MCSA Guru Team
IT & Systems Administration
We are working IT pros and system administrators who spend our days in Windows Server, Microsoft 365, and the wider Microsoft stack. MCSA Guru is where we write down the fixes and walkthroughs we wish we had found the first time.
97 guides
Stop Microsoft 365 users from auto-forwarding email outside your company. Use the outbound spam policy, anti-phishing, and mail flow rules to block external forwarding.
Use DeepSeek with Claude Desktop on Windows with a provider-switch tool. How the desktop app differs from the CLI, setup steps, model choice, and the trade-offs.
Convert MOV or MKV to MP4 free on Windows using WSL and FFmpeg. Remux without re-encoding for instant results, or re-encode for compatibility — all offline, no uploads.
How to configure DNS on domain controllers the right way: partner-first then loopback, AD-integrated zones, forwarders, and how to avoid the DC islanding problem.
DeepSeek V4 pricing explained with current V4 Flash and V4 Pro API rates, cache-hit discounts, Anthropic/OpenAI base URLs, and how to estimate coding cost.
Compress a video without losing visible quality on Windows free using WSL and FFmpeg. Use CRF encoding to shrink files, keep it offline, and never upload a thing.
Use DeepSeek with the Cline extension in VS Code for cheap, in-editor AI coding. OpenAI-compatible provider setup, model choice, plan mode, pricing, and fixes.
Extract text from a PDF free on Windows using WSL and pdftotext. Pull clean text from one PDF or a whole folder, keep the layout, all offline with no uploads.
Set up Aider with DeepSeek on Windows for git-native AI pair programming at pennies per session. Install, API key, model flags, config file, and fixes.
Remove a password from a PDF you own on Windows free using WSL and qpdf. Decrypt files you have the password for, locally and offline — nothing uploaded.
Set up OpenCode with DeepSeek for a cheap, open-source coding agent. The opencode.json provider block, model IDs, API key, pricing, and fixes — on Windows or WSL.
Convert PDF to JPG or PNG free on Windows using WSL and pdftoppm. Turn pages into images at any resolution, batch the whole file, all offline with no uploads.
Windows Update frozen at 0%, 30%, or 100%? Learn how to tell stuck from slow, reset the update components, run the troubleshooter, and repair files with DISM and SFC.
Configure OpenAI Codex CLI to use DeepSeek through config.toml. The custom provider block, wire_api gotcha, model choice, pricing, and fixes — on Windows or WSL.
Split a PDF into separate pages or page ranges free on Windows using WSL. Use pdfseparate or qpdf to extract pages locally — no uploads, nothing leaves your PC.
Pillar Guide
Compare Microsoft Calling Plan, Operator Connect, and Direct Routing for Teams Phone: cost, control, SBC needs, number porting, and which fits your organization.
Run DeepSeek V4 with Claude Code inside WSL on Windows. Node setup, the Anthropic-compatible endpoint, persistent env vars, model choice, and pricing notes.
Merge PDF files on Windows free and offline using WSL. Combine PDFs with pdfunite or qpdf, control the order, merge a whole folder — all local, nothing uploaded.
Microsoft 365 email not sending or receiving? Work through service health, message trace, MX and SPF, mail flow rules, quarantine, and full mailboxes step by step.
Run DeepSeek V4 with Claude Code on Windows using its Anthropic-compatible endpoint. API key, environment variables, model choice, pricing, and the common fixes.
Compress a PDF on Windows free using WSL and Ghostscript — no uploading to a website. Pick the right quality preset, shrink scanned PDFs, and keep the file fully local.
Protect your domain with a proper Active Directory system state backup. Learn wbadmin backups, DSRM, authoritative vs non-authoritative restore, and why snapshots aren't enough.
Run Claude Code on any backend using Anthropic-compatible endpoints. How ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL works, which providers support it, and setup on Windows — no proxy.
Convert images to PDF free on Windows using WSL. Combine JPGs or PNGs into one PDF with img2pdf (lossless) or ImageMagick — control page order, all offline, no uploads.
Claude Code vs Codex CLI vs OpenCode vs Aider compared for Windows in 2026: workflow, custom model support, cost, and which terminal coding agent to pick.
Remove image metadata and GPS location in bulk on Windows free using WSL and ExifTool. View, strip, and verify EXIF on a whole folder — all offline, nothing uploaded.
The real security risks of MCP servers in Claude Code — over-broad access, secrets in config, prompt injection, untrusted servers — and how to lock each one down.
MCP servers cost context tokens before you type. Why each connected server's tools eat your context window, how to measure it, and how to fix it in Claude Code.
The best free and cheap Claude Code alternatives for Windows in 2026: Codex CLI, OpenCode, Aider, Cline, Kilo Code, and more, with download links and honest trade-offs.
Fix Claude Code MCP servers that won't connect — the Windows cmd /c npx wrapper, PATH issues, bad commands, auth failures, and stdout corruption. Step-by-step.
Batch resize images from the command line on Windows free using WSL and ImageMagick. Resize a whole folder by width, percentage, or limit, all offline with no uploads.
Connect the GitHub MCP server to Claude Code on Windows and WSL. Token auth, what it unlocks — issues, PRs, code search — example workflows, and scope cautions.
Add the Playwright MCP server so Claude Code can drive a real browser — navigate, click, screenshot, assert. The verify-my-change loop, headless vs headed, WSL notes.
Connect Postgres to Claude Code with an MCP server the safe way — read-only roles, non-prod targets, schema inspection, and query workflows on Windows and WSL.
Configure OpenCode to use DeepSeek, GLM, Kimi, or Qwen through custom providers. opencode.json with the OpenAI-compatible SDK, model IDs, API keys, and fixes.
Use Claude Code with an MCP server to inspect containers, read logs, and debug Docker on Windows and WSL — what to connect, safe scope, and example workflows.
Convert HEIC to JPG free on Windows using WSL. Turn iPhone photos into JPG with heif-convert or ImageMagick, batch a whole folder, and keep every file local.
Set up Claude Code for IT and infrastructure work — install on Windows and WSL, user vs project config, safe permissions, the right MCP servers, and guardrails.
Compare in-session Claude Code subagents with running parallel agents across git worktrees. Trade-offs, when each fits, and a worktree setup for Windows and WSL.
Locked out by BitLocker? Find your recovery key from a Microsoft account, Entra ID, Active Directory, or a printout — and learn why it's asked for after BIOS changes.
MCP servers and plugins solve overlapping problems in Claude Code. When to add a raw MCP server, when a plugin makes sense, and how to keep your context lean.
Configure OpenAI Codex CLI to use DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, or Kimi through config.toml. Custom model_providers, base URLs, env keys, and the wire-protocol gotcha explained.
Claude Skills, Claude Code, and Projects get confused constantly. What each one is, where they overlap, and which to use for repeatable work versus coding.
Compress images without losing quality on Windows free using WSL. Lossless JPG and PNG optimization with jpegoptim, optipng, and ImageMagick — all offline, no uploads.
Step-by-step guide to building a custom Claude Code subagent: write the frontmatter, a focused system prompt, scope tools tightly, test delegation, and iterate.
Build your own Claude Code Skill from scratch — create a SKILL.md, write a description that triggers it, structure the instructions, add scripts, test it, and share it.
Set up a Teams auto attendant the right way: resource accounts, the free virtual user license, business hours, holidays, dial-by-key menus, and call queue routing.
Plugins, skills, and MCP servers sit at different layers in Claude Code. What each is, how they nest, and a clear guide to which one you actually need.
Install Claude Code Router on WSL and route Claude Code to DeepSeek, GLM, Qwen, or Kimi. Node setup, config.json, env vars, and the WSL-specific gotchas to avoid.
CLAUDE.md gives Claude Code persistent project context. Where it lives, what to put in it, the user vs project files, imports, and how to keep it lean and useful.
Convert WebP to JPG or PNG free on Windows using WSL. Use dwebp for PNG, ImageMagick for JPG, batch a whole folder, and keep every file local — no uploads.
Set up a custom Claude Code status line on Windows and WSL — show model, context, cost, and git branch. The settings config, a working script, and the gotchas.
Build your own Claude Code slash commands — markdown prompt files in .claude/commands, arguments, namespacing, and when a command beats a skill. With examples.
Pillar Guide
A complete cutover migration guide for Microsoft 365: when it fits, the right step order, MX and autodiscover changes, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Install Claude Code plugins step by step — add a marketplace, browse with /plugin, install and manage plugins, and build your own marketplace to share a setup.
Install and configure Claude Code Router on Windows to route Claude Code to DeepSeek, GLM, Qwen, Kimi, and more. Full config.json, per-task routing, and fixes.
The Claude Code status line setups worth copying in 2026 — minimal, cost-aware, git-focused, and powerline styles — plus what each field is good for.
Bulk convert PNG to WebP on Windows free with WSL and cwebp. Batch a whole folder, use lossless for graphics, and keep every file on your own machine — no uploads.
Claude Code Skills for IT and infra work — Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, shell hardening, and incident runbooks — with example SKILL.md description lines.
The MCP servers worth adding to Claude Code for ops work: filesystem, GitHub, Postgres, SQLite, Docker, fetch, Sentry, and Playwright — with honest caveats.
SYSVOL or NETLOGON missing on a domain controller? Learn to diagnose DFSR vs FRS, check the shares, and run authoritative or non-authoritative sync to recover.
The built-in and custom Claude Code slash commands worth knowing in 2026 — context, cost, model switching, clear, plus custom commands you should build.
Run Claude Code on cheaper models like DeepSeek, GLM, Kimi, and Qwen. The three connection methods, pricing and coding plans compared, and how to set it up on Windows.
Practical Claude Code hook examples worth copying — auto-format, block destructive commands, notify on stop, log activity, and load context on session start.
Convert JPG to WebP free on Windows with WSL and cwebp. One command per file, a batch loop for whole folders, and no uploads — your images never leave your PC.
The Claude Code plugins actually worth checking in 2026, with install commands, source links, and why GitHub, Playwright, LSP, security, review, docs, and workflow plugins make the cut.
The most useful Claude Code subagent patterns for 2026: code reviewer, test writer, debugger, security auditor, docs writer, refactorer, and explorer — with tools and models.
Pillar Guide
Step-by-step guide to upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11: check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, run PC Health Check, pick an upgrade path, and handle unsupported PCs.
Teams camera not working? Fix it with Windows privacy settings, the right device selection, freeing a camera held by another app, drivers, and a cache clear.
Create a shared mailbox in Microsoft 365 the right way: admin center and Exchange admin center steps, Full Access vs Send As permissions, and the 50GB license rule.
Fix truncated PowerShell output in the console, text files, and reports with Format-Table -Wrap, Out-File -Width, CSV exports, and FormatEnumerationLimit.
Learn what still works for NIC teaming in Windows 10, how to use New-NetSwitchTeam, when to use Windows Server LBFO instead, and how to remove a team safely.
Pillar Guide
Learn the 5 FSMO roles, when to transfer them gracefully vs seize them after a DC failure, and how to do both with ntdsutil and PowerShell — safely.
Pillar Guide
Teams meeting not working? Fix join failures, dead camera and mic, broken screen share, audio drops, and the missing Outlook add-in with this step-by-step guide.
Outlook keeps asking for your Microsoft 365 password? Work through cached credentials, modern auth, MFA, and broken profiles with these step-by-step fixes.
Set up NIC Teaming on Windows Server 2025 with PowerShell. Learn when to use LBFO, when Hyper-V needs SET, and how to avoid common network mistakes.
Pillar Guide
A practical, step-by-step guide to diagnosing and fixing Active Directory replication error 1722 — the RPC server is unavailable — from DNS to firewall to RPC ports.
Learn the real Windows 11 NIC teaming options, why old PowerShell commands fail, how to check NetLbfo and NetSwitchTeam, and what to use instead.
OpenClaw and Claude Code both write code with AI, but they're built for different jobs. What each is best at, where they overlap, and how to choose — or use both.
A clear comparison of OpenClaw and its popular forks and rewrites — nanobot, ZeroClaw, PicoClaw, and NanoClaw. Source links, trade-offs, and which one fits your hardware.
Use OpenClaw's coding-agent skill to read issues, write fixes, run tests, and open pull requests on its own. How it works, how to set it up, and how to keep it safe.
The Claude Code Skills worth using in 2026: bundled /code-review, /debug, /run, /verify, plus installable skill plugins with links and install commands.
Run OpenClaw fully local and free with Ollama — no API keys, nothing leaving your machine. Model choices, the config, hardware reality, and where it falls short.
Skills, MCP servers, and subagents solve different Claude Code problems. What each does, what it costs, and a clear decision guide for picking the right one.
Set up OpenClaw with GLM from Z.AI for a flat-rate self-hosted assistant. The config, the coding plan vs pay-per-token choice, key handling, and the gotchas.
Use Claude Code hooks to run shell commands on agent events — auto-format after edits, block risky commands, log activity. The events, config, and working examples.
Point OpenClaw at DeepSeek for a self-hosted AI assistant that costs cents to run. The config, the OpenAI-compatible endpoint, key handling, and the gotchas.
OpenClaw is the viral open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your own machine and your own API keys. What it does, how it works, and why it took off.
The MCP servers actually worth installing in Claude Code in 2026 — GitHub, filesystem, Postgres, Playwright, fetch, Sentry, Slack, and memory. With add commands.
Install OpenClaw on Windows the reliable way — through WSL2. Prerequisites, Node.js, cloning and running OpenClaw, connecting a model, and the common gotchas.
Learn how Claude Code subagents work: separate context windows, custom system prompts, scoped tools, and per-agent model routing. Full example agent file included.
Pillar Guide
A map of OpenClaw — how to install it, point it at cheap models like DeepSeek and GLM, use skills and the coding agent, and pick between the popular forks.
Add MCP servers to Claude Code on Windows and WSL: claude mcp add, scopes, .mcp.json, verifying with /mcp, and the Windows cmd /c npx wrapper gotcha explained.
Build a minimal MCP server from scratch with the official TypeScript SDK, expose one tool over stdio, connect it to Claude Code, and test it end to end.
What Claude Code Skills are, the SKILL.md format, where they live, how Claude loads them on demand, and a worked example you can drop in and use today.
A plain-English guide to the Model Context Protocol (MCP): the client/server model, tools vs resources vs prompts, transports, and why it matters for Claude Code.
Pillar Guide
A map of Claude Code's advanced features — MCP servers, Skills, subagents, hooks, plugins, slash commands, status line, and CLAUDE.md — and when to use each.