$ All Tutorials
Comprehensive guides for system administrators. No fluff, just practical solutions.
117 tutorials found
AI-Written PowerShell? Test It Safely With -WhatIf First
AI writes PowerShell quickly, but one wrong path can delete or change the wrong files. The -WhatIf switch shows exactly what a command would do, without doing it.
Android Theft Detection Lock: Your Phone Locks Itself If Snatched
Google's theft protection can lock your Android phone when someone grabs it and runs, or when it goes offline after being stolen. Turn it on in 15 seconds.
Backup Mailcow to S3
Automatically back up Mailcow mail data and configuration to Amazon S3.
Backup WordPress to S3
Back up your entire WordPress site, files and database, to Amazon S3 automatically.
Bash Scripting Essentials
Write robust bash scripts for automation and system administration.
Bluetooth Not Working on Windows 11? Fix It
Bluetooth problems are usually a sleeping service, a stale pairing or a driver. Try these in order.
Change Your Wi-Fi Password (and Reset Your Router)
Change your Wi-Fi password from the router's settings page, and factory-reset it when you're locked out.
Check and Enable Secure Boot on Windows 11
Secure Boot stops malware from loading before Windows starts, and some games and Windows 11 itself require it. Check it in 10 seconds and turn it on in your PC's firmware.
Check DNS Records in 10 Seconds: dig and nslookup
Many website and email problems start with DNS. These commands show the A, MX and TXT records for any domain, straight from the source, on Mac, Linux and Windows.
Check Laptop Battery Health on Windows (Battery Report)
Windows can build a detailed battery health report with one command. It shows how much capacity your battery has lost, so you know whether a short battery life is the battery or something else.
Check When Your SSL Certificate Expires (One openssl Command)
An expired SSL/TLS certificate takes your site offline for every visitor with a browser warning. One openssl command shows the exact expiry date, and certbot can test that auto-renewal still works.
Check Your Website's Security Headers (Free Tool + curl)
Security headers are short instructions your web server sends with every page that tell the browser how to protect your visitors. Check which ones your site sends in 10 seconds, with one curl command or our free tool.
Claude AI for Beginners (Plus Claude Code)
Claude is Anthropic's AI assistant. Here's how to get great answers from day one, and how developers use Claude Code in the terminal.
Claude Prompting Guide
A practical reference for crafting effective prompts with Claude (Anthropic). Focused on sysadmin, IT ops, and scripting use cases.
Cloudflare Tunnel: Put a Home Service Online Without Opening Ports
A Cloudflare Tunnel publishes a service on your home network at your own domain, with HTTPS, without port forwarding or exposing your home IP.
Configure Firewall
Configure UFW and iptables to control inbound and outbound traffic on Linux.
Cron Jobs & Scheduling
Schedule recurring tasks with cron and understand crontab syntax and management.
Disk Management
Partition disks, create filesystems, mount drives, and manage storage on Linux.
Docker on Linux
Install Docker, manage containers, images, and use Docker Compose on Linux.
Does My Phone Have a Virus? Check and Clean It (iPhone and Android)
Real phone malware is rare but adware and scam profiles are common. Here's how to check and clean both platforms.
Editing Wix Sites with Lovable
Use Lovable AI to design and edit Wix website content without manual drag-and-drop.
Email Security Check (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Find out in 60 seconds whether anyone can send email pretending to be your domain. Read your SPF, DKIM and DMARC records, know what good looks like, and fix the gaps.
Enable GZIP Compression
Enable GZIP compression in NGINX or Apache to reduce page load times and bandwidth.
Excel Pivot Table in 60 Seconds
A pivot table summarizes thousands of rows (totals by month, by region, by person) in a few clicks.
Excel: Create a Drop-Down List
A drop-down list keeps data clean: people pick from a list instead of typing.
Excel: Highlight Duplicates Without Deleting Them
Want to see duplicate values before you remove anything? Conditional Formatting colors every repeated value in a few clicks, and nothing is deleted.
Excel: Split First and Last Names
Three ways to split 'Jane Smith' into two columns, from easiest to most flexible.
Find Your BitLocker Recovery Key (and Back It Up)
A BitLocker recovery screen after an update, a BIOS change or a new part is scary, but the key is usually saved to your Microsoft account. Here is where to find it, and how to back it up before you ever need it.
Fix Windows 11 Blue Screen and Black Screen
Most blue screens come from a bad driver or update; most black screens are the display driver. Try these in order.
Get AI to Write Excel Formulas From Plain English
ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and other AI assistants are good at Excel formulas when you give them context. This three-part prompt gets a working formula the first time, and the check at the end catches the times it does not.
GPT for Code Review
Use ChatGPT to review code, spot bugs, and suggest improvements.
GPT for Documentation
Use AI to generate clear, consistent technical documentation from your notes.
GPT for Sysadmin Automation
Automate repetitive sysadmin tasks using AI-generated scripts and playbooks.
GPT for Troubleshooting
Speed up Linux and application troubleshooting with structured AI prompts.
GPT Prompt Hacks
Get better results from ChatGPT with prompt engineering techniques.
GPT Prompting Guide
A practical guide to getting the most out of ChatGPT and the OpenAI API: picking the right model, custom instructions, and prompt templates. Focused on IT ops and sysadmin workflows.
GPT-Generated Bash Scripts
Use ChatGPT to write, debug, and refine Bash scripts faster.
Hardening Mailcow Security
Lock down your Mailcow server against spam, brute-force, and unauthorized access.
Home Assistant Setup and Your First Automation
Home Assistant controls smart devices from every brand locally, without the cloud. Install it and build your first automation.
How To Install Nginx on Ubuntu 24.04
Nginx is a fast web server and reverse proxy. Install it from Ubuntu's packages, open the firewall, check it works, and set up your first site with a server block.
How to Update PHP on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 (Apache, Nginx, WordPress)
Upgrade PHP to a supported version on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04, for Apache with php-fpm, Apache with mod_php, or Nginx with php-fpm. Includes WordPress checks, removing the old version, and fixes for the usual errors.
How to Use GTFOBins: Sysadmin Security Tutorial
GTFOBins (gtfobins.github.io) is a community database of normal Unix programs, like find, vim, tar, python3 and awk, that can be abused when they run with extra privileges. Use it defensively to audit your own sudo rules, SUID binaries and capabilities before an attacker does. This guide never runs an exploit.
Initial Server Setup With Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04
The first five things to do on a new Ubuntu server: update it, create a normal user with sudo, set up SSH keys, turn on the firewall and enable automatic security updates. Works on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 and 20.04.
Install MySQL on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 (Secure Setup)
Install MySQL Server from Ubuntu's own packages, run the security script, and create a dedicated user for your app instead of using root. Ubuntu 24.04 ships MySQL 8.0.
Install NGINX
Install and configure NGINX as a web server or reverse proxy on Ubuntu.
Install Proxmox VE for Beginners
Proxmox VE turns any spare PC into a server that runs many virtual machines and containers from a web page. Install it in about 15 minutes.
Install WordPress
Install WordPress on Ubuntu with NGINX, PHP, and MariaDB from scratch.
Let's Encrypt for Multiple Domains: One Certificate, Many Names
One certificate can cover several names, like example.com, www.example.com and shop.example.com, as Subject Alternative Names (SAN). Here is how to request one and add or remove names later.
Let's Encrypt SSL
Obtain and auto-renew free SSL certificates from Let's Encrypt using Certbot.
Let's Encrypt Without a Web Server: Standalone Mode for Mail and Other Services
Mail servers, MQTT brokers and other services need TLS certificates too, often on machines with no website. Certbot's standalone mode runs its own temporary web server for validation, and a deploy hook reloads your service after each renewal.
Linux Command Basics
Master essential Linux terminal commands for navigating, managing files, and running processes.
Linux File Permissions
Understand and manage Linux file permissions, ownership, and special permission bits.
Linux Gaming in 2026
Run modern games on Linux with Proton, Steam, Lutris, and native titles.
Linux Networking Guide
Configure networking, troubleshoot connectivity, and manage interfaces on Linux.
Linux Service Won't Start? Find the Real Error (systemctl + journalctl)
When a systemd service fails, the real reason is in its status and its log. These commands find it in under a minute. The examples use nginx; swap in your own service name.
Linux System Maintenance
Keep your Linux server healthy with these essential maintenance tasks every sysadmin should run regularly.
Mailcow Anti-Spam Tuning
Tune Mailcow's Rspamd anti-spam engine to reduce false positives and catch more spam.
Mailcow Server Migration
Migrate a Mailcow mail server to a new host with minimal downtime.
Mailcow Setup & Usage
Deploy a full-featured self-hosted mail server with Mailcow on Docker.
Make Images and Videos With Google Gemini
Gemini can create images from a description and, on supported plans, short videos. Here's how to prompt it well.
Mesh Wi-Fi vs a Single Router: Which Do You Need?
Mesh Wi-Fi uses several units to cover a big or multi-floor home with one network name. A single good router is enough for apartments and small homes.
Microsoft Copilot: Build Your First Agent and Use It in Excel
Copilot agents are custom assistants you describe in plain English. In Excel, Copilot can analyze and highlight data for you. Some features need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Microsoft Teams: Share Your Screen and Record a Meeting
Share one window (not your whole screen) and record the meeting with a transcript.
Microsoft Word Track Changes: Edit, Review, Accept All
Track Changes shows every edit in a Word document, who made it and when, so nothing slips through and you never need a file called final_FINAL_v3.docx again.
Monitor Mailcow with Prometheus
Monitor Mailcow container health, mail queues, and spam stats with Prometheus.
Monitor Mailcow With Prometheus and Grafana
Watch your Mailcow mail server's health with Prometheus and Grafana: container and host metrics, mail queue size and disk space, with alerts before users notice a problem. This is the quick overview; the full guide has every config file.
Mount a Drive Permanently on Linux (fstab)
Mount a second disk so it's there every time Linux boots, using its UUID in /etc/fstab.
Move Everything to a New Phone (iPhone and Android)
Moving to a new phone takes one step if you do it during setup. Here's the right tool for every combination.
Move Let's Encrypt Certificates to a New Server
Moving a site to a new server? You can copy the Let's Encrypt setup across, renewal settings included, or simply issue fresh certificates once DNS points at the new machine. Both are covered here.
MySQL Read-Only User for Reports and Dashboards
Reporting tools, dashboards and analysts usually only need to read. A read-only MySQL user lets them query everything they need while making accidental (or malicious) changes impossible.
MySQL Remote Access: Allow One IP Safely
Need an app server or your laptop to reach MySQL on another machine? Allow exactly one IP address, require TLS, and keep everyone else out.
MySQL Setup
Install and configure MySQL or MariaDB on Ubuntu for web applications.
MySQL User & Permissions
Manage MySQL user accounts, roles, and fine-grained permissions.
MySQL User for WordPress: The Right Permissions
WordPress needs its own MySQL database and user. Give it full rights on its own database and nothing else, so a hacked plugin cannot reach your other sites.
MySQL: Change or Reset a User's Password
Rotate an app's database password, change your own, or get back in when the root password is lost. All with current MySQL 8.0 commands.
Nginx Proxy Manager With Docker (Free SSL for Every App)
Nginx Proxy Manager gives every self-hosted app its own domain name and a free Let's Encrypt certificate, from a simple web page.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Apply the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to build and measure your organization's security posture.
Outlook: Recall an Email, Set Out of Office, Share Your Calendar
Three Outlook tasks people search for most, in the new Outlook and classic Outlook.
ownCloud File Storage
Set up ownCloud on Ubuntu with NGINX and MariaDB for self-hosted file storage and sharing.
Passkeys Explained: Set Them Up (Apple, Google, Microsoft)
A passkey replaces your password with your face, fingerprint or PIN. It can't be phished or leaked in a breach. Here's how to start.
Perplexity Prompting Guide
A practical guide to using Perplexity AI for real-time research, documentation lookup, and sysadmin investigations. Unlike ChatGPT or Claude, Perplexity searches the live web and cites sources.
Pi-hole: Block Ads on Every Device in Your House
Pi-hole blocks ads and trackers for your whole network at the DNS level, including smart TVs and phones. Run it in Docker or on a Raspberry Pi.
Printer Not Printing on Windows 11? Fix It
A stuck print queue causes most 'printer not printing' problems. Clear it, then check the connection and driver.
Process Management
Monitor, control, and manage running processes on Linux using ps, top, kill, and systemd.
Professor Messer's CompTIA
Study resources and practice exam links for CompTIA certifications via Professor Messer.
Proxmox Backup Server: Automatic VM Backups
Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) stores deduplicated, incremental backups of your VMs and containers. Connect it to Proxmox VE and schedule nightly jobs.
Put Smart Home Devices on a Guest Wi-Fi Network
Cheap smart plugs, bulbs and cameras rarely get security updates. Putting them on their own guest or IoT network keeps a hacked gadget away from your laptops, phones and files.
Recover a Gmail / Google Account
Locked out of Gmail? Google's recovery works best from a device and place it already knows. Here's how to give it the best chance.
Recover Deleted Photos and Messages (iPhone and Android)
Deleted photos and messages usually sit in a hidden trash for 30 days. Check these places first.
Ring Doorbell Security Check: See Who Has Access
Your Ring doorbell and cameras are only as private as the accounts and phones that can reach them. The Control Center in the Ring app shows exactly who has access. Check it in two minutes.
Run AI Locally: Ollama + Open WebUI
Run a ChatGPT-style assistant on your own computer, free and private. Ollama runs the models; Open WebUI gives you a chat page.
Run Windows Apps on Linux (Bottles and Wine)
Many Windows programs run on Linux with Wine. Bottles makes it easy by managing separate Wine environments for each app.
Secure Nginx With Let's Encrypt on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 (Free HTTPS)
Let's Encrypt gives you free HTTPS certificates that renew automatically. Certbot gets the certificate, edits your Nginx config and sets up renewal in a few commands.
Self-Host a Password Manager With Vaultwarden
Vaultwarden is a lightweight server compatible with the official Bitwarden apps. Host your own password vault.
Self-Host n8n and Build Your First AI Agent
n8n is a self-hostable workflow tool with an AI Agent node. Run it in Docker and build a chat agent that can use tools.
Set Up a Password Manager in 10 Minutes
A password manager creates and remembers a different strong password for every site. Pick one, import your saved passwords and turn on 2FA.
Set Up SSH Keys on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 (ed25519)
SSH keys log you in without a password and are far harder to break than one. Create a modern ed25519 key, copy it to your server, test it, then switch password logins off. Works the same on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 and 20.04.
Speed Up Windows 11: 5 Settings
Five built-in settings that make a slow Windows 11 PC feel faster, no extra software needed.
Speed Up WordPress with WP Rocket
Speed up a WordPress site with WP Rocket caching, preloading, and CDN integration.
SSH Keys
Generate SSH key pairs, manage authorized keys, and use SSH agent for secure access.
Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basics, so you can remove a bad driver, app or malware that's causing crashes.
Sync WordPress to GitLab
Sync your WordPress theme and plugin files to a private GitLab repository.
Tailscale: Reach Your Home Network From Anywhere (No Port Forwarding)
Tailscale builds a private WireGuard network between your devices. Reach your home server from your phone anywhere, with no open ports on your router.
Top 100 Linux Commands
Essential Linux commands every sysadmin should know. Organized by category for quick reference.
Turn On iPhone Stolen Device Protection
Some thieves watch people type their iPhone passcode, then steal the phone and use the passcode to take over the Apple Account. Stolen Device Protection blocks that by requiring Face ID or Touch ID for sensitive changes when you are away from home or work.
Ubuntu Server Setup
Harden and configure a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS server (also works on 22.04) from first login to production-ready state.
Ubuntu vs Linux Mint: Which Should Beginners Use?
Both are free, stable and built on the same base. The difference is mostly the desktop and defaults.
UFW Firewall on Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04: Quick Command Reference
UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is the simple front end for the Linux firewall on Ubuntu. This page is the quick reference: the safe order to switch it on, and the commands you will use every week. It works the same on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 and 20.04.
Update & Upgrade Mailcow
Keep your Mailcow Docker stack up to date and roll back if needed.
Update Google Chrome Now (32 Security Fixes)
Google's latest Chrome stable update fixes 32 security flaws, including one rated critical. Chrome updates in the background but only applies the fix when you relaunch, so make sure it's done.
Update Your iPhone Now (and Turn On Automatic Security Updates)
Apple's latest updates fix a CoreGraphics flaw that could let a malicious image or file run code on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Update now and turn on automatic security responses so the next fix installs itself.
VPNs Explained: When You Need One (and When You Don't)
A VPN hides your traffic from the network you're on and your IP from the sites you visit. It doesn't make you anonymous or stop malware.
What Should a Firewall Actually Cost? (Home to Small Business, 2026)
A firewall can cost $0 or thousands a year. What you pay for is mostly threat-protection subscriptions and support, not the box. Here's what each tier really costs over 3 years (US list prices, October 2026; check current prices before buying).
Wi-Fi Not Showing in Windows 11? Fix It
If the Wi-Fi option is missing entirely, the adapter is off, disabled or missing its driver. Work down this list.
Windows 10 Free Security Updates Extended to October 2027
Microsoft extended free Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 home users to October 12, 2027. If you're already enrolled, you're covered automatically. If not, here's how to check and enroll.
Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends Oct 13, 2026: Update to 25H2
Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro stop getting security updates on October 13, 2026. Check your version in 10 seconds and move to 25H2, a small update that installs like a normal patch.
Windows Patch Tuesday: Install Updates Safely (and Undo a Bad One)
Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month. October 2026's arrives October 13 and also fixes September's Excel cut-and-paste bug and a Windows Backup issue. Here's how to install it and roll back if something breaks.
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