Windows XP Tutorials and Tips

You've read the reviews and digested the key feature enhancements and operational changes. Now it's time to delve a bit deeper and uncover some of Windows XP's secrets. 1. It boasts how long it can stay up. Whereas previous versions of Windows were coy about how long they went between boots, XP is positively proud of its stamina. Go to the Command Prompt in the Accessories menu from the All Programs start button option, and then type 'systeminfo'. The computer will produce a lot of useful info, including the uptime. If you want to keep these, type 'systeminfo > info.txt'. This creates a file called info.txt you can look at later with Notepad. (Professional Edition only…

Here's a great tip to speed up your browsing of Windows XP machines. Its actually a fix to a bug installed as default in Windows 2000 that scans shared files for Scheduled Tasks. And it turns out that you can experience a delay as long as 30 seconds when you try to view shared files across a network because Windows 2000 is using the extra time to search the remote computer for any Scheduled Tasks. Note that though the fix is originally intended for only those affected, Windows 2000 users will experience that the actual browsing speed of both the Internet & Windows Explorers improve significantly after applying it since it doesn't search for Scheduled Tasks anymore. He…

Introduction: Registry Editor is an advanced tool for viewing and changing settings in your system registry, which contains information about how your computer runs. Windows stores its configuration information in a database (the registry) that is organized in a tree format. Although Registry Editor enables you to inspect and modify the registry, normally you do not need to do so, and making incorrect changes can break your system. An advanced user who is prepared to both edit and restore the registry can safely use Registry Editor for such tasks as eliminating duplicate entries or deleting entries for programs that have been uninstalled or deleted. Folders represent keys…

Introduction Registry Editor is an advanced tool for viewing and changing settings in your system registry, which contains information about how your computer runs. Almost the entire settings are stored in the registry. For example, when you resize an application window, the window position (x,y points) is stored in the registry so that the settings are retained permanently. This is just an example, there are much more data stored in the registry, right from your user account names and passwords (if configured to store in the registry). Although Registry Editor enables you to inspect and modify the registry, it's advisable to use Registry Editor only if the GUI does not p…

If you don't need to see the XP boot logo, 1. Run MSCONFIG 2. Click on the BOOT.INI tab 3. Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT

Disable Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile] @="Application" "EditFlags"=hex:38,07,01,00 Enable Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile] @="Application" "EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00

Please give it a try How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP Thanks

Save this as a .VBS file Dim WshShell, bKey, cn, p1, mybox Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.RegWrite "HKCR\Directory\shell\Windows Explorer\", "Windows Explorer", "REG_SZ" WshShell.RegWrite "HKCR\Directory\shell\Windows Explorer\command\", "EXPLORER.EXE /e,", "REG_SZ" bKey = WshShell.RegRead("HKCR\Directory\shell\Windows Explorer\") p1 = "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Windows Explorer\" n = wshshell.RegRead(p1 & "") t = "Add Windows Explorer to the Start Button Right Click" cn = InputBox("Type in what you want listed for the name. It does not have to be the actual name Windows Explorer.", t, n) If cn <> "" Then wshshell.Re…

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Save this as a .reg file Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Explorer] "NoClose"=dword:00000001

Save this codes as a .vbs Dim WshShell, bKey, cn, p1, mybox Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{801eb159-9ede-4dcb-919f-b55376cd4ceb}\", "", "REG_SZ" WshShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{801eb159-9ede-4dcb-919f-b55376cd4ceb}\DefaultIcon\", "", "REG_SZ" WshShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{801eb159-9ede-4dcb-919f-b55376cd4ceb}\DefaultIcon\InProcServer32\", "shell32.dll", "REG_SZ" WshShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{801eb159-9ede-4dcb-919f-b55376cd4ceb}\DefaultIcon\InProcServer32\ThreadingModel", "Apartment", "REG_SZ" WshShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{801eb159-9ede-4dcb-919f-b55…

Save this codes as a .vbs Option Explicit Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") Dim WSHShell, n, MyBox, p, itemtype p = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\" p = p & "LogonPrompt" itemtype = "REG_SZ" n = "" WSHShell.RegWrite p, n, itemtype Set ws = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") Dim ws, t, p1, n2, cn p1 = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\" n2 = ws.RegRead(p1 & "LogonPrompt") t = "Personalized Message" cn = InputBox("Type the New Message to appear above the User Name and Password and click OK", t, n) If cn <> "" Then ws.RegWrite p1 & "LogonPrompt", cn End If

Save this codes as a .vbs Decrease: Option Explicit Dim WSHShell, n, p, itemtype, MyBox Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") p = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics\" p = p & "MinWidth" itemtype = "REG_SZ" n = "-285" WSHShell.RegWrite p, n, itemtype MyBox = MsgBox("You must reboot for the changes to take effect.", vbOKOnly,"Done") Undo: Option Explicit Dim WSHShell, n, p, itemtype, MyBox Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") p = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics\" p = p & "MinWidth" itemtype = "REG_SZ" n = "-2310" WSHShell.RegWrite p, n, itemtype MyBox = MsgBox("You must reboot for the …

LOCK Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel] "HomePage"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel] "HomePage"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000 UNLOCK Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel] "HomePage"=dword:00000000 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel] "HomePage"=dword:00000000 [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\C…

ADD: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Copy To] @="{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Move To] @="{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}" UNDO: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Copy To] @="{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}" [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Move To] @="{C2FBB631…

Option Explicit Dim WSHShell, n, MyBox, p, itemtype, Title Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") p = "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound\" p = p & "Beep" itemtype = "REG_SZ" n= "No" WSHShell.RegWrite p, n, itemtype Title = "System Beeps are now Disabled." & vbCR Title = Title & "You may need to Log off/Log on" & vbCR MyBox = MsgBox(Title,4096,"Finished")

Run: Start/Run/conf.exe Remove: Start/Run/RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\WINDOWS\inf\msnetmtg.inf,NetMtg.Remove Reinstall: To reinstall, open the Windows\Inf folder (this is a hidden folder, so you may need to adjust your Folder Options to show hidden files and folders. Or you can click Start, Run and enter %systemroot%\Inf). Locate the msnetmtg.inf file in the Inf folder. Right click and select Install. Have your XP CD handy. Tip: Clear Netmeeting Call History - Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Conferencing\UI\CallMRU. Open your registry and delete the key. Restart Netmeetin…

You can run a program as a different user without logging out and then in again. First right click the icon of the program you wish to run, select Run As... and enter the user name and password. This will only apply for that run. Works well if you need to have administrative permissions to install a program, which many programs require.

lock your desktop with just two mouse clicks To lock your XP works-tation with just two clicks of the mouse. First create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click, and enter rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation in the location field. Name the shortcut whatever you like. Then just double click on it and your computer will be instantly locked. The Windows key + L also does the same thing.

General keyboard shortcuts

These options are used with the Windows XP setup WINNT32.EXE program and change the way Windows can be installed. /checkupgradeonly Check the existing OS for compatibility with XP (but does not install) /cmd:command_line Executes command after GUI mode of setup completes, but before the reboot. /cmdcons Show the Recovery Console option to repair a failed installation. /copydir:folder Creates a subdirectory named "folder" below the XP directory /copysource:folder Copies source files to local directory "folder" /debug[level][:filename] Write a debug log to filename for warning levels. Level 0=severe errors, 1=errors, 2=warnings, 3=information, 4=detailed info for d…

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