Slashdot Mirror
Ask Slashdot: Good Technical Guide To Windows 10?
An anonymous reader writes: Back 'in the day' you could easily find books on NT, Windows 2000, or Slackware that went into painstaking detail about every functional aspect of the operating system (think Slackware Unleashed). They covered the interplay between BIOS, boot sector, crash dumps, every command-line option, etc. Past about Win 2000 I fell way behind focusing on finishing my EE degree. Now when faced with a complex issue, I just end up at Google, but would prefer a good comprehensive book on recent Win8/Win10 architectures. Any suggestions? Are these books all but limited to course-prep now?
Windows 10 searches technical guide to you.
Back in the days of NT and 2000, Internet connections were still primarily dialup Google while around, wasn't a dependable source to get info.
Today it is far more convenient to get this info from the internet from multiple sources. So there isn't much of a market in all encompassing technical books.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
you'll learn more and leak less.
One sentence: Don't use it.
Wrong! Zeroth.
The Windows Internal books are really good for that kind of detail
I second this.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! I'm not seeing anything out there either. It's likely in-step with Server 2016 from an internals perspective...
FTFY
Paul Thurrott has published a Field Guide to Windows 10 that you can purchase through his site at https://www.thurrott.com/store. He has been writhing Windows guides for a long time and i find them to be very helpful. With the ever changing nature of OS delivery these days, it is hard to keep current and so I think most gudes have migrated to the Internet. Another source is to look for books written by Mark Russinovich, I believe he is a fellow at Microsoft, but his books and software are highly regarded as well.
Windows 10 For Seniors For Dummies by Peter Weverka
Missing Manual:
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-...
Microsoft Books:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/micros...
That book market no longer exists. The vast majority of books are exam prep now.
Now it's all about finding the right resources online.
A proper search targeted at technet.microsoft.com (for admin issues) or msdn.microsoft.com (for dev issues) will usually be helpful.
I've found technet to be more frequently helpful, and Stack Overflow or Stack Exchange are good alternatives to MSDN. Technet has an exhaustive, option-by-option descriptions of the modern CLI commands. This is the closest thing you'll probably find to those old books.
If you are interested in scripting, you should probably familiarize yourself with PowerShell, as it is far more powerful and flexible than the traditional Windows CLI.
---
According to the latest ruleset, this post should be modded as Vorpal Flamebait +5.
Hi there, It's a shame everyone is just telling you not to use it, instead of being somewhat helpful. I am but a simple sysadmin and am too much of a burnout to do any development work, but have you checked out Microsoft's online resources? It looks like the Microsoft Virtual Academy at least has some info on the subject: MSVA The SDK is available on Windows Dev Center -- I don't know what you've looked through yet, but I don't think there's going to be a silver bullet for this one. Try to hobble along with MS Virtual Academy and the Devel blogs until someone releases a book/guide with everything you need.
640k ought to be enough for anyone.
You need to know that it's corporate-grade spyware and malware, and that you shouldn't use it at all. Beyond that, look to the documentation for DBAN, which is the way I recommend to correct the mistake of installing it in the first place, to ensure not a single byte of it remains. From there please Google 'linux distributions' and find one that suits your needs.
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
You don't need to know anything technical about Windows 10! Windows 10 is designed to be so friendly and maintenance free, you will never have to do anything technical. Being technical is hard. You don't want life to be hard, so we're making it easy for you.
Everything from remote updates to resetting your default apps is handled automatically so you don't have to waste your valuable time on it. We understand how important your time is to you, after all! We know you'd rather be out vlogging your night out with friends or Skyping with family than tinkering with your operating system.
So, just sit back, relax, and enjoy Windows 10! It was designed just for you!
I also need the schematics for my CPU.
Twoth
No, I'm kidding.. In all seriousness it is a terrible search "assistant".
But yeah, Google I guess.. It's what I always use.
Either that or unplug your network connection.
Technet is what MS oriented IT professionals use nowdays. Detailed and only way to pass the MCSE exams.
http://saveie6.com/
Go back to Windows 7 or install Linux.
Best guide ever! Well written, succinct, easy to remember and you can't beat the price. I give this guide to everyone I know and follow it's directions myself.
The 2nd edition is even better yet. "Disable Windows 7 Microsoft updates and install a good firewall. "
Only crap crappers know that Linux crap is crap.
Crap!
/. readers are mostly anti-Microsoft and pro-Linux.
You are better off asking your question on a Microsoft site, if you don't mind turning off your adblocker just so you can use their site.
http://www.howtogeek.com/22072...
Escalating to google can always get you more up-to-date and precise information. Just use common sense and mind your sources.
Silence is a state of mime.
So I know the kinds of books you're talking about. I used them in school, bought them used for reference material, and generally don't mind them as a bookshelf occupant. However as the internet and online documentation have gotten more ubiquitous, I've used them more and more often as they are easier to search and I don't always have access to them.
Here are two of the books I own:
Win 2000 Bible
Win 2003 Server Bible
Now here is a Windows 10 version.
That took me under 10 seconds to find using google. The first three results are 700+ reference guides for advanced users. My advice to you would be, "JFC use a good search before you submit an ask slashdot like this."
Consider: https://leanpub.com/windows10fieldguide
I recently ordered the ebook version of The Missing Manual for Filemaker Pro 14 and found it almost impossible to use to quickly jump around to a particular topic on my iPad or PC. I returned it to Amazon and ordered the dead tree version. That last time I bought a dead tree door stopper was ten years ago.
I majored in comp sci. I don't read these kinds of books.
"Dangerous Liaisons"
I come here for the love
When I had to learn it I used "Windows 10: The Missing Manual" by David Pogue and published by O'Reilly (who I work for). I also noticed that several other sites listed it as a top book: http://www.techradar.com/us/ne...
With the broad based yet in depth material you are looking for, you will need several books. I know how you feel though, finding well written and laid out 800 - 1000+ page books that were written for experts is not as simple as it used to be. After first reading your question I went and took a look at a bookshelf I have containing my oldest tech books from fifteen or more years ago. You really can't find stuff like that anymore. I actually left out some Windows 10 books in my list below because 80 out of 800 pages being useful isn't worth it, at least not to me. So as a long time and frequent tech book buyer, here is this best I can come up with:
The first would be: Windows 10 Inside Out http://www.amazon.com/Windows-.... It's about 900 pages of too simple for you through very complex concepts and procedures as they apply to that platform. It sounds like you would skip quite a bit, but there is enough in there to make it worth it.
Then of course there is the Windows 10: The Missing Manual http://www.amazon.com/Windows-... This is another example where you will likely skip over a lot of material but the good stuff is in fact pretty good.
Overwhelmingly above and beyond I want to recommend the Windows Internals series. However, I cannot find anything specific to Windows 10. As far as Windows 8 is concerned, this series is a stop here and buy this now kinda thing. If someone else can point in the right direction for Windows 10 coverage by this series, I myself would be grateful.
Once you've covered broad based expertise which likely won't take you long, you really need to start thinking along the lines of studying a few highly specific topics.
Oh, and then for either broad or focused based learning there is always the official MS Press series. I'm always a bit leery of that series though. I never purchase an MS Press book, especially recently released, unless I can find a substantial number of reviews across multiple sites for any one book. IMHO MS Press is the worst when it comes to publishing materials riddled with factually incorrect information, and reviews are the best way to get a heads up. Otherwise I think they make some of the greatest tech books. Sorry for not having a perfectly straight answer.
Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
Back in the day, people released fully-functional things instead of the on-going beta which is Windows 10 which they're developing as they keep pushing more of it out.
And, back in the day, companies couldn't use the DMCA to claim all this shit was proprietary and deem you not allowed to know it.
I don't see Microsoft as giving a damn if you have such information, or making it easy to get it. You think they're going to fess up to the amount of ads, analytics, telemetry and other crap they're doing without telling you?
In those 15 years you've lost the right to know anything, and the right to "own" your operating system. Due to EULAs and everything else, Windows 10 is whatever the hell Microsoft says it is, and they can change it at will ... and you have agreed you're not allowed to get a vote.
I'd be surprised if anybody at Microsoft knew all of this stuff any more.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
If you want an introductory guide you can sit through the MVA training courses. They are not good reference material and very time consuming but they do provide a decent overview of the technical configuration and get you familiar with the terminology used by Microsoft. Once you understand the Microsoft terminology you can then use google and Technet to do more in-depth research.
"I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions."
Only trap trappers know that Windows is a trap.
Traps!
The only thing broken here is your thought process and most likely your keyboard.
One sentence: Don't use it.
One sentence: Don't waste his time.
The DOD is transitioning to Win 10. In due course others in the institutional, small business and enterprise markets will follow suit. The geek knows this, but taking a question about Win 10 seriously won't win him a quick and dirty mod-up on Slashdot.
Define "Process"?
Step 1: Press "on" button?
Step 2... ?
One of the problems are that the information from MS about their OS is starting to dry up. Information is hard to get and is often faulty or lacking when you find it. I used to work with hardening MS machines for industrial use but we have give up since 8.0. We still use Windows XP, W7 or try to steer the customers towards Linux or BSD.
is why would anyone who value their privacy being using Windows 10? I have personally watched traffic to the MS mothership despite all possible privacy settings being set to NOT communicate. Sorry, I just cannot bring myself to use a computer that doesn't respect my privacy. I knew I was on to something when even some Linux distros like Ubuntu began shipping with unneeded cruft aboard that violated privacy. And on an altogether different note, I have seen a rapid downturn in QC in the Linux camps, and have begun moving my personal and some business-related functions to FreeBSD.
Yeah, I did a quick search on O'Reilly & found it. Given how good O'Reilly books have generally been, I'd probably pick that one
This sounds like what you're looking for:
Windows Internals, 6th edition
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963901.aspx
There even used to be a great MS certification, 70-660 Windows Internals (but was retired in 2013).
There's also this book, which is great:
Reversing: Secrets of Reverse Engineering
http://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Secrets-Engineering-Eldad-Eilam/dp/0764574817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1252626160&sr=8-1
Happy reading.
I've found value on the material from MS Virtual Academy for System Center, SQL, Windows Server, and Windows Client: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/micros...
Don't fucking touch it, don't let it get anywhere near any of your machines. If you do, it will pretty much tell you what it wants you to do.
Left MS Windows for Linux Mint and never looked back!
Vote for Bernie in 2016!
While the interface is being adjusted to be usable and back-end items change is not a good time to be either reading or writing a hard copy book on a bit of software.
The three or so hoops you have to jump through just to shut down is probably going to be changed since it's so ridiculous. Other things are likely to change. Vista changed a lot on the way to being usable and I think Win10 will as well even though it has less obvious flaws than initial Vista.
The hidden icons offscreen from Win8 have already gone so other parts that came in with the "metro" idea are likely to follow.
Since it's so flaky at the moment things can be inconsistent - recently I couldn't even get the program menu up on a Win10 machine until a reboot and I initially thought I was fighting a GUI change but instead the "start" menu had crashed while whatever handles launch from icons had not.
Not bullshit but a common and annoying "feature" on multi-display machines when a screen is turned off. Notifications can be sent to where a user cannot see them and if no action is taken a reboot happens. It's annoying for full screen gaming, home cinema, powerpoint presentations and similar situations.
I started on a Vic20 and found the Programmers Reference Guide most (in)valuable.
https://archive.org/details/VI...
I found a Win32 API book useful a dozen (or more?) years ago.
Now I'm on Debian variants, and Google is most helpful.
I wouldn't worry about Win10 reference manuals unless you were offline.
I remember those types of books fondly and regularly purchased them as well as the academic ones since they were often used to by the developers of the production software themselves. I miss the days of when Mark Russonovich would write entire books about file systems. I miss when Linux programming reference manuals actual were more than just man page dumps. How about when Michael Abrash was rocking the world with graphics books?
There's a real problem. As a man-whore who used to be a programmer but no makes a living licking boots and climbing under desks (I'm an IT consultant and instructor... it pays A LOT more than programming... 4.5x as much actually) I regularly am approached by the big companies about writing books or courses on different topics. The fact is, there is just not enough money in technical books precisely because google is so reliable that companies aren't interested in writing them unless they are purely academic text books they can force students to buy every semester for obscene amounts.
I calculated based on the last offer I received.. it would have been an official certification guide for a major technology. It probably would be able to sell 50,000 copies in 2016 and 2017. The offer I received to write the book would have limited me to about 320 pages and would have paid me approximately $0.80 an hour if I did the job properly.
The answer is that you won't find these types of books anymore.
You can get a little more technical though.
1) UEFI programmer's guide is no too bad. It's not overly informative since the boot process of a modern operating system isn't really as interesting as it used to be. Not only that, there's no real standard beyond the basic file structure to define the boot process. Everything else is really quite dynamic. It's not like when we had to manage to write most of the code to load an OS in 450 bytes because the rest was the partition table.
2) GUID partition tables are really a tricky one. I learned this one by reading the source code to several Linux partitioning utilities. Even now, I struggle to understand how to make a partition resizer which doesn't damage this structure too badly. Of course, I haven't really found myself interested in it.
3) Windows booting. This is pretty well documented in the Windows Driver Development Kit (or whatever it's called this week). It's not awesome documentation, but it really isn't bad. Ever since Windows 8 when they made the major overhaul, it's been probably the most elegant driver structure in any OS. I recommend spending some time with it. Before that it was a nightmare. Today, you can even do driver development directly in Visual Studio (or emacs if you have mental illnesses) and debug directly on a VM or remote machine. The structure has done away with the antiquated linux style and started working towards making something which could provide some decent structure in the OS. Mac OS X is probably still the nicest, but their code quality isn't really what it used to be.
4) Windows structure. Like most OSes, this is currently set in stone and will stay like that for a while. You can try two fairly useful methods.
a) Download the leaked NT4 and Windows 2000 source code files you find online. They are far from complete as they were really just the bits of code licensed from Microsoft to make an alternative to Wine. But they are really really useful.... or so I've heard as I've never seen it myself of course.
b) Download the official source code to Windows CE. It's 100% complete and legit and is an excellent means of learning a great deal about the Win32/64 design approach.
5) Linux structure I can't make any recommendations on this. There were some excellent books back in the early days. These days, it's pretty much read the code. Nearly every page I encounter via Google is either half finished, inaccurate, lacking editing, out-of-date... after all these years, there's not a single series of man pages or help files or anyt