Exploring Windows Fundamentals 2: Diving into Key System Utilities

In the second module of Windows Fundamentals, I dove deeper into the toolkit that lives within the Windows operating system. This module felt like a scavenger hunt across various built-in utilities designed to help troubleshoot, manage, and better understand your system.

Starting with MSCONFIG

The journey began with System Configuration (MSCONFIG)—a powerful tool mainly used for diagnosing startup issues. With its five utility tabs (General, Boot, Services, Startup, and Tools), MSCONFIG served as my launchpad for navigating other utilities throughout the module.

Tweaking User Account Control

Next, I explored how to adjust User Account Control (UAC) settings, which play a key role in managing how and when Windows notifies you about changes to your computer.

Digging into Computer Management

The Computer Management utility was up next. It’s divided into three main sections:

• System Tools: Includes Event Viewer, Task Scheduler, Device Manager, and more.
• Storage: Covers Disk Management and Windows Server Backup.
• Services and Applications: Features WMI Control for configuring the Windows Management Instrumentation service.

System Information Snapshot

With System Information (msinfo32), I accessed a detailed overview of the computer’s hardware, system components, and software environment. It's a great tool for diagnosing system issues and checking out specs like the processor and installed components.

Monitoring with Resource Monitor

Resource Monitor provided a real-time view into CPU, disk, memory, and network usage—broken down by individual processes. Super useful for identifying what’s eating up system resources.

Getting Command Line Savvy

Next, I jumped into the Command Prompt (CMD) and learned some essential commands like hostname, ipconfig, whoami, netstat, and net—each offering a quick way to retrieve system and network information.

The Registry Editor

Finally, I explored the Registry Editor—a central database Windows uses to manage user profiles, hardware, system settings, and more. It's a critical component for advanced configuration and troubleshooting.

Now it's on to Windows Fundamentals 3, the final leg of this series—and the last step on the Pre-Security path!