Some common administrative tools in this folder include:
- Configure and administer Component Object Model (COM) components. Component Services is designed for use by developers and administrators.
- Manage local or remote computers by using a single, consolidated desktop tool. Using Computer Management, system administrators can perform many tasks, such as monitoring system events, configuring hard drives, and managing system performance.
Defragment and Optimize Drives
- Use Defragment and Optimize drives to help your computer run more efficiently. Windows automatically defragments and optimizes drives as part of regular maintenance.
- Reduce the number of unnecessary files on your computer's drives. It deletes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes many other items that you might no longer need. Windows automatically runs Disk Cleanup as part of regular maintenance.
- View information about significant events, such as a program starting or stopping, or a security error, which is recorded in event logs. This information is mostly used by administrators and advanced users to track down specific events for troubleshooting.
- Configure advanced connections between storage devices on a network.
Local Security Policy
- View and edit Group Policy security settings.
ODBC Data Sources
(32-bit or 64-bit) - Use Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to move data from one type of database (a data source) to another.
- View advanced system information about the central processing unit (CPU), memory, drives, and network performance. This tool can help administrators and advanced users analyze how well a computer is functioning. Another place to view this information is on the Performance tab in Task Manager.
- Manage printers and print servers on a network, and perform other administrative tasks.
- See how your system resources are being used by processes and services. Resource Monitor can help you analyze unresponsive processes, identify which apps are using files, and manage processes and services.
- Control the different services that run in the background on your computer. You can also view this information on the Services tab in Task Manager.
- Identify problems that might be preventing Windows from running correctly. For more info, see What is System Configuration?
- View details about your computer, operating system, hardware, and software, including drivers
also known as msinfo32.exe. For more info, see What is System Information?
- Schedule programs or other tasks to run automatically.
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
- Configure advanced firewall settings on both this computer and remote computers on your network.
Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Check your computer's memory to see if it's functioning properly. Built on the .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell helps IT professionals and power users control and automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows.
Windows Power Shell
- A task-based command-line shell and scripting language designed especially for system administration.
Windows Power Shell ISE
- The Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a host application for Windows PowerShell. In Windows PowerShell ISE, you can run commands and write, test, and debug scripts in a single Windows-based graphic user interface with multiline editing, tab completion, syntax coloring, selective execution, context-sensitive help, and support for right-to-left languages. You can use menu items and keyboard shortcuts to perform many of the same tasks that you would perform in the Windows PowerShell console.