XP TROUBLESHOOTS

Scheduled Task In Windows Xp

2009-12-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

Scheduled Task In Windows Xp

Step 1: Goto "START MENU" and click on "ALL PROGRAMS".

Step 2: Then goto "PROGRAMS" and then click on "ACCESSORIES".

Step 3: Then goto sub menu "SYSTEM TOOLS" and Click on "SHEDULED TASK".

Step 4: Or goto "CONTROL PANEL" and click on "SCHEDULED TASK".

Step 5: A window will be opened with an option to "ADD SCHEDULED TASK".

Step 6: By clicking on "ADD SCHEDULED TASK" a "SCHEDULED TASK WIZARD" will be opened to shedule a task.

Step 7: After clicking on next , a window will be opened to select a program to schedule it to a particular time. You can even browse a file from other location.

Step 8: For example select a command prompt task to schedule it to a particular time and then click next.

Step 9: Then give the name for the task if neccessary and select the task performance option and then click next. ( For Example :- "one time only" ).

Step 10: Then select the "TIME" and "DATE" on which the task to be executed and click next.

Step 11: Then enter the username and password if neccessary and click next.

Step 12: Check the "OPEN ADVANCED PROPERTIES FOR THIS TASK WHEN I CLICK FINISH" and click finish.

Step 13: Dont worry if a warning message pop ups like

"THE NEW TASK HAS BEEN CREATED, BUT MAY NOT RUN BECAUSE THE ACCOUNT INFORMATION
COULD NOT BE SET.
THE SPECIFIC ERROR IS:
0X80070005: ACCESS IS DENIED.
TRY USING THE TASK PAGE BOWSE BUTTON TO LOCATE THE APPLICATION"

Click ok.

Step 14: This error occurs probably when you are using an user account other than
administrator account.

Step 15: After clicking ok then a window will be opened with the schedule task name.

Step 16: In the column of run, add "C:" at the last and dont forget to check the "run only if logged on" option (if you are using other account) and click ok.

Step 17: Then the task will run as per the shedule given.

Note :- you can also schedule task file like batch files , vbs files etc.

Change Mouse Cursor In Windows Xp

2009-11-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Change Mouse Cursor In Windows Xp

Step 1: Goto "Start Menu" and open "Control Panel".

Step 2: Then double-click on mouse icon.

Step 3: A window with all "Mouse Properties" will be opened.

Step 4: There are 5 options namely "BUTTON" , "POINTERS" , "POINTER OPTIONS", "WHEEL" , "HARDWARE".

Button :- Here you can change the button configuration of your mouse from primary to secondary. Here Primary refers to left-click. You can also vary the speed of the mouse click. You can also "turn on" the click lock. By doing this the click will not work for certain peroid of time.

Pointers :- You can select the type of scheme you want your cursor to look like (For eg :- Hand ,Dinosaur ,horse etc). Then you can even customize your cursor with other cursors.

Pointer Options :- In this option you can increase the speed of the pointer. You can also check the Dailogbox for which you can make your cursor to point directly to a default button. There are "visibility" options by which you can "Display pointer trail" , "Hide your cursor while typing" , "show location of pointer when pressed ctrl key.

Wheel :- In this option you can set the mouse to scroll for a desired number of lines.

Hardware :- Description about the mouse which has been connected and the functioning of the mouse.

Magnifier In Windows Xp

2009-09-04T22:53:00.000-07:00

Magnifier In Windows Xp

Step 1: First goto "start menu".

step 2: Then goto "all programs" and then to "accessories"

step 3: After going to accessories then goto "accessibility"

step 4: Then click on "magnifier" option.

step 5: You will get a window on the top with every thing magnified where ever you move the mouse pointer.

step 6: You can also increase the magnifier level by which you can see even the tiny objects.

step 7 There are many more options which can help you to view anything clearly.

Create An Invisible Folder In Xp

2009-08-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

Create An Invisible Folder In Xp

Step 1: Right-Click anywhere on desktop and create a "new folder".

Step 2: Try to make a folder without any name. It cannot be done using normal procedure.

Step 3: To make an empty named folder follow the procedure.

Step 4: Right-Click the "New Folder" click on "rename" and remove the name totally.

Step 5: Then hold "alt" Button and type "0160" and then press enter.

Step 6: A "Noname" Folder is created.

Step 7: Then Right-Click on the Folder and choose "properties".

Step 8: Goto "Customize" menu and click on "Change Icon" Button.

Step 9: Select a icon which is totally empty (a white space).

Step 10: Then Click on ok to Make the Folder invisible.

Note : Watch "video guide" for further assisstance.

Play Videos On Desktop Wallpaper

2009-07-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

Play Videos On Desktop Wallpaper

Step 1: Install "VLC PLAYER" on your computer HardDisk.

Step 2: Open "VLC PLAYER" from the desktop.

Step 3: Browse the movie that you want to play on the desktop.

Step 4: Right-Click on the "VLC PLAYER" screen and select "WALLPAPER" from it.

Step 5: Minimize "VLC PLAYER" and watch your Favourite Movie on Desktop.

Add Or Remove Programs In Windows Xp

2009-07-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Add Or Remove Programs In Windows Xp

Step 1: Goto "START MENU" and click on "CONTROL PANEL".

Step 2: After clicking on control panel you will obtain a window.

Step 3: Double-Click on "ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS". A window named "ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS" will be opened.

Step 4: Click on any one of the Software to remove it totally from your computer. For example "Yahoo Messenger".

Create Your Own ScreenSavers In Windows Xp

2009-07-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Create Your Own ScreenSavers In Windows Xp

Step 1: Right click anywhere on the desktop and click on "Properties".

Step 2: A window named "Display Properties" will be appeared.

Step 3: Click on the "Screen Saver" menu and drop down the "Screen Saver" tab.

Step 4: Goto "My Pictures Slideshow" where you have your own pictures.

Step 5: Normally the folder will be present in the "My Documents" folder.

Step 6: The path will be "C:\Documents and Settings\System Name\My Documents\My Pictures". Paste your photos in this location.

Step 7: Select the time option below for your screen saver to appear.

Step 8: Press ok and watch for your favourite photos as screen saver.

Add Shortcuts To TaskBar

2009-06-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

Add Shortcuts To TaskBar

Step1 : Inorder to add a shortcut of any file in the Taskbar, first you need to unlock the task bar.

Step2 : Then Right-Click on the task bar and goto "toolbars" and put a check mark on the "Quick Launch" (ie, Enable the "Quick launch" option)

Step3 : Goto "Quick launch" area beside the start menu. Righr click on it and click on "Open Folder" .

Step4 : Add the Shortcut of any file and close the folder. Lock the Task bar if you want.

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts

2009-06-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

Dialog Box Keyboard Shortcuts

1- CTRL+TAB
Action -Move forward through the tabs

2- CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Action -Move backward through the tabs

3- TAB
Action -Move forward through the options

4- SHIFT+TAB
Action -Move backward through the options

5- ALT+Underlined letter
Action -Perform the corresponding command or select the corresponding option

6- ENTER
Action -Perform the command for the active option or button

7- SPACEBAR
Action -Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box

8- Arrow keys
Action -Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons

9- F1 key
Action -Display Help

General Shortcuts

2009-06-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

General Shortcuts

1- CTRL+C
Action-Copy

2- CTRL+X
Action -Cut

3- CTRL+V
Action –Paste

4- CTRL+Z
Action –Undo

5- DELETE
Action –Delete

6- SHIFT+DELETE
Action -Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.

7- CTRL
Action -while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)

8- CTRL+SHIFT
Action -while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)

9- F2 key
Action -Rename the selected item

10- CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Action -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word

11- CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Action -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word

12- CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Action - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph

13- CTRL+UP ARROW
Action -Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph

14- CTRL+SHIFT
Action -with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)

15- SHIFT
Action -with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop or select text in a document)

16- CTRL+A
Action -Select all

17- F3 key
Action -Search for a file or a folder

18- ALT+ENTER
Action -View the properties for the selected item

19- ALT+F4
Action -Close the active item, or quit the active program

20- ALT+ENTER
Action - Display the properties of the selected object

21- ALT+SPACEBAR
Action -Open the shortcut menu for the active window

22- CTRL+F4
Action -Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously

23- ALT+TAB
Action -Switch between the open items

24- ALT+ESC
Action -Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened

25- F6 key
Action -Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop

26- F4 key
Action -Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer

27- SHIFT+F10
Action -Display the shortcut menu for the selected item

28- ALT+SPACEBAR
Action -Display the System menu for the active window

29- CTRL+ESC
Action -Display the Start menu

30- ALT+U
Action -underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu).Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)

31- F10 key
Action -Activate the menu bar in the active program

32- RIGHT ARROW
Action -Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu

33- LEFT ARROW
Action -Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu

34- F5 key
Action -Update the active window

35- BACKSPACE
Action -View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer

36- ESC
Action -Cancel the current task

37- SHIFT
Action -when you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive (Prevent the CD-ROM from automatically playing)

Change Windows Startup Tone

2009-06-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

Change Windows Startup Tone

Step1 : Goto "STARTMENU" and click on "CONTROL PANEL".

Step2 : Better switch to "CLASSIC VIEW" and doubleclick on "SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES".

step3 : Goto "Sounds" option and scroll the "program events"

Step4 : Singleclick on "Start windows" and browse to the music file (*.mp3/*.wav) that you want to play during startup.

Step5 : Click on ok and restart your computer.

Step6 : Whenever you Start your computer you will hear your favourite music.

Note : Keep the music file as small as possible.

Remove Startup Programs Manually

2009-06-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

Remove Startup Programs Manually

Step1 : Goto "RUN" and type "MSCONFIG".

Step2 : A window will be opened with the name "System Configuration Utility".

Step3 : Goto "startup" option and uncheck the filename you want to remove from Startup.Then click on ok.

Step4 : You will be Prompt to Restart your Computer to take the changes.

Add Startup Programs Manually

2009-06-10T07:20:00.001-07:00

Add Startup Programs Manually

Step 1: Goto “START MENU” and click on “ALL PROGRAMS”.

Step 2: Right click on the “STARTUP” menu.

Step 3: Then click on the “OPEN” button.

Step 4: A window will be opened with the path “C:\Documents and Settings\ANYNAME\Start Menu\Programs\Startup”.

Step 5: Create a shortcut of the file you want to open at the startup. (For example – internet explorer.exe).

Step 6: Copy the Shortcut and past it in the startup window.

Step 7: Whenever you start your computer the file (For example – internet explorer.exe) will open every time.

Drive Hide In Windows Xp

2009-06-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

Drive Hide In Windows Xp

Step 1 : Goto "RUN" and type "gpedit.msc"

Step 2 : A window will be opened (Group Policy).You will find two options in left side of the page.

Step 3 : Drop down the "user configuration" and again drop down sub menu "Administrative Templetes" and again drop down another sub menu "Windows Components" and click on "Windows Explorer".

Step 4 : Right click on "Hide These Specified Drives In My Computer" and then click on properties.

Step 5 : Click on the radio button "Enabled" and you can select any option in the menu.

Step 6 : Follow the same procedure for disabling it.

Drive Lock In Windows Xp

2009-06-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

Drive Lock In Windows Xp

In order to lock your drive from any others access without using any third party software follow these steps below.

Step 1 : Goto "RUN" and type "gpedit.msc"

Step 2 : A window will be opened (Group Policy).You will find two options in left side of the page.

Step 3 : Drop down the "user configuration" and again drop down sub menu "Administrative Templetes" and again drop down another sub menu "Windows Components" and click on "Windows Explorer".

Step 4 : Right click on "Prevent Access To Drives From My Computers" and then click on properties.

Step 5 : Click on the radio button "Enabled" and you can select any option in the menu.

Step 6 : Follow the same procedure for disabling it.

Add Favorites

2009-06-01T18:34:00.001-07:00

Add Favorites with One Keystroke

You can quickly add a Web page to your Favorites folder with a single keystroke. The page is automatically added to your Favorites list without any further input from you.

• Press Ctrl+D.

Set Your Browser to Open to a Page of Your Choice

Is there a site you always visit first when you browse the Web? Would you like it to be the first site you see when you start Internet Explorer? Just follow the steps below to change your home or "start" page.

• Navigate to the Web page you want to see when you start Internet Explorer.
• Click Tools on the menu bar, and then click Internet Options.
• In the Home page area, click Use Current.

Make Sure Downloaded Files Are Easy to Find Later

With Windows XP, it's easier than ever to download software updates, games, sounds, pictures-just about anything. But sometimes it's hard to find them again on your hard disk. To make sure you can, specify where you want a downloaded file to go.

• After you've indicated you want to download an item, a dialog box asks "What do you want to do with this file?" Select Save this program to disk.

A dialog box opens where you can specify a folder where you want the file to go.

Turn on ToggleKeys

2009-06-01T18:32:00.002-07:00

Turn on ToggleKeys

ToggleKeys is designed for people who have vision impairment or cognitive disabilities. When ToggleKeys is turned on, your computer provides sound cues when the locking keys (CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK) are pressed. A high sound plays when the keys are switched on and a low sound plays when they are switched off.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Accessibility Options.
• Click the Keyboard tab, and under ToggleKeys, select the Use ToggleKeys check box.

To use the keyboard shortcut which allows you to turn ToggleKeys on and off by pressing the NUM LOCK key for five seconds, on the Keyboard tab, under ToggleKeys, click Settings.

If the Use shortcut check box in the Settings for ToggleKeys dialog box is selected, you can turn ToggleKeys on or off by holding down the NUM LOCK key for five seconds.

Turn on High Contrast

High Contrast is designed for people who have vision impairment. High contrast color schemes can make the screen easier to view for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Some of the schemes also change font sizes for easier reading.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Accessibility Options.
• On the Display tab, under High Contrast, select the Use High Contrast check box.
• To turn off High Contrast, clear the Use High Contrast check box.
• If the Use shortcut check box in the Settings for High Contrast dialog box is selected, you can turn High Contrast on or off by pressing the

left ALT+Left SHIFT+PRINT

SCREEN keys (depending on the other settings you have selected in the Accessibility Options dialog box).

• To open the Settings for High Contrast dialog box, open Accessibility Options, click the Display tab, and then, under High Contrast, click Settings.

Repair Installation

2009-06-01T18:32:00.001-07:00

Perform a Repair Installation

How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?

• Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.
• Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
• When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
• Press ENTER when you see the message to setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen. Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
• In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

• Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

Disk Errors in Windows XP

2009-06-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Check for Disk Errors in Windows XP

The Scan Disk utility is not available in Windows XP. However, you can use the Error-Checking tool in Windows XP to check the integrity of your hard disk.

• Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the local disk that you want to check.
• Click Properties, and then click Tools.
• Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
• Under Check disk options, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box.
• Click Start.

Stop Getting Tricked into Running Viruses

Stop getting tricked into running viruses because you don't see the file extension of an attachment.

• Click Start, click My Computer, and on the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
• Clear the Hide file extensions for known file types check box, and then click OK.
Now when you receive a file called something.jpg.vbs, you'll see the .vbs extension and know that it is not an ordinary .jpg file.

Speed up Menu Display

2009-06-01T18:27:00.002-07:00

Speed up Menu Display

You can use this tip to speed up the way menus display in Windows XP.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and click Performance and Maintenance, and the click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and under Performance, click the Settings button.
• Clear the Fade or slide menus into view check box, and then click OK.
• Now when you bring up a collapsed menu, it will expand without delay.

Compress Files and Folders in Windows XP

Running out of room on your hard disk? Need some extra space to install a new program? Don’t worries, Windows XP come to the rescue.

Both Windows XP Professional and Home Edition now include a zip compression utility that you can use to compress files and folders on your hard disk.

To compress a file or folder:

• Right-click the file or folder.
• Point to Send To.
• Then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.

This will make a compressed folder, identified by a zipper icon, which displays the same name as the file you compressed.

You can also make a compressed folder from scratch, by following these steps:

• Right-click the desktop.
• Point to New.
• Click Compressed (zipped) Folder.
• Open the new compressed folder and drag files inside that you would like compressed.

Modify Boot.ini

2009-06-01T18:27:00.001-07:00

Modify Boot.ini

Windows XP uses the Boot.ini file to determine the operating system options to display during the startup (boot) process. Boot.ini is set with the hidden and system file attributes and flagged as read-only by default.

Have you been changing Boot.ini lately? Are you tired of opening Folder Options, and clicking Show hidden files and folders on the View menu, so you can see Boot.ini in Windows Explorer? Or worse, did you forget to remove the read-only attribute before editing the file?

You can use the command-line tool, Bootcfg.exe, to quickly edit your Boot.ini file.

You can modify the timeout (the amount of time Windows waits before choosing the default operating system), and add additional entries.

• Click Start, click Run, and then type cmd.
• Type bootcfg.exe
• Check out bootcfg.exe /? for more options.

Restore Declined Windows Update Reminders

Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a selection of updates that apply only to the software and hardware on your computer. The updates include security fixes, drivers, critical updates, and the latest Help files to keep your computer up to date. If you choose not to install a specific update that has been downloaded, Windows deletes its files from your computer.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

• On the Automatic Updates tab, click Restore Declined Updates.

If any of the updates you previously declined still apply to your computer, they will appear the next time Windows notifies you of available updates. You can always install specific updates from the Windows Update Web site, by opening Windows Update in Help and Support Center.

Recovery Console on Your Computer

2009-06-01T18:26:00.001-07:00

Install the Recovery Console on Your Computer

You can install the Recovery Console as an option on your startup menu and use it to recover your system in the event that safe mode and other startup options don't work. This tool is for advanced users.

• With Windows XP running, insert your Windows XP CD in the drive, and click Exit when the installation options are displayed.
• Click Start, click Run, and then type D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons Where D: is the CD-ROM drive letter, and then press Enter. (There is a space between .exe and the slash.)
• Follow the instructions on screen to install the Recovery Console, and when the installation is complete, restart your computer. The Recovery Console will show up in the list of available operating systems in the Startup menu. You must be an administrator to use the Recovery Console.

If the i386 directory is already installed on your computer (as might be the case in computers purchased with Windows XP pre-installed), you can use the same syntax as in Step 2, using the [path]\i386 directory without having to use the CD. An alternative method is to boot to the CD and start WINNT.EXE, then when prompted to Install or Repair, click Repair, which installs the Recovery Console for you.

If Windows XP will not start, you can run the Recovery Console from the Setup CD.

Show Encrypted Files in Color

2009-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Show Encrypted Files in Color

You can encrypt files and folders on NTFS volumes to hide their content from other users. To quickly identify encrypted files and folders in your system, follow this tip to display the name of the encrypted file or folder in color.

• Double-click My Computer, and then click Folder Options on the Tools menu.
• Click the View tab.
• Select the Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color check box, and then click OK.

Now the name of the encrypted file or folder is listed in color within Windows Explorer. The EFS feature is not included in Windows XP Home Edition.

Remove Record of Recently Used Documents

In Windows XP Professional, the Start menu contains a My Recent Documents folder that contains 15 of your recently used documents.

To remove the record of recently accessed documents:

• Right-click Start, click Properties, and then click Customize.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Clear List. If you're using the Classic Start menu, click Clear.
• Clicking Clear List empties the My Recent Documents folder. It doesn't delete the documents from your computer.

If you don't want to include anything in the My Recent Documents folder:

• On the Advanced tab, click Customize, and then clear the List my most recently opened documents check box.
• In Windows XP Home Edition, My Recent Documents is not automatically listed on the Start menu. You can turn on this feature by right-clicking Start, clicking Properties, clicking Customize, and then selecting the List my most recently opened documents check box.

Computer Clock through a Firewall

2009-06-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

Update Computer Clock through a Firewall

If your computer is a member of a domain, your computer clock is probably synchronized automatically by a network time server. If your computer is not a member of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server.

However, the Internet Time service in its default state does not work with Internet Connection Firewall enabled on a dial-up connection in Windows XP.

• Click Start, point to connect to, and then click Show all connections.
• Right-click your dial-up accounts, and then clicks Properties.
• On the Advanced tab, click Settings.
• Click the Add button, and type Internet Time Service for the description.
• Enter 127.0.0.1 for the IP address, and enter 123 for both the External and Internal port numbers, and then make sure that TCP is selected.
• Click OK three times until the Properties dialog box closes.
• If you're online, a message box tells you that you need to disconnect and reconnect for the settings to take effect. When you double-click the clock on the taskbar, and then click Update Now on the Internet Time tab, your clock will be synchronized with an Internet time server.

Lock Your Computer

2009-06-01T18:23:00.002-07:00

Create a Desktop Shortcut to Lock Your Computer

You secure your computer by locking it whenever you're away from your desk. If you're on a domain, by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and then clicking Lock Computer, you can prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer. Only you and members of the Administrators group on your computer can unlock it. (You unlock it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del, typing your password, and then clicking OK.)

To create an even quicker means of securing your computer, place a shortcut on your desktop to lock your computer:

• Right-click an open area of your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.
•In the Location box, type %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

• Click next, in the Name box type a name for the shortcut such as, Lock Computer, and then click Finish.

Disable the Shut down Button on the Welcome Screen

Do you have little ones that like to click all over the screen when you're not looking? Afraid of someone shutting down the computer without logging on?

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.
• Double-click Local Security Policy.
• Expand Security Settings, then expand Local Policies, and then click Security Options.
• In the right pane, double-click the Shutdown: Allow system to be shut down without having to log on policy, click the Disabled radio button, and then click OK.

No more shutting down without logging on!

Change Drive Letters

2009-06-01T18:23:00.001-07:00

Change Drive Letters in Windows XP

When you add drives to your computer, such as an extra hard drive, a CD drive, or a storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive.

• Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
• Under Computer Management, click Disk Management. In the right pane, you'll see your drives listed. CD-ROM drives are listed at the bottom of the pane.
• Right-click the drive or device you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.
• Click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the drive letter you want to assign, and then click OK.

You will not be able to change the boot or system drive letter in this manner. Many MS-DOS-based and Windows-based programs make references to a specific drive letter (for example, environment variables). If you modify the drive letter, these programs may not function correctly.

Display the Quick Launch Toolbar

Is your Quick Launch toolbar missing from the taskbar?

To display the familiar Quick Launch toolbar:

• Right-click an empty area on the taskbar.
• Click Toolbars, and then click Quick Launch.
Easy as that your Quick Launch bar appears.
To add items to your Quick Launch toolbar:

• Click the icon for the program you want to add, and drag it to the Quick Launch portion of the taskbar.

Quick Search Tips

2009-06-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

Quick Search Tips New!

• Using capitalization can result in better performance when using Search Companion.

For instance, Mary Smith may produce better results than mary smith.

• If you didn't find what you wanted on the first search engine, choose automatically send your search to other search engines to submit your search to other engines that are appropriate for your query.

• If you like having an animated character, but want to use a different one, choose Change Preferences, then with a different character to choose the helper you like.

Speed Up Those Searches New!

Windows can create an index of the files on your computer to speed up searching.

• Open Search, and then choose Change preferences and then With Indexing Service (for faster local searches).

"Go" Places Quicker on the Internet New!

Many common Internet searches can be performed quickly using the "go" shortcut. For example, if you open Search in Internet Explorer and type go yellow pages, the page will jump to a form where you can lookup a business phone number. Likewise, typing go email automatically brings up a form for searching for a person's email.

You can even type go yellow pages Acme Corp to automatically search for the phone number of a company called Acme Corp. And you can type go amzn to look up the value of a stock quote (in this case Amazon's).

Administrative Tools

2009-06-01T18:21:00.002-07:00

Add Administrative Tools to Your Start Menu

If you are an administrator to your Windows XP Professional machine, you might want to be able to perform administrative functions. Yet, it is sort of a hassle to navigate to the Control Panel and select the Administrative Tools from there.

• Right-click the Start menu, and then click Properties.
• On the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
• Click the Advanced tab, and under Start menu items, scroll to System Administrative Tools.
• Click Display on the All Programs and the Start menu.

You can navigate through those tools right from the comforts of the Start menu.

Access the Administrator Account from the Welcome Screen

If you are at the Welcome screen and want to log on with the Administrator account, but it's not listed:

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice to bring up the Windows 2000 logon window, which then allows you to log on as Administrator.

Logging on at the Welcome screen is not available on computers that are members of a network domain.

Three New Command-Line Tools

If you're running Windows XP Professional, you can use a number of great new command-line tools:

• Use schtasks.exe to script the scheduling of tasks from the command line.
• De fragments your drives from the command line with defrag.exe.
• Query all or any of the event logs from the command line with eventquery.vbs.

To execute some of these commands, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the computer that the command affects.

Temporarily Assign Yourself Administrative Permissions

Many programs require you to have Administrative permissions to be able to install them. Here is an easy way to temporarily assign your self Administrative permissions while you remain logged in as a normal user.

• Hold down the Shift key as you right-click on the program's setup file.
• Click Run as.
• Type in a username and password that have Administrative permissions.

This will also work on applications in the Start menu.

Enable Services to Work through Internet Connection Firewall. When people are having trouble getting to specific programs or services on your Windows XP machine after you enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), you may need to enable the program or service to work through the firewall.

• Click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
• Right-click your Internet connection, and then click Properties.
• Click the Advanced tab in the Properties dialog box.
• Click Settings, and the Advanced Settings dialog box opens.
• From there you can enable most common services just by clicking them, or add your own by clicking the Add button.

Activate NetMeeting

2009-06-01T18:21:00.001-07:00

Activate NetMeeting

Using NetMeeting, you can participate in virtual meetings, work in shared applications, and share data over the Internet or your company intranet. NetMeeting is actually already installed after you perform a full install of Windows XP, but it won't appear on the Start menu until it's activated.

• Click Start, then Run, and enter Conf.
• Click OK.
• In the NetMeeting Wizard, supply the necessary information, and then select the Put a shortcut to NetMeeting on my desktop (or on my Quick Launch bar) check box.

NetMeeting should start and is now listed in the most frequently used programs list on the Start menu.

Add a Voice Message to an E-Mail Message

Personalize e-mail with a voice message? You can perform this task using the Windows XP Sound Recorder and a microphone. First, open the sound recorder:

• Click Start, click Programs, click Accessories, click Entertainment, and then click Sound Recorder.
• On the File menu, click New.
• To begin recording, click Record, and to stop recording, click Stop.
• Save the .wav file to a folder of your choice.
• Attach the file to an e-mail message.

To record sounds, your computer must be equipped with a microphone. Recorded sounds are saved as waveform (.wav) files.

Customize the IE 6

2009-06-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

Customize the Internet Explorer 6 Toolbar

You can choose which features you want on the Internet Explorer 6 toolbar. If you want to simplify the toolbar, you can remove icons, change to smaller icons, or remove the text labels displayed next to the icons.

• Right-click the Standard toolbar, and then click Customize.
• In the Text options list, click No text labels to remove them.
• In the Icon options list, click Small icons to change the default setting.
• In the Current toolbars list, click any icon that you want to remove, and then click Remove.
• To keep your changes safe, right-click the toolbar again, and make sure to select the Lock Toolbars check box.

Change Web Page Font Size on the Fly

If your mouse contains a wheel for scrolling, you can change font size on the fly when viewing a Web page.

• Press and hold Ctrl.
• Scroll down (or towards yourself) to enlarge the font size.
• Scroll up (or away from yourself) to reduce the font size.
You might find it useful to reduce font size when printing a Web page, so that you can fit more content on the page.

Use AutoComplete to Enter Addresses Faster in Internet Explorer 6

The AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 6 can fill in the prefix and suffix of Web addresses so all you must enter is the name.

• Just type the name in the address bar and hold down the Control key while you press Enter. Internet Explorer 6 automatically adds the http:// and the www. and the .com.

For example, click in Address bar and type MSN, and then hold down the Control key and press Enter. Internet Explorer 6 will go to the address http://www.msn.com

Renew and Release IP

2009-06-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Renew and Release IP Addresses

You can use the command-line tool IPCONFIG to get network information such as your IP address and to perform other tasks for troubleshooting network issues.

However, if you prefer a graphical user interface over command lines, you can download a GUI tool that will run on Windows XP and Windows 2000. The tool that's installed is Wntipcfg.exe.

The tool identifies your IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for each of your network interfaces, including the interface for your network adapter, your dial-up networking interface, and your PPTP interface. It allows you to click a button to Release, Renew, Release all, or Renew all when configuring an IP address.

To download and install the tool:

• Open the Windows 2000 Resource Kit tool download page Wntipcfg.exe: Windows NT IPConfig Utility
• Click the download link in the box at the top right corner of the page.
• In the File Download dialog box, select Save this program to disk.
• Select a location on your computer to save the file, and then click Save.
• In Windows Explorer, go to the location where you saved the downloaded file, double-click the file to start the installation process, and then follow the instructions.

To provide quick access from the Run line, install the program to C:\Documents and setting\yourusername or the equivalent. Or, create a shortcut to the program on your start menu or desktop.

Use a Shortcut to Local Area Network Connection Information

Something new in Windows XP-instead of using the command line program and typing ipconfig to find local area network information, you can use the following shortcut:

• Click Start, point to Connect to, and then click Show All Connections.
• Right-click the connection you want information about, and then click Status.
• In the connection Properties dialog box, click the Support tab.
• For even more information, click the Advanced tab.
• To automatically enable the status monitor each time the connection is active, in the connection Properties dialog box, select the Show icon in taskbar notification area when connected check box.

Synchronize Your Computer Clock with an Internet Time Server

Does your computer have the right time? If your computer is not part of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server.

• Double-click the time on your task bar.
• Click the Internet Time tab.
• Select the time server you want to use and make sure to select the Automatically
synchronize with an Internet time server check box.
• Make sure that you have set the correct date before you attempt to synchronize your clock, because the Internet time server won't update the time if the date is wrong.
• If you have a personal or network firewall, you may have to tweak the settings to unblock time synchronization.

Add Familiar Icons

2009-06-01T18:18:00.002-07:00

Add Familiar Icons Back to Your Desktop

It's the case of the missing icons. Many of you may be wondering where all the icons from your desktop are in Windows XP? You can place at least My Computer, My Network Places, and My Documents on the desktop.

• Right-click on the desktop, and then click Properties.
• Click the Desktop tab and then click on Customize Desktop.
• Put a check mark in the box next to My Document, My Computer, My Network Places, or Internet Explorer, to add those familiar icons to your desktop.
Unlock Toolbars to Customize Them Windows XP now features locking toolbars and you can adjust them. You can customize a lot of the Windows XP features such as the Taskbar, Start Menu, and even toolbar icons in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.
• Right-click on a toolbar, and then click Lock the Toolbars to remove the check mark.
• Right-click on the toolbar again, and then click Customize. You can add and remove toolbar buttons, change text options and icon options.
• When you've got the toolbar customized, click Close.
• Now right-click on the toolbar and then click Lock the Toolbars to lock them in place.

Keep Your Favorite Programs near the Top of the Start Menu

Do you have a favorite program that you frequently use? Elevate its priority on the Start menu by putting it at the top of the list. This ensures that the program will remain on the Start menu and cannot be bumped by other programs, even if you use the others more frequently.

• Right-click the link to your favorite program on the Start menu and select Pin to Start Menu.

Your program will be moved permanently to the top part of the list, just below your browser and e-mail programs.

Picture on the Welcome Screen

2009-06-01T18:18:00.001-07:00

Change the Picture on the Welcome Screen

If your computer is a member of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer, you can replace the picture on the Welcome screen with another picture. First, store a head shot that you've scanned or taken with a digital camera in the My Pictures folder. The picture will be automatically resized to fit the picture box, so don't worry too much about getting an exact size, and then follow these steps:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
• Click your account name, and then click Change My Picture.
• Click the picture you like, and then click Change Picture.
• To find the user's picture, click Browse for more pictures, click the picture you want to use, and then click Open.

Now, when you open the Welcome screen, you will see the new picture.

Change the Start Menu Style

Does the new Windows XP Start menu take up too much space on your desktop? You can easily change the look back to the Windows Classic Start menu by following these steps:

• Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
• Click Classic Start menu.
• Click the Customize button to select items to display on the Start menu.

By default, selecting the Classic Start menu also adds the My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and Internet Explorer icons to your desktop.

Add an Item to the Send to Menu

You can create a new shortcut on the Send To menu, for example, one that goes to a frequently-used folder.

• Open My Computer, and double-click the drive where Windows is installed, which is usually drive C.
• Double-click the Documents and Settings folder, and then double-click the folder for the particular user.
• Double-click the Send To folder. The Send To folder is hidden by default. To see the Send To folder, click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click Show hidden files and folders.
• On the File menu, point to New, and then click Shortcut.
• Follow the instructions to create a shortcut.
Now, when you right-click a file, and click Send To, the shortcut to the item you selected will be an option. You can create shortcuts to local or network programs, files, folders, computers, or Internet addresses.

Manually Install Backup

2009-06-01T18:17:00.001-07:00

Manually Install Backup in Windows XP Home Edition

The Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup icon is not present on the Start menu in Windows XP Home Edition, nor is Backup listed in Add/Remove Programs for Windows XP Home Edition. The backup program is found on the Windows XP Home Edition CD in the Value add folder.

• Double-click the Ntbackup.msi file in the following location on the Windows XP Home Edition CD to start a wizard that installs Backup:

CD-ROM Drive:\VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP

• When the wizard is complete, click Finish.

Create a Keyboard Shortcut to Open a Folder

Do you have a folder to which you want instant access from anywhere on your computer?

For example, if you want the My Music folder to pop up while Internet Explorer or Word is maximized, follow these steps:

• Select the folder in Windows Explorer.
• Create a shortcut, and place it on the desktop. (You create a shortcut by opening the folder, pointing to New on the File menu, then clicking Shortcut. Drag the shortcut to your desktop.)
• Right-click the new shortcut, and then click Properties.
• In the Properties dialog box, click the Shortcut tab, and in the Shortcut key box, enter a Control key combination or a Control-Shift key combination, (that is, Ctrl+Alt+M or Ctrl+SHIFT+M when M is for music), and then click OK.

Anytime you hit the key combination you specified, your folder will open, even when other programs are maximized! This tip can be applied to folders, programs, and text file shortcuts that are placed on the desktop.

Recycle Bin Confirmation

2009-06-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

WiSkip the Recycle Bin Confirmation Message

When you delete items by moving them to the Recycle Bin, Windows displays a message confirming the deletion: "Are you sure you want to send FILENAME to the Recycle Bin?" If you're tired of clicking an answer to that question, you can configure Windows XP to skip the confirmation message whether or not you're using the Recycle Bin.

• Right-click the Recycle Bin, and then click Properties.
• In the Recycle Bin Properties dialog box, clear the Display delete confirmation dialog check box, and then click OK.
• If you don't want to use the Recycle Bin at all, in the Recycle Bin Properties dialog box, select the Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted check box.
ndows Logo Key

Windows Logo Key

2009-06-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

Windows Logo Key

Don't Ignore the Windows Logo Key the Windows logo key, located in the bottom row of most computer keyboards is a little-used treasure. Don't ignore it. It is the shortcut anchor for the following commands:

Windows: Display the Start menu.
Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows.
Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer.
Windows + F: Display Search for files.
Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer.
Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center.
Windows + R: Display Run dialog box.
Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box.
Windows + shift + M: Undo minimizes all windows.
Windows + tab: Move through taskbar buttons.
Windows + L: Lock the workstation (or switch to the Logon screen w/Fast User Switching enabled).
Windows + U: Open Utility Manager.

Fast User Switching

If you have multiple users logged on to your machine, you can bypass the Welcome screen to switch users:

• Go to the User tab in Task Manager, right-click on a user and choose Connect.

Place a "Run" Icon on Your Desktop

• Open the Start Menu and drag the Run option on to your desktop.
You may want to rename it to get rid of the ampersand. Now you will be able to double-click the "Run" icon on your desktop to go directly to the Run dialog.

Personal Screen Saver

2009-06-01T18:14:00.001-07:00

Create a Personal Screen Saver

For a great way to put your digital photos to work, try creating a slide show presentation for use as a screen saver.

• Right-click an empty spot on your desktop and then click Properties.
• Click the Screen Saver tab.
• In the Screen saver list, click My Pictures Slideshow.
• Click Settings to make any adjustments, such as how often the pictures should change, what size they should be, and whether you'll use transition effects between pictures, and then click OK.

Now your screen saver is a random display of the pictures taken from your My Pictures folder.

Keep Your Favorite Programs near the Top of the Start Menu

Do you have a favorite application that you frequently use? If so, you can elevate its priority on the Start menu by putting it at the top of the list. This ensures that the program will remain on the Start menu and cannot be bumped by other programs, even if you use the others more frequently.

• Right-click the link to your favorite program on the Start menu and select Pin to Start Menu. Your program will be moved permanently to the top part of the list, just below your browser and e-mail programs.

Use the Address Bar to Launch Programs or Web Page.

Windows XP enhanced the functionality of the Address bar to make it easier to launch your favorite programs. You can add the Address bar to the taskbar on the bottom of your desktop. Then you can launch programs simply by entering their names in the Address bar.

For example, to launch Calculator, simply enter calc in the Address bar. Anything you would normally enter in the Run box on the Start menu can be entered in the Address bar.

The Address bar also lets you quickly go to any Web page you specify.

To add the Address bar to the taskbar:

• Right-click an empty area on the taskbar.
• Point to Toolbars, and then click Address.
• Open the Address bar by double-clicking it.

Detailed View of Folders

2009-06-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Add Fields to the Details View of Folders

You can add other columns to the Details view of the files contained in Windows XP folders, such as Comments, Description, Category, and many others. To add new columns:

• Right-click the column header of the files list, and then click one of the fields listed, or click more.
• In the Choose Details dialog box, you can reorganize the order of column headers, specify column widths, and add columns to display details for the files in that folder.

When you click the new column header, the width of the selected column is displayed in pixels in the Choose Details dialog box.

Using a Folder Type as a Template

Every Windows XP folder provides a list of hyper linked tasks appropriate to that type of folder next to the folder contents. For example, the Pictures folder type contains task links for ordering prints online and for printing pictures. If you want to use a folder type as a template for a selected folder, follow these steps:

• Right-click a newly created folder, and then click Properties.
• Click the Customize tab.
• In the Use this folder type as a template list, click the template type you want to apply, and then click OK.

Now, when you open the new folder, it will contain a hyperlinked task list common to the type of folder you selected as the template.

Fax Tips

2009-06-01T18:12:00.002-07:00

Fax Tips

Here are some useful tips for working with Fax and Image Viewer:

• Typing Ctrl-I in the picture viewer will bring up the property sheet for the image (doesn't work in slide show).
• Typing DEL in the picture viewer will delete.
• Holding down the Ctrl key in the picture viewer enables "panning" (hand cursor)

Use the Windows Classic Look

Are you more comfortable performing a task with the familiar Windows Classic user interface than you is with Windows XP's new interface? You can quickly switch the user interface to the familiar Windows Classic appearance on your computer if it helps you remember a task in your operating system or program. Then, you can go back to the original Windows look with a couple of clicks.

• Right-click on a blank area of the desktop, then click Properties.
• Click the Appearance tab.
• On the Windows and Buttons menu, select Windows Classic, then Click OK.

Change the Start Menu Style

Does the new Windows XP Start menu take up too much space on your desktop? You can easily change the look back to the Windows Classic Start menu by following these steps:

• Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
• Click the Classic Start menu choice.
• Click the Customize button to select items to display on the Start menu.

By default, selecting the Classic Start menu also adds the My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and Internet Explorer icons to your desktop. If you don't want this:

• Right-click a blank area of the Desktop, choose Properties, and then navigate to the Desktop page. Click Customize Desktop to determine which icons are shown on the desktop.

Album Art in Media Player

2009-06-01T18:12:00.001-07:00

Working with Album Art in Windows Media Player

Set your own Album Art for your media folders and Media Player for Windows XP (MPXP).

If you don't like the album art or have a folder of downloaded music that you want to add art to:

• Simply select any graphic from your browser.
• Save it inside the folder you want, and call it Folder.jpg.

Now when you play any music that resides in that folder, the Media Player will automatically pick it up and display that as album art.

Managing Multiple Photos or Other Files

If you have numerous files to rename, select a group of photos then rename the FIRST one and the rest will follow.

Turn Off File Names in Thumbnail View

Find that you need more space for thumbnails and would like to turn the file names off?

• Hold down shift when you open a folder or when you switch into thumbnail view. This will turn of the file names, giving more space for the thumbnails. Doing it again turns them back on.

Try Grouping Files for Effortless Manageability

• In any My Computer window, select View > Arrange Icons by > Type.
• Then, select View > Arrange Icons by > Show in Groups.
• If you prefer Details view, you can right-click on the column header in and choose the columns you want displayed. And you can drag and drop the column headers to reorder them.

Add a Map Drive Button to the Toolbar

Do you want to quickly map a network drive, but can't find the toolbar button? If you map drives often, use one of these options to add a Map Drive button to the folder toolbar in My Computer.

Option One (Long Term Fix):

• Open My Computer, right-click the toolbar, then unlock the toolbars, if necessary.
• Right-click the toolbar again and click Customize.
• Under Available toolbar buttons, locate Map Drive, and drag it into the position you want on the right under Current toolbar buttons.
• Click Close, click OK, and then click OK again.
You now have a drive mapping buttons on your My Computer toolbar, so you can map drives from any folder window. To unmap drives, follow the above procedure, selecting Disconnect under Available toolbar buttons.

Option Two (Quick Fix):

• Right-click My Computer and choose Map Network Drive. If you place your My Computer icon directly on the desktop, you can make this move in only two clicks! Otherwise, you can right-click the My Computer icon in the Start Menu.

Font-Rendering Technology

2009-06-01T18:11:00.001-07:00

Turn on Clear Type Font-Rendering Technology

Get that extra text clarity you've always wanted. The incredible Microsoft Clear Type technology can be enabled in Windows XP to smooth all fonts at all sizes, making the whole system so much easier to read.

• Click Start, then Control Panel, and then click Appearance and Themes.
• Click the Display icon, then the Appearance tab, and then Effects.
• Click the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box and select Clear Type from the list.
• Click OK, and then click OK again.

Remove Interference in Movie Files

If you have any AVI files that you saved in Windows 9x, they might have interference when opened in Windows XP. Fortunately, there is an easy fix to get rid of the interference:

• Open Windows Movie Maker.
• Click View and then Options.
• Uncheck automatically create clips.
• Now, import the movie file that has interference and drag it onto the timeline.
• Then save the movie. During the re-rendering, the interference will be removed.

On-Screen Keyboard

2009-06-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

An on-screen keyboard is built into Windows XP. It can be useful if you have mobility impairments, if you are using a tablet PC, or if your keyboard breaks down unexpectedly.

To access the on-screen keyboard:

• Go to Start, then click Run, and then type osk.

Now the keyboard opens on your computer screen, featuring three typing modes you can use to type data:

• Clicking mode, where you click the on-screen keys.
• Scanning mode, where you press a hot key or use a switch-input device to type highlighted characters.
• Hovering mode, where you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key, which is then typed.

To make a shortcut icon on your desktop to the on-screen keyboard:

• Right-click the desktop and choose New, then Shortcut.
• Type osk, click next.
• Type a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish.

Use Ctrl+Alt+Del without Pushing All the Buttons for some people, pushing Ctrl, ALT and Delete (Ctrl+Alt+Del) at the same time can be an inconvenience, if not a complete impossibility. With Windows XP, there are two ways to get around this.

First option: Configure the system so that you do not need to press Ctrl+Alt+Del at all during logon (assuming you're not using the Welcome screen, in which case this key combo is not required).

• Open Control Panel then User Accounts.
• Navigate to the Advanced tab.
• Uncheck the require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Del checkbox under Secure Logon.

Second option: Configure XP's accessibility options so that "sticky keys" will be activated at the secure desktop: That way, you may "press" ALT, Ctrl, and DEL sequentially rather than simultaneously. You can turn that on via the Accessibility control panel. (Control Panel then Accessibility Options):

• Bring up the Accessibility Control panel and navigate to the Keyboard tab.
• Check Use Sticky keys.
• Navigate to the General Tab.
• Check Apply all settings to logon desktop.

Ultimate configuration tool

2009-06-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

Use the ultimate configuration tool (Professional Edition only)

One of the most full featured Windows XP configuration tools available is hidden right there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short.

• Select Start and then Run.
• Then type the following: gpedit.msc

After you hit ENTER, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify virtually every feature in Windows XP without having to resort to regedit. Dig around and enjoy!

Delete Files when the Recycle Bin is hidden

By default, the Windows XP Recycle Bin sits at the bottom right of the desktop, just above the tray notification area and system clock. If you've got a bunch of floating windows open, however, it's possible to obscure the Recycle Bin and make it impossible to drag files and folders there for deletion. However, Microsoft must have thought of this event, because you can automatically hide all of those open windows during a drag operation.

• Make sure a bunch of windows are open on the screen, with at least one of them hiding the Recycle Bin.
• Find a file or group of files you'd like to drag to the Recycle Bin.
• Pick up the files with the mouse and move them to the lower right of the screen.
• As you reach the bottom area of the screen, pass the mouse cursor over a blank area of the task bar, hover there for an instant, and--voila!--the open windows all minimize, leaving the Recycle Bin available to accept the dragged files.

This tip also works when windows are maximized, assuming the file(s) you want to delete are visible in one of the available windows.

Conserve Batteries

2009-06-01T18:08:00.000-07:00

Use Hibernate and Standby to Conserve Batteries

Fast User Switching can be turned-on with Windows XP Professional only when your computer is not part of a domain.

Power Options in Control Panel lets you adjust any power management option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. These options vary widely from computer to computer. Power Options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control.

ACPI-If you are not sure whether your computer is ACPI-compliant, check your manufacturer's documentation. During Windows Setup, ACPI is installed only if all components present during Setup support power management.

The Hibernate function in Windows XP Professional can make the batteries in your laptop computer last longer.

Windows XP supports the industry standard power management technology known as the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), which enables the operating system to control power to your computer and peripheral devices. The power management features in Windows XP include Hibernate and Standby. Hibernate saves an image of your desktop with all open files and documents, and then it powers down your computer. When you turn on power, your files and documents are open on your desktop exactly as you left them.

Standby reduces the power consumption of your computer by cutting power to hardware components you are not using. Standby can cut power to peripheral devices, your monitor, even your hard drive, but maintains power to your computer's memory so you don't lose your work.

Display Hibernate Option on the Shut Down dialog

For some reason, Hibernate isn't available from the default Shut Down dialog. But you can enable it simply enough, by holding down the SHIFT key while the dialog is visible. Now you see it, now you don't!

Files and Folders to CDs

2009-06-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Copy Files and Folders to CDs

Remember when you loved Rubik's Cube, Dynasty, and the floppy disk? In the 1980s, before the World Wide Web and ubiquitous e-mail, you could store 1.5 megabytes (MB) of data on a 3.5-inch floppy and transfer it to another computer so easily. And it was beautiful. Today? That 1.5 MB-floppy won't hold your 5th grader's science report.

Enter the compact disc. CDs have become the new standard for removable storage on the computer. Each disc holds 650 megabytes of data and costs little more than a floppy.

New computers are more likely to have a CD drive than a floppy drive, although most still have both. With Windows XP and a CD-recordable (CD-R) or CD-rewriteable (CD-RW) drive, you can copy data to a CD as easily as you can to a floppy disk.

To copy files and folders to a CD:

• Insert a blank, writable CD into the CD recorder.
• Open My Computer.
• Click the files or folders you want to copy to the CD. To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl-key while you click the files you want. Then, under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file, Copy this folder, or Copy the selected items.

• If the files are located in My Pictures, under Picture Tasks, click Copy to CD or
Copy all items to CD, and then skip to step 5.
• In the Copy Items dialog box, click the CD recording drive, and then click Copy.
• In My Computer, double-click the CD recording drive. Windows displays a temporary area where the files are held before they are copied to the CD. Verify that the files and folders that you intend to copy to the CD appear under Files Ready to be Written to the CD.
• Under CD Writing Tasks, click Write these files to CD. Windows displays the CD Writing Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard. Do not copy more files to the CD than it will hold. Standard CDs hold up to 650 megabytes (MB). High-capacity CDs hold up to 850 MB.
• Be sure that you have enough disk space on your hard disk to store the temporary files that are created during the CD writing process. For a standard CD, Windows reserves up to 700 MB of the available free space. For a high-capacity CD, Windows reserves up to 1 gigabyte (GB) of the available free space.
• After you copy files or folders to the CD, it is useful to view the CD to confirm that the files are copied.

To stop the CD recorder from automatically ejecting the CD:

• Open My Computer.
• Right-click the CD recording drive, and then click Properties.
• On the Recording tab, clear the Automatically eject the CD after writing check box.

Use Windows Update

2009-06-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Use Windows Update to Keep Your Computer Current

Windows XP takes the chore out of keeping your software updated with the newest and best code for device drivers, security, reliability, and performance.

Windows Update is the online extension of Windows. It's a Web site where you find the most recent updates for your operating system, software programs, and hardware. Windows Update scans your computer and lists the code updates needed on your system. Then you can choose whether to download and install them.

• Open Windows Update.
• Click Scan for updates to find out about recent releases for your system.
• Click yes when prompted to install any required software or device drivers.
• To open Windows Update, click Start, then click Help and Support. Under "Pick a task," click Keep your computer up-to-date with Windows Update.
• The first time you go to the Windows Update Web site, click yes when prompted to install any required software or controls.

To use Windows Update, you need to establish a connection to the Internet. You might need to be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to perform some tasks.

Automate Advanced Restart

2009-06-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

How to Automate Advanced Restart Options for Dual-Boot Configurations

This article describes how to automate advanced restart options for dual-boot configurations. If your computer is configured to dual-boot to either Windows XP or Windows 2000, the process to boot to the other operating system can be slow.

For example, if you want to reboot into Safe mode under either operating system, you have to watch the computer reboot, monitor the power-on self tests and various BIOS messages, select which operating system you want to boot with from the Startup menu, and then press F8 at the exact moment to enable the Advanced Boot menu. You can select your Safe mode boot options from the Advanced Boot menu.

This article describes a method you can use to create a custom Advanced Restart menu on the Start menu. You can use the Advanced Restart menu to pre select advanced restart options before you restart your computer. After you select your restart options, you are prompted to restart, and your computer starts with your pre selected options, and does not require that you press any keys during startup.

IMPORTANT: The following procedure assumes that you have a dual-boot configuration with Windows XP and Windows 2000. Also, although the following procedure works correctly, Microsoft does not support the following procedure:

• Create a shortcut that is named Advanced Restart on the Windows XP Start menu.
• For the target path, use the msconfig -4 command. For example, you might use the c:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe -4 command.
• Create the same shortcut with the same path for the Windows 2000 Start menu. This shortcut on the Windows 2000 Start menu should use the path to the Msconfig.exe tool in the Windows XP folder.

The "Advanced Restart" shortcut you created starts Msconfig.exe with a switch that loads the Boot.ini file properties dialog box. From this dialog box, you can select the default operating system, Safe mode options, and other advanced boot options. After you select the restart options and press OK, you are prompted to restart your computer. When your computer restarts, it starts with the options you previously selected, and does not require that you press any keys during startup.

Note: When you boot into Windows XP or Windows 2000 after you use Msconfig.exe,

Msconfig.exe automatically starts in diagnostic mode.

Create a Desktop Shortcut

2009-06-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Create a Desktop Shortcut that Locks a Windows XP-Based Workstation

This step-by-step article describes how to create a desktop shortcut that you can use to lock a Windows XP-Based Workstation. To take full advantage of user authentication as a means of network access control, you must be sure that only the logged-on user is able to use the workstation. Authentication-based access control loses viability when users other than the logged-on user are able to obtain access to local and network objects.

If a user steps away from his or her desk, another user can walk up to the unattended computer and carry out local and network activities by using the credentials of the logged-on user. The logged-on user is accountable for any activities that took place on that workstation while away from it. If the logged-on user can account for his or her whereabouts during the time away from the computer, the credentials of that user are no longer useful in tracking down access violations that have been completed under the context of that user's network account.

Users can lock their workstations by using the Ctrl+Alt+Del Security Attention

Sequence (SAS). However, some users are reluctant or unable to press these three keys in sequence, and because of this, do not lock their workstations while they are away from the computer.

You can simplify locking the workstation for these users by creating a desktop shortcut. After you create the shortcut, users can double-click the shortcut to lock the workstation.

To create the shortcut:

• Right-click an empty area of the desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.
•In the Create Shortcut Wizard, type %windir%\System32\rundll32.exe

user32.dll,Lock Work Station in the Type the location of the item box, and then click Next.

Note that Lock Work Station is case sensitive.

• On the "Type a name for this shortcut" page, type Lock Workstation in the Type a name for this shortcut box, and then click Finish.
• Right-click the shortcut you just made, and then click Properties.
• Click the Shortcut tab, and then click Change Icon.
• In the Change Icon dialog box, type %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll in the Look for icons in this file box, and then click OK.

• Browse through the available icons, and then select an icon that makes it easy for the users to identify that the shortcut is to be used to lock the workstation.
• Click the icon you want to use, and then click OK. Click OK again.
• Double-click the shortcut, and note that the workstation automatically locks itself.

The user must press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then type his or her credentials to unlock the workstation.

Install or Remove a Font

2009-06-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Install or Remove a Font in Windows XP

This step-by-step article describes how to add and remove fonts in Windows XP. The following fonts are included with Windows XP and are installed on every computer:

• Courier New (TrueType, including Bold, Italic, and Bold Italic variations)
• Arial (TrueType, including Bold, Italic, and Bold Italic variations)
• Times New Roman (TrueType, including Bold, Italic, and Bold Italic variations)
• Symbol (TrueType)
• Wingdings (TrueType)
• MS Serif
• MS sans Serif

If any of the standard fonts that are included with Windows XP are missing, you can run Windows XP Setup again. Setup replaces missing or changed files. If these standard fonts are missing, other Windows XP files may also be missing, and Setup corrects these problems.

Adding New Fonts

Windows supports TrueType fonts or fonts that are specially designed for Windows, and these fonts are available commercially. Some programs also include special fonts that are installed as part of the program installation. Additionally, printers frequently come with TrueType or special Windows fonts. Follow the directions that come with these products to install these fonts.

To manually install or re-install a font:

• Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
• Double-click the Fonts folder.
• On the File menu, click Install New Font.
• In the Drives box, click the drive that has the floppy or CD-ROM that contains the fonts you want to add. If you are installing fonts from a floppy disk, this is typically drive A or drive B. If you are installing the fonts from a compact disc, your CD-ROM drive is typically drive D.

• Double-click the folder that contains the fonts.
• Click the font you want to add. To select more than one font at a time, press and hold down the Ctrl key while you click each font.
• Click to select the Copy Fonts to Fonts Folder check box. The Windows\Fonts folder is where the fonts that are included with Windows XP are stored.
• Click OK.

Removing Fonts

To completely remove fonts from the hard disk:
• Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
• Double-click the Fonts folder.
• Click the font you want to remove. To select more than one font at a time, press and hold down the Ctrl key while you click each font.
• On the File menu, click Delete.
• When you receive the "Are you sure you want to delete these fonts?" prompt, click Yes.

To prevent a font from loading without removing it from the hard disk, move the font from the Fonts folder into another folder. Use this method for troubleshooting purposes.

This process does not completely remove the font, because font registry information is not deleted. However, it prevents the font from loading.

Default Icons for Folders

2009-06-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

How to Change the Default Icons for Folders

You cannot customize the default icon for a folder in Windows; however, you can make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon. To make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon:

• Open My Computer and browse to the folder that you want.

•Right-click the folder, and then click Create Shortcut. If you are prompted to place the shortcut on the desktop, click yes.

•Right-click the shortcut you created, clicks Properties, and then clicks Change Icon.

•Click the picture of the icon you would like the shortcut to use, click OK, and then click OK.

No Icons Available

If you click Change Icon, and there are no icons available, use the Browse button to find Shell32.dll:

•Right-click the shortcut you created, clicks Properties, and then click Change Icon.
•Click Browse, type

%systemroot%\system32\shell32.dll

In the File name box, click Open, click the icon you want to use, click OK, and then click OK.

Column Settings in Windows Explorer

2009-06-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

How to Change Column Settings in Windows Explorer

This article describes how to change the column settings in Windows Explorer. To change which columns is displayed, or change the width or order of the windows and folders in Windows Explorer:

• In Windows Explorer, click the folder, and then click Choose Details on the View menu.
• Click to select the check box of each item that you would like to add to the current view, or click to clear the check boxes of items that you do not want.
• To reorder your columns, click the item (but do not clear the check box), and then click Move Up or Move Down until the items are in the order that you want. Click OK.

Note: You must click Details on the View menu in order to display the details of the files in the selected folder.

To change the width of the columns, use the appropriate method:

Method One

• On the View menu, click Choose Details, and then click the name of the column that you want to adjust. In the Width of selected column (in pixels) box, enter the size that you want, and then click OK.

Method Two

• Widen columns manually by positioning the mouse pointer between two border buttons of the column headings, the pointer turns into a double arrowhead.
• Click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag the column to the desired width.

Optimize Memory Usage

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To Optimize Memory Usage

You can choose to optimize your computer's memory usage. If you use your computer primarily as a workstation, rather than as a server, you can have more memory devoted to your programs. Your programs will work faster and your system cache size will be the default size that came with Windows XP. You can also specify to set aside more computers.

Memory for a larger system cache, if your computer is used primarily as a server, or if you use programs that require a larger cache.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Performance.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then do one of the following under Memory usage:
• Click Programs if you use your computer primarily as a workstation, rather than as a server, to have more memory devoted to your programs.
• Click System cache if your computer is used primarily as a server, or if you use programs that require a larger cache.

To Change Visual Effects

Windows provides several options to set the visual effects of your computer. For example, you can choose to show shadows under menus, which gives them a 3-D look. You can tell Windows to display the entire contents of a window while you move it on your screen.

To make large text more readable, you can choose to display the smooth edges of screen fonts.

Windows provides options for enabling all of the settings (for best appearance), or none of the settings (for best computer performance). You can also restore the original default settings.

Manage Computer Memory

2009-05-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

To Manage Computer Memory

When your computer is running low on RAM and more is needed immediately, Windows useshard drive space to simulate system RAM. This is known as virtual memory, and is oftencalled the paging file. This is similar to the UNIX swapfile. The default size of thevirtual memory paging file (named pagefile.sys) created during installation is 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your computer.

You can optimize virtual memory use by dividing the space between multiple drives andremoving it from slow or heavily accessed drives. To best optimize your virtual memoryspace, divide it among as many physical hard drives as possible. When you select drives,keep the following guidelines in mind:

Try to avoid having a paging file on the same drive as the system files.

Avoid putting a paging file on a fault-tolerant drive, such as a mirrored volume or aRAID-5 volume. Paging files do not need fault-tolerance, and some fault-tolerant systems suffer from slow data writes because they write data to multiple locations. Do not place multiple paging files on different partitions on the same physical disk drive.

To Change the Size of the Virtual Memory Paging File

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group inorder to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Performance.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Change under Virtual memory.
• Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

Under Paging file size for selected drive, click Custom size, type a new paging file size in megabytes (MB) in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, and then click Set.

If you decrease the size of either the initial or maximum paging file settings, you must restart your computer to see the effects of those changes. When you increase the paging file size, you typically do not need to restart your computer.

To have Windows choose the best paging file size, click System managed size. The recommended minimum size is equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your system, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size. Example, if you have 256 MB of RAM, the minimum size would be 384; the maximum size would be 1152.

For best performance, do not set the initial size to less than the minimum recommended size under Total paging file size for all drives. The recommended size is equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your system. Usually, you should leave the paging file at its recommended size, although you might increase its size if you routinely use programs that require a lot of memory.

To delete a paging file:

· Set both initial size and maximum size to zero, or click No paging file. Microsoft strongly recommends that you do not disable or delete the paging file.

Animated Character

2009-05-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Turn Off, Display, and Select an Animated Character in Search Companion in Windows XP

This article describes how to turn off, display, and select a different animated screen character in Search Companion.

How to Turn Off the Animated Screen Character

• Click Start, and then click Search.
• In the Search Companion dialog box, click Change Preferences.
• In the How do you want to use Search Companion box, click Without an animated screen character.

The screen character is no longer displayed in Search Companion.

Note: You can also right-click the screen character, and then click Turn off the animated character in the You rang box.

How to Display the Animated Screen Character

• Click Start, and then click Search.
• In the Search Companion dialog box, click Change Preferences.
• Click With an animated screen character in the How do you want to use Search Companion box. The screen character is displayed in Search Companion.

How to Select a Different Animated Screen Character

• Click Start, and then click Search.
• In the Search Companion dialog box, click Change Preferences.
• Click With a different character in the How do you want to use Search Companion box.
• Click Back or Next in the Which character would you like to use box to view the characters.
• When the character that you want is displayed, click OK.

The screen character that you selected is displayed in Search Companion.

Note: You can also right-click the screen character, and then click Choose a different animated character in the You rang box.

Troubleshooting

If the Search Companion dialog box is not displayed, press F3 to open it.
You can also open the Search Companion dialog box when you press F3 in Windows Explorer, My Computer, or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Control Panel Accessibility Program

2009-05-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Control Panel Accessibility Program

You can use the Accessibility Program in Control Panel to enable and configure features that assist users who have low vision. To open the Accessibility dialog box:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Accessibility Options.
• In the Accessibility Options dialog box, select the Display tab to have access to
options for visually-impaired users.
• Select the Use High Contrast check box to change the screen display to use colors and fonts designed for easier reading.
• Click the Settings button to select a high-contrast color scheme for your Windows XP system. The default high-contrast scheme is High Contrast Black (Large).
• Choose a scheme from the drop-down list in the High contrast appearance screen; picking a scheme with the word "large" or "extra large" in the scheme name is typically best.
• Use the Cursor Options section of the dialog box to change the appearance of the cursor so that it is easier to see:
• Adjust the Blink Rate to change the speed of the cursor's blinking action.
• Move the slider bar between None and Fast until you find the blink rate that makes it easy to spot the cursor on the screen.
• Adjust the width of the cursor by moving the Width slider bar between Narrow and Wide until you find the width that is easy to see.

The Accessibility Wizard

If you prefer the wizard interface to enable features, open the Accessibility Wizard.

To open the Accessibility Wizard:

• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Accessibility Wizard.
• When the wizard starts, click Next to begin setting accessibility options.
Use the wizard options that apply to features for users with low vision. The following three options are displayed on the Text size options screen:
• Use usual size text for Windows: This option makes no changes to the standard Windows appearance scheme.

• Use large window titles and menus: This option is the same as selecting the High Contrast option in the Accessibility program in Control Panel.
• Use Microsoft Magnifier, and large titles and menus: This option turns on Magnifier. Click Next after making your selection. On the next screen, the options that are displayed depend on the choices that you selected in the previous screen. Click Next to continue.

Note: After you have completed the first part of the Accessibility Wizard and the Set Wizard Options section, completes the process to set the Accessibility Features.

To set wizard options:

• For users with low vision, click the I am blind or have difficulty seeing things on
screen option, and then click Next.
• Select the scroll bar and window border size that is comfortable, and then click
Next.
• Select the icon size that is comfortable, and then click Next.
• Select the high-contrast color scheme that is comfortable, and then click Next.
• Select the size and color of the mouse cursor that is comfortable, and then click
Next.
• Adjust the cursor blink rate and size that is comfortable, and then click Next.
• Click Finish to apply your settings.

The Narrator

2009-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

To Use Narrator to Provide Audio Assistance for the Screen Display

Narrator is a text-to-speech utility for users who are blind or who have low vision.Narrator is designed to work with Notepad, WordPad, Control Panel programs, MicrosoftInternet Explorer, the Windows desktop, and Windows Setup. Narrator may not work correctly in other programs. Narrator reads what is displayed on your screen: thecontents of the active window, menu options, or the text that you have typed. You musthave text-to-speech capabilities installed on the computer to use Narrator. Narrator isnot available for all languages and is currently only supported on the English version ofWindows XP. Narrator has a number of options with which you can customize the way in which screen elements are read.

Click the options that you need on the Narrator dialog box:

• Click Announce events on screen to have new windows, menus, or shortcut menus read
aloud when they are displayed.
• Click Read typed characters to have typed characters read aloud.
• Click Move mouse pointer to the active item to have the pointer follow the active item on the screen.
• Click the Voice button to adjust the speed, volume, or pitch of the voice.

Magnifier

2009-05-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

To Use Magnifier to Enlarge the Screen Display

Magnifier is a display utility that makes the screen more readable for users who have low vision. Magnifier creates a separate window on which a magnified portion of the screen is displayed. You can also change the color scheme of the magnification window for easier visibility. You can move or resize the Magnifier window, or use a drag-and-drop operation to move it to the edge of the screen and lock it in place. Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with slight visual problems. When Magnifier is open, you can arrange the Magnifier window, and use the Magnifier Settings dialog box to set Magnifier options.

To update Magnifier options:

To use the change position of the Magnifier window feature:

• Place the pointer inside the magnification window. The insertion point becomes a hand. Use a drag-and drop operation to move the window to the desired area on your desktop.

To use the change size of the Magnifier window feature:

• Move the pointer over the edge of the magnification window. The insertion point becomes a double-pointed arrow. Use a drag-and drop operation to move the magnification window border to resize the window.

To use the invert colors of the Magnifier window feature:

• In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select the Invert colors check box.
To use the set the magnification level feature, In the Magnifier Settings dialog box, select a magnification level. The default magnification level is 2.

To use the set Magnifier tracking options feature:

• Select the check box next to each tracking option that you want to use.
To magnify the area around the pointer as it moves on the screen:
• Select Follow mouse cursor.
To magnify the area at the insertion point:
• Select Follow keyboard focus. When you press TAB or use the arrow keys, the focus moves to reflect the current screen position.

To display the magnified area that surrounds the insertion point while you are
typing:

Set Accessibility Features

2009-05-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Set Accessibility Features for People Who Are Blind or Who Have Low Vision in Windows
XP

Windows XP offers several features to make it easier for users with low vision to
operate their computers. You can access and enable these features from the Start menu, the Control Panel, or the Accessibility Wizard. This article describes how you can set the Accessibility features in Windows XP for people with low vision.

The Start Menu Accessibility Programs

The Start menu contains visual enhancement utilities that you can select.
To use the Accessibility program:
• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click
Accessibility.
• Select one of the following features:
Magnifier: With this feature, you can enlarge the screen display.
Narrator: This feature provides audio assistance about the items that are displayed on
the screen.

Read Attributes

2009-05-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

Read Attributes

The Read Attributes permission allows or denies the user from viewing the attributes of a file or folder, such as read-only and hidden. Attributes are defined by the NTFS file system.

Read Extended Attributes

The Read Extended Attributes permission allows or denies the user from viewing the extended attributes of a file or folder. Extended attributes are defined by programs and may vary by program.

Create Files/Write Data

The Create Files permission allows or denies the user from creating files in the
folder (applies only to folders). The Write Data permission allows or denies the user from making changes to the file and overwriting existing content (applies only to files).

Create Folders/Append Data

The Create Folders permission allows or denies the user from creating folders in the folder (applies only to folders). The Append Data permission allows or denies the user from making changes to the end of the file but not changing, deleting, or overwriting existing data (applies only to files).

Write Attributes

The Write Attributes permission allows or denies the user from changing the attributes of a file or folder, such as read-only or hidden. Attributes are defined by the NTFS file system. The Write Attributes permission does not imply creating or deleting files or folders, it includes only the permission to make changes to the attributes of a file or folder.

To allow or deny create or delete operations, see Create Files/Write Data, Create
Folders/Append Data, Delete Subfolders and Files, and Delete.

Write Extended Attributes

The Write Extended Attributes permission allows or denies the user from changing the extended attributes of a file or folder. Extended attributes are defined by programs and may vary by program.

The Write Extended Attributes permission does not imply that the user can create or delete files or folders, it includes only the permission to make changes to the
attributes of a file or folder. To allow or deny create or delete operations, view the Create Files/Write Data, Create Folders/Append Data, Delete Subfolders and Files, and Delete sections in this article.

Delete Subfolders and Files

The Delete Subfolders and Files permission allows or denies the user from deleting subfolders and files, even if the Delete permission is not granted on the subfolder or file. This permission applies only to folders.

Delete

The Delete permission allows or denies the user from deleting the file or folder. If
you do not have Delete permission on a file or folder, you can delete it if you are
granted Delete Subfolders and Files permissions on the parent folder.

Read Permissions

The Read Permissions permission allows or denies the user form reading permissions about the file or folder, such as Full Control, Read, and Write.

Change Permissions

The Change Permissions permission allows or denies the user from changing permissions on the file or folder, such as Full Control, Read, and Write.

Take Ownership

The Take Ownership permission allows or denies the user form taking ownership of the file or folder. The owner of a file or folder can change permissions on it, regardless of any existing permissions that protect the file or folder.

Synchronize

The Synchronize permission allows or denies different threads to wait on the handle for the file or folder and synchronize with another thread that may signal it. This permission applies only to multiple-threaded, multiple-process programs.

Special Permissions Defined

2009-05-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

Special Permissions Defined

You can set any or all of the following special permissions on files and folders.

Traverse Folder/Execute File

For folders:

• The Traverse Folder permission allows or denies the user from moving through folders
to reach other files or folders, even if the user has no permissions for the traversed
folders (applies only to folders). Traverse Folder takes effect only when the group or
user is not granted the Bypass Traverse Checking user right which checks user rights in
the Group Policy snap-in. By default, the Everyone group is given the Bypass Traverse
Checking user right.

For files:

• The Execute File permission allows or denies program files the are running (applies
only to files).

Setting the Traverse Folder permission on a folder does not automatically set the
Execute File permission on all files in that folder.

List Folder/Read Data

The List Folder permission allows or denies the user from viewing file names and
subfolder names in the folder. The List Folder permission affects only the contents of
that folder and does not affect whether the folder that you are setting the permission on
is listed. This applies only to folders.

The Read Data permission allows or denies viewing data in files (applies only to
files).

Permissions for Files and Folders

2009-05-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

Permissions for Files and Folders

Folder permissions include Full Control, Modify, Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, Read, and Write. Each of these permissions consists of a logical group of special permissions that are listed and defined in the following sections.

Note: This article assumes that you are using Windows XP on a domain. By default, simplified sharing is enabled in Windows XP if you are not connected to a domain, which means that the Security tab and advanced options for permissions are not available.

If you are not joined to a domain and want to view the Security tab, view the Set,

View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and Folders section in this article.

File and Folder Special Permissions

The following table describes file and folder special permissions.

Special Permissions Full Control Modify Read & Execute List Folder Contents Read Write

Traverse Folder/Execute File yes yes yes yes no no
List Folder/Read Data yes yes yes yes yes no
Read Attributes yes yes yes yes yes no
Read Extended Attributes yes yes yes yes yes no
Create Files/Write Data yes yes no no no yes
Create Folders/Append Data yes yes no no no yes
Write Attributes yes yes no no no yes
Write Extended Attributes yes yes no no no yes
Delete Subfolders and Files yes no no no no no
Delete yes yes no no no no
Read Permissions yes yes yes yes yes yes
Change Permissions yes no no no no no
Take Ownership yes no no no no no
Synchronize yes yes yes yes yes yes

IMPORTANT: Groups or users who are granted Full Control on a folder can delete any files in that folder, regardless of the permissions that protect the file.

Note: Although List Folder Contents and Read & Execute appear to have the same special permissions, these permissions are inherited differently. List Folder Contents is inherited by folders but not files, and it only appears when you view folder permissions. Read & Execute is inherited by both files and folders and is always present when you view file or folder permissions.

Note: In Windows XP Professional, the Everyone group does not include the Anonymous Logon group.

Change visual effects

2009-05-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

To change visual effects, follow these steps:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance, click Settings.
• Click the Visual Effects tab, and then do one of the following:
• Click Adjust for best performance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best performance.
• Click Adjust for best appearance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best appearance.
• Click Custom, and then click to select the check boxes for those items that you want to turn on. Click to clear the check boxes for the items that you want to turn off.

Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and Folders in Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can apply special access permissions to files or folders that are located on NTFS file system volumes. Special access permissions are customizable sets of permissions. This article describes how to set, view, change, or remove special permissions for files and folders.

Quickly Lock Your Computer

2009-05-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

Quickly Lock Your Computer and Use Other Windows Logo Shortcut Keys

This article describes how to quickly lock your computer as well as the other Windows logo shortcut keys that you can use. Windows XP includes a new Microsoft Natural Keyboard shortcut to lock your computer. Any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key can also perform this task.

To use this shortcut:

• Press the Windows logo key + L.

The following list has different computer lock-up scenarios that are available to you,as well as other ways to lock the computer:

Fast User Switching Enabled

If the Fast User Switching feature is enabled and you lock the computer, you can observe the same behavior as if you switched users: The computer returns to the Welcome screen and other users can log on to the computer.

Fast User Switching Disabled

If the Fast User Switching feature is disabled and you lock the computer, the Unlock Computer dialog box is displayed that requires the current logged-on user to enter a password to unlock the computer.

Welcome Screen Enabled

If the Welcome screen is enabled, the computer can also be locked if you press Ctrl+Alt+Del (to open Task Manager), and then click Lock Computer or click Switch User on the Shut Down menu.

Note: The ability to observe "Lock Computer" or "Switch User" on the Shut Down menu is dependent upon whether or not the Fast User Switching feature is enabled.

Welcome Screen Disabled

If the Welcome screen is disabled, you can lock the computer if you press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then click Lock Computer in the Windows Security dialog box.
In all of the preceding scenarios, the "Windows logo key + L" shortcut can lock the computer. If you do not have a password that is set for your user account, anyone can unlock your computer. To set a password for your user account: In Control Panel, double-click User accounts, select your user account, and then click Create a password.

Prevent a User From Running or Stopping a Scheduled Process

This step-by-step article describes how to prevent a user from running or stopping a scheduled process in Windows XP. There are occasions where is not advisable to run a scheduled process before the intended date and time, or when an administrator doesn't want a user to add new scheduled processes to the computer. You can use the following procedures to enable maximum control over what can be done with the Scheduler service.

• Click Start > Run, type mmc, and then click OK.
• On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in. On the Standalone tab, click Add.
• In the Available Standalone Snap-ins list, click Group Policy, and then click Add.

In the Select Group Policy object box, click Local Computer to edit the local Group
Policy object, or click Browse to find the Group Policy object that you want.

• Click Finish, click Close, and then click OK. The Group Policy snap-in opens the Group Policy object for editing.
• Expand either the User Configuration or Computer Configuration branch, and then expand Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Task Scheduler.
• Double-click Prevent Task Run or End, click Enabled, and then click OK.

Use ClearType to Enhance Screen Fonts

This step-by-step article describes how to enable ClearType to sharpen fonts on your
Windows XP display. ClearType enhances your display by smoothing the edges of screen fonts. ClearType works especially well on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, including flat screen monitors and laptop computers.

• Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display.
• On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
• Click to select the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box, and then click ClearType in the list.

How to Customize ClearType

You can adjust the contrast setting for ClearType for your personal preference. Although there are no tools or settings in Windows XP for doing this, the following Microsoft Web site includes tools to turn ClearType on or off, and to adjust the contrast:

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/cleartypeactivate.htm

Back to the top Display Appears Blurry

ClearType is designed to enhance LCD displays. ClearType may appear slightly blurry on standard desktop monitors and on some LCD displays. You may be able to improve this by customizing ClearType as described in the "How to Customize ClearType" section of this article. In rare cases, perceived blurriness is caused by a manufacturing anomaly on LCD displays in which the normal striping of red-green-blue is reversed with blue-green-red. Currently, there is no support in Windows XP ClearType to compensate for this anomaly.

This could be the problem in cases in which none of the ClearType contrast settings look good on a particular LCD display. In those cases, it may be best to turn off ClearType.

Color Setting Must Support ClearType

To use ClearType, you must have a video adapter and monitor that support a color setting of at least 256 colors. Best results are achieved with High color (24-bit) or Highest color (32-bit) support.

To change the color quality:

• Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display.
• On the Settings tab, in the Color quality list, click a different color setting.

Screen saver Wait setting

2009-05-31T18:16:00.000-07:00

To change the Windows screen saver Wait setting:

• Right-click the Windows Desktop, and then click Properties.
• Click the Screen Saver tab, and then type the appropriate number of minutes in the Wait box. (You must have a screen saver selected.)
• Click Apply.

The screen saver Wait time automatically appears in the Windows Messenger Options dialog box as the default "Away" status wait time.

To select an "Away" status wait time that is different from your screen saver Wait
time:

• In Windows Messenger, on the Tools menu, click Options.
• Click the Preferences tab.
• In the Show me as "Away" when I'm inactive for box, type the number of minutes. This number overrides the screen saver setting and is the time that elapses before Away appears next to your name on the list.

View the Storage Devices That Are Displayed As "USB SCSI Storage Device" in Windows XP

USB devices that are using an SCSI-to-USB adapter are displayed as "USB SCSI Storage Device" in the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the taskbar. Finding which device you want to remove may be confusing if your computer has more than one of these devices.

• Open the Safely Remove Hardware dialog box, and then click to select the Display Device Components box.

Automatically Log On

2009-05-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Automatically Log On a User Account in Windows XP

This article describes how to automatically log on a user account during the Windows startup process.

Note: This process only works if the computer is not joined to a domain.
Requirements

• The Welcome screen must be available.
• Guest account access must be turned off.
• There must be only one user account on the computer.
• The user account must not have a password.
Make the Welcome Screen Available
To make the Welcome screen available:
• Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.
• Click Change the way users log on or off.
• Click to select the Use the Welcome screen for fast and easy logon check box.
• Click OK.

Turn Off Guest Account Access

To turn off Guest account access:
• Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.
• Click the Guest account.
• Click Turn off Guest access.

Remove the Password from a User Account

To remove the password from a user account:
• Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.
• Click the user account.
• Click Remove my password.
• Type the password in the Type your current password box, and then click Remove Password.

Rename Multiple Files

2009-05-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

How to Rename Multiple Files with Windows Explorer

• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
• Press and hold down the Ctrl-key while you are clicking files.
• After you select the files, press F2.
• Type the new name, and then press ENTER.

Note: When you complete the preceding steps, the highlighted state of all files
except one disappears, so it may appear as if you are only renaming one file. However, after you press ENTER, all of the files are renamed. When you rename multiple files, all of the renamed files have the same name with a number in parentheses appended to the name to make the new file name unique. For example, if you type BUDGET as the new name, the first file is named BUDGET. All of the remaining selected files are named BUDGET(x),

where x is a unique number, starting with (1).

Notes:If you make a mistake when you try to rename multiple files, you can press Ctrl+Z, or click Undo Rename on the Edit menu to undo file rename action you just completed, and you can repeat this process as needed.

The Rename function in Windows Explorer does not match the behavior of the REN command you may use at a command prompt. For example, if you had files that are named smitha.doc, smithb.doc, and smithc.doc, you could use the ren smoth*.doc smythe*.doc command. All file names automatically show the new spelling, and are renamed smythea.doc, smytheb.doc, and smythec.doc.

If you use the Windows XP Rename function in Windows Explorer, after you select the three "smith" files, and rename smitha.doc to smythea.doc, all the other files you selected are named smythea(x).doc. To return to the original file name structure (the use of a, b, c, etc), you must rename each file individually.

Restore Icons That Have Been Removed from the Desktop in Windows XP

This article describes how to restore the My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places icons after they have been removed from the desktop.
In Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Professional, the new Start menu is enabled by default. When the new Start menu is enabled, the My Computer, My Documents, and My Network Places icons are removed from the desktop.

• Right-click the Desktop and click Properties.
• Click the Desktop tab.
• Click Customize Desktop.
• Click the General tab, and then click the icons that you want to place on the
desktop.
• Click OK.

Back up Files and Folders

2009-05-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

Back up Files and Folders on Your Computer in Windows XP

This article describes how to use Backup Utility for Windows (included with Windows XP) to back up files and folders on your computer. The Backup tool in Windows XP helps you protect your data in case your hard disk fails or files are accidentally erased. By using Backup, you can create a duplicate copy of all of the data on your hard disk and then archive it on another storage device, such as a hard disk or a tape. If the original data on your hard disk is accidentally erased or overwritten, or becomes inaccessible because of a hard-disk malfunction, you can easily restore the data from the disk or archived copy by using the Restore Wizard or Automated System recovery Wizard.

Note: You must have permissions as an administrator or a backup operator on your computer to back up files and folders. Also, backup operators and administrators can back up and restore encrypted files and folders without decrypting the files or folders.

• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup. The Backup or
Restore Wizard starts.

• Click Advanced Mode.
• Click the Backup tab.
• On the Job menu, click New.
• Select the check boxes for the drives that you want to back up. If you want to be more specific in your selections, expand the drive that you want, and then click the check boxes for the files or folders that you want.

• Select the System State check box.

Note: If you want to back up your system settings as well as your data files, you
should back up all the data on your computer plus the System State data, which includes such things as the registry, the COM+ class registration database, files under Windows File Protection, and boot files.

• In the Backup destination list, click the backup destination that you want to use.
• If you clicked File in the previous step, type the full path and file name that you
want in the Backup media or file name box. Note that you can also specify a network share as a destination for the backup file.
• Click Start Backup. The Backup Job Information dialog box appears.
Under If the media already contains backups, use one of the following steps:
• If you want to append this backup to previous backups, click Append this backup to the media. If you want to overwrite previous backups with this backup, click replace the data on the media with this backup.

• Click Advanced.
• Select the Verify data after backup check box.
• In the Backup Type box, click the type of backup that you want. When you click a backup type, a description of that backup type is displayed under "Description."
• Click OK, and then click Start Backup. A Backup Progress dialog box appears, and the backup starts.
• When the backup is complete, click Close.

One-Click Shutdown

2009-05-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

One-Click Shutdown

If you have Clean Sweep Deluxe, you should disable it before proceeding. Follow these directions to create a one-click shutdown shortcut:

• Navigate to your Desktop.
• On the Desktop, right-click and go to New, then to Shortcut (in other words, create a new shortcut).
• You should now see a pop-up window instructing you to enter a command line path. Enter one of these as the path: SHUTDOWN -s -t 01
• If the C: drive is not your local hard drive, then replace "C" with the correct
letter of the hard drive.
• Click the "Next" button.
• Name the shortcut and click the "Finish" button.

Now whenever you want to shut down, just click on this shortcut and you're done. Also, if you want to make life better and faster, you can right-click the new shortcut you just made, go to Properties, and type in X (or whatever letter) in the Shortcut Key box.

Getting an Older Program to Run on Windows XP

If an older application gives you trouble when running Windows XP, you can set the compatibility properties manually so that the program runs in a different mode, such as Windows 95, or in a different display or resolution setting.

• Right-click the executable or the program shortcut to the executable, and then click Properties.
• Select the Run this program in compatibility mode check box.
• From the list, select an operating system that the program runs in comfortably.
• If necessary, also change the display settings and/or resolution, or disable the
Windows XP visual themes.

Run the program again when you're finished changing the settings. Adjust the
compatibility settings again if the program is still not running smoothly: a program that's unhappy on Windows 2000 may flourish on Windows 98.

Fix Movie Interference in AVI Files

If you have any AVI files that you saved in Windows 9x, which have interference when opened in Windows XP, there is an easy fix to get rid of the interference:
• Open Windows Movie Maker.
• Click View and then click Options.
• Click in the box to remove the check mark beside automatically creates clips.
• Now, import the movie file that has interference and drag it onto the timeline.

Then save the movie, and during the rerendering, the interference will be removed.

Compress Files and Folders

2009-05-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Compress Files and Folders in Windows XP

Running out of room on your hard disk? Need some extra space to install a new
program? Don't worry, Windows XP comes to the rescue. Both Windows XP Professional and Home Edition now include a zip compression utility that you can use to compress files and folders on your hard disk.

• Right-click the file or folder.
• Point to Send To.
• Then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.

This will make a compressed folder, identified by a zipper icon, which displays the same name as the file you compressed. You can also make a compressed folder from scratch, by following these steps:

• Right-click the Desktop.
• Point to New.
• Click Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Enable Services to Work through Internet Connection Firewall

When people are having trouble getting to specific programs or services on your
Windows XP machine after you enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), you may need to enable the program or service to work through the firewall.

• Click Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.
• Right-click your Internet connection, and then click Properties.
• Click the Advanced tab in the Properties dialog box.
• Click Settings, and the Advanced Settings dialog box opens.

From there you can enable most common services just by clicking them, or add your own by clicking the Add button.

Roll Back to Previous Driver

2009-05-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Roll Back to the Previous Version of a Driver

Have you ever installed a device driver that makes your system unstable? Well, in Windows XP you can roll back such a change if it causes you problems! To go back to the previous driver for a device:

• Click Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools.
• Double-click Computer Management, and then click Device Manager in the left pane.
• Right-click the device for which you'd like to roll back the drivers, and then click
Properties.
• On Driver tab of the Properties dialog box, click Roll Back Driver, and follow the
wizard's instructions.

It's that simple, although you need to be an administrator or a member of the
Administrators group to complete this procedure.

Create a Personal Screen Saver

For a great way to put your digital photos to work, try creating a slide show
presentation for use as a screen saver.

• Right-click an empty spot on your desktop, and then clicks Properties.
• Click the Screen Saver tab.
• In the Screen saver list, click My Pictures Slideshow.
• Click Settings to make any adjustments, such as how often the pictures should
change, what size they should be, and whether you'll use transition effects between pictures, and then click OK.

Now your screen saver is a random display of the pictures taken from your My Pictures folder.

Change the Logon Window and the Shutdown Preferences in Windows XP

Setup configures Windows XP to use the friendly Welcome logon screen and the shutdown buttons, if your computer is installed as a home computer (a computer where a network domain has not been specified).

This article describes how you can enable the classic logon screen used by Windows XP Server that resembles the following example:

Log On to Windows

User name: _____________
Password: _____________
To temporarily use the classic logon screen, press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice on the Welcome logon screen. To configure Windows XP to use the classic logon and shutdown screens for every logon session, do the following:

• Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
• Double-click User Accounts.
• Click Change the way users log on or off.
• Click to clear the Use the Welcome screen check box.

Note: If you disable the Welcome logon screen, you also disable the Fast User
Switching option.

Stop Password Expiration

2009-05-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

Stop Password Expiration

After you have run Windows XP for a while, you may receive this message when you log on: "Your password will expire in 14 days.....". By default, Windows XP is set up with passwords which will expire after 42 days. And 14 days in advance, Windows will start warning you of this fact.

• Go to Start > Run > type control userpasswords2
• Select the Advanced tab in the User Accounts window.
• Press the Advanced button below the Advanced user management header.
• Select Users in the Local Users and Groups.
• In the right pane, right-click the user name for which you want to change the
setting, and select Properties.
• On the General tab, check Password never expires.
• Click Apply and OK (all the way out).

Display Hibernate Option on the Shut Down dialog

For some reason, Hibernate isn't available from the default Shut Down dialog. But you can enable it simply enough, by holding down the shift-key while the dialog is visible.

Now you see it, now you don't!

My Computer Won't Shut Down Itself after Installing XP

There are a number of users who have been complaining that their PC will no longer automatically power down/shut off without pressing the power off button on the computers unlike in Windows Me/95/2000. There could be a number of reasons for this, but the main one seems to be that ACPI is not enabled on the computer or in Windows XP:

• Click Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options tab.
• Then click APM > Enable Advanced Power Management Support.

Create a Password Reset Disk

Microsoft has enhanced security features in XP including the ability to create a
floppy diskette to recover your password in case it is forgotten.

• Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.
• Click on the account which you want to create a password disk.
• Click Prevent a forgotten password which starts the Forgotten Password Wizard .

This is found under Related Tasks.

• Insert a blank, formatted disk into drive A, and click Next.
• Enter the password in the Current user account password box.
To use the recovery disk, at the Welcome screen:
• Click the user name whose password is on the recovery disk.
• Click the question mark button, this causes the "Did you forget your password
message" to appear.
• Click use your password reset disk. This will start the Password Reset Wizard.
From this point, just follow the wizard's instructions and you will be able to set a
new password.

Stop Jerky Graphics

2009-05-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

Stop Jerky Graphics

If you are connected to a LAN and have problems with jerky graphics, this might be the solution:

• Right-click "My Computer".
• Select "Manage".
• Click on "Device Manager".
• Double-click on your NIC under "Network Adapters".
• In the new window, select the "Advanced" tab.
• Select "Connection Type" and manually set the value of your NIC. (Not "Auto Sense"which is default.).
• You should reboot.

Turn Off CD Auto Play

• Open My Computer.
• Right-click on your CD-ROM and choose Properties.
• Click on the Auto Play tab.
• In the drop down box you can choose the action for each choice shown in the drop down box.

• or Go to Start > Run > type gpedit.msc
• Go to Computer Config > Administrative Template > System.
• Double-click Turn off Autoplay.
• Enable it.

Keep Your Favorite Programs near the Top of the Start Menu

Do you have a favorite program that you frequently use? Elevate its priority on the Start menu by putting it at the top of the list. This ensures that the program will remain on the Start menu and cannot be bumped by other programs, even if you use the others more frequently.

• Right-click the link to your favorite program on the Start menu and select Pin to
Start Menu. Your program will be moved permanently to the top part of the list, just below your browser and e-mail programs.

Toolbar

2009-05-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

Add a Map Drive Button to the Toolbar

Do you want to quickly map a drive, but can't find the toolbar button? If you map drives often, use one of these options to add a Map Drive button to the folder toolbar.

Option One (Long Term Fix):

• Click Start, click My Computer, right-click the toolbar, then unlock the toolbars,
if necessary.
• Right-click the toolbar again, and then click Customize.
• Under Available toolbar buttons, locate Map Drive, and drag it into the position you want on the right under Current toolbar buttons.
• Click Close, click OK, and then click OK again.

You now have drive mapping buttons on your toolbar, so you can map drives from any folder window. To unmapped drives, follow the above procedure, selecting Disconnect under

Available toolbar buttons. To quickly map a drive, try this option:

Option Two (Quick Fix):

• Click Start, and right-click My Computer.
• Click Map Network Drive.
If you place your My Computer icon directly on the desktop, you can make this move inonly two clicks!

Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs

Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is
installed? If it gets in the way when you're logging off, turn it off completely.

To do this:

• Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.
• In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click customize.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
• Click OK, and then click OK again.
Now that message won't be popping up when you least want to see it.

Display Your Quick Launch Toolbar

• Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, click Toolbars, and then click Quick
Launch.
• Easy as that your Quick Launch bar appears.
• To add items to your Quick Launch toolbar, click the icon for the program you want to add, and drag it to the Quick Launch portion of the taskbar.

Start Menu Style

2009-05-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

Change the Start Menu Style

Does the new Windows XP Start menu take up too much space on your desktop? You can easily change the look back to the Windows Classic Start menu by following these steps:

• Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
• Click Classic Start menu.
• Click the Customize button to select items to display on the Start menu.

By default, selecting the Classic Start menu also adds the My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and Internet Explorer icons to your desktop.

Use a Shortcut to Local Area Network Connection Information

Something new in Windows XP, instead of using the command line program and typing ipconfig to find local area network information, you can use the following shortcut:

• Click Start, point to Connect to, and then click Show All Connections.
• Right-click the connection you want information about, and then click Status.
• In the Connection Properties dialog box, click the Support tab. For even more
information, click the Advanced tab.

To automatically enable the status monitor each time the connection is active, in the Connection Properties dialog box, select the Show icon in taskbar notification area when connected check box.

Disable Error Reporting

2009-05-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

Disable Error Reporting

• Open Control Panel.
• Click on Performance and Maintenance.
• Click on System.
• Then click on the Advanced tab.
• Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
• Select Disable error reporting.
• Click OK. Click OK.

Close Multiple Windows

If you just opened a number of separate, related windows (a folder inside a folder, and so on), there's an easier way to close them all than one-at-a-time:

• Hold down the shift-key as you click the X caption button in the upper-right corner of the last window opened. Doing so closes that window and all windows that came before it.

Enable Clear Type

Easy way: Click on or cut and paste link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/cleartypeactivate.htm?fname=%20&fsize=

• Right-click on a blank area of the Desktop and choose Properties.
• Click on the Appearance tab; click effects.
• Check the box: Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts.
• In the drop down box select: Clear Type.

Customize the Start menu

2009-05-31T17:43:00.000-07:00

Customize the Start menu

The Start menu gets more real estate in XP than in previous versions, and it's more customizable. To make the Start menu display only the applications you want, rather than the default determined by Microsoft:

• Right-click in an empty section of the Start menu's left column.
• Select Properties > Start Menu > Customize. Here you'll find a list of your most frequently used programs. (XP keeps track of what you use and what you don't, then updates this list dynamically).

Don't want your boss to know that Pinball, Solitaire, and Quake all make your list?

• Go to the General tab, click Clear List, and set the counter to zero.

Win XP Won't Completely Shutdown

• Go to Control Panel, then go to Power Options.
• Click on the APM tab, then check the "Enable Advanced Power Management support."
• Shut down your PC.

It should now successfully complete the Shut Down process.

Adjust Various Visual Effects

• Open up the Control Panel.
• Go under System and click on the Advanced tab.
• Click settings under Performance options.
You can now change various graphical effects (mainly animations and shadows).

Pointer Scheme

2009-05-31T17:42:00.002-07:00

Change out Your Pointer Scheme

Tired of seeing your pointer as an arrow or an hourglass all the time? Windows XP offers a number of alternative pointer schemes, such as Dinosaur, Ocean and Sports:

• Open the Control Panel, double-click Mouse, and select the Pointers tab.

(If you start in Category view, select Appearance and Themes, then click Mouse Pointers under "See Also").

• Next to Schemes, click the down arrow and select a scheme to preview its pointers.
• Click OK to apply the scheme to your desktop.

Use the Ultimate Configuration Tool (Professional Edition Only)

One of the most full featured Windows XP configuration tools available is hidden right there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short.

To invoke this editor:

• Select Start and then Run, then type the following:
gpedit.msc After you hit Enter, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify virtually every feature in Windows XP without having to resort to regedit.

Spot a 16-Bit Application

2009-05-31T17:42:00.001-07:00

Learn How to Spot a 16-Bit Application

Because most Windows 3.x-based programs run properly under Windows XP, it's sometimes difficult to tell 16-bit and 32-bit applications apart.

• Right-click the program's executable file and then choose Properties.

If you see a Version tab, it's a 32-bit program.

• Or, if the program is running, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the

Windows Task Manager. On the Processes tab, look in the Image Name column for the name of the program's executable file. If any 16-bit programs are running, you'll find an entry for Ntvdm.exe, the virtual DOS machine. Just above it in the list, you'll see indented entries for Wowexec.exe (the Windows on Windows subsystem) and the executable name of each 16-bit program running in that virtual machine.

Get Fast Access to System Settings

You don't have to pass through Control Panel to get to the System Properties dialog box.

• Hold down the Windows key and press Break to open this handy dialog box immediately.

No Windows key?

• Create a shortcut to Sysdm.cpl (you'll find it in the %systemroot%\System32 folder) and place it anywhere in the Programs menu. Then open the shortcut's Properties dialog box and assign it an easy-to-remember keyboard shortcut such as Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S.

• Some laptop keyboards may have separate keys for Break and Pause, and you may find this dialog box opens if you hold the Windows key and press Pause.

Auto Login

2009-05-31T17:41:00.001-07:00

Auto Login

• Go to Start/Run, and type 'control userpasswords2'.
• From Users Tab, Uncheck "Users must enter ...."
• A dialog will allow setting a user and password to be used automatically

You Can Bypass the Recycle Bin On the Fly.

To bypass the Recycle Bin on a one-time basis, when you are deleting a file (or a group of selected files):

• Press and hold down the shift-key while you press the del-key (or use the delete command). You receive the following confirmation-request message:
Are you sure you want to send to the Recycle Bin?

Identify a 16-bit Program

• Use Windows Explorer to open the folder that contains the program's executable (.exe) file.
• Right-click the .exe file, and then click Properties.
• A 16-bit program does not have a Version tab in this dialog box.

Newly Installed Programs

2009-05-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs

Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is installed? If it gets in the way when you're logging off, turn it off completely. To do this:

• Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.
• In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click
Customize.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
• Click OK, and then click OK again.

Change the Default Opening Folder in Windows Explorer

By default, Windows Explorer opens showing the My Documents folder. To change the default setting so that all top-level drives and folders are shown, follow these steps:

• Click Start > Programs > Accessories, then right-click Windows Explorer, and click Properties.
• Under Target field, which reads %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe, add to make the line read:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\

Turn off Auto play

2009-05-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

Turn off Auto play for Program CDs

How can you stop Windows XP from launching program CDs?

• Click Start; click Run, type GPEDIT.MSC to open Group Policy in the Microsoft Management Console.
• Double-click Computer Configuration, double-click Administrative templates, double-click System, and then click Turn off auto play.
• The instructions on your screen describe how to configure this setting. Click properties to display the setting dialog.
• Click Enabled, and choose CD-ROM drives, then click OK, to stop CD auto play. This setting does not prevent Auto play for music CDs.

Change Drive Letters in Windows XP

When you add drives to your computer, such as an extra hard drive, a CD drive, or a storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive. When you want to change drive letters, follow these steps:

• Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
• Under Computer Management, click Disk Management. In the right pane, you'll see your drives listed. CD-ROM drives are listed at the bottom of the pane.
• Right-click the drive or device you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter and Paths.
• Click Change; click Assign the following drive letter, click the drive letter you want to assign, and then click OK.

Slow Start-ups

2009-05-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

Slow Start-up When Using Norton Internet Security 2002

If you are using Norton Internet Security 2002, and are experiencing slow start-up of XP, (i.e. you can see the desktop with icons etc. but it takes 30-60sec before you can start using the computer), this fix might help:

• Click on Start button.
• Select Control Panel.
• Open "Network Connections".
• Under "LAN and High-Speed Internet", right-click on your "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties".
• Under "General" tab, select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and select "Properties".
• Select "Use the following IP address:".
• Under "IP address" enter following: 192.168.0.1
• Under "Subnet Mask:" enter following: 255.255.255.0
• Click "Ok".

Slow Network Access Not Always Due to Scheduled Tasks Check

If you have very slow access to your network computers through "My Network Places" and have already deleted the Registry entry calling for a check of Scheduled Tasks on the other network computers (documented elsewhere on this site) AND you have multiple network Adaptors (i.e. a cable or DSL connection through one NIC and an internal network using a second NIC) check the following:

• Right-click on "My Network Places", go to Properties.
• Right-click on the NIC that your cable/DSL connects to, and chooses Properties.
• Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click on Properties.
• Click on "Advanced", go to "WINS" tab, and chose Disable NetBios over TCP/IP.
• When you are back at your Network Connections page, right-click on the Broadband selection.
• Choose "Properties", click on the Networking tab.
• Again, choose TCP/IP, Properties, Advanced, WINS, and select "disable NetBios over TCP/IP".

Internet Connection Sharing

2009-05-31T17:36:00.002-07:00

Internet Connection Sharing

To enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection:

• Open Network Connections.
• Click the dial-up, local area network, PPPoE, or VPN connection you want to share.
• Then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
• On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer internet connection check box.
• If you want this connection to dial automatically when another computer on your home or small office networks attempts to access external resources, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box.

• If you want other network users to enable or disable the shared Internet connection,
select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box. Under Internet Connection Sharing, in Home networking connection, select any adapter that connects the computer sharing its Internet connection to the other computers on your network.

Internet Explorer

2009-05-31T17:36:00.001-07:00

Load Internet Explorer the Fastest Way Possible

• Edit your link to start Internet Explorer to have -no home after it. For Example:
"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" -no home
This will load internet explorer very fast because it does not load a web page while it is loading. If you want to go to your homepage after it is loaded, just click on the home button.

Synchronize Your Computer Clock with an Internet Time Server

Does your computer have the right time? If your computer is not part of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server. To do so:

• Double-click the time on your task bar.

• Click the Internet Time tab.

• Select the time server you want to use and make sure to select the automatically synchronize with an Internet time server check box

DMA Mode on IDE Devices

2009-05-31T17:35:00.001-07:00

DMA Mode on IDE Devices

Just like Windows 2000, Windows XP still fails to set the DMA mode correctly for the IDE device designated as the slaves on the primary IDE and secondary IDE channels. Most CD-ROMS are capable of supporting DMA mode, but the default in XP is still PIO. Setting it to DMA won't make your CD-ROM faster, but it will consume less CPU cycles. Here's how:

• Open the Device Manager. One way to do that is to right-click on "My Computer", select the Hardware tab, and select Device Manager.
• Expand "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and double-click on "Primary IDE Channel".
• Under the "Advanced Settings" tab, check the "Device 1" setting. More than likely, your current transfer mode is set to PIO.
• Set it to "DMA if available".
• Repeat the step for the "Secondary IDE Channel" if you have devices attached to it.
Reboot.

Adjust Large System Cache

2009-05-31T17:34:00.001-07:00

Easy Way to Adjust Large System Cache

Normally, the tweak I've seen asks you to go into
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management and change the value to either 0 or 1 to the adjustment the LargeSystemCache.

However, in Windows XP, all you have to do is:

• Right-click My Computer.
• Select Properties.
• Click Advanced.
• Choose Performance.
• Click Advanced again.
• Select either Programs or System Cache under Memory Usage.

Programs = 0 for the registry tweak equivalent
System Cache = 1 for the registry tweak equivalent

• On NT Server (in this case XP), the Large System Cache option is enabled, but disabled on Workstation. The two different settings effect how the cache manager allocates free memory. If the Large Cache option is on, the manager marks all the free memory, which isn't being used by the system and/or applications, as freely available for disk caching.

• On the flip-side (with a small cache), the manager instead only sets aside 4MB of memory for disk caching in an attempt to accelerate the launch of applications. Or in a more technical approach, if enabled the system will favor system-cache working sets over process working sets (with a working set basically being the memory used by components of a process).

Speed Up Detailed View in Explorer

2009-05-31T17:33:00.001-07:00

Speed Up Detailed View in Explorer

If you like to view your files in Windows Explorer using the "Details" view here is a tweak to speed up the listing of file attributes:

Viewing files in Windows Explorer using the "Details" mode shows various attributes associated with each file shown. Some of these must be retrieved from the individual files when you click on the directory for viewing. For a directory with numerous and relatively large files (such as a folder in which one stores media, eg: *.mp3's, *.avi's etc.), Windows Explorer lags as it reads through each one. Here's how to disable viewing of unwanted attributes and speed up file browsing:

• Open Windows Explorer.
• Navigate to the folder which you wish to optimize.
• In "Details" mode right-click the bar at the top which displays the names of the attribute columns.
• Uncheck any that are unwanted/unneeded.

Explorer will apply your preferences immediately, and longs lists of unnecessary attributes will not be displayed. Likewise, one may choose to display any information which is regarded as needed, getting more out of Explorer.

Sounds for Messenger Events

2009-05-31T17:32:00.001-07:00

Changing the Sounds for Windows Messenger Events

• On the Tools menu, click Options.
• On the Preferences tab, under Alerts, click Sounds, and then click the Sounds tab.
• Under Program events, scroll down to the Windows Messenger sound scheme.
• Click the sound that you want to change, and then, from the sounds that are available on your computer, click a new sound, and then click

OK.

• If you want to select additional sounds, click Browse. By default, the Media folder opens to allow you to search for additional .wav files. If the Windows Plus! Pack is installed, there is a wide choice of sounds.

Turning Off Alerts

• On the Tools menu, click Options.
• In the Options dialog box, click the Preferences tab, and then do one of the following:

For sign-in alerts: Click to clear the check box for Display alerts near the taskbar when contacts come online.
For instant message alerts: Click to clear the check box for Display alerts near the taskbar when an instant message is received. You still receive instant messages in the taskbar, but you do not receive the large, square message alert.
For e-mail alerts: Click to clear the check box for Display alerts near the taskbar when mail is received.

To temporarily turn off other kinds of alerts, go to the following Microsoft .NET

Alerts Web site: http://alerts.microsoft.com

To permanently cancel a specific alert, go to the site of the provider of that alert.

For additional online help, visit the following MSN Web site:
http://messenger.msn.com/support/helphome.asp

Messenger Messages and Alerts on Your Mobile

2009-05-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

Receive Windows Messenger Messages and Alerts on Your Mobile Device

This article describes how to configure a wireless or mobile device to receive instant messages from your online contacts in Windows Messenger.

This article applies to include Web-enabled cellular phones, pagers, Microsoft Windows CE-based devices, and Palm OS-based devices. To receive instant messages from Windows Messenger on your mobile device, you must install MSN Add-In for Windows Messenger and set up an MSN Mobile account.

Creating an MSN Mobile Account

• On the Tools menu, click Options.
• On the Phone tab, click Mobile Settings.
This action opens a Web page where you can sign up. You can also click the free sign-up option at the following MSN Web site:

http://mobile.msn.com

Receiving Messages on Your Mobile Device from an Online Contact
• On the Tools menu, click Options.
• On the Phone tab, under Mobile Device, click to select the check box for Allow people on my contact list to send instant messages to my mobile device.

Note that there is currently no way for you to receive e-mail alerts if you use an e-mail account other than Hotmail.

Sending a Message to a Mobile Device

• Right-click the contact that you want to page, and then click Send a Message to a Mobile Device.
• Under Callback Number, click the phone number where you can be reached. You need to have published your phone numbers to your contacts so you can choose a phone number from this menu.
• Type your message, and then click Send.

The message, your e-mail address, and the phone number where you can be reached are sent to your contact's mobile device. You might receive an instant message back if your contact's mobile device allows for response. If your contact's mobile device is not turned on, your message might not arrive or might be delayed. Your contact might not see your e-mail address or phone number if your contact's mobile device does not allow display of that information or if the settings on
the device cause messages to be cut off after a certain number of characters.

Setting Up and Configuring Alerts

• Go to the following Microsoft Web site: http://alerts.microsoft.com/
• A "Welcome to Microsoft .NET Alerts" Web page opens.
• Sign in by using your Passport.
• Click Sign up for Microsoft .NET Alerts.
• On the General Settings Page, specify where you want your .NET Alerts to be delivered. You can specify any of the following locations:

Your computer, using Windows Messenger
Your mobile device
Your e-mail inbox

• Click Choose .NET Alerts providers.
• Click a name or logo to set up or to change alerts from that provider. Providers to choose from are:

MSN Money
MSN Calendar
MSN Carpoint
MSN Music
eBay
FYE
uBid Online Auctions
McAfee.com

Go to the provider that you choose, and follow the instructions for setting up or changing .NET Alerts for that provider.

Receiving an Alert When Someone Adds You to a Contact List

• On the Tools menu, click Options.
• On the Privacy tab, click to select the check box for Alert me when other users add me to their contact lists. If you refuse to allow someone to add you, you have added that person to your block list. You will always appear to be offline to that person.

Windows Messenger

2009-05-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

Easily Disable Messenger

Go into: C:/Program Files/Messenger. Rename the Messenger folder to "Messenger OFF". This does not slow down Outlook Express or hinder system performance.

Remove Messenger

• Go to Start/Run, and type: "rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128%SystemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf"

Stop Windows Messenger From Signing In

If you're running Windows Messenger and it signs you in, even when you don't want it to, follow these steps to turn off signing in automatically:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
• On the Advanced tab, click Manage Passwords.
• In Store User Names and Passwords, select Passport.Net/*, and then click Remove.
This removes your Passport's connection to your computer, but doesn't delete your Passport.

• Click Close, and then click OK.
When you restart Windows Messenger, it won't sign you in automatically.

"Away" status

2009-05-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

How to Change the Length of Time That Your Computer Is Inactive Before Your Status Becomes "Away"

This article describes the "Away" status in Windows Messenger. This article also describes how to change the length of time that elapses before your individual status appears as "Away" in Windows Messenger. The "Away" status appears automatically after your computer has been inactive for a period of time that is equal to the Wait time for your screen saver.

To manually specify "Away" as a status:

• Click File, click My Status, and then click Away.
To change the length of inactive time before your status becomes "Away,":
• Either change the screen saver Wait setting in the Windows Display Properties dialog box.
• or, if you want to specify a time other than the screen saver Wait time, change the inactivity time in the Windows Messenger Options dialog box.

Hibernate Faster

2009-05-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

Power Management Performance

Windows XP wakes from Hibernate faster than any earlier version of Windows. So you can preserve your batteries without taking time to close all your files and shut down, and then restart and open all your files when you're ready to work again. If you need to leave your computer, you can just leave it. Windows XP can automatically put your computer into Hibernate mode after a specified period of inactivity. Or Windows XP can detect when your batteries are running low, and then automatically put your computer in Hibernate mode to save your work before the battery fails. To put your computer into hibernation, you must have a computer that is set up by the manufacturer to support this option.

To automatically put your computer into hibernation:

You must be logged on to your computer with an owner account in order to complete this procedure.
• Open Power Options in Control Panel. (Click Start, clicks Control Panel, and then double-clicks Power Options.).
• Click the Hibernate tab, select the Enable hibernate support check box, and then click Apply.

If the Hibernate tab is unavailable, your computer does not support this feature. Click the APM tab, click Enable Advanced Power Management support, and then click Apply.

The APM tab is unavailable on ACPI-compliant computers. ACPI automatically enables Advanced Power Management, which disables the APM tab.

Click the Power Schemes tab, and then select a time period in System hibernates. Your computer hibernates after it has been idle for the specified amount of time.

To manually put your computer into hibernation:

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of either the Administrators or Power Users group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.

• Open Power Options in Control Panel. (Click Start, clicks Control Panel, and then double-clicks Power Options.).
• Click the Hibernate tab, and then select the Enable hibernate support check box.
• If the Hibernate tab is not available, your computer does not support this feature.
• Click OK to close the Power Options dialog box.
• Click Start, and then click Shut Down.
• In what do you want the computer to do drop-down list, click Hibernate.
• If you are using Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows XP Professional with Fast User Switching turned on; the Shut Down menu will present the options to Stand By, Turn Off, or Restart your computer. Hold down the Shift key, and the Stand By button will change to Hibernate.

Set Performance Options

2009-05-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Set Performance Options in Windows XP

Windows allocates resources according to its settings and manages devices accordingly. You can use the System tool in Control Panel to change performance options that control how programs use memory, including paging file size, or environment variables that tell your computer where to find some types of information.

This article explains how to set the performance options for your computer.

Managing Processor Time

System processing is managed by Windows, which can allocate tasks between processors, as well as manage multiple processes on a single processor. However, you can set Windows to allocate more processor time to the program that you are currently running. This can result in faster program response time. Or, if you have background programs such as printing or disk backup that you want to run while you work, you can have Windows share processor resources equally between background and foreground programs.

Note: You must be logged on as an administrator to the local computer or have appropriate network privileges to make certain changes in System. To Change the Performance of Foreground and Background Programs

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Performance.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then do one of the following under Processor scheduling:
• Click Programs to assign more processor resources to the foreground program than the background program.
• Click Background services to assign equal amounts of processor resources to all programs. If you click Programs, the result is a smoother, faster response time for your foreground program. If you want a background task, such as a Backup utility, to run faster, click Background services. The Programs option allocates short, variable time slices, or quanta, to running programs, and the Background services option assigns long, fixed quanta.

Modify Settings to Improve Performance

Windows XP uses processor time to handle system performance according to default settings, which can be adjusted for your computing needs. Also, settings that govern visual effects enhance the appearance of the Windows XP interface, but can slow down performance. You can fine-tune settings in Windows XP Professional to improve performance:

• Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
• Click the Advanced tab, and in the Performance area, click Settings.
• On the Visual Effects tab, click the Custom radio button, and then select which UI features to disable to improve performance.
• Click the Advanced tab, and in the Processor scheduling area, click the Background services radio button. Selecting this option means that background tasks that you want to run while you work, such as backup utilities or print jobs, will share processor time equally with programs. You may need to be logged on as an Administrator to make these changes. Note that applying these settings may change your current desktop theme.

Turn off System Restore

2009-05-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

Turn off System Restore to Save Space

By default, Windows XP keeps a backup of system files in the System Volume Information folder. This can eat up valuable space on your hard drive. If you don't want Windows to back up your system files:

• Open the Control Panel.
• Double-click on System.
• Click the System Restore tab.
• Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives".
• Hit Apply.
• You may now delete the System Volume Information folder.
Warning! If you turn this off you will not be able to use Windows System Restore to restore your system in case of failure.

Clear System Restore Points for Performance

You keep your system as clean as possible, clearing your Temp Folder, and Temporary Internet files.

But what about other space hogs?
What about System Restore Points?

By default, Windows XP creates a restore point after installing Windows XP, once every 10 hours that Windows XP is running, or every 24 hours. It also creates a restore point when you install a new program, or install an update to Windows XP. And you can manually create restore points at any time. You can end up with a number of restore point files, which can be large. So how do you clean them out? First, make sure your system is stable. There will be a brief period when you won't have a restore point.

• Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore.
• Click to add a check mark beside Turn off System Restore on all Drives, and click Apply.

• When you are warned that all existing Restore Points will be deleted, click Yes to continue.
• All system restore points are deleted. Now you should manually create a restore point.
• Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore.
• Click Create a Restore Point, and then click Next.
• Name your restore point. (I use the date as well as a descriptive term such as "After Restore Point Deletion.")

System Restore

2009-05-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Restore the Operating System to a Previous State in Windows XP

This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous working state. System Restore takes a "snapshot" of critical system files and some program files and stores this information as restore points. You can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state.

If Windows does not start

If Windows does not start, restart Windows by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature:

• Start the computer and then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
• Use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER.
If a boot menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER. Windows XP restores the computer to the most recent restore point.

If Windows XP Does Start

• Log on to Windows as Administrator.
• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. System
Restore starts.

• On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time
(If it is not already selected), and then click Next.
• On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the on this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make.
• Click OK.
• On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
• Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
• Click OK.

Troubleshooting

You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want.

To undo the restoration:

• Log on to Windows as Administrator.
• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. System
Restore starts.
• On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make.
• Click OK.
• On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
• Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
• Click OK.

Create Your Own Restore Points

Windows XP makes it easy for you to take a snapshot of critical system files before you make any major changes, such as installing new software, adding hardware devices, or changing the registry. (Windows XP automatically creates system restore points, called system checkpoints, but you can create your own to make it even easier to recover your system in case of a failure.) Note that using restore points doesn't affect your personal files, such as the My Documents or Favorites folders.

• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
• In the System Restore dialog box, click Create a restore point, and then click Next.
• Type a description for your restore point, such as "Before Office XP", then click Create.
• If your system fails, press F8 in the boot menu, and then click Last known good configuration. Windows XP restores your system to the most recent restore point.

Paging File in Windows XP

2009-05-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Move the Paging File in Windows XP

This article describes how to change the location of the paging file in Windows XP. The paging file is the area on the hard disk that Windows uses as if it were random access memory (RAM) This is sometimes known as "virtual memory." By default, Windows stores this file on the same partition as the Windows system files. You can increase the performance of Windows, and increase free space on the boot partition, by moving this file to a different partition.

• Log on to the computer as Administrator.
• Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
• Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance, click Settings.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then under Virtual memory, click Change.
• In the Drive [Volume Label] list, click a drive other than the one on which Windows is installed (Windows is usually installed on the drive C). Under Total paging file size for all drives, note the value that is displayed next to Recommended.
• Click Custom size, and then type the recommended value in the Initial size (MB) box. Type the maximum size that you want to allow for paging in the Maximum size (MB) box, and then click Set.
• In the Drive [Volume Label] box, click the drive on which Windows is installed (usually the drive C), and then use one of the following steps:
• If you do not want a paging file on the drive, click No paging file, and then click
Set. A message similar to the following message appears:
If the pagefile on volume C: has an initial size of less than 126 megabytes, then the system may not be able to create a debugging information file if a STOP error occurs. Continue anyway?
• Click Yes.
• If you want to keep the minimum size of the paging file on the drive, click Custom size, and then type a value that is equal to or greater than the amount of RAM in the computer in the Initial size (MB) box. Type that same value in the Maximum size (MB) box, and then click Set.
The following message appears:
The changes you have made require you to restart your computer before they can take effect.
• Click OK, click OK, and click OK.
• Then click yes when you are prompted to restart the computer.

Remote Assistance

2009-05-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

Obtain Remote Assistance by Sending an E-mail Message in Windows XP

This article describes how to obtain help by using the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP. Remote Assistance allows a remote connection to your computer that can be used to view your computer screen, participate in real-time chat and, with your permission, remotely control your computer.

Note: The following requirements must be met before you can use Remote Assistance:

• Both the local and the remote computer must be using either Windows Messenger or a Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)-compliant e-mail program such as Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.

• Both computers must be connected to the Internet while using Remote Assistance.

Note: If your computer is behind a firewall, you may need to reconfigure the firewall to allow Remote Assistance. Contact your network administrator before using Remote Assistance.

• Click Start > Help and Support. The Help and Support Center dialog box appears.
• Under Ask for assistance, click Invite a friend to connect to your computer with
Remote Assistance. The Remote Assistance pane appears.
• Under Remote Assistance, click Invite someone to help you.
• Under or use e-mail, type your assistant's e-mail address in the Type an e-mail
Address box, and then click Invite this person.

Note: Click Address Book if you want to select a contact from the address book.
The Remote Assistance - E-mail an Invitation page appears.
• In the From box, type the name or identification that you want.
• In the Message box, type the message that you want, and then click Continue.
• Under Set the invitation to expire, select the duration that you want to allow the invitation for assistance.

Click to clear the require the recipient to use a password check box if you do not
want to password-protect the remote connection.

Note: Using a password is recommended.
• If you protect this connection with a password, type the password that you want your assistant to use in the Type password box. Retype that password in the Confirm password box, and then click Send Invitation. The invitation is sent using your e-mail program.

You receive the following message:
Your invitation has been sent successfully. Note: You must communicate this password to the remote assistant in order for the Remote Assistance session to be created.
• When your remote assistant accepts your invitation, you receive the following
Message Assistant has accepted your Remote Assistance invitation and is ready to connect to your computer.
Do you want to let this person view your screen and chat with you? Where Assistant is the name of the remote assistant.
• Click Yes.
The Remote Assistance dialog box appears. The remote assistant can view your computer screen and chat with you in real time.
• If the remote assistant wants to remotely control the computer, you receive the
following message:
Assistant would like to share control of your computer to help solve the problem.
Do you wish to let Assistant share control of your computer? (where Assistant is the name of the remote assistant).
• To accept, click Yes.
The remote assistant can now control your computer remotely. This includes the
ability to shut down the computer.
Note: Do not use the mouse while the remote assistant controls the computer.

Remote Assistance Features

Use the following features of the Remote Assistance dialog box to participate in the remote assistance session:
The Connection Status box displays the following information:
• The name of the assistant.
• Whether you are connected or disconnected.
• The assistant's privileges during this session. For example, Screen View Only.
• The Stop Control (ESC) button.

Press the ESCAPE key to stop the computer from being remotely controlled. When you press ESCAPE, you receive the following message:
User name or Assistant has stopped remote control by pressing the ESC key, or a key sequence or combination including the ESC key where User name is the name of the logged on user, and where Assistant is the name of the remote assistant.

The Send a File button.

Use this button to initiate file transfers between the local and remote computer.

The Start Talking button.

Use this button to initiate voice chat with the remote assistant
.
The Settings button.

Use this button to adjust quality settings according to the connection speed that you have.

The Disconnect button.

Use this button to terminate the Remote Assistance session.

The Help button.

Provides Remote Assistance help.

The Message Entry box.

Use this box to type messages to the remote assistant in real time. Click the Send button, or press ENTER to send the message.

The Chat History window.

This window records the text messages typed by you and the remote assistant.
Troubleshooting The ability to control your computer remotely is disabled by default. When the remote assistant attempts to remotely control the computer, the following message appears:

Remote Control of this computer is not allowed. To configure the computer for remote control, follow these steps.

Note: You must be a member of the local Administrators group to perform these steps.
• Click Start > Control Panel.
• Under Pick a category, click Performance and Maintenance.
• Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click System.
• The System Properties dialog box appears.
• On the Remote tab, click to select the Advanced button under Remote Assistance.
• Under Remote control, click the Allow this computer to be controlled remotely check box, and then click OK.
• In the System Properties dialog box, click OK.
Remote Control is now enabled. Note that you must still expressly permit the remote control of your computer in each Remote Assistance session.

The computer appears to stop responding When you use Remote Assistance over a dial-up connection, the computer may appear to stop responding (hang) or may respond slowly. This behavior may be caused by the slow speed of the Internet connection. For best results, use Remote Assistance over a high-speed Internet connection.

Remote Assistance allows access to sensitive data

The remote assistant can see as well as, with your permission, gain access to the
information on your computer. For this reason, invite only trusted sources to remotely assist you.

More Information

Use Remote Assistance to view and edit your Remote Assistance invitations. To do this, follow these steps:

• Click Start > Help and Support.
• The Help and Support Center dialog box appears.
• Under Ask for assistance, click Invite a friend to connect to your computer with
Remote Assistance.
• The Remote Assistance pane appears.
• Under Remote Assistance, click View invitation status. A table similar to the
following appears:

Sent To Expiration Time Status

User_name@microsoft.com Tuesday, August 28,2001 10:37:47 AM Open
User_name@hotmail.com Monday, August 27,2001 8:35:05 PM Expired
Assistant@mycompany.com Monday, August 27,2001 1:51:02 PM Expired
• Select the invitation that you want, and use the following buttons to change or view the status of that invitation:

Details

Use this button to view the Invitation Details page for this invitation. When you are finished, click Close.

Expire

Use this button to rescind the invitation. The remote assistant cans no longer use
this invitation to connect to your computer.

Resend

Use this button to resend an e-mail-based invitation to the selected contact.

Delete

Use this button to remove the invitation from the View or change your invitation
page.

Obtain Remote Assistance Using Windows Messenger in Windows XP

This step-by-step article describes how to use Windows Messenger to obtain help using the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP. Remote Assistance enables you to allow another user to make a remote connection to your computer, which they can use to view your computer screen, participate in real-time chat and, with your permission, remotely control your computer.

Requirements
Both the local and the remote computer must be using either Windows Messenger or a Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)-compliant e-mail program such as Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. Both computers must be connected to the Internet while using Remote Assistance.
Note: If your computer is behind a firewall, you may need to reconfigure the firewall to allow Remote Assistance. Contact your network administrator before using Remote Assistance.
To obtain help using Remote Assistance:
• Connect to the Internet, and then sign in to Windows Messenger.
• Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
• Under Ask for assistance, click Invite a friend to connect to your computer with
Remote Assistance.
• Under Remote Assistance, click Invite someone to help you.
• Under Use Windows Messenger, click the contact that you want to invite, and then click Invite this person.
Note: The contact that you want to invite must be online.
You receive the following message, where Assistant is the name of the assistant that you invited:
Inviting Assistant to connect to your computer. Please wait for a response...
Invitation is accepted...
• After the remote assistant accepts your invitation, click Yes when you receive the following message:
Assistant has accepted your Remote Assistance invitation and is ready to
connect to your computer. Do you want to let this person view your screen and chat with you?
• If the remote assistant wants to remotely control the computer, click Yes to accept the request when you receive the following message, where Assistant is the name of the remote assistant:
Assistant would like to share control of your computer to help solve the problem.
Do you wish to let Assistant share control of your computer? The remote assistant can now control your computer remotely. This includes the ability to shut down the computer.
Note: Do not use the mouse while the remote assistant controls the computer.
Cannot Use MSN EXPLORER or AOL To Send a Remote Assistance Invitation via Email Option
When you use Remote Assistance to invite some one to help you and try to choose the option to use e-mail, you might see the following message when you get to the available options page:
Outlook Express is not set up.
Remote Assistance is either incompatible with the default e-mail program on this
computer, or could not detect a default e-mail account.
You will also see an option to set up Outlook Express.
Cause
You have MSN Explorer or America Online (AOL) installed and configured as you default e-mail client. Remote Assistance on Windows XP will not allow to send the activation mail message through the MSN Explorer or AOL messaging system, as they use their own e-mail clients and they are not MAPI-compliant. Remote Assistance Invitation e-mail escalation will only work with MAPI-compliant e-mail programs and e-mail accounts.
Resolution
As a workaround, you could use one of the following options based on how you access your e-mail.
MSN Explorer
Use Windows Messenger to invite someone to Start Remote Assistance. In order to do that, follow the instructions on the Help and Support Center, Remote Assistance page,
under the Use Windows Messenger field.
-or-
Choose the option to Save invitation as a file, then use MSN Explorer to compose the e-mail to the person you are requesting assistance from, and attach the file to it.
America Online
Choose the option to Save invitation as a file, then use AOL to compose the email to the person you are requesting assistance from, and attach the file to it.
MAPI-compliant E-mail application
If you have a MAPI-compliant e-mail application installed on your computer, and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) uses POP3, IMAP, HTTP or SMTP mail servers, then configure the software based on the manufacturer's and/or your ISP's instructions.
Note: You can also click on the button Set Up Outlook Express on the Remote
Assistance available options page and configure it to send and receive email with your mail servers settings, if available.

Schedule Tasks

2009-05-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Schedule Tasks in Windows XP

With Scheduled Tasks, you can schedule any script, program, or document to run at a time that is most convenient for you. Scheduled Tasks starts every time that you start Windows XP and runs in the background, and it starts each task that you schedule at the time that you specify when you create the task.

To open Scheduled Tasks:

• Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks.
To schedule a new task:
• Double-click Add Scheduled Task to start the Scheduled Task Wizard, and then click Next in the first dialog box. The next dialog box displays a list of programs that are installed on your computer, either as part of the Windows XP operating system, or as a result of software installation.

Use one of the following procedures:
If the program that you want to run is listed, click the program, and then click Next. If you want to run a program, script, or document that is not listed, click Browse, click the folder and file that you want to schedule, and then click Open.
Type a name for the task, and then choose one of the following options:
• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• One time only
• When my computer starts (before a user logs on)
• When I log on (only after the current user logs on)
• Click Next, specify the information about the day and time to run the task, and then click Next.
Note that the information about the day and time to run the task vary depending on the selection that you made in the previous wizard dialog box. For example, if you chose Weekly, you must indicate the day of the week, the time, and if the task should run every week, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, and so on.
• Type the name and password of the user who is associated with this task. Make sure that you choose a user with sufficient permissions to run the program. By default, the wizard selects the name of the user who is currently logged on.
• Click Next, and then click Finish after you verify the choices that you have made.

Using Advanced Options in Scheduled Tasks

If you want to change the configuration of the task:
• Click Open in the Advanced properties for the task before you click Finish. After
you click Finish, the Properties dialog box opens for the task.
• On the Schedule tab, you can change any of the scheduling options that you chose in the wizard, and you can also change the task configuration so that the task does not run too long, does not run if the computer is running on batteries (for laptops), and to specify whether or not the computer should be idle for the task to run.
Note: You can open the Properties dialog box for the task at any time if you open
scheduled Tasks, right-click the task, and then click Properties. You cannot schedule a task so that it repeats in an interval less than one day;
however, you can do this in the Properties dialog box:
Click the Schedule tab, and then click Advanced.
• Click to select the Repeat task check box, and then specify the number of minutes or hours in which you want the task to be repeated.

Broadband Speed

2009-05-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

Increase Broadband Speed

This is for broad band connections, though it might work for dial up.
• Make sure your logged on as actually "Administrator".
• Start->Run->type gpedit.msc
• Expand the "Local Computer Policy" branch.
• Expand the "Administrative Templates" branch.
• Expand the "Network Branch".
• Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window.
• In right window double-click the "Limit Reservable Bandwidth" setting.
• On setting tab check the "Enabled" item.
• Where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0.
Effect is immediate on some systems, some need to re-boot. This is more of a "counter what XP does" thing. In other words, programs can request up to 20% of the bandwidth be reserved for them, even with QoS disabled.

Increase Your Cable Modem or DSL Speed

This tweak is for broad band cable connections on stand alone machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home version also. It may also work with networked machines as well.

This tweak assumes that you have let WinXP create a connection on install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing - and client for Microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that WinXP will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it doesn't do not try this.

• In the "My Network Places" properties (right-click on the desktop icon and choose
properties), highlight the connection then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings". Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK.
• From the Windows XP CD in the support directory from the support cab, extract the file netcap.exe and place it in a directory on your hard drive or even in the root of your C:\ drive.
• Next, open up a command prompt window and change directories to where you put netcap.exe. then type "netcap/?".It will list some commands that are available for netcap and a netmon driver will be installed. At the bottom you will see your adapters. You should see two of them if using a 3Com card. One will be for LAN and the other will be for WAN something or other.

• Next type "netcap/Remove". This will remove the netmon driver.
• Open up Control Panel->System->Dev Man and look at your network adapters. You should now see two of them and one will have a yellow ! on it. Right-click on the one without the yellow ! and choose uninstall. YES! You are uninstalling your network adapter, continue with the uninstall. Do not restart yet.
• Check your connection properties to make sure that no connection exists. If you get a wizard just cancel out of it. Now re-start the machine.
• After re-start go to your connection properties again and you should have a new connection called "Local area connection 2". Highlight the connection, then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings". Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK.
• Choose connection properties and uncheck the "QOS" box.
• Re-start the machine.
After restart enjoy the increased responsiveness of IE, faster page loading, and a connection speed boost.Why it works, it seems that windows XP, in its zeal to make sure every base is covered installs two separate versions of the NIC card. One you do not normally see in any properties. Remember the "netcap/?" command above showing two different adapters? The LAN one is the one you see. The invisible one loads everything down and its like your running two separate cards together, sharing a connection among two cards, this method breaks this "bond" and allows the NIC to run un-hindered.

Desktop Cleanup Wizard

2009-05-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard

To start the Desktop Cleanup Wizard:
• Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
• In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes under Pick a category.
• Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Display. The Display Properties dialog box is displayed.
• In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click
Customize Desktop. The Desktop Items dialog box is displayed.
• Under Desktop cleanup, click to clear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days check box if you do not want the Desktop Cleanup Wizard to automatically start every 60 days.
• Click Clean Desktop Now. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard starts.

Remove Unwanted Shortcuts

• In the Welcome to the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, click next.
• In the Shortcuts dialog box, a list of shortcuts are displayed in the Shortcut to
Clean Up list. The shortcuts that you click are removed from the desktop and placed in the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on the Windows desktop.
• If you do not want a shortcut to be removed from the desktop, click to clear the check box for that shortcut, and then click next when you are finished.
• In the Completing the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, view the items in the Shortcuts box to confirm that you want them removed from the desktop, and then click Finish.
The Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves the selected shortcuts to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder and then quits.

Restore Shortcuts

If a shortcut that you want is removed, follow these steps to restore the shortcut:
• On the Desktop, double-click the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. The Unused
Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is displayed. Note: If the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is maximized, click the Restore Down button (appears to the left of the red Close button).
• Drag the shortcut that you want to the Windows desktop.
• Close the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box.