Certs and Policies
This Windows tool lets you view, import, and export digital certificates for the current user or computer.
What is Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc)?
This hierarchical database stores Windows and application settings in “hives.”
What is the Windows Registry?
Show your computer’s IP settings with this simple command.
What is ipconfig (or ipconfig /all)?
Choose this network profile at home when you trust devices on the LAN and want discovery enabled.
What is Private (network location/profile)?
Clearing this in your browser can fix odd loading issues and speed things up.
What is the cache (and cookies, when appropriate)?
Certificates from trusted authorities live here so Windows can verify secure websites and signed apps.
What is the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store?
These are two of the best-known hives you’ll see in Registry Editor.
What are HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) and HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)?
(Other acceptable: HKCR, HKU, HKCC)
Hop up one folder in the Command Prompt with this quick navigation command.
What is cd ..?
Most networks hand out IPs automatically using this service.
What is DHCP?
Press these keys to open the Run dialog for quick admin tools.
What is Win + R?
You open this editor to set organization-wide rules like minimum password length and lockout policies.
What is the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc / GPMC)?
Type this in Run (Win+R) to launch the Registry Editor.
What is regedit?
Need to check system and app logs? Launch this with eventvwr.msc.
What is Event Viewer?
Use this command to make Windows reapply policy settings immediately instead of waiting.
What is gpupdate /force?
This command-line tool lets you query/add/delete registry values without opening a GUI.
What is reg.exe (e.g., REG QUERY, REG ADD)?
Scan and repair protected system files from the command line with this tool.
What is sfc /scannow?
(Also acceptable in context: chkdsk /f for disk errors)
Trace the path packets take to a destination with this command.
What is tracert (or traceroute on Unix-likes)?
Roll back system files and settings to an earlier state without touching documents using this feature.
What is System Restore?
To deploy a root CA certificate to every domain-joined machine automatically, place it here via Group Policy.
What is Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Public Key Policies → Trusted Root Certification Authorities?
Before changing a registry key, do this to stay safe and recover if something breaks.
What is export the key to a .reg file or create a System Restore point?
Repair the Windows image when things are really messy—no reinstall needed.
What is DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth?
For split tunneling, uncheck this option so only corporate traffic goes through the VPN.
What is “Use default gateway on remote network” (in VPN adapter IPv4 → Advanced)?
This Windows safeguard prompts before elevating to admin, reducing accidental system changes.
What is User Account Control (UAC)?