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 Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof 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_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Conferencing\Mcpt
Create a new string value (Click on Edit > New > String Value).
Name the value Nx
Double-click on it and set it's value to 1
Close the registry
Now the menu options will be grayed out.
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_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
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_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Program Manager\Restrictions
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\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop 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 Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.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_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\ClearPageFileAtShutdown
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_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment