A technical expert offers critical information on using the scripting tool that is native to Windows NT/2000 and designed to automate Windows applications and administrative tasks.

Since the release of Windows 98, the Windows Script Host (WSH) has become increasingly popular as a tool for automating routine PC tasks to save time and effort. But finding resources for learning how to script with WSH has been a challenge -- until now. "Microsoft Windows Script Host 2.0 Developer's Guide" is the complete guide to automating routine Windows-based tasks by using Microsoft technologies. It covers all major features of Windows Script Host 2.0 and related topics, including how to access other automation objects and how to extend WSH features with custom ActiveX components.

Packed with more than 300 sample scripts and an extensive collection of library functions, this essential scripting book is the most thorough guide to Windows scripting and PowerShell on the market. You’ll examine how Windows scripting is changing the face of system and network administration by giving everyday users, developers, and administrators the ability to automate repetitive tasks. Plus, this is the first time that VBScript, Jscript, and Powershell are all covered in a single resource.

Journeys inside Windows Vista to explain how to get the most out of the operating system, discussing its key components and features and discusses installation, multimedia applications, networking, Web integration, Internet Explorer 7, and other essential topics.

Aims to delve deep into Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to understand the manageable entities of the Windows world. This book offers a structured description of the important WMI providers available from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 (including Windows 2000 and Windows XP).

Working with Microsoft's network directory service for the first time can be a headache for system and network administrators, IT professionals, technical project managers, and programmers alike. This authoritative guide is meant to relieve that pain. Instead of going through the graphical user interface screen by screen, O'Reilly's bestselling Active Directory tells you how to design, manage, and maintain a small, medium, or enterprise Active Directory infrastructure. Fully updated to cover Active Directory for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and R2, this third edition is full of important updates and corrections. It's perfect for all Active Directory administrators, whether you manage a single server or a global multinational with thousands of servers. Active Directory, 3rd Edition is divided into three parts. Part I introduces much of how Active Directory works, giving you a thorough grounding in its concepts. Some of the topics include Active Directory replication, the schema, application partitions, group policies, and interaction with DNS. Part II details the issues around properly designing the directory infrastructure. Topics include designing the namespace, creating a site topology, designing group policies for locking down client settings, auditing, permissions, backup and recovery, and a look at Microsoft's future direction with Directory Services. Part III covers how to create and manipulate users, groups, printers, and other objects that you may need in your everyday management of Active Directory. If you want a book that lays bare the design and management of an enterprise or departmental Active Directory, then look no further. Active Directory, 3rd Edition will quickly earn its place among the books you don't want to be without.

So you've decided to adopt Windows Server 2003? Whether you're migrating from Windows 2000 or directly from Windows NT, Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell is packed with the detailed information that you will need as you administer this OS. To-the-point chapters on migration highlight important new features such as enhancements to Active Directory, shadow volume copies, and Windows Update. Even better for experienced NT and 2000 admins are details about where Microsoft put familiar options, helping you quickly get oriented to the new platform.Those of you familiar with NT or Windows 2000 are well beyond the tutorial stage. Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell delivers a no-fluff guide with two alphabetical references, one for the GUI and one for the command-line. The Task Map chapter lets you find look up a task (such as "troubleshooting startup issues") to find appropriate topics in the references. Once you know where you're going, the book offers numerous step-by-step procedures in highly condensed form. This quick lookup reference is ideal for administration and deployment, as well as deeper issues such as planning, configuring, and troubleshooting.The GUI chapter is organized by topic according to major themes of Windows Server 2003 administration, providing one-stop shopping for busy admins. For example, if you want to find out about Active Directory and how to manage it, you'd begin by turning to Active Directory. Each topic begins with a description of basic concepts, followed by a description of tools (such as Microsoft Management Console snap-ins) used to administer the feature, instructions on how to perform common or important administrative tasks, and notes detailing subtle points and potential gotchas.Windows Server 2003 offers greatly enhanced command-line administration, and the command reference prominently highlights the many new commands in this release. Dozens of new commands and scripts have been added for administration of Active Directory, disks, event logs, Group Policy, IIS, network diagnostics, the pagefile, printers, processes, shared folders, and the Registry. The result is a Windows operating system platform that now rivals Unix in its ability to support command-line and scripted administration.Microsoft has introduced the right server for a world now dominated by highly distributed systems and web-based server applications, and O'Reilly has written a book that will earn a prominent place on administrators' desk tops.