Sean Metcalf

I improve security for enterprises around the world working for TrustedSec & I am @PyroTek3 on Twitter. Read the About page (top left) for information about me. :) https://adsecurity.org/?page_id=8

Author's posts

How to Clean up the WinSxS Directory and Free Up Disk Space on Windows Server 2008 R2 with New Update

It’s finally here! After pages and pages of comments from you requesting the ability to clean up the WinSxS directory and component store on Windows Server 2008 R2, an update is available. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2852386 As a refresher, the Windows Server 2008 R2 update is directly related to my previous blog post announcing a similar fix for …

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Active Directory FSMO Placement Guidance

FSMO Placement Guidance Summary: Make sure the PDC is highly available and connected. Place the PDC on your best hardware in a reliable hub site that contains replica domain controllers in the same Active Directory site and domain. Place the Forest FSMOs on the forest root PDC (schema master & domain naming master). Place the …

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Windows Server 2012 MCSM Reading List

Here’s a link to download the MCM/MCSM Directory Services Reading List document that I developed for the MCSM Directory Services (Windows Server 2012) program and was created after the MCSM Directory Services (Windows Server 2012) test questions were written. It is based on the original one created for the MCM DS program provided to candidates. …

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Enabling and Managing the Active Directory Recycle Bin

So, you have upgraded all your DCs in the forest to Windows Server 2008 R2 and raised the domain and forest functional levels to Windows Server 2008 R2. Congratulations! Now what? Yes, you have to enable the AD Recycle Bin manually by running the following PowerShell commands: Import-Module ActiveDirectory Enable-ADOptionalFeature –Identity ‘CN=Recycle Bin Feature,CN=Optional Features,CN=Directory …

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Facebook increases privacy on all new posts by default

Looks like Facebook might be coming to its senses… http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/22/5739744/facebook-changes-default-privacy-of-posts-from-public-to-friends  

AD Reading: How Key Active Directory Components Work

The following links provide in-depth information on how key Active Directory components work. AD Data Store Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Branch Office Guide Bridgehead Server Selection (Windows 2008 R2) AD Replication Model Certificate Revocation & Status Checking Core Group Policy DNS How DNS Support for AD works Windows 2000 DNS DFS Fine-Grained Password Policy …

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AD Reading: Windows Server 2012 Active Directory Features

The following are extremely useful resources for Windows Server 2012 Active Directory Features.   Windows 2012 Features TechED: What’s New in Active Directory in Windows Server 2012 (Dean Wells’ presentation at TechEd) How many Windows Server 2012 domain controllers do I need initially and where should I put them? PowerShell version 3 commandlets including Active …

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AD Reading: Active Directory Group Policy

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Group Policy. Group Policy Core Group Policy Technical Reference How Core Group Policy Works o   Core Group Policy Architecture o   Core Group Policy Physical Structure o   Core Group Policy Processes and Interactions o   Network Ports Used by Group Policy o   Related Information What is …

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AD Reading: Active Directory Read Only Domain Controller

The following are extremely useful resources for the Active Directory Read Only Domain Controller (RODC). Read Only Domain Controller Read-Only Domain Controller Planning and Deployment Guide o   Understanding Planning and Deployment for Read-Only Domain Controllers o   RODC Branch Office Guide o   Appendix A: RODC Technical Reference Topics o   Appendix B: RODC-Related Events o   Appendix C: …

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AD Reading: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Features

The following are extremely useful resources for Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Features. Server 2008 AD Features Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008 AD DS Fine–Grained Password and Account Lockout Policy Step–by–Step Guide Fine-Grained Password Policy and “Urgent Replication” What’s New in AD DS: Active Directory Best Practices …

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