Microsoft’s PortQry Utility

Several years ago, Microsoft released a small utility to query for open network ports.  The portqry application can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17148.  A KB article describing the application can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310099.

Below are some examples of using the utility.  The –n parameter is for the IP address or DNS host name.  The –e parameter is for the destination port to query for on the remote host.

TCP is the default protocol.  The –p parameter can specify TCP, UDP, or BOTH.

The –o parameter allows multiple port values to be queried.

The –r parameter allows a range of port values to be queried.

Remote Desktop Connection Manager

RDCMan manages multiple remote desktop connections. It is useful for managing server labs where you need regular access to each machine such as automated check-in systems and data centers. It is similar to the built-in MMC Remote Desktops snap-in, but more flexible.  This was an internal tool at Microsoft but has been released to the public.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=4603c621-6de7-4ccb-9f51-d53dc7e48047

ReadAir

ReadAir is a desktop client for Google Reader.  It requires Adobe AIR.

http://code.google.com/p/readair/

Another option would be FeedDemon.

http://www.newsgator.com/Individuals/FeedDemon/

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft has released a new anti-virus solution called Security Essentials.  The download link can be found at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

The advantages of this application is it is free, has a small memory footprint, and is updated via the normal Automatic Updates service within Windows.  One disadvantage is the scanning engine is rather slow.

To replace your existing anti-virus program, first download the Security Essentials executable from Microsoft’s web site.  The next task would be to uninstall your old anti-virus application.  This will need to be done via the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet.

This example is uninstalling the free version of AVG.  The details will change depending on the application in question.

A reboot is normally required after uninstalling an utility such as an anti-virus program.  Even if a reboot is not prompted, it would be wise to reboot anyway.

Once your computer has rebooted, launch the Security Essentials executable.  Click Next.

Click the “I accept” button.

Click on the “Validate” button to start the process of having your version of Windows validated.

If the validation process is successful, click on the Install button.

The installation process will take several minutes.

Once the process has completed, click on the Finish button.

As long as you keep the default checkbox in place, the application will launch and start the update process.

Once the new updates are downloaded and installed, a Quick Scan will be performed.  As stated above, the scanning engine is rather slow.  So it can take several minutes for this scan to finish.

If nothing is found, the default view will be displayed.

A green icon should be present within your system tray.

If an issue is found, a dialog box will bubble up near the system tray.  The system tray icon will change color from green to red.

If you click on the Show Details link, more information should be displayed.

You can click on the Clean computer button if a threat is found.  If the removal is successful, the color of the dialog box should return to green.

Process Hacker

http://processhacker.sourceforge.net/

This utility appears to be similar to Process Explorer from Sysinternals.

How to download and install Live.com applications

One change Microsoft started with Vista and continued with Windows 7 is to remove some components and make them available via a separate download.  This was done to remove some “size” from Windows and to allow faster development for some of the applications in question.

To download and install some or all of these applications, access:

http://download.live.com/

Once on the home page, click on the Download button.  A separate link is available under the Download button for system requirements.  Some of the components will run under Windows XP but others such as Movie Maker will not.

When a file dialog box appears, click on the Run button.

After downloading the initial loader, a dialog box will appear asking which applications you wish to install.  When you click on an entry, a description of the component should be displayed on the right.  After selecting the applications, click on the Install button.

A dialog box may appear asking to close some open programs; click on the Continue button if all data has been saved.

 

Depending on the components selected and your Internet speed, the download and installation can take a few or several minutes.

One of the final screens ask to change your home page and search engine; you have the option of not making these changes.  Once you have made your selections, click on the Continue button.

The install process should now be completed.  Click on the Close button.

To access some of the applications, a new Windows Live entry should now be present under the Start Menu.

When you open some of the applications, a dialog box may appear asking to log into Live.com:

 

You can use an existing Live.com account or create a new entry if you wish.  But a Live.com account is not a requirement for using the application.  In the example above, you could simply click on the Cancel button and continue to use the program.