I'm looking for great reading materials to deeply understand Windows architecture from an endpoint perspective. I have a decent grasp of things, but I often run into older aspects of Windows that confuse me. For instance, I'm trying to get a handle on COM, SIDs with UAC logs, IPC, and the overall service architecture to troubleshoot problems effectively.
2 Answers
Even though it's quite dated now, *Mastering Windows NT Server 4.0* by Mark Minasi was an incredible resource back in the day. It's a massive book, but it covers NT architecture really well. I also had the *Mastering Windows Server 2000* from the same author, but I’m not sure if there are newer editions.
Crap, I think I still have that one hidden away somewhere!
A solid recommendation is *Windows Internals*. It's a staple for anyone wanting to dig into Windows architecture. You can find more about it on the official Microsoft page.
I feel old just thinking about it! I started with *Inside Windows NT*, lol.
I remember that book on our sysadmin's shelf! Felt heavier than a 1975 Buick Lesabre.