Working With . . . Administrative & System Tools

Windows NT Workstation provides several utilities that can enhance system performance and facilitate troubleshooting. Much of the power of this operating system remains hidden until you uncover these utilities, which are found mostly on the Start menu under Programs, Administrative Tools. (Inbox Repair Tool is found under Programs, Accessories, System Tools.) If you are using Windows NT on an expansive network at your office, chances are good that you'll never even use these gems. Your system administrator has probably already locked you out of most of them.
However, if you are a small-business owner or an individual looking to harness the power of Windows NT, read on. You'll find that these tools offer wonderful, yet sometimes complicated, options. Do you need to keep your 5-year-old from accessing his older brother's games? Done. Have you experienced the agony of having an employee ask, "I just formatted the C: drive. Is that OK?" If so, you'll love the flexibility you gain with Windows NT.
Some of the tools are fairly simple and can be used with ease. Others require detailed knowledge of the system or will only be available to system administrators. But, even if you're a lowly user on the bottom rung of a workgroup ladder and don't have access to some of these utilities, you still may enjoy learning what they can do.
The seven basic tools that come with Windows NT can be grouped loosely into three categories. User Manager, Event Viewer, and Remote Access Admin each relate to user activities; Backup and Inbox Repair Tool ensure file integrity and protection; and Performance Monitor and Disk Administrator are involved with system performance. We'll consider each one individually by group, beginning with the user-related tools.