This system administration manual was created for those who works with Microsoft Windows 8.1 and perform general administrative tasks. In fact, this paper consists of two parts. The first one includes technical procedures and the second part is mainly about user and group administration.
Technical System Administration Procedures
System Restore Point
System Restore Point is one of the most important feature of the system security. Administrators often face with this issue. Thus, there are several simple steps for creating and using restore point for Windows 8.1.
In order to create it, click on Start, then choose Control Panel, click on System and Security and go to System. After this step, choose System Protection. Then, click on Create button and pick a name for this point.
Click on System Restore and follow all necessary setup’s guidelines and settings. After confirmation of this process, system will return to the last restore point.
Windows 8.1 also allows to delete and change existed restore point. In order to do this, return to System Protection and click Configure button. Then, read carefully all notes in the new dialog window and click Delete.
System administrator always has to remember about the value of this procedure and use it only in appropriate situations in order to avoid different negative consequences.
Programs and Features
Windows 8.1 includes effective tools for managing programs and features. Let us look deeply into this question. To find such feature, go to Control Panel and pick Programs tool there.
In the new window, choose Uninstall a program. Then pick a program and click Uninstall in order to launch this process.
Programs and Features tool also has other important abilities. For instance, administrator can turn on and turn off some of them.
Windows Defender
Windows Defender keeps system safe by using its different features. This tool is able to perform an update of the anti-virus library. Open Control Panel, then click on System and Security and find Windows Defender there. Click on the link in order to open a new window. Press Update tab to review the current situation and download new anti-virus files.
Windows Defender also provides a system scanning. Choose Home tab in order to set necessary properties and start this process.
Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall is also an essential tool for providing safety environment to the PC-users. This one has many important and valuable features. For instance, it allows to create a list of safety applications.
In order to do that, go to Control panel, then System and security and click on Allow apps through the Windows Firewall there.
At the new window, choose Allow Another App link and pick one from the list.
This tool also has another opportunities for system administrators.
Click on Windows Firewall link and then pick Advanced Settings. There are many helping tools there in order to create a unique security for Windows 8.1 and the whole network as well.
Change properties according to the new requirements and close the window.
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA)
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer is a useful tool for providing additional security to the system. This program is not built in the operational system, therefore, it can be downloaded from Microsoft official web site.
Launch the program and explore its opportunities for system scanning and evaluation. For instance, it can be used in order to find a variety of different vulnerabilities. Click on Scan a Computer and check the system.
In addition, MBSA allows to view, print, and copy report after scanning process.
Procedures for User and Group Policy Administration
Local Computer Account Policies
Group Policy Management Console helps administrator to build strong system with simple and easy settings. In fact, the easiest way to lunch it is to open a command line and type there this command gpedit.msc.
Choose Computer Configuration, then Windows Settings. In the new window double-click on Security Settings and pick Account Policies.
Then choose one of two options in order to change password or account lockout policy.
Local User Account and Local Groups
Windows 8.1 also includes tools for managing local user accounts. Click on PC Settings and choose Other Accounts there.
System allows to create multiple users with different access level. For instance, it can be guest account, administrator account or regular user one. In fact, all of them can be combined into different groups.
Go to Control Panel, then to User Account. Explore all of the users and evaluate how many groups can be created here.
A Drop-Box Folder
In fact, a drop-box folder has an interesting feature. For instance, it can be read-only for some users. System administrator can create such type of the folder due to the fact that this user has a full access to all options of the current system.
Click on the folder by right mouse key and open its properties. Then choose Advanced Settings and switch to the Principals. Pick one of the permissions. User with basic one will not allow to write to this folder.
