Techie Tip : Powershell script for deleting emails by keyword for Exchange 2013

Another post meant for me because I am so forgetful, but it may be useful for others if they come across this.

OK, not one I need to use very often, but here is a quick script for when you need to delete an email with a specific keyword in the subject from multiple mailboxes




cls
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "The following script deletes emails from a named user/mailbox"
Write-Host "containing a specified string in the Subject of the email"
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Please enter a name (* wildcards ARE ALLOWED)"
$name = Read-Host '>>'
$name
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Please enter a SUBJECT' keyword (* wildcards ARE ALLOWED)"
$keyword = Read-Host '>>'
$keyword
Search-Mailbox -identity $name -SearchQuery "Subject:'$keyword'" -deletecontent
exit

Techie tip : Revocation Check Failed when adding a certificate to a Microsoft Exchange 2013 installation

One for me to refer back to in the future in case it ever happens again.  We had a new Microsoft Exchange 2013 server installed during the school summer holiday and due to the school changing its name to "The De Montfort School", I had to purchase a new wildcard certificate for the domain tdms.worcs.sch.uk.

Anyway, after applying for the certificate, and eventually installing it, I got the message "Revocation Check Failed"

To cut a long story short, when running the following from a command prompt, I received this.....

C:\>netsh winhttp show proxy
Current WinHTTP proxy settings:
Direct access (no proxy server).

Essentially, Exchange wasn't using my servers proxy settings, so therefore could not contact the Revocation servers at Comodo (the supplier of our certificate).

Running the following command imports the proxy settings from Internet Explorer.  Once done, the server could perform the Revocation checks, and all of my certificates are now showing as valid and working....

C:\>netsh winhttp import proxy ie
Current WinHTTP proxy settings:
Proxy Server(s) :  10.0.0.27:3128
Bypass List     :  (none)

Easy when you know how!!!!!!

Oh well... Only another 365 days to go.

Well, I have just tucked Kieran, Sophie and Kayleigh in to bed for the FIRST time this year, (and it was the first year both girls stayed up to see in the new year) and although I am sat here with no energy, and a thumping headache (the festivities have begun but I do not drink, so it's not self inflicted), I can't help but think about what I have accomplished this past year.....

... which has been, absolutely nothing!

I can honestly say that 2013 has been one of the most un-eventful years of my life.  I've watched the children grow another year... I've been at EHS for yet another year (9 now, soon to be 10)...  I've worked my arse off, paid of bills and watched as the people who run this country ruin it even more, and I have done nothing. 

…Hang on a minute….  I'm sensing a bit of déjà vu here as this sounds VERY similar to my New Year post from last year!

New Year is such a depressing time of year.  For me, it’s just a reminder that we’re all one year older…  one year closer to being six feet under… one year closer to losing loved ones… another year where we wonder what bad things will happen over the course of the next 52 weeks...  and finally one year further away from the best decade ever…. The 1980’s!  And so begins another year of stress and worry (work, money, the usual) which no doubt will not do my heart or health any good.  Goodbye 2013…  You were as awful as 2012, 2011 and so on.  Here’s hoping 2014 will be better (but I won’t hold my breath).

And in the future, should anyone ask me the question “How did you see in 2014?”, I will reply with “Well, I was performing an update on our Microsoft Exchange server at work via remote access while seeing it in with cheesy party music playing in the background, and with the people I love and care about – my family”.

Oh, and if you don’t like my negativity because you have a wonderful, happy, perfect life, then please just p**s off.  I really don’t care.

Have a good 2014 if you can.  Goodnight.

Christmas.... Bah Humbug

Christmas....  Not my favourite time of year, but the kids had a great day, and that's the important thing.

However, I must remember to add the following to my Christmas 2014 letter to Father Christmas..

"Dear Mr Christmas, can you please ensure that Steven Moffat DOES NOT have any involvement in next years Doctor Who Christmas special.  That is all.  Thank you very much."