Brandon's WebLog

TIP - CompletionChar

brandonhoff — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 21:37:00 GMT

Had some problems with my blog, hence no entries for a while..... here we got with another quick tip.

I still find people who aren't using this. If you aren't a quick typist, are a master of efficiency or simply don't like to type (such as me..) Then using the completion character is one of those things you have to enable! I'm not a windows registry expert by any means, this is just something that I find that makes life a whole lot easier, especially if you spent time in the command prompt.

So what does it do?

It's really two parts: Filename completion & Directory name completion

- When you type a path and filename and then press the filename completion character, the command processor searches for all files whose path and file name match your entry.

- When you type a path and then press the directory name completion character, the command processor searches for all files whose path (but not necessarily the file name) matches your entry.

The command processor displays one of the matching filenames each time you type a completion character (thus scrolling through matching entries). To go backward through the list of file names, press SHIFT + <completion-character>.

HIGH LEVEL - SAMPLE USE: When you are within the command processor (cmd.exe), this feature allows you to hit a completion character to cycle through the matching files/directories that match what you've started to type.

EXAMPLE:

I need to type “CD PROGRAM FILES” to change directories, but it's such a waste to type it all out. Instead, do the following (From now on, bold indicates what I actually typed in).

1. At the command prompt (C:\>), type CD pro
2. Then press the tab key.....
3. And it will show C:\> “program files”
4. Press Enter and you'll see.

C:\Program Files>

There you go.... I just shaved hours off your life of administration :-)

To set this manually, lauch Regedit (REMINDER - Backup the registry before doing anything)
322756 HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP and

After you've done that.....Here are two KB's that highlight the steps......

310530 HOW TO: Use Automatic Completion with a Command Prompt in Windows XP
244407 How to Enable Automatic Complete for the Command Prompt (Cmd.exe)

NEED Additional Information?
From the command prompt, type CMD /? and you'll get loads of information on how this works.

TIP: Quick thoughts on Security....

brandonhoff — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 21:38:00 GMT

I'm not going to reveal anything revolutionary here, but it's important nonetheless.....

IMO, if there's one site that you need to pay attention to at Microsoft, it's this one:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/

You hate websites? Or need notification services?
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/alerts2.asp
- Make sure to read this if you're going to use the Email services:

When's this information coming in an RSS Feed?....
I hear this one alot lately and the reasons seem great. Your notifications aren't tied to your email, there would be no more concerns about if the message was really from MS (no SMTP spoofing concerns), etc...

That one I can't help directly with, but definitely let Microsoft know that this is something that customers really want so that we can make the changes. One Suggestion from me?

The monthly Executive Circle Security Webcast with Mike Nash, Vice President of Microsoft's Security Business Unit, is a resource to help customers keep up-to-date on security improvements across Microsoft.

These webcasts are an opportunity for customers to get the latest details on security enhancements in Microsoft's products as well as tips and insights into key security strategies.

On Tuesday, 16 March 2004 at 8:30AM PST the next monthly Executive Circle Security Webcast will be held with Mike Nash and Eric Lockard, general manager of host security technologies at Microsoft. Log in to learn about security assessment tools and best practices for security policy, assessment and vulnerability analysis.

More information and registration are available at:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=24508

Thank you,

Microsoft PSS Security

Get this in your calendar and let our Security Business Unit know that this is something that you want!!

TIP: Command Line References.....

brandonhoff — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 20:43:00 GMT

So many times I hear people who can't remember how to find, or how to use commands at the command prompt....

So....

Here are the command line references for the latest product releases.... Hopefully, you find them useful.

Windows 2000 Command-line Reference
Windows XP Pro Command-line Reference
Windows XP Home Command-line Reference
Windows 2003 Command-line Reference

Initial go at it....

brandonhoff — Fri, 12 Mar 2004 20:26:00 GMT

Well.....

I've already posted once......on the Exchange team's blog.... and my Bio's out there as well.... so why am I having my own blog again?....

I'm not sure, but right now I'm thinking about posting tips and tricks from the inside.... Nothing that's a big secret, just things that it seems no one can find when they're looking for it, and things that are helpful that most could use....

As my Biography on the Exchange team's blog says, I work for the MVP program here at Microsoft. I work wtih the Exchange, Outlook, LCS and Livemeeting MVP's and product groups, so most of the things I share will probably be sharing are around the Messaging, but we'll see how it goes....