Right-click Local Area Connection and click Status on the pop-up menu. The Local Area Click Close. Note

Part VI ✦ Managing the Network

15. Save the console by clicking File ➪ Save. 16. To quit the console, click File ➪ Exit.

If you want to edit the policy, you can do that from this console. Summary In this chapter, you learned about the setting policies to control users and computers on the network. Specifically, you learned about the following: ✦ Understanding the System Policy Editor ✦ Using the Group Policy Editor ✦ Using security configuration and analysis In the next chapter, you learn about working with the Registry. ✦ ✦ ✦ Note Working with the Registry for Windows T he Registry controls your computer settings, the software, the hardware — everything. Be very careful when modifying Registry settings; you could render a device, an application, or your entire computer inoperative. Always make a backup of your Registry before making any changes, and always read editing instructions carefully. You should be extremely careful when editing the Registry. Make sure you completely understand the Registry’s components and how to edit them before you attempt to change entries. Always make a backup of the Registry before editing it. Understanding the Registry The Registry is a central database that contains information about the computer, hardware, software, user preferences, and rights. Each time you make a change to a display setting or install an application, for example, the change is recorded in the Registry. You might remember that in Windows 3.11, the initialization INI files recorded any changes to the operating system; the Registry takes the place of the INI files in newer versions of Windows. The Registry presents a more structured environment than the old INI files for the complex makeup of Windows 98, 2000, and XP. Advantages of using the Registry include the following: ✦ All of the information about a user and the computer is stored in one place. ✦ Information about different users and configurations can be stored in the same database. ✦ Old INI files were text-based and therefore limited to a size of 64K; the Registry has no such space limits. ✦ Network-independent functions enable others to view the Registry over the network; for example, administrators can check a user’s Registry when troubleshooting. Caution 24 24 C H A P T E R ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ In This Chapter Understanding the Registry Backing up the Registry files Modifying the Registry Using the Registry to modify network settings ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦