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QuickTip – PowerShell – Run External Commands with Variables

QuickTip – PowerShell – Run External Commands with Variables

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If you want to be able to run commands for an external application in a PowerShell script with defined variables, you can use the following method. In my case, I wanted to trigger some PDQ Deploy packages to install on a certain computer (as part of larger initial deployment script), where the computer name is set using a variable. Here is an example of three lines that will allow you to run PDQDeploy.exe with its own parameters, mixed with a…

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QuickTip – PowerShell – Scripts to Remotely Rename an Active Directory Computer Object

QuickTip – PowerShell – Scripts to Remotely Rename an Active Directory Computer Object

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If you are deploying new systems or otherwise need to rename an AD computer object, you can use this script to make the change- Rename-Computer -ComputerName CURRENNTName -NewName NEWName –DomainCredential ADDomain\admin Make the changes, inline, to modify the current and new name parameters. As well as, change the “ADDomain\admin” to the AD domain and account that has the necessary permissions to change the name of the computer object. If you would like to make the script more interactive, you can…

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QuickTip – PowerShell – Script to Reset AD User’s Password

QuickTip – PowerShell – Script to Reset AD User’s Password

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If you manage systems and services that allow users access with a their Active Directory username and password, you have probably dealt with password reset issues. Sometimes, you are setting up new systems or services with a test account. Here is an easy PowerShell “script” to reset an AD user’s password. $sAMAccountName = Read-Host -Prompt “sAMAccountName” $SecurePW = Read-Host -Prompt “Enter a Password” -AsSecureString Set-ADAccountPassword -Identity $sAMAccountName -Reset -NewPassword $SecurePW The first line prompts you to enter the sAMAccount name…

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QuickTip – Need to Clear DNS Cache on a Remote System?

QuickTip – Need to Clear DNS Cache on a Remote System?

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I have been using PDQ Deploy in central server mode and have had an occasional issue when deploying new systems, where the name and/or IP address is changed (say from a wired to wireless network) and the PDQ deploy server still has the DNS name and IP cached. Obviously, running – IPConfig /flushdns will only clear the cache on your local system. But, the problem is that the PDQ Deploy server needs to have its DNS cache cleared. Run this…

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PSWindowsUpdate – Use PowerShell (and other tools) to Automate Windows Updates

PSWindowsUpdate – Use PowerShell (and other tools) to Automate Windows Updates

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I was searching for a way to further automate new Windows system deployments. One thing I kept running into was Windows updating. I have refined and added automation to my process over the past several years. For Windows 10 clients, my current deployment process involves an MDT/WDS server that has a stock Windows 10 wim file. To customize the deployments, I have a collection of GPOs and PDQDeploy packages for software installation and some other GPOs for policies. I recognized…

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QuickTip: Azure Active Directory Connect – Re-enable Automatic Sync Schedule

QuickTip: Azure Active Directory Connect – Re-enable Automatic Sync Schedule

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Sometimes performing an upgrade of Azure Active Directory Connect (AADC) will disable the automatic synchronization schedule. Don’t get caught off guard! Running the following in PowerShell can save you some grief. To verify the existing sync settings, use this cmdlet- Get-ADSyncScheduler Note that SyncCycleEnabled is showing as False. 2. To enable the sync cycle schedule, use this cmdlet- Set-ADSyncScheduler -SyncCycleEnabled $true 3. Verify that your settings have taken effect by running the original cmdlet- Get-ADSyncScheduler Now the SyncCycleEnabled setting shows…

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