to DirectX operation.
Command Prompt
A windows applet used to execute command-line commands.
gpresult
Command displays Group Policy settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) for a user or a computer.
tasklist
Command displays a list of the processes that are currently running on the system.
exit
Command ends the current command prompt session and closes the Command Prompt window.
taskkill
Command is used to end running processes.
mstsc
Command is used to establish a remote desktop session with another computer.
expand
Command is used to expand compressed .cab files.
shutdown
Command is used to shutdown local and remote systems.
gpupdate
Command refreshes local and Active Directory-based Group Policy settings, including security settings.
Clock, Language, and Region
Control Panel applet used to configure various settings such as language preference, default currency symbols, and date and time notation.
Windows Firewall
Control Panel applet used to manage network traffic that is allowed or denied through the Windows host-based firewall.
Hardware and Sound
Control Panel applet used to view and configure the current system sound settings, installed audio devices, sound cards, printer settings, and other hardware settings.
Devices and Printers
Control Panel applet used to view, configure, add, or remove devices such as printers, scanners, and cameras.
Startup Tab
Tab in Task Manager used to enable or disable applications that start automatically when the system boots.
Service Tab
Tab in Task Manager used to view a list of services running on the computer. You can use this tab to start and stop a particular service.
Performance Tab
Tab in Task Manager used to view system-wide processor, memory, disk, and network statistics.
Details Tab
Tab in Task Manager used to view the status of all current processes running on the computer and the CPU and memory resources they use. Use this tab to modify the priority of a process of terminate unwanted processes.
Control Panel
Window containing various applets to perform configuration tasks, to customize features of devices, and to configure how a computer looks and behaves.
System Configuration (msconfig)
Window used to *configure* your system to enable optimal troubleshooting and diagnosis of technical issues. Also used to customize the way Windows starts up.
System Information (msinfo32)
Window used to *view* hardware and configuration information for your computer.
Task Manager
Window used to view the current state of the system and running applications.
Reliability Monitor
Windows utility that maintains historical data that describe the operating system's stability.
Performance Monitor
Windows utility used to display statistics that tell you about the operation of your computer.
