[Tyler]

Windows Interface Tips (1-20)

1. Increase the amount of 'frequently used programs' displayed on the start menu
2. Remove the 'frequently used programs' list from the start menu
3. Stop the automatic grouping of taskbar programs
4. Close multiple desktop windows fast
5. Add some useful commands to the right-click menu
6. Add more destinations to the right-click menu's 'send to' command
7. Changing the number of open programs required to 'group' on the taskbar
8. Reduce menu delay to speed up the windows desktop
9. Show control panel as a menu
10. Change the default installation directory
11. Associate and un-associate applications from certain file types.
12. Make your mouse more responsive
13. Increase PS/2 mouse performance
14. Relocate your 'my documents' folder
15. Get a better ALT+TAB application switcher
16. Add a command prompt option to the Windows Explorer right click menu
17. Stop 'focus stealing' by background applications and pop-ups
18. Add the admin tools to the start menu
19. Closing multiple taskbar items at once
20. Using 'groups' in Windows explore

Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips (21-46)

21. Quickly un-format web text with notepad.
22. Uncover **** passwords
23. Disable the annoying 'click' sound in Internet Explorer.
24. Use VGA mode to troubleshoot monitor refresh rate problems
25. Make your files available offline
26. Rollback device drivers in case of error
27. Avoid having to re-activate Windows XP after reinstallation
28. View PowerPoint documents without PowerPoint
29. Control Clear type Text with free tool
30. Mouse problem? Use MouseKeys
31. Recovering deleted files
32. Install the backup utility in XP Home
33. Schedule automatic data backups
34. Place your Internet favourites on your start menu
35. Restore your essential data
36. Enhance the Windows calculator
37. Disabling startup password
38. Remove orphaned software applications from add/remove programs
39. Troubleshooting shutdown issues
40. Alter your windows user name
41. Adding 'safe mode' to the boot menu
42. Use XP file compression to save space
43. How to check if you have a DVD decoder installed in your system
44. Learn to love XP safe mode
45. Use the program compatibility toolkit
46. Use the system restore utility from 'safe mode command prompt.'

Computer Security Tips (47-54)

47. Configure the SP 2 firewall
48. Prevent computer users from logging on to Windows at certain times.
49. Encrypt your important files (XP Professional only)
50. Scan your computer for vulnerability with Microsoft's free security scanner
51. Disable USB storage device writing (Service Pack 2 only)
52. Prevent browser hijackers and spyware in SP2 Internet Explorer
53. Test your PCs security with online security probes
54. Disable annoying startup programs

WindowsXP Shortcut Tips (55 - 63)


55. Fun with shortcuts 1: shortcuts to email
56. Fun with shortcuts 2: shortcuts to web sites
57. Fun with shortcuts 3: shortcuts to Windows control panels and utilities
58. Fun with shortcuts 4: create a shortcut to shutdown or restart your PC
59. Fun with shortcuts 5: Create a shortcut to lock your PC
60. Fun with shortcuts 6: Create a shortcut to 'run' on your desktop
61. Fun with shortcuts 7: Create a shortcut to command prompt on your desktop
62. Fun with shortcuts 8: Create keyboard shortcuts for applications and folders
63. Shortcuts to important

Disk and Storage Management Tips (64 - 67)


64. Stupid disk tricks for XP part 1: dynamic disks
65. Stupid disk tricks for XP part 2: mounting partitions to directories
66. Stupid disk tricks for XP part 3: creating software RAID 0
67. Stupid Disk tricks for XP part 4: Extending and spanning volumes

Cool Tweaks, Toys and Experiments (68 - 90)


68. Create a portable version of Windows XP
69. Create alarms and reminders with Windows XP's scheduling service
70. Perform a 'hands off' Windows XP installation.
71. Experiment with 'virtual' computing
72. Show how long your system has been running with SYSTEMINFO
73. Use MSN messenger's 'whiteboard' feature
74. Use MSN Messenger's Shared applications feature
75. Collect system data with the performance monitor wizard
76. Use a free, full featured office suite
77. Create a Windows XP bootable CD with Service pack 2 built-in
78. Edit local computer settings with GPEDIT (XP Professional only)
79. Reduce the size of your recycle bin
80. Make sure of your location on the Internet
81. Arrange the 'all programs' list alphabetically
82. Force 'my computer' and other folders to open in Windows explorer automatically
83. Boost foreground applications
84. Place the volume control on the taskbar
85. Experiment with Linux without installing software
86. Use Virtual desktops in Windows XP
87. Capture screenshots in Windows XP
88. Create an easy HTML picture slide show for your website
89. Import pictures from a digital camera
90. Prevent XP from shutting down normally

Networking and Internet Tips ( 91- 104)


91. Access your PC from any system over the Internet (Professional only)
92. Speed up network browsing in Windows XP
93. Get the most out of your wireless network
94. Benchmark your wireless connection
95. Fixing the 'guest only' network access problem
96. Hiding your computer from other systems in the same network
97. Share Multiple Folders quickly in Windows XP
98. Change Web page font size automatically
99. Open web pages in a new window quickly
100. Don't have anti-virus software? Check your PC for viruses online
101. Save web pages for offline viewing
102. Easier searches and popup suppression with the Google toolbar
103. Address shortcut for Internet Explorer
104. Remove Microsoft Java VM and install Sun Java

[Tyler]

1. Increase the Amount of Frequently Used Programs Displayed on the Start Menu

The Windows XP user interface has some learning features, whereby it will customize itself to fit your computing style. One of the most obvious examples of this is the frequently used programs section on the bottom left side of the start menu, where shortcuts for the programs you have most recently used are displayed. Normally, this section only has room for about six program icons, but it's a fast and handy way to access your software, so why not add more?

To increase the amount of icons in the frequently used programs list right click on the start menu and choose 'properties.' Select the 'customize' button to the right of the 'start menu' option.

Change the 'select an icon size for programs' option to 'small icons' and in the 'number of programs on start menu' counter below, enter a new value based on how many icons you would like to see. Realistically, depending on your desktop resolution you are not likely to be able to fit more than 15 or so icons here, but enter a higher number if you wish. The system will cut off what it can't display. Hit 'ok' and enjoy your newly useful start menu.

2. Remove the Frequently Used Programs List From the Start Menu

In complete contradiction to the previous tip, this will show you how to wipe out the frequently used programs section of the start menu altogether. The trouble with this feature is that it only shows the programs you have last used. You have no control over it other than to use your programs frequently. The 'pinned' programs section above the frequently used programs section of the start menu, on the other hand, displays whatever shortcuts you want it to.

To obtain more space for pinned programs, you can remove the frequently used programs completely.

To do this open Regedit:
Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies \Explorer'.

Create a new DWORD value called 'NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList' and give it the value '1'.

Reboot or restart the explorer process to enable this tip. Now you have much more start menu space to drag and drop your own shortcuts.

[Tyler]

3. Stop Automatic Grouping of Taskbar Programs

If you're not fond of the way that Windows XP groups similar icons together into a single entry on the taskbar (a group of Internet Explorer Windows for example), you can restore the default taskbar behaviour of previous versions of Windows quite easily.

I find that the default setting annoys me to no end, so this is one of the first tips in the guide that I employed personally. Right click on an empty area of the taskbar or start button and click 'properties.' Choose the 'taskbar' tab and uncheck the 'group similar taskbar buttons' option. There, all done!

4. Close Multiple Desktop Windows Fast

If you've opened several related windows, there's an easy way to close all of them fast.
Simply hold down the SHIFT key as you click on the X button to close the most recent of the windows. This will close all the windows related to the one you clicked on. This is great for getting rid of all those job search pages when the boss walks by your desk. ;-)

5. Add Some Useful Commands to the Right-Click Menu

When navigating and handling files in Windows Explorer, the right click 'context' menu is extremely useful. However it is lacking some options which would make it even more invaluable and save you a fair bit of time. This registry edit will enable you to add the 'move to folder' and 'copy to folder' commands to your right click menu.

Those two useful shortcuts will reduce the time it takes to move files around within the WinXP GUI.

To do this open Regedit and navigate to:
'HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\Co ntextMenuHandlers'

Create two new keys, 'Copy To' and 'Move To'
Set the value of 'Copy To' to '{C2FBB630-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}'
Set the value of 'Move To' to '{C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}'
Close Regedit, you now have the 'copy to folder' and 'move to folder' options in your right-click menu.

6. Add More Destinations to the Right-Cick Menu's 'Send To' Command

The 'send to' command on the context menu is a great way to move files around quickly, but by default it doesn't contain very many useful destinations. Fortunately there's an easy way to add more shortcuts, making 'send to' a quick and powerful way to move files where you want them most in Windows

To add 'send to' destinations go to 'c:\documents and settings\(your user name)\sendto' .

Note that this is a hidden folder by default, and you will have to have enabled the 'show hidden files and folders' option in the 'tools\folder options\view' menu of explorer before you can see it.

This folder contains the shortcuts that the 'sendto' command uses for its list of destinations. Simply create a shortcut for the directory or program you want to use and drag-and-drop it into the 'sendto' folder to add that destination.

[Tyler]

7. Changing the Number of Open Programs Required to 'Group' on the Taskbar

Windows XP introduced the idea of taskbar 'groups' wherein a number of similar open applications like multiple Internet Explorer windows are lumped together into a single taskbar item so things are less cluttered, and navigation made simpler for the user.

This is fine, but can get annoying if you often work within several similar windows and want to switch between them fast. In this circumstance, previous versions of Windows was better, as they would just jam every open application into a separate taskbar entry regardless of it's type.

You can change how many similar applications or windows need to be opened to cause them to 'group' with this simple registry edit:

Open Regedit and navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer \Advanced' and double click the 'TaskbarGroupSize' subkey.

Change the value to decimal if necessary. The decimal number indicates how many similar windows will trigger the grouping effect. Change it to the required number, then click 'ok' and restart your system.

8. Reduce Menu Delay to Speed up the Windows Desktop

Windows XP adds a slight delay between the time your mouse pointer rests on a menu button and the time the interface opens the menu. This is necessary to keep the pointer from activating every icon and menu it passes over, but the default delay time (0.4th of a second) can seem kind of lengthy after a while for us super-geeks. You can make the Windows interface seem much, much snappier just by lowering this menu delay time slightly with a simple registry edit.

To do this open Regedit and Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\'

Double click the 'MenuShowDelay' value. The default value is 400, with lower values reducing the menu delay time. Experiment to see what suits you best. Note that setting this to zero is not a good idea, as it will activate every menu as your pointer passes over it, which will become really annoying, fast.

9. Show Control Panel as a Menu

For quicker access to the Windows XP control panel's assortment of applications, you can set the control panel to appear as a submenu in the start menu, similar to the existing 'accessories' submenu.

To do this Right click on the 'start' button and choose 'properties.' Select the 'customize' button to the right of the 'start menu' option. Choose the 'advanced' tab and then in the 'start menu items' box, find 'control panel' and select the 'display as menu' option.

[Tyler]

10. Change the Default Installation Directory

If you like to install your software on a separate drive or partition, you might find this tip handy. It will allow you to change the default installation directory for new programs from 'c:\ program files' to whatever location you'd like.

To do this open Regedit and Navigate to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Windows\CurrentVersio n\'

Double click the 'ProgramFilesDir' value. Change the value to the directory you wish to be the default installation location for your software.

11. Associate and Un-Associate Applications From Certain File Types.

File associations are what tells Windows XP which applications should open which type of files. Every file type has or will acquire a default program to open it (as long as one is available on the machine) and will then use this program every time. Since many programs will change these file associations when they are installed (to make themselves the default software), it's quite possible to end up with an application you do not want opening your pictures or documents.

To change this, you will need to open an explorer window such as 'my computer' then go to 'tools\folder options.' From the folder options, select the 'file types' tab, and wait while Windows builds the list of file types present on your PC.

Scroll through the 'registered file types' box until you find the file extension of the file type you wish to change; JPEG, JPG or JPE for JPEG graphic files, for example. Highlight it and hit the 'change' button below to select a new application to open this file type by default.

As an alternative, you can also right click any file, go to 'properties.' And click the 'change' button to choose your application.

[Tyler]

12. Make Your Mouse More Responsive

We posted some registry tips to increase mouse responsiveness in PCstats previous tips guides, but the easiest way to increase the sensitivity of the mouse is through the control panel. Go to 'start\control panel\printers and other hardware\mouse' and go to the 'pointer options' tab.

Under the 'motion' heading, the 'select a pointer speed' bar will increase the overall speed and responsiveness of the mouse. The 'enhance pointer precision' button controls whether the mouse pointer has an acceleration curve to its movements. Try the settings to find one that you like.

13. Increase PS/2 Mouse Performance

If you are using a PS/2 mouse, you have an extra option which you can enable to get better resolution and performance from your pointer. First go to 'start\control panel\printers and other hardware\mouse.' Select the ' hardware' tab, highlight your mouse or pointing device, and click 'properties.' Choose the 'advanced settings' tab.Change the 'sample rate' dropdown box to the maximum value of 200.

14. Relocate the 'My Documents' Folder

If you wish to point the data stored in your 'my documents' folder to a different disk location, you can do this very easily in explorer. By default, this data is stored in 'c:\documents and settings\(username)\my documents', and a good many virus applications have made use of this information.

To change the location of My Documents folder right click the 'my documents' icon on the desktop or the start menu, and select 'properties.'

In the 'target' tab, enter the path to the folder location you wish to use, or press the 'find target' button to browse to the folder. You will be asked if you wish to move all existing data to the new location.

[Tyler]

15. Get a Better ALT+TAB Application Switcher

As part of its 'power toys' line of free applications for Windows XP, Microsoft offers an enhanced ALT+TAB application switching utility. Normally you just see the icons of your active programs when you hit ALT+TAB to switch between them, but this enhanced version allows you to see a preview of each Window. Very handy little tool if you tend to have a lot of open folders you regularly switch between. Get the program here

16. Add a Command Prompt Option to the Windows Explorer Right Click Menu

Another of the Windows power toys, this file adds an 'open command prompt here' option to the right click context menu in Windows Explorer, allowing you to open a command prompt window directly into the folder you are currently browsing. Get it here.

17. Stop 'focus stealing' by background applications and pop-ups

If you get annoyed when pop-up windows or other applications you have running replace the window you are currently working on, here's a registry edit that can help you deal with this behaviour.

Start Regedit and navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.'

Double click the 'ForegroundLockTimeout' key. Change the notation to decimal. This key controls the amount of time that Windows will wait for user input in the currently active window before shifting focus to whatever other window is demanding attention. The default is 200000 milliseconds decimal, or 200 seconds. Change this to a greater millisecond value if you want to prevent Windows XP from stealing the focus while you are occupied.

[Tyler]

18. Add the Admin Tools to the Start Menu

If you often find yourself using the administrative tools accessible from the Windows XP control panel, you can actually add these to the start menu for easy access.

To do this right click on the start button and select 'properties.' Click the 'customize' button next to the 'start menu' option. Choose the 'advanced' tab. In the 'start menu items' box, scroll down until you find the 'administrative tools' entry. Change the option to 'display on the all programs menu and the start menu.'

19. Closing Multiple Taskbar Items at Once

Here's a quick tip which might help you in navigating your taskbar and desktop. You can highlight and close multiple taskbar windows at once by using the same syntax you use for selecting multiple files in Windows Explorer.

Simply hold down the CTRL key and click on each taskbar item you want closed. They will all become selected, and you can right click on any one of them and choose 'close group' to close all selected windows.

20. Using 'Groups' in Windows Explorer

Displaying items by group is a convenient feature available in Windows Explorer, but one that many people do not know about or use. Give it a try and maybe you'll discover an easier way to organize your cluttered folders.

To use groups in Windows Explorer navigate to the folder you wish to group and go to 'view\arrange icons by\' then select the 'show in groups' option. Now, whenever you choose an 'arrange icons by' option such as name, date modified or size, Explorer will group them in categories depending on each file's properties. This is especially handy when searching for files of a specific type.

[Tyler]

21. Quickly Un-Format Web Text With Notepad.

When you need to copy text from a web page or heavily formatted document into a word processor, you may find that you spend half your time resetting fonts, font sizes, colours, removing bold and italic letters, spacing, etc. This can get quite frustrating after a while.

One easy way around this is to use the notepad application built into every version of Windows. Any text copied into notepad is converted automatically to plain text, Times New Roman 12-point letters with no colours, italics or bold characters. If you keep a notepad window open and copy all your text into notepad, and then from notepad into your word processor, you avoid any formatting headaches.

22. Uncover **** Passwords

Have you ever been in a situation where you've forgotten your Internet connection or email password? It can be extremely frustrating to forget an important password, more so if Windows XP holds it tantalizingly out of reach by covering up with ****.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to reveal asterisk covered passwords in Windows XP using a free third-party utility. Asterisk-Key, available here can remove the veil of secrecy and reveal your passwords.

To use Asterisk-Key open the program, highlight the password box or open the web page containing the covered password and click the 'recover' button. Your password will be displayed in the program windows sans asterisks.

23. Disable the Annoying 'Click' Sound in Internet Explorer.

It seems that a lot of people get rather irritated with the constant clicking that Explorer and IE makes when you are selecting links and navigating through files. It's easy to see why, especially if you have a pair of cheap speakers hooked up. The incessant clicking can begin to seem like chunks of jagged broken glass falling from a height onto your eardrums... but we digress. If you want to turn The Click off, it's easy enough to do.

Go to 'start\control panel\sounds and audio devices' and choose the 'sounds' tab.

Now in the 'program events' windows, scroll down to the 'windows explorer' section and highlight 'start navigation.' Now change the 'sounds' dropdown box at the bottom of the window to '(none).' This will rid you of the infernal click.

[Tyler]

24. Use VGA Mode to Troubleshoot Monitor Refresh Rate Problems

Have you ever accidentally set Window's resolution or refresh rate to a level that was not supported by your monitor, only to find that you could not change it back since the screen had become an unreadable mess? This annoyance remains one of Window's biggest hidden booby traps, especially for users with older monitor hardware.

Setting the refresh rate or resolution higher than your monitor can display will result in a garbled or blank screen, and a huge headache if you accidentally keep the settings. Fortunately Windows XP includes an easy way to reverse monitor resolution problems in the form of 'VGA mode.'

The VGA mode option on the Windows advanced options screen (accessed by pressing F8 repeatedly as your computer is just starting up) will start Windows normally but with a basic VGA video driver at 640x480 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. Any VGA monitor can handle this, so you will be free to go back into display settings and change them to something your monitor can display properly.

To recap, if you can't see the screen in Windows XP due to refresh rate settings, reboot your system, pressing 'F8' repeatedly as the computer restarts. From the boot menu, choose 'enable VGA mode.' Once Windows starts up, go to the display settings and try a different resolution and refresh rate setting.

25. Make Your Files Available Offline

Windows XP contains an easy to use application called the 'briefcase' which can vastly simplify the process of bringing work home from the office. Obviously, when you are working on the same file in different locations, you have the issue of manually synchronizing the versions of the file so you do not end up with different copies in different places.

The briefcase can eliminate this problem by automatically synchronizing older copies of your files with the newer ones you have edited at home. To use it, create a new briefcase on the desktop by right clicking on an empty area and selecting 'new\briefcase.'

Now locate any files you wish to add to the briefcase and drag them onto the briefcase icon. This will create copies of these files in your briefcase. Drag and drop the briefcase to some kind of removable media like a floppy disk or USB memory key. You can also open a network share on another system and copy the briefcase over the network. Transport the briefcase to your home system and double click the icon to open it and work on files inside it.

Note that you should not move the files out of the briefcase onto your computer, as this will remove the link to the original file. Instead, open the files within the briefcase folder in order to edit them. If you are working on a floppy drive, you can drag and drop the briefcase onto the new computer's desktop to get better performance.

When you return to work, return the briefcase to the original computer and open it. Note that the 'status' of any files that you edited has been changed to 'needs updating.' Select 'update all items' from the 'briefcase tasks' section on the left.

A window will open illustrating the changes that will be made. Confirm the changes and click 'update' to carry out the operation. All the original files will be updated with the changes you made on your other system. Very simple, very useful. For more information on the briefcase and other offline files options in Windows XP, see PCstats article on file synchronization.