7/18/2001 -- In this era of consoles and wizards, I still like to do things the old-fashioned way. That is, I use the native tools found in folders accessed from the Start menu. Heck, I sometimes pr prefer to execute commands from the command line! In the spirit in which this column was founded - to help newbies learn the ins and outs of Windows 2000 - this month I explore the Administrative Tools folder, something that you may often take for granted.

It All Starts with Start
Let's begin the Administrative Tools folder journey at the Start button. (Note: For this column, I'm assuming you're using Win2K Server, not Win2K Professional). In the Programs group, you'll find the Administrative Tools folder (see Figure 1). You can also access the Administrative Tools folder from Control Panel.

Figure 1. You can access the Administrative Tools folder via the Start button or from the Control Panel. (Click image to view larger version.)

Starting at the top, I'll list the program item and a definition of each in Table 1. Following that, I'll provide selected screenshots of tools that I've not discussed in the last year of this column (If you've been reading this column on a regular basis, you're probably already familiar with some of these cool tools such as Active Directory Users and Computers).

Table 1. Windows 2000 Administrative tools and what they do.

Figure 2. The Domain Controller Security Policy tool enables you to view and modify security policy for the DC's organizational unit.(Click image to view larger version.)

Figure 3. The RRAS snap-in allows you to configure the Routing and Remote Access capabilities of Windows 2000 Server. (Click image to view larger version.)

So there you have it, for another month. Keep this list hand as a quick reference to all that's good, bad and indifferent in the Administrative Tools folder.