Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

Learn how to use virtual machines to troubleshoot Windows Server and Windows client issues, setting up labs with VirtualBox or VMware, and balancing RAM for smooth practice.

Apply troubleshooting techniques across Windows 10 client and Windows Server 2016 labs, including migration to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019; the control panel and steps stay consistent.

Build a practical IT troubleshooting lab with VMware Workstation, creating a Windows Server domain controller and a Windows 10 client, linked by a staged network and domain join.

Learn to check device requirements using task manager and BIOS to ensure a 64-bit host, sufficient memory and storage, and enabled virtualization for desktop IT support labs.

download and install vmware workstation 15 or above, run the installer with default settings, and complete stage one, noting you cannot run two virtualization tools on the same host.

configure the lab network using the virtual network editor to create a nat private class c 192.168.100.x network with dynamic dhcp and enable host to vm sharing for lab connectivity.

Stage 3 guides learners in creating a virtual machine for Windows Server, downloading the ISO, and setting up Windows Server 2016 with a NAT 10 network for installation.

Set up a Windows Server VM, install and configure it as a domain controller, assign a static IP, configure DNS (192.168.100.100) with 8.8.8.8 fallback, and test connectivity with ping.

Set up a Windows Server VM, configure network and name, upgrade to a domain controller, install active directory domain services, join a local domain, and verify DNS settings.

learn to install Windows 10 in a lab using an iso image, create a virtual machine with vm workstation, and prepare for domain join with home versus company guidelines.

Install VM tools, enlarge the VM display, and hide Cortana. Join the tareq.local domain by renaming the PC, configuring IPv4 and DNS, and verifying server reachability with ping.

Clarify the distinction between hostname and domain name by showing tareq.local versus layla.local in the lab, and explain why the names may differ due to a lab rebuild during troubleshooting.

Learn the fundamentals of Windows Server, focusing on Active Directory, organizational units, and shared folders to manage users, computers, and resources efficiently.

Understand how Active Directory centralizes user accounts, devices, and authentication to secure and simplify management across networks. Learn how domain join and centralized password management streamline IT administration.

Organize organizational units in Active Directory and apply country- or role-specific group policies using Windows Server. Learn to protect OUs from deletion and tailor policies for Singapore, USA, and Japan.

Learn to install Active Directory on Windows 10 as a client linking to a server, use Active Directory Users and Computers, and access via control panel or the dsa.msc shortcut.

Learn how to share a folder from the server to Windows 10/11 clients, set read, change, or full-control permissions, and map it as a permanent or temporary network drive.

Partition your disk into C and D drives during Windows setup to protect data from crashes or malware, with an optional G drive for games.

Learn the recommended way to partition during Windows setup in VMware, creating separate C and D drives and configuring partitions via customize options and disk management.

Explore why partitioning after Windows installation is not recommended and follow the demo to shrink the C drive and create D, G, and K partitions using disk management.

Learn to partition a system, test data safety across the C drive and other drives, and recover by reinstalling Windows from a boot DVD. Keep files safe via cloud backups.

Explore domain issues between Windows clients and servers, including Active Directory account setup, joining the domain, password resets, and managing security database, BitLocker keys, and enable/disable policies.

Create a new user in active directory using dsa.msc or remote server access, assign a login, set a policy-based password, and configure password change and temporary account disable.

Learn to securely reset passwords by verifying users, following policy, never sharing by phone, manager hierarchy and Active Directory, then apply a temporary password and require change at next login.

Learn practical domain-join troubleshooting: verify network connectivity with LAN cable, use ipconfig and ping to test the domain, and manage Active Directory hostnames, replication delays, and possible reimaging.

Learn to fix the common 'security database lacks a computer account' issue by rejoining the domain, using both local and domain accounts, and ensuring a LAN connection in the office.

Learn how to resolve a locked user account in Active Directory by locating the user in the domain, opening account properties, and unlocking the account on the domain controller.

Discover how Bitlocker encrypts the hard drive to protect data on laptops. Learn to suspend protection before hardware upgrades and retrieve 48-digit recovery key via Active Directory, then resume encryption.

Master the best practice of disabling instead of deleting user accounts in enterprise environments using Active Directory, and learn how to enable, disable, and recover access.

Learn to troubleshoot client-side computer issues on Windows 11, 10, and 8, including full user-profile backups, docking stations, monitor issues, ports and cabling, plus Outlook archiving and bookmark migration.

Master how to back up a Windows user profile by copying the entire C:\Users\username, including hidden files, and enabling show hidden files to secure all documents and data.

This lecture explains docking stations, highlighting enterprise use with Type-C connections, one-cable setups that charge laptops and power monitors, keyboard, and mouse for easy, cabling-free work.

Explore the evolution of docking stations from old to new designs, focusing on type-c compatibility, single-cable connections, and back versus front ports for displays, charging, and peripherals.

Master practical monitor troubleshooting from power checks and Windows display settings, including Windows+P, cabling, drivers, docking stations, and hardware versus software issues.

Explore common computer ports, from HDMI and DisplayPort to Type-C and USB, and learn how trends toward USB-C docking and unified cables shape real-world IT support.

Differentiate serial numbers from host names: serial numbers are unique, manufacturer-provided identifiers for warranty; host names are company-assigned network names. Learn three ways to locate each.

Learn to diagnose laptop and desktop boot issues using the BIOS system diagnostic, checking memory and hard disk, and capturing codes and serial numbers for HP support.

Archiving emails in Outlook is a careful, policy-driven task. Learn to create year-based archives, manage file sizes, and back up safely to preserve access and enable restoration.

Archive and restore Outlook emails by creating separate 2018 and 2019 data files archives, assess cloud vs local policy, and carefully restore online using drag-and-drop for each item.

Troubleshoot wifi issues on Windows by checking the network icon and enabling the adapter, then ensure group policy applies via gpupdate after placing the device in the correct OU.

Learn practical BIOS basics for troubleshooting, including accessing BIOS by model keys, enabling boot from USB, setting BIOS passwords, locating serial numbers, and updating BIOS via vendor sites.

Install Office 365 and Skype for Business on company machines, using the company email to log in. Chrome is recommended for stability during install and reimage.

Learn how to add foreign language keyboards in Windows 7 through 11, using built-in language packs, switch with Alt+Shift, and set your preferred input without changing the display language.

Explore the differences between US and UK keyboard layouts, including symbol placement like @ and #, and learn how to add, swap, and set default language layouts.

Learn to set a default app for opening pdfs and videos by using open with, choosing always, or adjusting properties, with Adobe Reader and VLC as examples.

Move favorites and bookmarks between old and new machines in Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Sign in to sync automatically, or export and import bookmarks via bookmarks manager.

Learn to move your bookmarks and favorites from Chrome and Edge across devices by exporting and importing, then organize them into folders using Edge and Chrome bookmark managers.

Disable the lid close action in Windows 11 via the control panel power options, setting 'do nothing' so closing the laptop does not sleep and the external monitor stays active.

Burn an ISO image to a USB to reformat or reimage a laptop or desktop. Install Windows 11 from the company ISO using the bootable USB you created.

Learn to partition a USB drive or hard disk using Windows 11 disk management, create and delete partitions, format to NTFS or exfat, and eject safely.

Learn to extend displays and adjust monitor positions by checking ports, using HDMI and type-C adapters, and configuring Windows 11 display settings for landscape or portrait layouts.

Discover why shutting down on Windows laptops sometimes leaves the device in sleep mode and fix it by checking CPU uptime in Task Manager and restarting.

Learn hardware and network essentials, including replacing hard disks (old to new and m2), managing tape libraries, swapping server bays, and remotely troubleshooting via switches and routers.

Learn to connect a Cisco switch or router via a console cable using a laptop and USB-serial adapter, with PuTTY for console access and driver setup.

Learn to hot-swap a server hard disk by locating the failed bay using color indicators, unlock the enclosure, replace the disk without rebooting, and verify with system administration.

Learn to replace a spoiled server hard disk across HP or Dell servers using a console cable and putty, perform basic command-line troubleshooting, and verify drive status.

Learn how to replace tapes in a tape library, understand left and right magazines, and perform basic console access and tape swaps with autoloaders using vendor brands.

Learn to share a laptop screen without internet access using an HDMI video capture device and OBS, enabling remote troubleshooting of firewalls, routers, and servers.

Back up data from a dead laptop or hard disk by removing the drive, using an m2 sata reader via usb-c, and copying the user profile to a working laptop.

Identify model slot configurations, upgrade from 8 GB to 16 GB or add RAM, verify compatibility, suspend Bitlocker before changes, and troubleshoot by reseating RAM and battery.