Guest Only Network Access

Guest Only Network Access

Added 4/11/04

If you try and connect to an XP computer and are shown a logins screen with only the computername/Guest,
You may need to change one of the Local Security Policies:

Got to Control Panel - Administrative Tools

Go to Local Policies - Security Options

Check teh Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts

Set it to Classic - local users authenticate as themselves

Repairing Damaged Winsock2

Added 4/11/04

The symptoms when Winsock2 is damaged show when you try to release and renew the IP address using IPCONFIG.

And you get the following error message:
An error occurred while renewing interface 'Internet': An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket.

Also Internet Explorer may give the following error message:
The page cannot be displayed Additionally, you may have no IP address or no Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, and you may be receiving IP packets but not sending them.

There are two easy ways to determine if Winsock2 is damaged:

From the XP source files, go to the Support / Tools directory

Winsock Test Method 1
Run netdiag /test:winsock

The end should say Winsock test .. passed

Winsock Test Method 2

Run Msinfo32

Click on the + by Components

Click on the by Network

Click on Protocol

There should be 10 sections if the Winsock2 key is ok

MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
RSVP UDP Service Provider
RSVP TCP Service Provider
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip
MSAFD NetBIOS [DeviceNetBT_Tcpip

If the names are anything different from those in this list, then likely Winsock2 is corrupted and needs to be repaired.
If you have any 3rd party software installed, the name MSAFD may be changed.
There should be no fewer than 10 sections.

To repair Winsock2

Run Regedit

Delete the following two registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock2

Restart the computer

Go to Network Connections

Right click and select Properties

Click on the Install button

Select Protocol

Click on the Add button

Click on the Have Disk button

Browse to the Windowsinf directory

Click on the Open button

Click on the OK button

Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Click on the OK button

Reboot

Not Displaying Previous Network Share Shortcuts

Added 3/26/04

By default, when you go to Network Places, it will scan and show shortcuts to previous network shares.
To turn this off and remove any current shortcuts

Open up the Windows Explorer

Go to Tools / Folder Options / View

The top section should be Files and Folders

Uncheck Automatically search for network folders and printers

Then go into Network Neighborhood Select all the previous netowork connections Delete them

Next time you look at the Network Neighborhood, they should not repopulate

Hiding a XP Computer from Network Neighborhood

Added 3/26/04

If you want to share files from a XP computer,
yet want to remove it from showing up in the Network Neighborhood,

Run net config server /hidden:yes

Easy Way to Share Multiple Folders

Added 3/26/04

If you need to share multiple folders, running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring up a simple dialog box to let you:

Browse to the folder you want to share

Enter in a Share name

Ender in a Share description

Set permissions. Several choices are available

Restart the process from within the same program

System32 Folder Opens When Logging On

Added 3/26/04

If the System32 folder shows on the desktop, there may be an invalid entry in the Registry

Start Regedit

Go to both:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

Double check that the values do not have incorrect, incomplete, or blank entries

Not Viewing Zip Files as Folders

Added 3/4/04

If you want to turn of WindowsXP showing Zip files as folders,
just run:

regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

Setting Capslock, Numlock, Scroll Lock

Added 3/4/04

If you want to set the startup state for any or all of these keys,
you just need to edit the registry.

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Control Panel Keyboard

Open InitialKeyboardIndicators

Change the value to one of the following numbers
0 - All Keys off
1 - Caps Lock on
2 - Num Lock on
4 - Scroll Lock on
For multiple keys, add their values:
3 - Caps Lock and Num Lock on
5 - Caps Lock and Scroll Lock on
6 - Num Lock and Scroll Lock on
7 - Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock on

Log off and back on again

Running Network Diagnostics

Added 3/4/04

Network Diagnostics scans your system to gather information about your hardware, software, and network connections.

Start / Run / NETSH DIAG GUI

The following is the type of information that can be displayed:

Ping

Connect

Show

Verbose

Save to Desktop

Mail Service

News Service

Internet Proxy Server

Computer Information

Operating System

Windows Version

Modems

Network Clients

Network Adapters

Domain Name System (DNS)

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Default Gateways

Internet Protocol Address

Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)

DOS Tips in XP

Submitted 3/4/04

Windows XP cmd tip (DOS isnt dead it just smells funny) Some command-line folder creation examples:

To create multiple folders at once, add them directly to the 'md' command:

C:> md this is a test

To create a folder several folders deep, use:

C:> md thisisatest

Creating a folder with a long name requires the double-quote at the beginning:

C:> md 'this is a test

Bonus tip: Windows XP supports the forward slash '/' as a folder divider. Unix/Linux users: don't let the DOS environment get you down. Use a Unix-style CD command to change your present working directory:

C:> cd Windows/system32/drivers/etc

Submitted by Bob and Tina

Restoring Desktop Icon to the Quicklaunch Bar

Added 12/26/03

If you mistakenly deleted the icon for the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbar

Go to C:Documents and Settingsuser_nameApplication DataMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick Launch
(where user_name is replaced by your login name)

Create a Text file called ShowDesktop.SCF with the following contents:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

Network Access After Norton Anti-Virus Install

Added 12/9/03

Sometimes you can't access a WinXP computer after installing Norton Anti-Virus.
There might be a variety of errors at the other computer depending on the operating system.
On the XP computer, in the Event Viewer / System log, there will be the following error:
The server's configuration parameter 'irpstacksize' is too small for the server to use a local device.

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServiceslanmanserverparameters

Edit the IRPStackSize

Give it a value of 15

Reboot the computer

Fixing Cryptographic Services Error

Added 12/8/03

If you get an error about the Cryptographic services when trying to apply the Security Updates or Service Pack 1,
run the following from Start / Run - note, you might want to just cut and paste the text.

net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%system32catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 dssenh.dll
regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 sccbase.dll
regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll

Fixing Explorer Searching Rather Than Opening Directories

Added 11/30/03

Sometimes after adding the right click with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory shell

Edit the default value to be explorer or none

Download reg file

Configure for Auto-Logon

Added 11/28/03

If you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you on,

Start / Run / 'control userpasswords2' - no quotes

Uncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computer

Services You Can Disable

Updated 10/30/03

There are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically.
This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources.
They are only suggestions so I suggestion you read the description of each one when you run Services
and that you turn them off one at a time.

Some possibilities are:

Alerter - Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the server computer.

Application Management - Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove Programs feature via the Windows Installer technology.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer service is used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download files by using spare bandwidth.

Clipbook - ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.

Error Reporting Service - Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in the event of an application fault.

Fast User Switching - Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts, without requiring them to log off.

Help and Support - Allows the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - You don't need this if you have other software to create CDs.

Indexing Service - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.

IP SEC - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. If you are not on a domain, you likely don't need this running.

Messenger - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop.

Net Logon - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't need this running

Network DDE - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers.

NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.

Performance Logs and Alerts - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If you don't need to monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this service.

Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer

QOS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you are not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service.

Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer.

Routing & Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. Allows dial-in access.

Secondary Login - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what allows you to run an application as another user.

Smart Card - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer.

Smart Card Helper - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer.

SSDP Discovery Service - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in today's network environment.

Telnet - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients.

Uninterruptible Power Supply Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.

Universal Plug and Play Device Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices

Upload Manager - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network.

Volume Shadow Copy Service - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes.

Web Client - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify non-local files across the Internet.

Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters

WMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.

Stopping the Messenger Service

Added 6/21/03

To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your computer,
you can disable the Messenger service.

Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel

Click Performance and Maintenance

Click Administrative Tools

Double click Services

Scroll down and highlight 'Messenger'

Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties

Click the STOP button

Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar Click OK

Submitted by Thomas Bitner Olson

Faster DOS Printing

Submitted 6/21/03

If you are experiencing slow printing for DOS programs with Windows2000

Go Start | Run | Regedit

Click Hkey_Local_Machine

Click on System

Click CurrentControlSet

Click Control

Go to the bottom of this part of the list and click WOW

Click LPT timeout and change it to a 3

Submitted by Steve Cohen

Cleaning the Prefetch Directory

Added 3/2/03

WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.

To clean this periodically go to:

Star / Run / Prefetch

Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the shorcuts

Delete them

Not Displaying Logon, Logoff, Startup and Shutdown Status Messages

Added 3/2/30

To turn these off:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionpoliciessystem

If it is not already there, create a DWORD value named DisableStatusMessages

Give it a value of 1

Download a reg file

Accessing Non-Listed Display Configurations

Added 3/2/03

If you want to access display configurations not normally listed (e.g. 256 colors)

In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

Click the Advanced button.

Click the Adapter tab,

Click the List all modes button.

Select the resolution, color depth, and refresh rate that you want and click OK.

Repair Install

Added 2/9/03

If XP is corrupted to the point where none of the previous solutions get it to boot,
you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the current settings.

Make sure you have your valid WindowsXP key

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD

At the second R=Repair option, press the R key

This will start the repair

Eventually you will be prompted for your XP key

NTOSKRNL Missing or Corrupt

Added 2/9/03

If you get an error that NTOSKRNL not found:

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R key

Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1

Change to the drive that has the CD ROM.

CD i386

expand ntkrnlmp.ex_ C:WindowsSystem32ntoskrnl.exe

If WindowsXP is installed in a different location, just make the necessary change to C:Windows

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt

Added 2/9/03

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R key

Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1

Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file

Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Corrupted or Missing WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIG

Added 2/9/03

If you get the error:
Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt
WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEM or WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSOFTWARE

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R key

Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1

Enter in the administrator password when requested

cd windowssystem32config

Depending on which section was corrupted:
ren software software.bad or ren system system.bad

Depending on which section was corrupted
copy windowsrepairsystem
copy windowsrepairsoftware

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM Not Found

Added 2/9/03

If you get an error that NTLDR is not found during bootup,

If you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than with NTFS.
Just boot with a Win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM files
from the i386 directory to the root of the C: drive.

For NTFS:

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R key

Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1

Enter in the administrator password when requested

Enter in the following commands (X: is replaced by the actual drive letter that is assigned to the CD ROM drive.
COPY X:i386NTLDR C:
COPY X:i386NTDETECT.COM C:

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Bringing Up the Shutdown Dialog Box

Added 1/31/03

Create a new txt file somewhere on your system, open it and put in this one line:
(new ActiveXObject('Shell.Application')).ShutdownWindows();

Save and Close the file. Change the extension to js and your got it.

You can make a shortcut to that file to make it easy to shut down your system.

Submitted by DJ Speed Racer

Adding TCP/IP Printers

Added 1/7/02

To create a connection to a printer connected to your network:

Start to add a new printer through the control panel.

Select Local Printer / Next

Instead of a LPT port, check Create a new port at the bottom on the window

Scroll to Standard TCP/IP Port

Keep going and enter the IP address of the printer.

Increasing the Folder Cache

Added 1/6/02

The default setting for WindowsXP is to cache the Explorer settings for 400 folders.
To increase it:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellNoRoam

Change the vaule of BagMRU to whatever size you want (hex)

1000 - 3e8
2000 - 7d0
3000 - bb8
4000 - fa0
5000 - 1388

You can Dowload a reg file that will set it for 5000

Hiding the Last User Logged On

Added 1/4/03

If you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:

Start the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options

Scroll down to Interactive logon: Do not display last user name

Set it to Enable

Poweroff at Shutdown

1/4/03

If your computer does not turn off the power when doing a shutdown,
you may need to edit the registry. I have all the correct BIOS and Power settings and still needed to do this.

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop

Edit the key PowerOffActive and give it a value of 1

You can do the same in HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop

Download reg file

Remembering Folder Settings

Added 12/21/02

If XP does not remember your folder settings, delete or rename the following registry keys

[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellNoRoamBagMRU]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsShellNoRoamBags]

Download reg file

Stop Password Expiration

Updated 12/21/02

If you want to do this for all users, enter:

Start / Run / net accounts /maxpwage:unlimited

Added 3/18/02

If you are getting an error message that your password is about to expire:

Right click on the My Computer icon

Select Manage

Go to Local Users and Groups / Users

Right-click on the user you want to change

Select Properties

On the General tab, check Password never expires

Click OK

Installing Java Virtual Machine

Updated 12/21/02

If you are getting errors when browsing the web to install Java Virtual Machine,

You can still download it from Microsoft (version 3810)
If this link is removed by MS or is too slow you can download it here

If you need a previous version, you can download 3805

It is now included in Service Pack1

You can also download Sun's version

Preventing Applications from Stealing the Focus

Added 12/14/02

To prevent applications from stealing the focus from the window you are working

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Control Panel Desktop

Edit the key ForegroundLockTimeout

Give it a value of 00030d40

Download reg file

Disable Explorer Thumbnail View

Added 12/4/02

If you want disable the Explorer's ability to show the Thumbnail View ,

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Advanced

Change ClassicViewState to 1

Download reg file

Adding Environment Variables

Added 12/04/02

Since any version of NT does not use an autoexec.bat file,
to add environment variables to WindowsXP:

Right click on My Computer

Select Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Click on the Environment Variables button

From here you can change it for the system or just the current user.

Disable Passport Pop-Up

Added 11/26/02

Normally, WindowsXP will prompt you 10 times that You Need a Passport to use WindowsXP Internet communication features

To disable this

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft MessengerService

Edit the binary key PassportBalloon

Give it a value of 0A (0A 00 00 00)

Show Hidden Devices

Submitted 11/26/02

You can show hidden devices in the Device Manager. One way is by making a simple registry change. The other is through a batch file.

Registry Change:

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM ControlSet001 Control Session Manager Environment

Create a string DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES

Give it a value of 1

Download reg file

Batch File

@Echo Off
Prompt $p$g
set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
start devmgmt.msc
exit

Submitted by Michael Kinsel

Spell Check Not Working With Outlook Express and Office97

Added 11/23/02

This is simply due to a missing or corrupted DLL file

Go to the i386 directory of your XP source files

Run Expand csapi3t1.dl_ csapi3t1.dll (Note: If your source files are on a CD, you will need to put a path before the csapi3t1.dll since you can't write to the CD).

Copy the file to the Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedProof directory

You can also download the file from my site.

Disable Shared Documents

Added 11/23/02

To disable the Shared Documents folder that shows up on the network

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Policies Explorer

Create a new DWORD Value

Give it the name NoSharedDocuments

Give it a value of 1

Log off or reboot

Disable the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon's menu

Submitted 11/23/02

To Disable the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon's menu:

Start regedit.exe

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftConferencingMcpt

Create a new string value (Click on Edit > New > String Value).

Name the value Nx

Double-click on it and set it's value to 1

Close the registry

Now the menu options will be grayed out.

Submitted by Justin Herron

Prevent the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon from appearing in the notification tray

Submitted 11/23/02

To Prevent the Remote Desktop Sharing (RDS) icon from appearing in the notification tray:

Click Start, then Run.

Type services.msc and then click ok.

Scroll down until you find the NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing service

Double-click on it.

Click on the Log On tab.

Uncheck Allow service to interact with desktop

Click OK then close the services window.

Reboot (You must reboot).

There you go. When you return, RDS will work, but there will be no icon in the notification area.

Submitted by Justin Herron

Printing a Directory

Added 11/12/02

WindowsXP does not allow you to use previously describe methods for printing the contents of a directory.
To do this requires the creation of a small batch file which is then added to your right-click options.

Batch File

On the root of the C: drive, create a batch file called print_directory.bat with the following lines:

@echo off
dir %1 /o:g > c:directory.txt
start /w notepad /p c:directory.txt
del c:directory.txt
exit

Note: dir %1 /o:g will print with any directories listed first. You can add whatever other switches you like

Adding to the Explorer Right Click

Start the Explorer

Go to Tools / Folder Options

On the File Types tab, click File Folder.

Click Advanced button and then click New.

In the Action box, type Print Directory (or whatever text you want to appear).

In the Application used to perform action box, type C:print_directory.bat, and then click OK.

Click OK, click OK, and then click Close

Fixing the Registry

Sometimes after adding the right click with the Explorer, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory shell

Edit the default value to be explorer or none

Download reg file

Removing Thumbs.db Files

Added 11/12/02

When viewing a folder with the Thumbnail view, WindowsXP creates a thumbs.db file.
This is a cache of the current pictures in that directory.
If you want to turn this feature off and save a little disk space

Start the Windows Explorer

Go to Tools / Folder Options / View

In the first section under Files and Folders, check Do not cache thumbnails

Now you can search for the thumbs.db file on your computer and remove them. No more should be created.

Enable / Disable the Task Manager

Added 10/17/02

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem

Create the Dword value DisableTaskMgr

Give it a value of 0 to enable it

Give it a vaule of 1 to disable it

Download Reg File

Saving Desktop Settings

Added 9/11/02

If you desktop or folders on your desktop do not retain their settings:

Start Regedit

Go go HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProgram ManagerRestrictions

Create or edit the DWORD value NoSaveSettings

Give it a value of 0

Download reg file

Hiding the Windows Version on the Desktop

Added 9/10/02

If your version of WindowsXP is displaying on the desktop and
you would like to remove it:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Control Panel Desktop

Edit or Create the DWORD entry PaintDesktopVersion

A value of 0 will hide the version from the desktop

Logoff or reboot

Download reg file

To make this change for all future users, edit
HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelDesktop in the same manner.

Using Media Player 6.4

Added 9/10/02

If you want to use the older version of Microsoft Media Player 6.4, it is still on your computer.

Make a shortcut on your desktop to the:
C:Program FilesWindows Media Playermplayer2.exe file

You can also change the file associations from this program to set it as the default for all media types.

Controlling the Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Added 7/24/02

By default, the Desktop Cleanup Wizard will pop up every 60 days to cleanup your desktop.

To stop this:

Right click on the desktop.

Select Properties

Click on the Desktop tab

Click on the Customize Desktop button

Uncheck Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Clearing the Page File on Shutdown

Updated 7/24/02

Another way to set the computer to clear the pagefile without directly editing the registry is:

Click on the Start button

Go to the Control Panel

Administrative Tools

Local Security Policy

Local Policies

Click on Security Options

Right hand menu - right click on 'Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile'

Select 'Enable'

Reboot

Submitted by Arthur Pounder

Added 8/16/01

If you want to clear the page file on each shutdown:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory ManagementClearPageFileAtShutdown

Set the value to 1

Download reg file

Restoring Access to CD ROMs

Added 5/22/02

If after you remove CD Burning software, you can no longer access your CD ROM's,
the following registry keys need to be deleted:

Locate and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values under the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass

Download Reg File

ReInstalling WindowsXP

Added 5/21/02

If you need to reinstall WindowsXP and want to keep all your current installed applications and settings:

Start WindowsXP

Go to the location of your source files

Run WINNT32 /unattend

I've often need to do this to repair something that had gotten corrupted and didn't want to do a clean install.

Setting the Dir Command to Display Filenames on the Left

Added 5/10/02

Previous versions of Windows displayed the filenames on the left hand side when you run the dir command.
WindowsXP changes this and the default it to put it on the right.

To change this back:

Right click on My Computer

Click on Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Click on the Environment Variables button

Click on New button

Enter the Variable name: dircmd

Enter the Variable value: /-n

Dell Computer Not Keeping Correct Time

Added 5/5/02

If your Dell computer is loosing time while the computer is turned on,
You can run the following commands:

Start / Run / CMD

Net stop w32time

w32tm /unregister

w32tm /unregister

w32tm /register

Net start w32time

You can also download a Dell Patch to do the same process automatically

Fix Browsing Delay to Win98/ME Computers

Added 5/18/01

If you experience a 30 second or so delay when browsing to Windows98 or WindowsME computers,
delete the following registry key on the Windows2000 or WindowsXP computer.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Explorer / RemoteComputer / NameSpace

Download reg file

Formatting a Partition Greater than 32 GIGs with FAT32

Added 4/27/02

WindowsXP will only format a partition greater than 32 GIGs as NTFS.
If you want to format it with FAT32:

You can use a regular Win98 Boot disk and use that version of FDISK to create the partition (with Large Hard Drive Support)

Reboot with the same boot disk and format

WindowsXP will then be able to use the partition with no problems

Adding SafeBoot to the Boot Menu

Added 4/23/02

You can add Safeboot as an option to the normal XP boot screen

Open a command prompt

Copy the current c:boot.ini to another name (just in case)

With your favorite text editor, edit c:boot.ini

Copy then edit the current boot line to another line. For example:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS='Microsoft Windows XP Professional' /fastdetect
might copy and then change to:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)WINDOWS='Microsoft Windows XP Professional Safeboot' /fastdetect

Start MSCONFIG

Click on the BOOT.INI tab

Highlight the second line with the additional name of Safeboot

Check the /SAFEBOOT box with option you want
Minimal - Minimal set of drivers
Network - With Network Support
Dsrepair - Directory Services Repair
Minimal (Alternate Shell) - Standard Explorer Desktop

You will now have this option every time you start XP

No GUI Boot

Added 4/23/02

If you don't need to see the XP boot logo,

Run MSCONFIG

Click on the BOOT.INI tab

Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT

Speeding the Startup of Some CD Burner Programs

Added 4/23/02

If you use program other than the native WindowsXP CD Burner software,
you might be able to increase the speed that it loads.

Go to Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Services

Double-click on IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service

For the Startup Type, select Disabled

Click on the OK button and then close the Services window

If you dontYou should notice

Getting Rid of Unread Email Messages

Updated 4/20/02

To remove the Unread Email message by user's login names:

Start Regedit

For a single user: Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUnreadMail

For all users: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUnreadMail

Create a DWORD key called MessageExpiryDays

Give it a value of 0

Download reg file

Using the Internet Explorer Classic Search

Added 4/20/02

If you want to use the classic search engine in the Internet Explorer

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain

If it is not there, create a String Value of Use Search Asst

Give it a value of no

Download reg file

Logging in as Administrator

Added 4/11/02

If you want to log in as Administrator, but it is not show on the Welcome screen,

Hold the Ctrl-Alt key and press Del twice.

This will bring up the normal login and you can log on as Administrator

To unhide the Administrator account so it does show up:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Winlogon SpecialAccounts UserList

Unhide the Administrator key by giving it a value of 1

Download reg file

Correcting Fast User Switching Error

Added 4/11/02

If you are getting an error that:
A recently installed program has disabled the Welcome screen and Fast User Switching
with a reference to CSGina.DLL

Start Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon

Delete the key GinaDLL

Download reg file

Using the Classic Search in Explorer

Added 4/11/02

If you prefer to use the classic search style in Explorer,

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerCabinetState

Add a String Key called Use Search Asst

Give it a value of no

Download reg file

No To All When Overwriting Files

Added 4/5/02

When overwriting files in the Windows Explorer, there is an option for Yes To All.
This would overwrite any files you would normally be prompted for.

To have No To All, simply hold down the Shift key while you click on the No option.

Re-Installing User Login Pictures

Added 4/5/02

Normally WindowsXP shows assigned pictures for each user on the system.
If you have deleted your user pictures, want to know the location, or need to reinstall them,
they are stored in the C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataMicrosoftUser Account PicturesDefault Pictures
directory.

If you need to reinstall them, they can be expanded from the source CD. The actual files are:
airplane.bmp
astronaut.bmp
ball.bmp
butterfly.bmp
cat.bmp
fish.bmp
pink flower.bmp
guitar.bmp
snowflake.bmp
beach.bmp
car.bmp
chess.bmp
dirt bike.bmp
dog.bmp
drip.bmp
duck.bmp
frog.bmp
horses.bmp
kick.bmp
lift-off.bmp
palm tree.bmp
red flower.bmp
skater.bmp

WINIPCFG for XP

Added 4/1/02

If you like the graphic IP configuration program that comes with Windows98,
you can download a similar one for WindowsXP or Windows2000 from Microsoft at:
https://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/tools/existing/wntipcfg-o.asp

The actual file is at:
WntIpcfg_setup.exe

Search Companion Error

Added 4/1/02

When doing a file search, if you get the error A File That Is Required to Run Search Companion Cannot Be Found

Log on as an Administrator

Click Start

Select Run

Enter in the command - %systemroot%inf

Right-click the Srchasst.inf file

Click Install

Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version

Added 4/1/02

By default, the NTBACKUP program is not installed on the home version.

You can find it on the CD in the VALUEADDMSFTNTBACKUP directory

Since not all vendors include the actual source code for XP,
you can download a copy

Changing Drive Letters

Added 3/30/02

If you want to change the letters assigned to your fixed or removable drives:

Right Click on My Computer

Select Manage

Select Disk Management

For a Fixed Disk:

Select it

Right click

Select Change Drive Letter and Path

Click on the Edit button

Enter in the letter you want to use

For a Removable Disk:

In the lower, right hand panel, right click on the Disk or CD ROM #

Select Change Drive Letter and Path

Click on the Edit button

Enter in the letter you want to use

Turn off the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer as the Default Image Viewer

Updated 3/29/02

You can also change the file associations for the specific file types you want.

Open the Windows Explorer

Go to Tools / Folder Options / File Types

Scroll down to the extension you want to change

Click on the Change button

Select the program you want to associate with that extension

Click on the OK button

Added 3/4/02

If the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer is set as the default for many of your graphic file types,
you can remove it so other graphics programs can be used.

Run Regedit

Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / SystemFileAssociations / image / ShellEx / ContextMenuHandlers

Delete the key ShellImagePreview

Download reg file

Allowing Network Access with Blank Passwords

Added 3/23/02

Although you can log in locally without a password, by default, WindowsXP Pro does not allow network users to access the computer without a password. Typically you will receive an Unknown error 31 if this is the case.

To change this setting:

Run gpedit.msc

Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options

Double click on Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only

Disable this option

Changing the Default DOS Window Properties

Added 3/22/02

If you want to change the default DOS windows properties like:

Size

Color

Font

Buffer Size

Window / Full Screen

Open up a DOS window

Right click on the Title Bar

Select Defaults

Make any of the changes you like

All subsequent DOS windows will assume these defaults

Changing the Registered Owner

Added 3/20/02

Start Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion

From there you can edit the name in the Registered Owner key

Opening a Command Prompt to a Particular Directory from Explorer

Added 3/18/02

If you want to open a command prompt to a directory that is selected in the Explorer:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Directory shell

Create a new key called Command

Give it the value of the name you want to appear in the Explorer. Something like Open DOS Box

Under this create a new key called command

Give it a value of cmd.exe /k 'cd %L'

Now when you are in the Explorer, right click on a folder, select Open DOS Box, and a command prompt will open to the selected directory.

Download reg file

Adding Time Servers

Added 3/18/02

With WindowsXP, you can double-click on the time in the System Tray and connect to Time Servers on the Internet to synchronize with.
To add to the list of available servers:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionDateTimeServers

Add new string keys named 2, 3, etc. with a value of the time server you want to use.

Creating a Boot Floppy

Added 3/14/02

To create a bootable floppy from within WindowsXP:

Insert a floppy into the A: drive

Open the Explorer

Right click on the A: Drive

Select Format

Check Create an MS-DOS startup disk

Click on the Start button

This will create a Millennium boot disk

Changing the Login Screen Saver

Added 3/8/02

If you want to change the screen saver that runs at the login prompt:

Start Regedit

Go to HK_USERS / .DEFAULT / Control Panel / Desktop

Double click on SCRNSAVE.EXE

Enter in the screen saver you want to use

Running NetMeeting

Added 3/8/02

To run NetMeeting:

Do a Start / Run

Enter conf

Answer the prompts along the way for name, e-mail etc.

Set the Online Registration as Being Completed

Added 3/4/02

You can set WindowsXP to assume the online registration has been completed.

Run Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion

Create a String Value called RegDone

Give it a value of 1

Download reg file

Decreasing Boot Time

Added 3/4/02

Microsoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot to WindowsXP
The program is called BootVis

Uncompress the file.

Run BOOTVIS.EXE

For a starting point, run Trace / Next Boot + Driver Delays

This will reboot your computer and provide a benchmark

After the reboot, BootVis will take a minute or two to show graphs of your system startup.

Note how much time it takes for your system to load (click on the red vertical line)

Then run Trace / Optimize System

Re-Run the Next Boot + Drive Delays

Note how much the time has decreased

Mine went from approximately 39 to 30 seconds.

Re-Enabling System Restore

Added 3/3/02

If you previously disabled system restore through the Group Policy Editor,
the option to start it again does not show in the System Properties.
You can re-enable it again by:

Run the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Go to Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / System Restore

Set Turn off System Restore and Turn off Configuration to Disable

Right click on My Computer

Select Manage

Go to Services and Applications / Services

Scroll down to System Restore Service

Set it for Automatic

Click on the Start button to start the service

Close down this window

Go back to the Group Policy Editor and configure both to Not configured

Now when you right click on My Computer, there should be a tab for System Restore and you can configure how much space will be used.

Hide/Unhide Logon Names

Added 3/3/02

If you want to hide or unhide the names of users that are displayed on the initial logon screen:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Winlogon SpecialAccounts UserList

Add a DWORD with the name of the user account you want to hide

Make sure it has a value of 0

If there is an existing account, you can unhide it by giving it a value of 1

Reinstalling the TCP/IP Protocol

Added 3/2/02

If you've worked on previous versions of Windows,
there are times when you need to completely reinstall the TCP/IP protocol stack.
This is typically due to corrupted files.

To do this with XP,
you need to run a small script:

netsh int ip reset [ log_file_name ]

the log_file_name needs to be specified.

e.g.
netsh int ip reset ip_reset.txt

Renaming the Start Button

Added 2/25/02

To rename the start button, you will need a hex editor.
My preference is UltraEdit

Copy the windowsexplore.exe file to a new name (e.g. explorer_1.exe)

With the hex editor, open that file and go to offset 412b6

You will see the word start with blanks between each letter

Edit it be any 5 characters or less

Save the file

Boot to DOS

Copy the existing c:windowsexplorer.exe to explorer.org

Copy explorer_1.exe to explorer.exe

You will also need to replace the explorer.exe in the c:windowssystem32dllcache file as well with the new one.

Note: If the partition is NTFS and you can't access the files from DOS:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows NT CurrentVersion Winlogon.

Change the value of Shell from Explorer.exe to explorer_1.exe

Rollback a Device Driver

Added 2/18/02

If you install a device drive that does not work correctly,
you can restore the previous one fairly easily.

Log in with an administrator account

Right click on My Computer

Select Properties

Click on the Hardware tab

Click on the Device Manager button

Go to the device you want to reconfigure

Click on the Driver tab

Click on the Roll Back Drive button

Selecting What Details to Display in the Explorer

Added 2/3/02

To add or remove items to be displayed in the Explorer when using the Details View

Start the Explorer

Go to View / Choose Details

Right click on the columns by Name and check or uncheck any item you want displayed

Available options are:

Owner

Name

Size

Type

Date Modified

Status

Attributes

Author

Title

Subject

Category

Pages

Comments

Copyright

Date Created

Date Accessed

Attributes

Artist

Album Title

Year

Track Number

Genre

Duration

Bit Rate

Protected

Camera Model

Date Picture Taken

Dimensions

Company

Description

File Version

Product Name

Product Version

Closing Multiple Taskbar Items

Submitted 2/3/02

If you hold down the Control Key when you click on the taskbar icons,
it selects multiple tasks. Then you can simply right-click on the selected items and choose close group.

This tip works with all windows, not just one applications. If you have the cal, ie, notepad and solitaire open, it will close them all, unlike the group similar items command that only lets you close all of one type (ex: all IE or all notepads).

Submitted by Terry Cadieux

Remembering Outlook / Outlook Express Password

Submitted 1/26/02

On systems, Outlook or Outlook Express will not remember the e-mail password,
which would then need to be entered in each time.

To solve the problem:

Open Registry Editor

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft

Right Click Protected Storage System Provider

Choose the Permissions option

Click the Advanced box near the bottom right hand corner. This should open another box, Towards the bottom of this box there should be two tick boxes, make sure that both of them are ticked. Click Apply, another box will open Click Yes, then Click OK and OK again.

Left Click the + next to Protected Storage System Provider and Delete any sub folder in this tree. (Right clicking and choose the delete option or press the delete key and choosing yes to delete)

Shutdown and Restart Computer.

Submitted by Naste

Turning Off the Firewall

Added 1/26/02

If you want to turn off the firewall for your computer:

Go to Start / Settings / Network Connections

Right click on the network connection you want to change

Select Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Uncheck the box in Internet Connection Firewall

Grouping Similar Taskbar Buttons

Added 1/26/02

When you open more than one document in the same program and then minimize each document,
rather that showing separate icons on the taskbar for each document, WindowsXP groups them under a single icon for that application.

If you want to group, or ungroup, similar taskbar buttons,

Right click on the Taskbar

Select Properties

Check or Uncheck Group similar taskbar buttons

Turning Off the Guest Account

Added 1/22/02

For security purposes, you might want to turn off the Guest account

Open up the Control Panel

Click on User Accounts

Click on Change an account

Click on the Guest account

Click Turn off the guest account

Original NT Style Logon Screen

Updated 1/19/02

If you want to have the original NT style windows logon screen with XP,
simply hold the Ctrl-Alt keys and press the delete key twice.

The following Update Submitted by:
Steven Pennypacker

To make a permanent change so the logon screen is always like the traditional NT4/2000 style:

Go to the Control Panel

Open up User Accounts

Click Change the way users log on and off

Uncheck Use the Welcome screen

Click on Apply Options

Turning Off the Built-In CD Burner

Added 1/15/02

If you want to turn off the ability to using the built-in CD burner software that comes with WindowsXP:

Open up the Explorer

Right click on the drive that is your CD burner

Select Properties

Click on the Recording tab

Uncheck Enable CD recording on this drive

Hiding System Tray Icons

Added 1/10/02

With WindowsXP, you can manually select how you want individual icons in the System Tray to be displayed.

Right click on the Taskbar

Select Properties

Check Hide inactive icons

Click on the Customize button

This will bring up a dialog box that will allow you to select one of three options for your applications:
Hide when inactive, Always hide, or always show

Highlight current or past applications and make any changes you like.

A small arrow will now appear in the System Tray that will allow you to show or hide these icons.

Faster Task Switching

Added 1/6/02

If you installed WindowsXP Power Tools from Microsoft, when you press Alt-Tab to switch between running applications,
you get a screen that shows a small graphic of the window that is of that application along with its icon.
This also takes a long time to display. (Or at least longer than I'm comfortable with)

You can speed this up and revert back to previous ways task switching is displayed.

To Turn This Off After Your Reboot:

Run MSCONFIG

Click on the Startup tab

Uncheck Taskswitch

Click on the OK button

If you want to keep working, click on Exit without Restart

To Turn This Off Immediately:

Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete

Click on the Processes tab

Highlight TaskSwitch.exe

Click on the End Process tab

Click on the Yes button

WindowsXP Command Line Utilities

Added 1/5/02

While there are a lot of command line utilities in WindowsXP, here are some that I have been using lately.

bootcfg - Configures, queries, or changes Boot.ini file settings.

driverquery - Displays a list of all installed device drivers and their properties.

getmac - Returns the media access control (MAC) address and list of network protocols associated with each address for all network cards in each computer

gpresult - Displays Group Policy settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) for a user or a computer

netsh - You can use commands in the Netsh Interface IP context to configure the TCP/IP protocol

schtasks - Schedules commands and programs to run periodically or at a specific time

systeminfo - Displays detailed configuration information about a computer and its operating system

Disabling Error Reporting

Added 12/5/01

By default, WindowsXP will request to report application errors to Microsoft.
To turn this off:

Right click on the My Computer icon on the desktop

Select Properties / Advanced

Click on the Error Reporting tab

Check Disable error reporting

Adding a Title for the Command Prompt Title Bar

Added 11/27/01

If you create a batch file that might take a while to run,
you can add a title to the command prompt title bar it by simply adding the line:

title YOUR TEXT

where YOUR TEXT would be replaced by whatever text you want to show.

Increasing Graphics Performance

Added 11/27/01

By default, WindowsXP turns on a lot of shadows, fades, slides etc to menu items.
Most simply slow down their display.

To turn these off selectively:

Right click on the My Computer icon

Select Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Under Performance, click on the Settings button

To turn them all of, select Adjust for best performance

My preference is to leave them all off except for Show shadows under mouse pointer and Show window contents while dragging

Creating an Automated Install of WindowsXP

Added 11/12/01

On the WindowsXP CP, in the SUPPORTTOOLS directory,
there is a file called DEPLOY.CAB.

Extract the programs DEPLOY.CHM (help file) and SETUPMGR.EXE (main program)

Run SETUPMGR and answer the prompts.

This will create both a unattend.bat and unattend.txt file you can use for automated installs.

Note: The batch file might need some minor modification for file locations but it is fairly basic.

Creating a Shutdown/Reboot Icon

Added 11/11/01

WindowsXP has a program called SHUTDOWN.EXE which allows you to easily create icons to shutdown or restart your computer.

To create a shutdown shortcut on the desktop:

Right click on an open area of the desktop

Select New / Shortcut

Enter in 'shutdown -s -t 00' - no quotes

Press the Next button

For the name, enter in anything you like. I just use shutdown. Click on the Finish button.

For a reboot, enter 'shutdown -r -t 00'

Shutdown [] [-f] [-m [ComputerName]] [-t xx] [-c 'message'] [-d[u][p]:xx:yy]

Parameters

-l - Logs off the current user, this is also the defualt. -m ComputerName takes precedence.

-s - Shuts down the local computer.

-r - Reboots after shutdown.

-a - Aborts shutdown. Ignores other parameters, except -l and ComputerName. You can only use -a during the time-out period.

-f - Forces running applications to close.

-m [ComputerName] - Specifies the computer that you want to shut down.

-t xx - Sets the timer for system shutdown in xx seconds. The default is 20 seconds.

-c 'message' - Specifies a message to be displayed in the Message area of the System Shutdown window. You can use a maximum of 127 characters. You must enclose the message in quotation marks.

Command Line Help Reference

Added 11/11/01

To get a quick help for all the commands you can enter from WindowsXP,
simply create a shortcut:

hh.exe ms-its:C:WINDOWSHelpntcmds.chm::/ntcmds.htm

Using the System File Checker

Added 11/11/01

You can run the System File Checker to verify protected system files.

Command line switches are:

sfc [/scannow] [/scanonce] [/scanboot] [/revert] [/purgecache] [/cachesize=x]

/scannow - Scans all protected system files immediately.

/scanonce - Scans all protected system files once.

/scanboot - Scans all protected system files every time the computer is restarted.

/revert - Returns the scan to its default operation.

/purgecache - Purges the Windows File Protection file cache and scans all protected system files immediately.

/cachesize=x - Sets the size, in MB, of the Windows File Protection file cache.

Disabling Balloon Tips

Added 11/9/01

To turn off balloon tips in applications that support XP Themes:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced

Create a DWORD value of EnableBalloonTips

Give it a value of 0

Download reg file

Speeding Up the Display of Start Menu Items

Added 11/8/01

An easy way to speed up the display of the Start Menu Items is to turn off the menu shadow.

Right click on an open area of the Desktop

Select Properties

Click on the Appearance tab

Click on the Effects button

Uncheck Show shadows under menus

Installing the NetBEUI Protocol

Added 11/7/01

Microsoft no longer supports the NetBEUI protocol as part of WindowsXP.

You can add it as a installable protocol by going to the VALUEADD MSFT NET NETBEUI
directory on the CD ROM.

Note: %SYSTEMROOT% refers to the drive and directory where you installed WindowsXP.
Typically this is in the C:WINDOWS directory

Copy the nbf.sys into the %SYSTEMROOT%SYSTEM32DRIVERS directory

Copy netnbf.inf into the %SYSTEMROOT%INF directory

Open the Network connection properties for your local area network and use 'Install' button to add NetBEUI protocol

I included a zipped file with the above files and a simple batch file to copy both to the appropriate directories

This is only if you absolutely need NetBEUI. It is not at all a necessary requirement for most networks.

Setting System Time Over the Internet

Added 11/5/01

You can set your system clock to a time server on the Internet.

Double-click the time on your taskbar

Click the Internet Time tab

Check Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server

Click on the Update Now button

Creating a Password Recovery Disk

Added 11/5/01

In case you forget your password, you can create a password recovery floppy disk beforehand to help you out of this problem.

Single-click Start menu

Go to the Control Panel / User Accounts

Click the User Account

On the left hand side, click on Prevent forgotten password

You will need to know your password to create the disk.

If you don't remember your password sometime in the future, click on the green arrow like normal at the login and you will be prompted to insert the password recover disk.

Changing the Default Search Settings

Added 11/5/01

By default, when you start a search,
you are prompted for what you want to search for.
(e.g. Pictures, Documents, Files, Computers)

To change the preferences, simply click on Change preferences

From here you can:

Turn off the animated screen character

Change files and folders search behavior (setting it to Advanced changes the default search screen to be for simply files)

Internet search settings

Turn off balloon tips

Opening an Explorer Window to the Directory You Want

Added 9/4/01

If you want to create a shortcut for the Explorer to a specific directory,
include the directory you want in the Target.

For example:
%SystemRoot%explorer.exe /n, /e, d:internet

would open the Explorer to the D:INTERNET directory

Disabling Hibernation

Added 8/20/01

If you don't want to use up the disk space taken by Hibernation, or don't need to use it at all,
you can easily disable it.

Open up the Control Panel / Power Options icon

Click on the Hibernation icon

Uncheck Enable Hibernation

Locking the Workstation

Added 8/19/01

There are two ways you can lock the workstation.

With a Windows key + L

Create an shortcut rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

Changing the Picture Displayed for a User

Added 8/19/01

You can change the picture that gets displayed for a particular user

Go to the Control Panel

Select User Accounts

Click on the Account to change

Click on Change my picture

You can then browse to the picture you want to use

Displaying the QuickLaunch Toolbar

Added 8/16/01

By default, WindowsXP does not show the QuickLaunch toolbar.
To enable it again:

Right click on an open area of the toolbar

Select Toolbars

Select Quick Launch

Now you can add programs like with Win98

Increasing System Performance

Added 8/16/01

If you have 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system performance
by having the core system kept in memory.

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory ManagementDisablePagingExecutive

Set the value to be 1

Reboot the computer

Download reg file

Removing the MSN Messenger

Added 8/16/01

If you want to remove the MSN Messenger from always starting in the system tray, do

Start / Run

Then enter in the following string: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%INFmsmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

To remove it completely, see the section Adding / Removing Additional Programs

Remove the hide from the line:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

Common Command Console Utilities

Added 8/16/01

WindowsXP comes with quite a few console utilities you can easily run from the command line:

Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Disk Managment - diskmgmt.msc
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Disk Defrag - dfrg.msc
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Group Policies - gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policies - rsop.msc
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Services - services.msc
Component Services - comexp.msc

Automatically Ending Non-Responsive Tasks

Added 8/16/01

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktopAutoEndTasks

Set the value to be 1

In the same section, change the WaitToKillAppTimeout to the number of milliseconds you want.

Download reg file

Changing the Internet Explorer Title

Added 8/16/01

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMainWindow Title

Enter what you want appear in the title bar

Changing Visual Effects

Added 8/16/01

To change visual effects such as fade menus, mouse shadow, visual styles on buttons, drop shadows for icons, slide open boxes and buttons etc.:

Right click on My Computer

Select Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Under Performance, click on the Settings button

From here you have a list of items you can select

Changing System Restore Settings

Added 8/16/01

By default, WindowsXP uses a large amount of hard drive space for storing system restore points.
If this is not necessary, you can change the settings.

Go to Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools

Run System Restore

For each drive or partition, you can click on the Setting button to change how much hard drive space is devoted to each one.

There is even the option to turn it off for all drives.

Configuring the Firewall

Added 8/16/01

WindowsXP has firewall capabilities built into the operating system.

For your network connection to the Internet, select Properties

Click on the Advanced tab

Check the Internet Connection Firewall section

Click on the Settings button to change the settings

Changing Programs That Start Automatically

Added 8/16/01

WindowsXP has a similar program, MSCONFIG, that was available in Windows98.
This allows you to view and change what programs are automatically started each time you log in.

The new version also allows you to view and edit the boot.ini file (as well as check for errors and use several advanced switches)

Adding / Removing Additional Programs

Added 8/16/01

By default, WindowsXP does not display all the programs you can add or remove.
To show this list:

Edit the WindowsInfsysoc.inf file

In the Components section, simply remove the word hide.
This will leave two commas together (like on the rest of the items).
Then you can go to the Control Panel / Add or Remove Programs / Add/Remove Windows Components and the new items will be displayed.

[Components]
NtComponents=ntoc.dll,NtOcSetupProc,,4
WBEM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wbemoc.inf,hide,7
Display=desk.cpl,DisplayOcSetupProc,,7
Fax=fxsocm.dll,FaxOcmSetupProc,fxsocm.inf,,7
NetOC=netoc.dll,NetOcSetupProc,netoc.inf,,7
iis=iis.dll,OcEntry,iis.inf,,7
com=comsetup.dll,OcEntry,comnt5.inf,hide,7
dtc=msdtcstp.dll,OcEntry,dtcnt5.inf,hide,7
IndexSrv_System = setupqry.dll,IndexSrv,setupqry.inf,,7
TerminalServer=TsOc.dll, HydraOc, TsOc.inf,hide,2
msmq=msmqocm.dll,MsmqOcm,msmqocm.inf,,6
ims=imsinsnt.dll,OcEntry,ims.inf,,7
fp_extensions=fp40ext.dll,FrontPage4Extensions,fp40ext.inf,,7
AutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,au.inf,hide,7
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
msnexplr=ocmsn.dll,OcEntry,msnmsn.inf,,7
smarttgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msnsl.inf,,7
RootAutoUpdate=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,rootau.inf,,7


Games=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,,7
AccessUtil=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,accessor.inf,,7
CommApps=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,communic.inf,HIDE,7
MultiM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,multimed.inf,HIDE,7
AccessOpt=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,optional.inf,HIDE,7
Pinball=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,pinball.inf,HIDE,7
MSWordPad=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,wordpad.inf,HIDE,7
ZoneGames=zoneoc.dll,ZoneSetupProc,igames.inf,,7

Displaying and Configuring the Classic Start Menu

Added 8/16/01

If you prefer the original Start Menu, you can easily switch it back.

Right click on the Taksbar

Select Properties

Click on the Start Menu tab

Select Classic Start Menu

If you click on the Customize button you can choose to display Administrative Tools, Favorites, Run, and expanding many of the sub-menus like the Control Panel.

Increasing File System Caching

Added 8/16/01

To increase the amount of memory Windows will locked for I/O operations:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory Management

Edit the key IoPageLockLimit

4096 - 32megs of memory or less
8192 - 32+ megs of memory
16384 - 64+ megs of memory
32768 - 128+ megs of memory
65536 - 256+ megs of memory

Enabling NumLock on by Default

Added 8/16/01

To have numlock turned on for each user:

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelKeyboardInitialKeyboardIndicators

Change the value from 0 to 2

Turn Numlock on manually

Log off and back on again.

For all users, make the same change to HKEY_USERS.DEFAULTControl PanelKeyboardInitialKeyboardIndicators