This is only a short list of basics that I use to navigate around Active Directory and administrate machines on a daily basis. Working with Active Directory can be confusing if you don’t know your way round your domain so it’s best to stay away from areas you do not administer.
Searching for an Asset
On a day to day basis I work with Workstations and Notebooks in separate Organisational Units so if I need to search for a device I do it one of two ways:
Go to: Global Search > Type in the Asset of a Device > Device will be displayed showing Type and Path
or
Select the Local Domain > Select the Organisation Units to locate the Asset > All Assets in the will be displayed
For Example: Domain (local) > Workstations > Building > Floor > Room
Move Asset
If I need to move an Asset from one Organisational Unit to another:
I use Global Search to locate the Asset(s) > Highlight the Asset(s) > Either Right-Click and Select Move or Select Move in Tasks > Locate the New Organisational Unit in the dialog box > Select OK
The asset will then be moved > On the computer you just moved you will need to run GPupdate. This refreshes a computer’s local Group Policy, and any Active Directory-based group policies.
Delete Asset
If I need to delete an Asset from one Organisational Unit:
I use Global Search to locate the Asset(s) > Highlight the Asset(s) > Either Right-Click and Select Delete or Select Delete in Tasks > In the dialog box that asks for confirmation > Select Yes
Add Member Of
When an Asset is created in Active Directory you may want to make it a member of a particular group. You can do this by:
Using Global Search to locate the Asset > Double click on the Asset to open its Properties > Go to Member Of > Select Add > In the dialog box select Advanced > Select Find Now > this will bring up all the available groups > Select the Group you wish to add the Asset too > Select OK > On Properties select OK to complete process
David Williams Technical 