Windows 2000 Tools  

Windows 2000 Tools

There are numerous tools hidden away in Windows 2000.  Some are built in to the operating system, others are in the CD\support folder, whilst even more are to be found in the Microsoft Resource kits.

One man's meat is another man's poison.  I was once discussing the merits of Resource Kit utilities with a group of Techies when one of the group, Malcolm, was called away.  In his absence the consensus was that CMDhere was not much use.  When Malcolm returned he chipped in that CMDhere was his favourite tool!  The moral of the story test out the 300 tools and make up your own mind.  (I am with Malcolm - CMDhere is great.)

• Windows 2000 Resource Kit Utilities
• Tools from the Support folder on the Windows 2000 CD
• Other tools from the Windows 2000 CD
• Lesser known utilities built into Windows 2000
• Hidden Settings

Windows 2000 Resource Kit Utilities

There are two Resource kits one for Professional and one for 2000 Server - choose the Server Version.  If you do not want to buy the whole kit then Microsoft allows you to download many of these utilities for free.  It is also worth checking other Resource kits e.g. Exchange 2000.

• AdSizer - Active Directory estimator
• Cachemov - Move Offline folders
• Cconnect.exe - Con-Current Connection Limiter
• CMDHere - Install and use with file Explorer
• CrystalReports - for searching through Event Viewer logs
• Drivers - Troubleshooting
• Group Policy Results - Checking policy group membership
• Kerbtray - Learning about Kerberos
• Kill - Enumerates and Kills processes on remote machines
• Logoff - Automatic Installations with AutoAdminLogon
• Ras Trace Enable
• ShutDown - Restart servers remotely
• Srvinfo and Srvmon
• Sysdiff - Preparing images
• TCMON -Traffic Control Monitor
• USMT - User State Migration Tool
• USRStat - Statistics on how often users have logged on

Microsoft always say that tools in the Resource kit are not supported, however I have never had any trouble with the utilities. Perhaps I have been luck as I only use the tools for their designed task. e.g. ShutDown is designed to reboot a remote servers  If you make ShutDown freely available and encourage users to shutdown their friends (enemies) workstations you are asking for trouble.  I am also lucky that English is my first language and I here that there are problems using the Resource kits in on other language installations.

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