🔄 Active Directory Migrations to AWS 1. Common Migration Scenarios 2. Migration Steps A. Assessment & Planning B. Prepare AWS Environment C. Deploy AD in AWS D. Data Migration E. Testing and Validation F. FSMO Role Transfer & Cleanup 🧩 Active Directory Consolidations Use Cases Tools & Strategies AWS Tip:…
Metadata cleanup in Active Directory
Performing metadata cleanup in Active Directory is necessary when a domain controller (DC) has been forcefully removed or decommissioned incorrectly, leaving stale references in AD. This can cause replication issues and other problems. Here’s a step-by-step guide for performing metadata cleanup in Windows Server (applies to Server 2012 and later,…
Which user deleted a file on an Active Directory-integrated file server ?
To determine which user deleted a file on an Active Directory-integrated file server, you need to have auditing enabled beforehand. Here’s a step-by-step to investigate file deletions using Windows File Server Auditing: ✅ Prerequisites: Enable Auditing If not already done, follow these steps (you won’t see past events unless auditing…
Transfer & SEIZE FSMO Roles
Transferring and seizing FSMO (Flexible Single Master Operations) roles are critical tasks in Active Directory (AD) management. Here’s how to transfer and seize FSMO roles using both GUI and PowerShell/NTDSUTIL, depending on the situation. 🔁 FSMO Roles Overview There are 5 FSMO roles: ✅ Transfer FSMO Roles (Graceful Method) Use…
List of AD Schema Versions
Windows Server AD Version Schema objectVersion Value Windows Server 2025 90 Windows Server 2022 88 Windows Server 2019 88 Windows Server 2016 87 Windows Server 2012 R2 69 Windows Server 2012 56 Windows Server 2008 R2 47 Windows Server 2008 44 Windows Server 2003 R2 31 Windows Server 2003 30…
OldNewExplorer Free Download For Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7 [Latest Version]
Many users like the appearance and functionality of the old File Explorer in the Windows 7 operating system. So, they can use the OldNewExplorer software to get that experience. This software can use Windows 10, 8, and 8.1 OS. So, users with such systems can get the experience of Windows 7 file explorer. This…
How to Get the Classic (old) Context Menu on Windows 11
If you want to remove the “Show More Options” entry from Windows 11 Context Menu and restore classic Right Click menus in Windows 11 you can use following registry entries. Restore full right click context menu in Windows 11 via Registry Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32]@=”” Get the default…
BitLocker Recovery Keys
1. Microsoft Account (Most Common for Personal Devices) If BitLocker was enabled using a Microsoft account: 2. Azure Active Directory (for Work/School Devices) If the device is joined to Azure AD: 3. Active Directory (On-Prem AD with GPO Storage) If using legacy on-prem AD: 4. On the Device Itself (If…
Active Directory and Server hardening
Active Directory Hardening (Highest Security Level) 1. Tiered Administration Model (Red Forest or ESAE Model) Enforce logon restrictions—Tier 0 accounts must not log in to lower tiers. 2. Secure Domain Controllers 3. Kerberos & NTLM Hardening 4. Admin Account Protection 5. Group Policy (GPO) Hardening 6. Auditing & Monitoring 🖥️…
Active Directory Real-Scenario Q&A
Basics and Core Concepts (1–10) Q1. What is Active Directory?A1. Active Directory is Microsoft’s directory service that stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find and use. Q2. What is a domain in Active Directory?A2. A domain is a logical…
Benefits of using SoftEther VPN
1. Free and Open Source 2. Cross-Platform Compatibility 3. Supports Multiple VPN Protocols 4. High Performance 5. Strong Encryption 6. Firewall and NAT Traversal 7. VPN Over HTTPS 8. Flexible Site-to-Site VPN 9. Management and Configuration 10. Layer 2 VPN Support 11. Extensibility