Popular Tips and Tutorials for Windows System Administrators in 2025

Windows system administrators constantly juggle multiple tasks, from squashing software bugs to optimizing performance. To help you stay in the game, we’ve compiled a list of popular tips and tutorials that promise to simplify your life and supercharge your systems.

Here are the latest tools and tricks for streamlining your workflow, tackling tricky issues, and keeping your Windows environment running like a well-oiled machine.

10. Microsoft Teams Is Acting Up. What Can We Do?

Many organizations lean heavily on Team and other Microsoft 365 tools for collaboration. When things go haywire, admins are usually the first responders. This article examines three head-scratching issues involving file syncing, notification errors, and audio feedback.

Have a Different Outlook: Can I Use Microsoft Outlook as a Makeshift Helpdesk Ticketing System?

9. Comparing Windows VM Installation Times: HDD vs. NVMe vs. RAM

What’s faster: a spinning disk, an NVMe drive, or a RAM disk? This video puts storage media through a speed test, showing system admins how to cut VM installation times dramatically and optimize deployments.

Hyper-Fast or Hyper-Foolish?: Are RAM Disks a Viable Option for Hosting Hyper-V Virtual Machines?

8. How I Built My Own PowerShell Multi-File Search Tool

Microsoft expert Brien Posey walks you through creating a custom PowerShell script to efficiently search through code files and display results in a user-friendly interface. Perfect for sifting through sprawling logs or codebases.

A Cracking Idea: Using PowerShell for Brute-Force Password Cracking (Example Script)

7. Getting Started With Microsoft PowerToys

The PowerToys suite is packed with tools like the Environment Variables manager, File Explorer add-ons, Keyboard Manager, and Mouse Utilities. This guide breaks down the best ways to boost productivity and system management with these utilities.

Take a Shortcut: How To Create a Custom ChatGPT Shortcut Key

6. Putting the Windows Credential Manager To Work for PowerShell Security

Brien Posey explains how to use Windows Credential Manager to securely automate tasks requiring elevated permission, like creating Active Directory users.

This PowerShell screenshot from the article shows a credential written to the Windows Credential Manager.

Do You Recall?: Why Windows Recall Creates a Data Privacy Nightmare

5. Exploring Visual Studio Code as a PowerShell ISE Alternative

Switching to VS Code doesn’t have to feel like jumping ship if you’re a PowerShell ISE fan. With ISE mode and cross-platform support, this article shows you how VS Code can be your new go-to scripting hub.

Git Good: Getting Started Using GitHub Copilot for PowerShell Scripting

4. How To Use PowerShell to Edit the Windows Registry

Tinkering with the Windows Registry can be risky, but sometimes it’s the only way to get things done. This guide walks through PowerShell cmdlets for creating, reading, and modifying registry keys safely and efficiently.

Is eBPF Your BFF?: Exploring eBPF for Windows: Opportunities and Limitations

3. How To Use PowerShell for Active Directory Help

Learn how to generate and assign passwords securely in Active Directory using PowerShell. This is essential reading for admins focused on keeping enterprise environments secure while simplifying user management.

Password-Protected: World Password Day 2024: Best Practices for Secure Accounts

2. My 9 Favorite PowerToy Tools for Windows Customization

Brien Posey highlights the must-have PowerToys for customizing Windows, troubleshooting, and boosting workflow efficiency. These tools are perfect for admins looking to save time and effort.

Brien Posey demonstrates the Crop and Lock PowerToy.

Disk Space Detective: Tracking Down Lost Disk Space: A PowerShell Solution

1. How To Use PowerShell for Automated Event Response

 Monitoring system events doesn’t have to mean constant vigilance. This tutorial shows how to use PowerShell to automate responses to errors, warnings, and other events so you can focus on more critical challenges.

Work in Your Sleep: PowerShell for Windows Update: Automate Patches in Hybrid Environments