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For over 600 "Ready to Go" Downloadable Registry Edits and Scripts for Windows
XP Click Here
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced. Modify or create, "ShowInfoTip" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value
to 1. This edit excludes the Start Button.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
System Right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Name the new value
DisableStatusMessages. Double click the new value and set it to 1. Status messages will
no longer show during boot/shutdown/logon/logoff.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced. Modify or create, "EnableBalloonTips" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the
Value to 1.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade.
Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or
"no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and
edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart
or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'Scancode Map' and edit
the value according to the settings below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ Keyboard Layout.
Value Name: Scancode Map, Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value), Value Data: 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting. Value:
DoReport, 1 = Send Reports, 0 = Don't Send.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl In the
right pane, "AutoReboot" set the Value to 1. To disable set the value back to 0.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer. Value Name: DisableLocalMachineRun,
DisableLocalMachineRunOnce, DisableCurrentUserRun, DisableCurrentUserRunOnce.
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enable run, 1 = disable
run). Create a new DWORD value for each of the optional values above depending on
which Run function to stop and set the value to "1" to disable. Restart Windows for
change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Advanced] Value Name: DontPrettyPath Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD
Value) Value Data: (0 = adjust caps, 1 = show caps) Create a new DWORD value, or
modify the existing value, called "DontPrettyPath" and set it to equal "1" to display the
file using their original capitalization or "0" to adjust the caps. Restart Windows for the
change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer. Create or modify: NoLowDiskSpaceChecks REG_DWORD and set the value to 1.
Logoff/Reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Cabi
netState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the
value to: no
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: DisableThumbnailCache, Data Type: REG_DWORD
(DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enabled, 1 = disable cache). Create a new DWORD
value, or modify the existing value, called 'DisableThumbnailCache' and edit the value
according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of
Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound In the right pane, right click "Beeps",
modify, set the value to no. Exit, reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows. Value
Name: NoPopupsOnBoot, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1
= disable messages). Stops the annoying Windows pop-up messages notifying you a
device is not functioning when you boot-up Windows. Create a REG_DWORD value of
'NoPopupsOnBoot' in the key below (if it doesn't already exist). Set the value to '1' to
disable pop-up messages from appearing.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\
MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN. Delete the Value named
MSMSGS.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced Change the value of "FriendlyTree" to 0.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. In the right pane,
change the value of the string, "WindowTitle".
How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win
XP
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In
the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name
that you want, and then click OK. To change the name of the registered owner, do the
following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the
name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar. Set the String
value of "LinksFolderName" to equal a blank string. Open IE and delete the Links folder
from the Favorites menu. The next time you start Internet Explorer the Links folder will
not be recreated.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the
value to 1. Then go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main. In the right pane
find FullScreen and modify the value to yes. Exit/Reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders. Note the current location of the folder you want to move, and then using
explorer move the folder to the new location. Edit the value in the key above for the
folder you moved to reflect the new directory location. Log off or restart Windows for the
changes to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSI
D\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder Value Name: Attributes
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0xf0500174 = Hidden,
0xf0400174 = Default) Modify the value called "Attributes" and set it to either
"0xf0500174" to hide or "0xf0400174" to display My Documents.
Click on a blank area of desktop and press F5 to refresh for the change to take effect.
Note: This tweak can also by used on a system wide basis by entering the same values
under the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] hive.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Explore. Value Name: (Default), Data Type:
REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1" Change the value of
'(Default)' to equal 'E&xplore From Here'. Create a new key under the [Explore] key
called command, and edit the (Default) value to equal explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1".
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: Welcome, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value),
Value Data: Text to display. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value,
called 'Welcome' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry,
you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Modify the value named 'LegalNoticeCaption' to represent
the caption on the dialog box (e.g. 'WARNING!'). If this value doesn't already exist
create it. Modify the value named 'LegalNoticeText' to represent the body of the dialog
box (e.g. 'Do Not Attempt to Logon to this system unless you are an authorized user!')
Exit your registry and restart Windows, and the next time you boot up you should be
presented with the dialog box before logging on.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: LogonPrompt, Data Type: REG_SZ (String
Value). Create a new string value named 'LogonPrompt' and enter the text you want to
display. The default message is: 'Enter a user name and password that is valid for this
system.' This feature can be used in conjunction with the Legal Notice Dialog Box Before
Logon tweak.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\ WindowsMediaPlayer. Value
Name: TitleBar, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value). Create a new string value called
"TitleBar" and set it to the text you would like display in the title. Restart Media Player
for the change the take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: ShowAttribCol, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD
Value), Value Data: (0 = disable, 1 = enable). Create a new DWORD value called
'ShowAttribCol' and set the value to '1' to enable the attributes column.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer. Value Name: NoSimpleStartMenu, Data Type: REG_DWORD
(DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = force classic menu, 0 = default). Create a new
DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoSimpleStartMenu' and edit the
value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log
out of Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit>
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer Create a DWORD called NoCommonGroups and set the value to 1 to hide them, 0 to
display them.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}.
Data Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expanded String Value). Rename the value named
"LocalizedString" to "LocalizedString.old". Create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ value
named "LocalizedString", and set the value to "%USERNAME% on
%COMPUTERNAME%". Exit the registry editor, click on your desktop and press F5
(for refresh). The "My Computer" icon should now be rename to "Username on
Computername".
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Tips. Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: Tip Text. Create a new
string valued named by incrementing the existing value names and set it to the required
tip text.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] Value Name: UserPreferencesMask
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Double-click on the "UserPreferencesMask"
value to open the Edit Binary Value screen. Press the right arrow to move over to the
second set of digits. Press the delete key to remove the digits and type either '28' for the
scroll effect or '3e' for the fade effect. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop. Value Name: ScreenSaveActive,
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 =enabled). Change the
value of 'ScreenSaveActive' to '0' to disable the screen saver. Restart Windows for the
change to take effect. Note: Windows has a default screen saver called login.scr, which
runs even if no screen saver has been selected.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced. Value Name: StartMenuScrollPrograms, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value),
Value Data: "Yes" or "No". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value,
called 'StartMenuScrollPrograms' and edit the value according to the settings below.
Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take
effect. Note: This can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Start/Run/Regedit Key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Winlogon] Value Name: LogonType Data Type: REG_DWORD
(DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Classic Mode, 1 = Welcome Screen) Create a new
DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'LogonType' and edit the value
according to the settings below. Reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop. In the right pane, right click
"FontSmoothingType", modify, change the value to 2.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Conferencing\UI\CallMRU. Open your
registry and delete the key above. Restart Netmeeting for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Run
MRU. Delete the value corresponding to the command you want to remove, or remove all
the entries to clear the list completely.
Start/Run/Regedit
You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new DWORD value,
or modify the existing value, called 'NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList' and edit the value
according to the settings below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList Data Type:
REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = enable restriction).
Note: This setting only applies to the Windows XP Start Menu, not the Classic Start
Menu. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change
to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoStartMenuPinnedList Data Type: REG_DWORD
(DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1= enable restriction) Create a new DWORD
value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoStartMenuPinnedList' and edit the value
according to the settings below.
Note: This setting only applies to the Windows XP Start Menu, not the Classic Start
Menu. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change
to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
Value Name: NoUserNameInStartMenu Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = display username, 1 = hide username) Create a new DWORD value, or
modify the existing value, called 'NoUserNameInStartMenu' and edit the value according
to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows
for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Exp
lorer
Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take
effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet
Settings. To increase the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed to 10,
follow these steps: On the Edit menu, click Add Value , and then add the following
registry values: "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=Dword:0000000a
"MaxConnectionsPerServer"=Dword:0000000a.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parame
ters In the right pane, find Autodisconnect and change the time accordingly.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Value Name:
Use Custom Search URL, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0
= disabled, 1 = enabled). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value,
called 'Use Custom Search URL' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit
your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take
effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. In the right pane,
change the value of the string, "WindowTitle".
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
In the right pane, double click on the Download Directory value. Enter the path to the
folder you want as your download location.
Next, right click on the Internet Explorer subkey and select Permissions. Then click the
Advanced button on the Security tab. In turn, Highlight Administrators, your user
account and System. For each one, click the Edit button. In the Deny column, put the
check mark in Set Value. Then click OK. Repeat for each of the remaining user accounts.
Once done, click the Apply button on the Advanced Security Settings dialog.
This removes the "permissions" for anything or anyone to write to the Download
Directory value. It also prevents changes to any of the other values listed directly under
the Internet Explorer sub-key, so you may wind up preventing something else from being
changed as well. Unfortunately, its not possible to remove permissions from individual
values.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the
value to 1. Then go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main. In the right pane
find FullScreen and modify the value to yes. Exit/Reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] Value Name:
Disable Script Debugger Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: yes or no.
Create a new string value, or modify the existing value, named "Disable Script
Debugger" and set it to either "yes" to disable the debugger or "no" to enable it. Restart
Internet Explorer for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Value Name:
IEWatsonDisabled, IEWatsonEnabled, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value).
Create a new DWORD value called "IEWatsonDisabled" and set it to "1". Create another
DWORD value called "IEWatsonEnabled" and set it to "0". Restart Internet Explorer for
the changes to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express, Value Name: No
Modify Accts, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = enable
restriction). Create new DWORD value called "No Modify Accts" and set it to "1" to
enable the restriction or "0" to allow users to modify accounts. Restart Outlook Express
for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole. Value Name:
EnableRemoteConnect, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "Y" = enable
automatic connections, "N" = disabled. Create a new String value, or modify the existing
value, called 'EnableRemoteConnect' and edit the value according to the settings below.
Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take
effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: RasDisable, Data Type: REG_SZ (String
Value), Value Data: (0 = restriction disabled, 1 = restriction enabled). Create a new
String value, or modify the existing value, called 'RasDisable' and edit the value
according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of
Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Internet
Settings Value Name: EnableAutodial Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Value
Data: (00 00 00 00 = disabled, 01 00 00 00 = enabled) Create a new binary value named
"EnableAutodial", and set the new value to equal "01 00 00 00" to enable autodial or "00
00 00 00" to disable it. Note: This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by
adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express. Value Name:
Hide Messenger, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (2 = remove
messenger). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'Hide
Messenger' and set the value to 2.
Control the Auto Complete Mode
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\AutoComplete Value Name: Append Completion Data Type: REG_SZ (String
Value) Value Data: yes or no Create a new string value, or modify the existing value,
named "Append Completion" and set it to "yes" to append the suggested text as you are
typing or "no" to only show a drop-down list. Restart Windows for the change to take
effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ Search Value
Name: SearchAssistant Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: Search URL
Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'SearchAssistant' and edit
the value according to the settings above.
Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take
effect. Note: To use the Google search assistant page enter "http://www.google.com/ie"
as the URL.
Start/Run/Regedit
Copy /i386 to your hard drive.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. In the
right pane, change SourcePath to reflect your settings.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced. Value Name: ShowSuperHidden, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value),
Value Data: ( 0 = Hide Files, 1 = Show Files). Create a new DWORD value, or modify
the existing value, called 'ShowSuperHidden' and edit the value according to the settings
below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change
to take effect.
Unload DLL's
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explore
r. Create a new sub-key named 'AlwaysUnloadDLL' and set the default value to equal '1'
to disable Windows caching the DLL in memory. Restart Windows for the change to take
effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows. Value
Name: NoPopupsOnBoot, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1
= disable messages). Stops the annoying Windows pop-up messages notifying you a
device is not functioning when you boot-up Windows. Create a REG_DWORD value of
'NoPopupsOnBoot' in the key below (if it doesn't already exist). Set the value to '1' to
disable pop-up messages from appearing.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control Add a new string
value called, "WaitToKillServiceTimeout" and change the Value to 2000. Exit, reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer.
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = unselected, 1 = selected).
Modify the following values, setting them to "1" to select the parameter as a default or
"0" as unselected. CaseSensitive, IncludeSubFolders, SearchHidden, SearchSlowFiles,
SearchSystemDirs. Restart or logoff Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop, Value Name: AutoEndTasks, Data
Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled). Modify the value
of 'AutoEndTasks' to equal '1' to automatically end tasks or '0' to prompt for action. Note:
This change will affect all users but the value can also be changed on a user-by-user basis
by modifying [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] with the same values.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop In the right pane select,
"MenuShowDelay". Right click, modify and set the value to 100. Reboot.
Force Exit
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
In the right pane find, "AutoEndTasks" (Create if not present). Set the Value of 0 or
delete it. No reboot needed.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce. Data
Type: REG_SZ. Value: path to the program.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Data
Type: REG_SZ. Value: path to program.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace. Delete the key called {D6277990-
4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} and reboot.
Prioritizing IRQs
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl. Create
a new DWORD value called IRQ8PRiority and set the data to 1, reboot.
This restriction removes the properties option from My Computer and hides the "System
Properties" screen.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
Value Name: NoPropertiesMyComputer, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = Properties, 1 = No Properties) Create a new DWORD value, or modify
the existing value, called 'NoPropertiesMyComputer' and edit the value according to the
settings above.
Remove the Upperfilters and Lowerfilters values completely from the following registry
key: Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-
E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings. Value
Name: EnableDVDUI, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: yes or no.
Create a new string value called "EnableDVDUI" and set it to "yes" to enable DVD
functionality.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control. On the Edit menu,
click Add Value. Value Name: WaitToKillServiceTimeout, Data Type: REG_SZ , String:
In milli-seconds; default is 20,000. Ok/Exit/Reboot.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ ContextMenuHandlers\New.
Value Name: (Default), Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: {D969A300-
E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719} Open your registry and verify that the key listed
below has the value listed, and if needed, edit the value to match the value listed.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Explore. Value Name: (Default), Data Type:
REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1" Change the value of
'(Default)' to equal 'E&xplore From Here'. Create a new key under the [Explore] key
called command, and edit the (Default) value to equal explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1".
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer.
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = unselected, 1 = selected).
Modify the following values, setting them to "1" to select the parameter as a default or
"0" as unselected. CaseSensitive, IncludeSubFolders, SearchHidden, SearchSlowFiles,
SearchSystemDirs, Restart or logoff Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\AutoComplete. Value Name: Append Completion, Data Type: REG_SZ (String
Value), Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value, or modify the existing value,
named "Append Completion" and set it to "yes" to append the suggested text as you are
typing or "no" to only show a drop-down list. Restart Windows for the change to take
effect. Note: This setting also changes the auto complete functionality of Internet
Explorer.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\ BootOptimizeFunction.
Value Name: Enable, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (Y = enabled, N
= disabled). Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'Enable' and
edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart
or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
CurrentVersion\Hotfix. Periodically Microsoft releases Hot Fix's to patch bugs in
Windows and other products, this key contains information about which Hot fix's have
been installed.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer.Value Name: DisallowRun
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Policies\Explorer] Create a new DWORD value and name it "DisallowRun" set the value
to "1" to enable application restrictions or "0" to allow all applications to run.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explo
rer. Value Name: RestrictRun Open your registry and find the key
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Policies\Explorer] Create a new DWORD value and name it "RestrictRun" set the value
to "1" to enable application restrictions or "0" to allow all applications to run.
Note: If you are the person who applies Group Policy, do not apply this policy to
yourself. If applied too broadly, this policy can prevent administrators from running
Group Policy or the registry editors. As a result, once applied, you cannot change this
policy except by reinstalling Windows.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor] Value Name:
PathCompletionChar Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: Hex
Control Character Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called
'PathCompletionChar' and set it to equal the hex value of the required control character.
For example to use the TAB key set the value to '9', to use Ctrl-D set the value to '4' and
for Ctrl-F set the value to '6'. Now when you are using a command prompt and type the
first part of a directory name then press the specified key, Windows will complete the
remainder for you. Pressing the key multiple times will scroll through the available
options.
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Update. Value Name:
UpdateMode, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: default = 1.
Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, named "UpdateMode" and set
it to equal "0" for faster updates. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.
Note: This compilation of Tweaks and Edits are from various sources. All credit due to
its authors.
For over 200 "Ready to Go" Downloadable Registry Edits and Scripts for Windows
XP Click Here
WindowsXP Tips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance
Services You Can Disable - Updated 10/30/03
Faster DOS Printing - Added 6/21/03
Cleaning the Prefetch Directory - Added 3/2/03
Increasing the Folder Cache - Added 1/6/03
Increasing Graphics Performance - Added 11/27/01
Disabling Balloon Tips - Added 11/9/01
Speeding Up the Display of Start Menu Items - 11/8/01
Increasing System Performance - Added 8/16/01
Networking / Internet
IPCONFIG Error - Added 9/15/07
Browse Master Monitor - Added 2/8/07
Repairing Damaged Winsock2 - Updated 2/6/07
Network Connection Always Shows Access Denied - Added 2/6/07
Speeding Up Network Browsing - Added 11/14/05
Opening Shared Folders Snap-In - Added 8/17/05
Viewing Your IP Address Information - Added 8/17/05
Opening Ports or Adding Allowed Programs with SP2's Firewall - Added 9/30/04
Guest Only Network Access - Added 4/11/04
Not Displaying Previous Network Share Shortcuts - Added 3/26/004
Hiding a XP Computer from Network Neighborhood - Added 3/26/04
Easy Way to Share Multiple Folders - Added 3/26/04
Running Network Diagnostics - Added 3/4/04
Network Access After Norton Anti-Virus Install - Added 12/9/03
Adding TCP/IP Printers - Added 1/7/03
Installing Java Virtual Machine - Updated 12/21/02
Disable Shared Documents - Added 11/23/02
Fix Browsing Delay to Win98/ME Computers - Added 5/4/02
Using the Internet Explorer Classic Search - Added 4/20/02
WINIPCFG for XP - Added 4/1/02
Allowing Network Access with Blank Passwords - Added 3/23/02
Reinstalling the TCP/IP Protocol - Added 3/2/02
Remembering Outlook / Outlook Express Password - Submitted 1/26/02
Turning Off the Firewall - Added 1/26/02
Installing the NetBEUI Protocol - Added 11/7/01
Setting System Time Over the Internet - Added 11/5/01
Configuring the Firewall - Added 8/16/01
Changing the Internet Explorer Title - Added 8/16/01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SpyEraser
I've been using the program a lot lately to help remove spyware from customer's
computers. It has quite a few options like Live Guard, Startup and Scanning Options. If
you are infected with spyware, or more importantly, want to help prevent getting
infected, you might give this program a try.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repairing
Windows Help and Support Error - Added 11/19/05
Make Pictures Smaller Unavailable - Added 8/17/05
Identify Faulty Device Drivers - Added 3/2/05
Operation Was Attempted on Something That Is Not a Socket Error - Added 11/19/04
Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors - Added 9/17/04
Windows Explorer Opens Search Companion Rather than the Folder - Added 9/1/04
Running SFC without a CD ROM - Added 6/9/04
Fixing Cryptographic Services Error - Added 12/8/03
Fixing Explorer Searching Rather Than Opening Directories - Added 11/30/03
Repair Install - Added 2/9/03
Missing or Corrupt NTOSKRNL - Added 2/9/03
Missing or Corrupt HAL.DLL - Added 2/9/03
Corrupted or Missing \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG - Added 2/9/03
NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM Not Found - Added 2/9/03
ReInstalling WindowsXP - Added 5/21/02
Startup/Shutdown
Configure for Auto-Logon - Added 11/28/03
Not Displaying Logon, Logoff, Startup and Shutdown Status Messages - Added 3/2/03
Bringing Up the Shutdown Dialog Box - Added 1/31/03
Hiding the Last User Logged On - Added 1/4/03
Poweroff at Shutdown - Added 1/4/03
Adding SafeBoot to the Boot Menu - Added 4/23/02
Speeding the Startup of Some CD Burner Programs - Added 4/23/02
No GUI Boot - Added 4/23/02
Getting Rid of Unread Email Messages- Updated 4/20/02
Re-Installing User Login Pictures - Added 4/5/02
Decreasing Boot Time - Added 3/4/02
Hide/Unhide Logon Names - Added 3/3/02
Original NT Style Logon Screen - Updated 1/19/02
Creating a Shutdown/Reboot Icon - Added 11/11/01
Misc
Taking Ownership Of a Folder - 2/6/07
Task Manager is Menu Bar is Missing - Added 2/6/07
Hiding Manage My Computer - Added 11/25/05
Finding Your XP Product ID - Added 11/25/05
Forgotten Admin or User's Password - Added 11/25/05
Renaming Multiple Files in a Directory - Added 11/19/05
Disable Windows Tour - Added 11/19/05
Editing the Boot.ini file - Added 10/18/05
Running CHKDSK- Added 8/17/05
Additional Utilities - Added 8/17/05
Creating a Suspend Shortcut - Submitted 3/2/05
Changing the User Type - Added 3/2/05
Determining Which Services are Associated with SVCHOST - Added 3/2/05
Viewing Installed Drivers - Added 3/2/05
Common Control Panel Applets - Added 9/17/04
System32 Folder Opens When Logging On - Added 3/26/04
Setting Capslock, Numlock, Scroll Lock - Added 3/4/04
DOS Tips in XP - Submitted 3/4/04
Stopping the Messenger Service - Added 6/21/03
Accessing Non-Listed Display Configurations - Added 3/2/03
Stop Password Expiration - Updated 12/21/02
Preventing Applications from Stealing the Focus - Added 12/4/02
Adding Environment Variables - Added 12/4/02
Disable Passport Pop-Up - Added 11/26/02
Show Hidden Devices - Submitted 11/26/02
Spell Check Not Working With Outlook Express and Office97 - Added 11/23/02
Disable the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon's menu - Submitted 11/23/02
Prevent the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon from appearing in the notification tray -
Submitted 11/23/02
Printing a Directory - Added 11/12/02
Removing Thumbs.db Files - Added 11/12/02
Enable / Disable the Task Manager - Added 10/17/02
Using Media Player 6.4 - Added 9/10/02
Clearing the Page File on Shutdown - Updated 7/24/02
Restoring Access to CD ROMs - Added 5/22/02
Setting the Dir Command to Display Filenames on the Left - Added 5/10/02
Dell Computer Not Keeping Correct Time - Added 5/5/02
Formatting a Partition Greater than 32 GIG with FAT32 - Added 4/27/02
Logging in as Administrator - Added 4/11/02
Correcting Fast User Switching Error - Added 4/11/02
No To All When Overwriting Files - Added 4/5/02
Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version - Added 4/1/02
Changing Drive Letters - Added 3/30/02
Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer as the Default Image Viewer - Updated
3/29/02
Changing the Default DOS Window Properties - Added 3/22/02
Changing the Registered Owner - Added 3/20/02
Adding Time Servers - Added 3/18/02
Creating a Boot Floppy - Added 3/14/02
Changing the Login Screen Saver - Added 3/8/02
Running NetMeeting - Added 3/8/02
Set the Online Registration as Being Completed - Added 3/4/02
Re-Enabling System Restore - Added 3/3/02
Renaming the Start Button - Added 2/25/02
Rollback a Device Driver - Added 2/18/02
Closing Multiple Taskbar Items - Submitted 2/3/02
Grouping Similar Taskbar Buttons - Added 1/26/02
Turning Off the Guest Account - Added 1/22/02
Turning Off the Built-In CD Burner - Added 1/15/02
Hiding System Tray Icons - Added 1/10/02
Faster Task Switching - Added 1/6/02
WindowsXP Command Line Utilities - Added 2/5/02
Disabling Error Reporting - Added 12/5/01
Adding a Title for the Command Prompt Title Bar - Added 11/27/01
Creating an Automated Install of WindowsXP - Added 11/12/01
Command Line Help Reference - Added 11/11/01
Using the System File Checker - Added 11/11/01
Creating a Password Recovery Disk - Added 11/5/01
Disabling Hibernation - Added 8/20/01
Locking the Workstation - Added 8/19/01
Changing the Picture Displayed for a User - Added 8/19/01
Removing the MSN Messenger - Added 8/16/01
Common Command Console Utilities - Added 8/16/01
Automatically Ending Non-Responsive Tasks - Added 8/16/01
Changing Visual Effects - Added 8/16/01
Changing System Restore Settings - Added 8/16/01
Changing Programs That Start Automatically - Added 8/16/01
Adding / Removing Additional Programs - Added 8/16/01
Increasing File System Caching - Added 8/16/01
Enabling NumLock on by Default - Added 8/16/01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPCONFIG Error
Added 9/15/07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have trouble browsing the network with only a few computers, you might check to
see what Browse Master they are using.
There is a utility from Microsoft that will let you see what each computer is using for a
browse master called Browsemon.
Download Browsemon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes when you reinstall WindowsXP, you can receive an Access Denied error
when trying to open a previous user's directory.
To take ownership of that folder again:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The symptoms when Winsock2 is damaged shows when you try to release and renew the
IP address using IPCONFIG.
-----
If you have WindowsXP with Service Pack 2, there is a one line command you can run to
reset the winsock2 registry entries
netsh winsock reset catalog
------
Run Msinfo32
Click on the + by Components
Click on the by Network
Click on Protocol
There should be 10 sections if the Winsock2 key is ok
MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
RSVP UDP Service Provider
RSVP TCP Service Provider
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
If the names are anything different from those in this list, then likely Winsock2 is
corrupted and needs to be repaired.
If you have any 3rd party software installed, the name MSAFD may be changed.
There should be no fewer than 10 sections.
To repair Winsock2
Run Regedit
Delete the following two registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you start the Task Manager and menu bar and tabs are missing,
the Task Manager is running in Tiny Footprint mode.
To fix this, simply double click on an empty space in the top border
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are always getting Access Denied errors when trying to connect to a XP computer,
and you know you have the correct user names and passwords on the computer,
the solution may be a simple registry edit.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SYSTEM / CurrentControlSet / Control / Lsa
Change the value of a key called "restrictanonymous" to 0 instead of 1
Don't change "restrictanonymoussam" value.
Reboot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion /
Policies / Explorer
Create a DWORD value called NoManageMyComputerVerb
Set the value to 1
Reboot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a great little utility available to help you find your currently installed product ID
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
It also works for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and
Office XP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
that will let you reset the password of any account on NT4, Windows2000 or XP.
Just follow all the default settings which are for the admin account. Used it many
times with great success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you open a window from My Computer or the Control Panel, and you don't see the
blue bar with additional options on the left side, you may simply need to turn on
Common Tasks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using the Windows Explorer, select all the files you want to rename
Press F2 or right click and select Rename
Enter the prefix for the name you want (e.g. Newname)
This will automatically rename the rest of the files Newname (1).jpg, Newname (2).jpg
etc.
Make sure you include the extension if you have the Explorer configured to show them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disable Windows Tour
Added 11/19/05
If you want to disable the Take Tour of Windows XP that comes up after you install
WindowsXP:
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Tour
Create a new DWORD key called RunCount
Give it a value of 0
Download Reg File
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you get an error Windows cannot find HELPCTR.EXE, it may be that a registry entry
has gotten corrupted.
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App
Paths\HELPCTR.EXE
If the key isn't there, right click and create a new key HELPCTR.EXE
It should have a value of C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe
Reboot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a lot of things which can negatively impact how fast XP will browse network
shares.
One has been previously covered regarding browsing to Win9x computers.
Other things you can try, especially when there is slow browsing to network shares with a
lot of files:
Start Regedit
Create a DWORD value:
HKEY_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \
Explorer \ NoRecentDocsNetHood to 1.
I have also seen setting the following help as well.
HKEY_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \
Explorer \ UseDesktopIniCache to 1.
Download Reg file to do both
3. Increase the amount of data is buffered at one time to send to a client. On the computer
with the shared directory:
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Para
meters
Create a DWORD Key called SizReqBuf
Give it a value of Hex FFFF
Download Reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boot.ini file is a simple text file that is on the root of the boot drive.
You can edit this with any plain text editor like Notepad (may need to unhide the file
first)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running CHKDSK
Added 8/17/05
One way to run a chkdsk (this is like Scandisk that was with Win9X), is to
Double click on My Computer
Right click on the drive you want to check
Select Properties
Click on the Tools tab
Click on the Check Now button
Check to Automatically fix file system errors - This is the same as running chkdsk /f
If you want to Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors, check that box - This is the
same as running chkdsk /R. It can also add a lot of time to the scan
Reboot if necessary
You can also run chkdsk from the command line with will give you more options.
The following switches are available:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To manage all your shared folders, you can run the snap-in directly
This will show you all your shared folders in a single window
You can also see what other computers are connected and what files they have open
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Utilities
Added 8/17/05
On the XP CD in the \Support\Tools directory, there are a lot of additional support and
troubleshooting utilities.
You can run SETUP from that directory to install them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are several ways you can determine your IP address information:
IPCONFIG
VIEW STATUS
Control Panel / Network Connections / Double click the icons for your network (If the
network has an icon in the system tray you can also just double click on that icon)
Click on the Support tab
Click on the Details button
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you try and send pictures through e-mail, you should normally be given the option
to make them smaller.
If this option is not available, a DLL file may need to be registered.
Start
Run
regsvr32 shimgvw.dll
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating a Suspend Shortcut
Submitted 3/2/05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normally in XP Pro, through the Control Panel / User Accounts icon, you are only
allowed to create administrators or limited users.
If you want to create
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are having problems with lockups, blue screens, or can only get to safe mode,
often the problem is due to a faulty device driver.
One way to help identify them is through the use of the Verfier program
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to see a list of installed drivers, you can run the driverquery program
There are a lot of available switches to view different types of information.
On use can be to export to a CSV file for viewing in Excel
An example would then be:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you get this error when you try and renew your IP address,
Likely the winsock2 registry entries are corrupted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Try copying the file from \windows\repair directory to the one that is in the
\windows\system32 directory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The follow are some common Control Panel Applets that are located in the
\windows\system32 directory.
If you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can simply make shortcuts to
them on your desktop.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To correct this:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \
Drive \ shell]
Edit the default value to be explorer or none
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slipstream your copy of WindowsXP with the latest service pack you have applied.
For detailed unstructions on how to do this see:
SlipStreaming a Service Pack into Windows XP
Once these files are on your hard drive, you can simply make a few registry changes to
point to those locations.
Start Regedit
Go to the follow locations and change the path to wherever you copied the source files.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\S
ervicePackSourcePath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\S
ourcePath
the last one might not be necessary
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\SourcePath
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you try and connect to an XP computer and are shown a logins screen with only the
computername/Guest,
You may need to change one of the Local Security Policies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, when you go to Network Places, it will scan and show shortcuts to previous
network shares.
To turn this off and remove any current shortcuts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you need to share multiple folders, running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring
up a simple dialog box to let you:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the System32 folder shows on the desktop, there may be an invalid entry in the
Registry
Start Regedit
Go to both:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Double check that the values do not have incorrect, incomplete, or blank entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting Capslock, Numlock, Scroll Lock
Added 3/4/04
If you want to set the startup state for any or all of these keys,
you just need to edit the registry.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Keyboard
Open InitialKeyboardIndicators
Change the value to one of the following numbers
0 - All Keys off
1 - Caps Lock on
2 - Num Lock on
4 - Scroll Lock on
For multiple keys, add their values:
3 - Caps Lock and Num Lock on
5 - Caps Lock and Scroll Lock on
6 - Num Lock and Scroll Lock on
7 - Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock on
Log off and back on again
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network Diagnostics scans your system to gather information about your hardware,
software, and network connections.
Ping
Connect
Show
Verbose
Save to Desktop
Mail Service
News Service
Internet Proxy Server
Computer Information
Operating System
Windows Version
Modems
Network Clients
Network Adapters
Domain Name System (DNS)
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Default Gateways
Internet Protocol Address
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOS Tips in XP
Submitted 3/4/04
Windows XP cmd tip (DOS isn’t dead... it just smells funny) Some command-line folder
creation examples:
To create multiple folders at once, add them directly to the "md" command:
C:\> md this\is\a\test
Creating a folder with a long name requires the double-quote at the beginning:
Bonus tip: Windows XP supports the forward slash "/" as a folder divider. Unix/Linux
users: don't let the DOS environment get you down. Use a Unix-style CD command to
change your present working directory:
C:\> cd Windows/system32/drivers/etc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you mistakenly deleted the icon for the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbar
[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop
You can also DOWNLOAD a file, uncompress it, and copy to the toolbar or wherever
you would like.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes you can't access a WinXP computer after installing Norton Anti-Virus.
There might be a variety of errors at the other computer depending on the operating
system.
On the XP computer, in the Event Viewer / System log, there will be the following error:
The server's configuration parameter "irpstacksize" is too small for the server to use a
local device.
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\param
eters
Edit the IRPStackSize
Give it a value of 15
Reboot the computer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you get an error about the Cryptographic services when trying to apply the Security
Updates or Service Pack 1,
run the following from Start / Run - note, you might want to just cut and paste the text.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes after adding the right click with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a
folder is changed.
To correct this:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell
Edit the default value to be explorer or none
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you
on,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically.
This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources.
They are only suggestions so I suggestion you read the description of each one when you
run Services
and that you turn them off one at a time.
Some possibilities are:
Alerter - Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the server
computer.
Application Management - Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove
Programs feature via the Windows Installer technology.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer service is
used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download files by using spare
bandwidth.
Clipbook - ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.
Error Reporting Service - Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in the
event of an application fault.
Fast User Switching - Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts,
without requiring them to log off.
Help and Support - Allows the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run.
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - You don't need this if you have other software to
create CDs.
Indexing Service - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote
computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
IP SEC - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP
security driver. If you are not on a domain, you likely don't need this running.
Messenger - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and
servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop.
Net Logon - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers
in a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't need this running
Network DDE - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange
(DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers.
NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC)
programs that use transports other than named pipes.
Performance Logs and Alerts - Collects performance data from local or remote computers
based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an
alert. If you don't need to monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this
service.
Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player
connected to your computer
QOS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for
QoS-aware programs and control applets.
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If
you are not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service.
Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer.
Routing & Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide
area network environments. Allows dial-in access.
Secondary Login - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what
allows you to run an application as another user.
Smart Card - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer.
Smart Card Helper - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers
used by this computer.
SSDP Discovery Service - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service
and NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in today's network
environment.
Telnet - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports
various TCP/IP Telnet clients.
Uninterruptible Power Supply Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
connected to the computer.
Universal Plug and Play Device Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play
devices
Upload Manager - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients
and servers on the network.
Volume Shadow Copy Service - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used
for backup and other purposes.
Web Client - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify non-local
files across the Internet.
Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters
WMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI
HiPerf providers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your computer,
you can disable the Messenger service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used
programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\
system
If it is not already there, create a DWORD value named DisableStatusMessages
Give it a value of 1
Download a reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to access display configurations not normally listed (e.g. 256 colors)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair Install
Added 2/9/03
If XP is corrupted to the point where none of the previous solutions get it to boot,
you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the current settings.
Make sure you have your valid WindowsXP key.
The whole process takes about half an hour depending on your computer
If you are being prompted for the administrator's password, you need to choose the 2nd
repair option, not the first.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the
BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For NTFS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create a new txt file somewhere on your system, open it and put in this one line:
(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows();
Save and Close the file. Change the extension to js and your got it.
You can make a shortcut to that file to make it easy to shut down your system.
Submitted by DJ Speed Racer
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The default setting for WindowsXP is to cache the Explorer settings for 400 folders.
To increase it:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam
Change the vaule of BagMRU to whatever size you want (hex)
1000 - 3e8
2000 - 7d0
3000 - bb8
4000 - fa0
5000 - 1388
You can Dowload a reg file that will set it for 5000
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If you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:
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Poweroff at Shutdown
1/4/03
If your computer does not turn off the power when doing a shutdown,
you may need to edit the registry. I have all the correct BIOS and Power settings and still
needed to do this.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Edit the key PowerOffActive and give it a value of 1
You can do the same in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop
Download reg file
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If XP does not remember your folder settings, delete or rename the following registry
keys
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]
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Added 3/18/02
If you are getting an error message that your password is about to expire:
Right click on the My Computer icon
Select Manage
Go to Local Users and Groups / Users
Right-click on the user you want to change
Select Properties
On the General tab, check Password never expires
Click OK
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If you are getting errors when browsing the web to install Java Virtual Machine,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To prevent applications from stealing the focus from the window you are working
Start Regedit
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If you want disable the Explorer's ability to show the Thumbnail View ,
Start Regedit
Change ClassicViewState to 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Properties
From here you can change it for the system or just the current user.
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Normally, WindowsXP will prompt you 10 times that You Need a Passport to use
WindowsXP Internet communication features...
To disable this
Start Regedit
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You can show hidden devices in the Device Manager. One way is by making a simple
registry change. The other is through a batch file.
Registry Change:
Give it a value of 1
Batch File
@Echo Off
Prompt $p$g
set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
start devmgmt.msc
exit
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Give it a value of 1
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Start regedit.exe
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Conferencing\Mcpt
Create a new string value (Click on Edit > New > String Value).
Name the value Nx
Double-click on it and set it's value to 1
Close the registry
Now the menu options will be grayed out.
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Prevent the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon from appearing in the notification tray
Submitted 11/23/02
To Prevent the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon from appearing in the notification
tray:
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Printing a Directory
Added 11/12/02
WindowsXP does not allow you to use previously describe methods for printing the
contents of a directory.
To do this requires the creation of a small batch file which is then added to your right-
click options.
Batch File
On the root of the C: drive, create a batch file called print_directory.bat with the
following lines:
@echo off
dir %1 /o:g > c:\directory.txt
start /w notepad /p c:\directory.txt
del c:\directory.txt
exit
Note: dir %1 /o:g will print with any directories listed first. You can add whatever other
switches you like
In the Action box, type Print Directory (or whatever text you want to appear).
In the Application used to perform action box, type C:\print_directory.bat, and then click
OK.
Sometimes after adding the right click with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a
folder is changed.
To correct this:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell
Edit the default value to be explorer or none
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When viewing a folder with the Thumbnail view, WindowsXP creates a thumbs.db file.
This is a cache of the current pictures in that directory.
If you want to turn this feature off and save a little disk space
In the first section under Files and Folders, check Do not cache thumbnails
Now you can search for the thumbs.db file on your computer and remove them. No more
should be created.
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Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Syste
m
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go go HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Program Manager\Restrictions
Give it a value of 0
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Logoff or reboot
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to use the older version of Microsoft Media Player 6.4, it is still on your
computer.
You can also change the file associations from this program to set it as the default for all
media types.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, the Desktop Cleanup Wizard will pop up every 60 days to cleanup your
desktop.
To stop this:
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Another way to set the computer to clear the pagefile without directly editing the registry
is:
Added 8/16/01
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\Memory Management\ClearPageFileAtShutdown
Set the value to 1
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If after you remove CD Burning software, you can no longer access your CD ROM's,
the following registry keys need to be deleted:
Locate and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values under the following key in
the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-
E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
ReInstalling WindowsXP
Added 5/21/02
If you need to reinstall WindowsXP and want to keep all your current installed
applications and settings:
Start WindowsXP
I've often need to do this to repair something that had gotten corrupted and didn't want to
do a clean install.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous versions of Windows displayed the filenames on the left hand side when you
run the dir command.
WindowsXP changes this and the default it to put it on the right.
Click on Properties
If your Dell computer is loosing time while the computer is turned on,
You can run the following commands:
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You can use a regular Win98 Boot disk and use that version of FDISK to create the
partition (with Large Hard Drive Support)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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No GUI Boot
Added 4/23/02
Run MSCONFIG
Click on the BOOT.INI tab
Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you use program other than the native WindowsXP CD Burner software,
you might be able to increase the speed that it loads.
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Start Regedit
For a single user: Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail
For all users: Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Unread
Mail
Create a DWORD key called MessageExpiryDays
Give it a value of 0
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to use the classic search engine in the Internet Explorer
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
If it is not there, create a String Value of Use Search Asst
Give it a value of no
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Logging in as Administrator
Added 4/11/02
If you want to log in as Administrator, but it is not show on the Welcome screen,
Hold the Ctrl-Alt key and press Del twice.
This will bring up the normal login and you can log on as Administrator
To unhide the Administrator account so it does show up:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \
CurrentVersion \ Winlogon \ SpecialAccounts \ UserList
Unhide the Administrator key by giving it a value of 1
Download reg file
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Start Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Delete the key GinaDLL
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Cabi
netState
Add a String Key called Use Search Asst
Give it a value of no
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No To All When Overwriting Files
Added 4/5/02
When overwriting files in the Windows Explorer, there is an option for Yes To All.
This would overwrite any files you would normally be prompted for.
To have No To All, simply hold down the Shift key while you click on the No option.
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Normally WindowsXP shows assigned pictures for each user on the system.
If you have deleted your user pictures, want to know the location, or need to reinstall
them,
they are stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures
directory.
If you need to reinstall them, they can be expanded from the source CD. The actual files
are:
airplane.bmp
astronaut.bmp
ball.bmp
butterfly.bmp
cat.bmp
fish.bmp
pink flower.bmp
guitar.bmp
snowflake.bmp
beach.bmp
car.bmp
chess.bmp
dirt bike.bmp
dog.bmp
drip.bmp
duck.bmp
frog.bmp
horses.bmp
kick.bmp
lift-off.bmp
palm tree.bmp
red flower.bmp
skater.bmp
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WINIPCFG for XP
Added 4/1/02
If you like the graphic IP configuration program that comes with Windows98,
you can download a similar one for WindowsXP or Windows2000 from Microsoft at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/wntipcfg-o.asp
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When doing a file search, if you get the error A File That Is Required to Run Search
Companion Cannot Be Found
Log on as an Administrator
Click Start
Select Run
Enter in the command - %systemroot%\inf
Right-click the Srchasst.inf file
Click Install
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Since not all vendors include the actual source code for XP,
you can download a copy
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Changing Drive Letters
Added 3/30/02
If you want to change the letters assigned to your fixed or removable drives:
Select it
Right click
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use
For a Removable Disk:
In the lower, right hand panel, right click on the Disk or CD ROM #
Select Change Drive Letter and Path
Click on the Edit button
Enter in the letter you want to use
Note: This can only be done for drives that do not have the Operating System Installed or
you are booting to.
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Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer as the Default Image Viewer
Updated 3/29/02
You can also change the file associations for the specific file types you want.
If the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer is set as the default for many of your graphic file
types,
you can remove it so other graphics programs can be used.
Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / SystemFileAssociations / image / ShellEx /
ContextMenuHandlers
Delete the key ShellImagePreview
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although you can log in locally without a password, by default, WindowsXP Pro does
not allow network users to access the computer without a password. Typically you will
receive an Unknown error 31 if this is the case.
Run gpedit.msc
Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies /
Security Options
Double click on Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login
only
Disable this option
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Size
Color
Font
Buffer Size
Window / Full Screen
Open up a DOS window
Right click on the Title Bar
Select Defaults
Make any of the changes you like
All subsequent DOS windows will assume these defaults
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to open a command prompt to a directory that is selected in the Explorer:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell
Create a new key called Command
Give it the value of the name you want to appear in the Explorer. Something like Open
DOS Box
Under this create a new key called command
Give it a value of cmd.exe /k "cd %L"
Now when you are in the Explorer, right click on a folder, select Open DOS Box, and a
command prompt will open to the selected directory.
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With WindowsXP, you can double-click on the time in the System Tray and connect to
Time Servers on the Internet to synchronize with.
To add to the list of available servers:
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTi
me\Servers
Add new string keys named 2, 3, etc. with a value of the time server you want to use.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to change the screen saver that runs at the login prompt:
Start Regedit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running NetMeeting
Added 3/8/02
To run NetMeeting:
Do a Start / Run
Enter conf
Answer the prompts along the way for name, e-mail etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can set WindowsXP to assume the online registration has been completed.
Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \
CurrentVersion
Create a String Value called RegDone
Give it a value of 1
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot
to WindowsXP
The program is called BootVis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you previously disabled system restore through the Group Policy Editor,
the option to start it again does not show in the System Properties.
You can re-enable it again by:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hide/Unhide Logon Names
Added 3/3/02
If you want to hide or unhide the names of users that are displayed on the initial logon
screen:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \
CurrentVersion \ Winlogon \ SpecialAccounts \ UserList
Add a DWORD with the name of the user account you want to hide
Make sure it has a value of 0
If there is an existing account, you can unhide it by giving it a value of 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e.g.
netsh int ip reset ip_reset.txt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \
CurrentVersion \ Winlogon.
Change the value of Shell from Explorer.exe to explorer_1.exe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To add or remove items to be displayed in the Explorer when using the Details View
Owner
Name
Size
Type
Date Modified
Status
Attributes
Author
Title
Subject
Category
Pages
Comments
Copyright
Date Created
Date Accessed
Attributes
Artist
Album Title
Year
Track Number
Genre
Duration
Bit Rate
Protected
Camera Model
Date Picture Taken
Dimensions
Company
Description
File Version
Product Name
Product Version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you hold down the Control Key when you click on the taskbar icons,
it selects multiple tasks. Then you can simply right-click on the selected items and choose
close group.
This tip works with all windows, not just one applications. If you have the cal, ie, notepad
and solitaire open, it will close them all, unlike the group similar items command that
only lets you close all of one type (ex: all IE or all notepads).
On systems, Outlook or Outlook Express will not remember the e-mail password,
which would then need to be entered in each time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you open more than one document in the same program and then minimize each
document,
rather that showing separate icons on the taskbar for each document, WindowsXP groups
them under a single icon for that application.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For security purposes, you might want to turn off the Guest account
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to have the original NT style windows logon screen with XP,
simply hold the Ctrl-Alt keys and press the delete key twice.
To make a permanent change so the logon screen is always like the traditional NT4/2000
style:
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With WindowsXP, you can manually select how you want individual icons in the System
Tray to be displayed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you installed WindowsXP Power Tools from Microsoft, when you press Alt-Tab to
switch between running applications,
you get a screen that shows a small graphic of the window that is of that application
along with its icon.
This also takes a long time to display. (Or at least longer than I'm comfortable with)
You can speed this up and revert back to previous ways task switching is displayed.
Run MSCONFIG
Click on the Startup tab
Uncheck Taskswitch
Click on the OK button
If you want to keep working, click on Exit without Restart
To Turn This Off Immediately:
Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete
Click on the Processes tab
Highlight TaskSwitch.exe
Click on the End Process tab
Click on the Yes button
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While there are a lot of command line utilities in WindowsXP, here are some that I have
been using lately.
driverquery - Displays a list of all installed device drivers and their properties.
getmac - Returns the media access control (MAC) address and list of network protocols
associated with each address for all network cards in each computer
gpresult - Displays Group Policy settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) for a user
or a computer
netsh - You can use commands in the Netsh Interface IP context to configure the TCP/IP
protocol
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
where YOUR TEXT would be replaced by whatever text you want to show.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, WindowsXP turns on a lot of shadows, fades, slides etc to menu items.
Most simply slow down their display.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extract the programs DEPLOY.CHM (help file) and SETUPMGR.EXE (main program)
Run SETUPMGR and answer the prompts.
This will create both a unattend.bat and unattend.txt file you can use for automated
installs.
Note: The batch file might need some minor modification for file locations but it is fairly
basic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WindowsXP has a program called SHUTDOWN.EXE which allows you to easily create
icons to shutdown or restart your computer.
Shutdown [{-l|-s|-r|-a}] [-f] [-m [\\ComputerName]] [-t xx] [-c "message"] [-d[u]
[p]:xx:yy]
Parameters
-l - Logs off the current user, this is also the defualt. -m ComputerName takes
precedence.
-s - Shuts down the local computer.
-r - Reboots after shutdown.
-a - Aborts shutdown. Ignores other parameters, except -l and ComputerName. You can
only use -a during the time-out period.
-f - Forces running applications to close.
-m [\\ComputerName] - Specifies the computer that you want to shut down.
-t xx - Sets the timer for system shutdown in xx seconds. The default is 20 seconds.
-c "message" - Specifies a message to be displayed in the Message area of the System
Shutdown window. You can use a maximum of 127 characters. You must enclose the
message in quotation marks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To get a quick help for all the commands you can enter from WindowsXP,
simply create a shortcut:
hh.exe ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\ntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can run the System File Checker to verify protected system files.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Adva
nced\
Give it a value of 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speeding Up the Display of Start Menu Items
Added 11/8/01
An easy way to speed up the display of the Start Menu Items is to turn off the menu
shadow.
Select Properties
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can add it as a installable protocol by going to the VALUEADD \ MSFT \ NET \
NETBEUI
directory on the CD ROM.
Note: %SYSTEMROOT% refers to the drive and directory where you installed
WindowsXP.
Typically this is in the C:\WINDOWS directory
This is only if you absolutely need NetBEUI. It is not at all a necessary requirement for
most networks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can set your system clock to a time server on the Internet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you forget your password, you can create a password recovery floppy disk
beforehand to help you out of this problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening an Explorer Window to the Directory You Want
Added 9/4/01
For example:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, d:\internet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling Hibernation
Added 8/20/01
If you don't want to use up the disk space taken by Hibernation, or don't need to use it at
all,
you can easily disable it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can change the picture that gets displayed for a particular user
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system performance
by having the core system kept in memory.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\Memory Management\DisablePagingExecutive
Set the value to be 1
Reboot the computer
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to remove the MSN Messenger from always starting in the system tray, do
Start / Run
Then enter in the following string: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir
%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
To remove it completely, see the section Adding / Removing Additional Programs
WindowsXP comes with quite a few console utilities you can easily run from the
command line:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks
Set the value to be 1
In the same section, change the WaitToKillAppTimeout to the number of milliseconds
you want.
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Window
Title
Enter what you want appear in the title bar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To change visual effects such as fade menus, mouse shadow, visual styles on buttons,
drop shadows for icons, slide open boxes and buttons etc.:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, WindowsXP uses a large amount of hard drive space for storing system
restore points.
If this is not necessary, you can change the settings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new version also allows you to view and edit the boot.ini file (as well as check for
errors and use several advanced switches)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, WindowsXP does not display all the programs you can add or remove.
To show this list:
[Components]
NtComponents=ntoc.dll,NtOcSetupProc,,4
WBEM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wbemoc.inf,hide,7
Display=desk.cpl,DisplayOcSetupProc,,7
Fax=fxsocm.dll,FaxOcmSetupProc,fxsocm.inf,,7
NetOC=netoc.dll,NetOcSetupProc,netoc.inf,,7
iis=iis.dll,OcEntry,iis.inf,,7
com=comsetup.dll,OcEntry,comnt5.inf,hide,7
dtc=msdtcstp.dll,OcEntry,dtcnt5.inf,hide,7
IndexSrv_System = setupqry.dll,IndexSrv,setupqry.inf,,7
TerminalServer=TsOc.dll, HydraOc, TsOc.inf,hide,2
msmq=msmqocm.dll,MsmqOcm,msmqocm.inf,,6
ims=imsinsnt.dll,OcEntry,ims.inf,,7
fp_extensions=fp40ext.dll,FrontPage4Extensions,fp40ext.inf,,7
AutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,au.inf,hide,7
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
msnexplr=ocmsn.dll,OcEntry,msnmsn.inf,,7
smarttgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msnsl.inf,,7
RootAutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,rootau.inf,,7
Games=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,,7
AccessUtil=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,accessor.inf,,7
CommApps=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,communic.inf,HIDE,7
MultiM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,multimed.inf,HIDE,7
AccessOpt=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,optional.inf,HIDE,7
Pinball=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,pinball.inf,HIDE,7
MSWordPad=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wordpad.inf,HIDE,7
ZoneGames=zoneoc.dll,ZoneSetupProc,igames.inf,,7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you prefer the original Start Menu, you can easily switch it back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To increase the amount of memory Windows will locked for I/O operations:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\Memory Management
Edit the key IoPageLockLimit
4096 - 32megs of memory or less
8192 - 32+ megs of memory
16384 - 64+ megs of memory
32768 - 128+ megs of memory
65536 - 256+ megs of memory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators
Change the value from 0 to 2
Turn Numlock on manually
Log off and back on again.
For all users, make the same change to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control
Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators
Download reg file
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------