Networking

Accessing Windows network shares (SMB) is a daily task for most IT professionals, but it can be a source of major frustration when it fails. Cryptic error messages like “Access is Denied” or “The network path was not found” can stop an automation script in its tracks. I’ve found that these errors almost always fall into one of three categories: Connectivity, Permissions, or Security Policy. This guide provides a systematic, step-by-step process to diagnose and solve the most common SMB errors, saving you from hours of frustration. ...

The Windows Defender Firewall is a critical component of Windows security, controlling inbound and outbound network traffic to protect my system from unauthorized access and malicious activity. While often misunderstood, managing it effectively is essential for both security and application functionality. This post clarifies the distinction between “Windows Firewall” and “Windows Defender Firewall,” and provides command-line and PowerShell methods to manage its state (on/off) and configure rules. 1. “Windows Firewall” vs “Windows Defender Firewall” The naming of Windows’ built-in firewall can be a source of confusion, but the reality is simpler than it seems. ...

When it comes to transferring large files (10–100 GB) between Windows systems, the tool I choose can have a massive impact on speed, reliability, and security. In this ultimate showdown, I compare three titans of file transfer: the secure and universal SCP (OpenSSH), the multi-threaded powerhouse Robocopy (SMB), and the PowerShell-native Copy-Item (WinRM). I tested them across different network conditions, from a high-speed 10 GbE LAN to a real-world 5G wireless connection, to help me decide which tool reigns supreme for my specific needs. ...

When I tried to activate Microsoft Office in a corporate or restricted network environment, I encountered frustrating activation failures. Even with a valid license, Office activation can fail if it cannot communicate with Microsoft’s activation servers. This is almost always due to a firewall blocking the necessary outbound traffic. Note: This guide assumes you have already installed Microsoft Office. If you need a guide on how to automate the installation of Office 2021, see our companion article: Automate Office 2021 Install & Remove Old Versions ...

When diagnosing network connectivity issues, one of the most fundamental steps is to determine if a specific TCP port is open and listening on a remote host. A closed, blocked, or unresponsive port is often the root cause of application failures, and knowing how to test it is a critical skill for me. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the most common and reliable methods to test port connectivity on Windows, from modern PowerShell cmdlets to classic command-line tools. ...