How to Hide and Unhide Hard Disk Volumes Using CMD on Windows 10 and Windows 11

I'd be glad to create a step-by-step guide on hiding and unhiding hard disk volumes using CMD commands for Windows 10 and 11, incorporating best practices and addressing potential risks:

Important Note:

• Hiding a drive letter makes the volume inaccessible through File Explorer, but the data remains on the disk. It's generally not recommended for everyday use as it can be confusing.
• Proceed with caution, especially if you're unsure which drive contains critical system files. Hiding the wrong drive could lead to unexpected behaviour.

Hiding a Hard Disk Volume:

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press the Windows key + X, or right-click the Start button.
   • Select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
   • Click "Yes" if prompted for permission (User Account Control).

2. Identify the Volume:

   • Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the DiskPart utility.
   • Type list volume and press Enter to see a list of all disk volumes.
   • Note the volume number (Volume column) of the drive you want to hide.

3. Select the Volume:

   • Type select volume <number> (replace <number> with the actual volume number) and press Enter.
   • Verify you've selected the correct volume.

4. Remove Drive Letter:

   • Type remove letter <drive_letter> (replace <drive_letter> with the actual drive letter) and press Enter.
   • Example: remove letter G would hide drive G.

Unhiding a Hard Disk Volume:

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator (same steps as hiding)

2. Identify the Hidden Volume (Optional):

   • If you don't remember the volume number, use diskpart and list volume to view all volumes. Look for volumes with a No Letter status.

3. Select the Volume:

   • Type select volume <number> (replace <number> with the hidden volume number) and press Enter.

4. Assign a Drive Letter:

   • Type assign letter <drive_letter> (replace <drive_letter> with the desired drive letter) and press Enter.
   • Choose a drive letter that isn't currently in use.

5. Exit DiskPart:

   • Type exit and press Enter.

Additional Considerations:

• Alternative Method: You can also hide or unhide drives through Disk Management (accessible by searching for it in the Start menu). However, the CMD method offers more granular control.
• Rebooting May Be Necessary: In some cases, a system restart might be required for the changes to take full effect.
• Data Security: Hiding a drive letter doesn't encrypt or secure the data. Consider using encryption tools for sensitive information.

By following these steps carefully and considering the potential risks, you can effectively hide and unhide hard disk volumes using CMD commands on Windows 10 and 11.

Secure Your Azure DevOps Pipeline: GitHub Advanced Security to the Rescue

 

Stop Shipping Your Passwords to Production: How GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps Saves the Day (and Your Reputation)

Let's face it, developers: we've all accidentally committed a secret (or two) to our code repository at some point. Maybe it was an API key, a database password, or that super-secret encryption key you swore you'd never forget. ‍♂️

The problem? Those exposed secrets can be a hacker's dream come true. A single leaked secret can bring your entire application crashing down, wreaking havoc on your data and your reputation. Shuddersville.

That's where GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps swoops in like a superhero with a cape (well, maybe more like a shield, but you get the idea). This powerful integration brings the muscle of GitHub's security features right into your Azure DevOps workflow, so you can identify and squash those secret leaks before they turn into a disaster.

Here's how GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps saves your bacon:

• Secret Scanning: It acts like a super-sleuth, scouring your code for any exposed secrets like passwords, tokens, and keys. No more accidental oopsies making it past your commit.
• Dependency Scanning: Those third-party libraries you love? They can have hidden vulnerabilities. Advanced Security scans your dependencies to expose any weak spots so you can patch them up before they get exploited.
• CodeQL Code Scanning: This built-in code analysis tool is like a security X-ray for your codebase. It hunts for potential vulnerabilities and coding errors, so you can fix them before they become a problem.

The best part? This security suite integrates seamlessly into your Azure DevOps workflow. No need to jump through hoops or learn a whole new platform. You can find, fix, and prevent security issues all within your familiar Azure DevOps environment. Win-win!

So, ditch the stress of exposed secrets and vulnerable code. Embrace the power of GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps. Your future self (and your security team) will thank you for it.

P.S. Looking for more info? Check out the official documentation to see how to get started with GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps and start building more secure software today!

Mastering Docker Minified Systems: A Step-by-Step Guide with Real Use Cases

Introduction

Docker is a powerful platform for developing, shipping, and running applications. Minified Docker systems are optimized for size and efficiency, making them ideal for production environments where resources are at a premium.

Step 1: Understanding Docker Basics

Before diving into minified systems, ensure you have a solid understanding of Docker concepts like images, containers, volumes, and networks.

Key Commands:

docker pull [image_name] # Download an image from Docker Hub
docker run -d --name [container_name] [image_name] # Run a container in detached mode

Step 2: Creating a Minified Dockerfile

A minified Dockerfile contains only the essential layers needed to run your application.

Example Dockerfile:

FROM alpine:latest
RUN apk add --no-cache python3 py3-pip
COPY . /app
WORKDIR /app
RUN pip install -r requirements.txt
CMD ["python3", "app.py"]

Step 3: Building and Running Your Minified Container

Build your image with the Docker build command, tagging it appropriately.

Build Command:

docker build -t my-minified-app .

Step 4: Optimizing Your Image

Use multi-stage builds to reduce size and remove unnecessary build dependencies.

Multi-Stage Dockerfile:

# Build stage
FROM python:3.8-slim as builder
COPY requirements.txt .
RUN pip install --user -r requirements.txt

# Final stage
FROM python:3.8-alpine
COPY --from=builder /root/.local /root/.local
COPY . .
CMD ["python", "./app.py"]

Step 5: Managing Data and State

For stateful applications, use volumes to persist data.

Volume Command:

docker volume create my_volume
docker run -d -v my_volume:/data my-minified-app

Step 6: Networking and Communication

Link containers and enable communication between them using Docker networks.

Network Commands:

docker network create my_network
docker run -d --net=my_network my-minified-app

Step 7: Deploying to Production

Deploy your containerized application using orchestration tools like Docker Swarm or Kubernetes.

Step 8: Monitoring and Maintenance

Monitor your containers and systems using tools like Docker stats, cAdvisor, or Prometheus.

Conclusion

Mastering Docker minified systems involves understanding Docker fundamentals, optimizing Dockerfiles, managing data, and deploying efficiently.

Further Learning

• Docker Official Documentation: docs.docker.com
• Dockerfile Best Practices: Dockerfile Best Practices
• Docker Networking: Docker Networking

Remember, practice makes perfect. Start small, iterate, and gradually incorporate these practices into larger projects.

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This guide provides a foundational understanding of working with minified Docker systems. For more in-depth learning, refer to the provided links and continue exploring real-world use cases. Happy Dockering!