As part of my cybersecurity and system administration journey, I designed 11 independent labs focused on Windows 10. Each lab highlights one tool or feature and shows how it applies to real administration work. I built and tested everything inside an AWS-hosted Windows 10 VM for hands-on cloud experience.
The goal of these labs is simple: build practical skills in system maintenance, troubleshooting, and secure administration. Below is a summary of the labs with direct demo links.
1. Windows Disk Cleanup
Focused on freeing space, removing temporary files, and improving performance.2. Defragment & Optimize Drives
Showed how to optimize both HDDs and SSDs for better system response.3. Task Scheduler
Created and tested automated jobs to reduce manual steps.4. Windows Defender Firewall
Configured rules, blocked traffic, and tested connectivity for security control.5. Registry Editor
Demonstrated safe edits, backups, and restorations of registry keys.6. Event Viewer
Reviewed logs, identified warnings, and applied filters to trace system issues.7. System Information
Gathered and exported system details for auditing and troubleshooting.8. Programs and Features
Installed and removed applications to maintain system stability.9. Network and Sharing Center
Checked active connections, ran diagnostics, and documented results.10. BitLocker Drive Encryption
Configured NTFS permissions and planned encryption steps for drive security.11. Credential Manager
Created, edited, and removed Windows credentials for secure authentication.Instructor Feedback
Feedback from instructor: Excellent work on the exercise. Your work is detailed and demonstrates a clear understanding of different components of Windows Control Panel. Including video demonstrations added practical context. Keep up the great work!
Why This Matters
This set of labs provides practical experience in Windows administration, troubleshooting, and security hardening. It ensures that skills are not just theoretical, but tested in real-world scenarios using a cloud-hosted Windows 10 VM.
Final Thoughts
These 11 labs give a practical look at Windows administration from the ground up. The focus is on building repeatable skills that carry over into IT operations and cybersecurity work. Each lab was built independently, recorded, and documented — proving not just theory but practice.