[Michael Buckley]

I originally posted this at Geeks To Go, all the tweaks are written by Johanna, Smokey and me. I would like to keep this thread 100% tweaks if you have a problem please post in Windows XP Forum that is what it is there for.

Also don't add any thank you posts, PM the person that way only one person reads it and not thousands of other users. I will try to have non-tweak posts removed after a two weeks or so, thank you for understanding.

When posting please follow the pattern I set in my tweaks, makes it look nice and tidy that way. And if don't under stand a tweak, think a tweak should not be here or should be done differently, or a link dose not work please PM me and I will fix it.

Tweak Index

Red are performance Tweaks
Green are thing for convenience
Blue are Hard drive/File Related
Purple How to do Useful Things

Tweak #1 Remove Two Annoying Windows Component
Tweak #2 Turn off Indexing
Tweak #3 Turn off Hibernation
Tweak #4 Remove Windows Messenger
Tweak #5 Turn off Auto Restart
Tweak #6 Repair Corrupt Files
Tweak #7 Disable Start UP Programs
Tweak #8 Commands, Hotkeys & Short-Cuts
Tweak #9 Using the Registry
Tweak #10 Change Icon for File Type
Tweak #11 Display Settings
Tweak #12 Shutdown, Restart and logoff Icons on Desktop
Tweak #13 Page File
Tweak #14 Move My Docs off of C
Tweak #15 QFECheck - how to make sure hotfixes are installed
Tweak #16 Limiting Accounts
Tweak #17 System Info
Tweak #18 Windows Explorer Shortcut
Tweak #19 Turn Off Visual Effects
Tweak #20 All the Messengers
Tweak #21 Turn Off "Low Disk Space" Notification
Tweak #22 Disable Balloon Tips
Tweak #23 Stop System Sounds
Tweak #24 Clipboard Viewer
Tweak #25 Viewing/Changing File Associations
Tweak #26 Where the Icons Are
Tweak #27 Customise Desktop Icons
Tweak #28 Customise Windows Explorer
Tweak #29 Profile Tweaks - Desktop, Quick Launch, and Start Menu
Tweak #30 Shorten System set Delays
Tweak #31 Remove Unwanted Context menu item
Tweak #32 How to Delete
Tweak #33 Microsoft Update
Tweak #34 Repair/Reinstall Windows Components
Tweak #35 Remove Entries From Add/Remove Programs
Tweak #36 How to Unistall Programs
Tweak #37 Add/Remove Optional Components
Tweak #38 Add Another Menu to the Task Bar
Tweak #39 Folder Options

This post has been edited by Wingman: 05 March 2009 - 08:42 AM
Reason for edit: Corrected some spelling errors.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #1: Remove Two Annoying Windows Components

Have you tried to disable messenger, but it still shows in the system tray icon every now and then? If so, this next tweak is for you. To completely turn off Windows Messenger:

• Go to Start < Run
  
• Type or Copy in "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove" with out the quotes and press enter
  
• Restart and you will never see Windows Messenger again!

It is best it you copy and paste that command it is very hard to type right. This will do nothing to MSN messenger if you have it.

Ever get sick of Accessibility Tools?

• Go to Start < Run
  
• Type of Copy in "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\optional.inf,BLC.Remove"
  
• Restart and you will never see Accessibility Tools again!

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #2: Turn off Indexing to Speed up Response Time

If you don't extensively use the search feature in XP, this next tweak is for you. By extensively, I mean like everyday, and with advanced options. Windows XP has this "feature" called "Indexing". It's supposed to speed up searches by keeping all the files on your computer tied to memory. By tying up these files to memory, it can really slow things down. Disabling this service will remove this files from memory, inturn giving your applications and files faster response times. You will still be able to search with the Indexing turned off, but the searching will just take a little log to perform. To turn off Indexing:

• Open up "My Computer"
  
• Right-click on all your hard drives (usually "C:" if you only have one) and choose "Properties"
  
• Uncheck the box at the bottom that reads "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching"
  
• Click OK then the files will be removed from memory. This removal may take a few minutes to complete, but it's worth it.
  
• When this is happening it is normal for there to be errors that say it can not be applied to some files, this is because they are being used by the computer, just ignore it.

If the box to untick is not there it is because your file system dose not support having it on.

You will also need to disable the indexing service here too:

• Go to Start < Run
  
• Type "services.msc" and then press enter
  
• Scroll-down to "Indexing Service" and double-click it
  
• If the service status is "Running", then stop it by pressing the "Stop" button
  
• To make sure this service doesn't run again, under "Startup Type:", choose "Disabled"

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #3: Turn off Hibernation

If you don't use the Hibernation feature of XP, it's taking up a lot of unnecessary hard drive space. The space it takes up depends on your RAM. If you have 128 MB RAM, Hibernation takes up 127 MB, if you have 256 MB RAM, Hibernation takes up 254 MB, and so on. "Standby" and "Hibernation" are not they same thing. You will keep the "Standby" feature when you disable Hibernation. To turn off Hibernation:

1. Right-click on the desktop and click "Properties"
2. Hit the "Screen Saver" tab
3. Then click the "Power" button under "Monitor Power"
4. Click the "Hibernation" tab, then uncheck the box next to "Enable Hibernation"
5. Press "OK" and you have just saved a load of hard drive space!

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #4: Remove "Messenger Service" Advertisements from non-Service Pack XP PCs

The "Messenger Service" is not the same as "Windows Messenger". So if you removed "Windows Messenger", you might still be getting "Messenger Service" pop-up advertisements like this one, even if you're offline and have all broswser windows closed:



To remove these nasty ads:

1. Go to "Start", then "Run"
2. Type "services.msc" and press enter
3. Scroll-down to "Messenger" and double-click it
4. If the service status is "Running", then stop it by pressing the "Stop" button
5. To make sure this service doesn't run again, under "Startup Type:", choose "Disabled"
6. Press "OK" and say goodbye to those nasty Messenger ads!

Note: If you already have Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later, this service is already disabled.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #5: Turn off Auto Restart

I do this on all XP computers I work on. An error message can give me a valuable clue, and it's hard to jolt XP out of an endless booting loop.

Turn off auto restart
Control Panel/System/Advanced/Startup and recovery
uncheck auto restart.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #6: Repair Corrupt or Missing OS Files.

Some times in XP files get corrupt, the good thing is it is easy to fix.

Now go
Start < run and type sfc /scannow (note the space between the sfc and /)

It will ask you for you installation CD so have it ready. This will gives you a blue bar it can tack some time to finish (any where up to an hour) when it gose reboot. It fixes any files that have become corrupt.

Go
Start < run and type chkdsk /r /x (again note the spaces)

This many ask you if you what to do it in your next boot, answer yes. Wanning this may take some time to finish, about 1 minute per gigbyte. This will fix all hard drive errors.

You should not use you computer while you do either of these.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #7: Disable Startup programs

This will make booting a lot quicker, because many program that are installed get parts to load into Ram when Windows Loads, disabling it will not stop the program working. Most of these program are not needed. As a guide you should only need your Anti Virus and Spyware, instant message program if you use them and some times you that diver for the flashy new mouse that you have just got.

The first place to look is
Start < Programs < Startup
Every thing found can be deleted, they are never needed.

The second place to look is
Start < run and type msconfig and press OK, when it loads open the startup tab. Have a good look at the command column this is where the .exe file that runs it is. From this you should be able to work out what program is it and if you needed. If unsure you can test what turning it off dose, if the program is still in the system tray it was not needed, you can turn it back on if you need it. Changing anything will not stop Windows working.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #8: Run Commands, Hotkeys & Short-Cuts

Run Commands
-------------------------------------------------------------------
compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device manager
diskmgmt.msc - Disk management
dfrg.msc - Disk defrag
eventvwr.msc - Event viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders
gpedit.msc - Group policies
lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups
perfmon.msc - Performance monitor
rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies
secpol.msc - Local security settings
services.msc - Various Services
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
regedit - Registry Editor
msinfo32 - System Information
sysedit - System Edit
win.ini - windows loading information(also system.ini)
winver - Shows current version of windows
mailto: - Opens default email client
command - Opens command prompt

Run Commands to access the control panel
-------------------------------------------------------------------
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
control admintools - Adminastrative Tools
control color - The Display with the appearance tab open
control date/time - Date and Time properties
control folders - Folder Options
control fonts - Fonts Folder
control infrared - Infrared folder if available
control netconnections - Network and Dial-up Connections window
control netware - Netware window if installed and available
control panel - Control Panle
control printers - Printers Folder control printers
control schedtasks - Schedule tasks window
ccontrol telephony - Location information window
control userpasswords - User Accounts
desk.cpl - Display Properties
findfast.cpl - FindFast control
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
Hdwwiz.cpl - Add Hardware Wizard
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
intl.cpl - Regional and Language Options
joy.cpl - Game Controls
jpicpl32.cpl - Java Control Panle
main.cpl keyboard - keyboard Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
mlcfg32.cpl - Mail and Fax
mmsys.cpl - Multimedia Properties
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
ncpa.cpl - NetWork Connections
netcpl.cpl - Network Properties
netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
nusrmgr.cpl - User Accounts
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
Powercfg.cpl - Power Options
password.cpl - Password Properties control
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
Telephon.cpl - Telephone Controls
timedate.cpl - Date/Time Properties
wscui.cpl - Windows Security Center
Wuaucpl.cpl - Windows Auto Updater






Windows XP Shortcuts
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ALT+- (ALT+hyphen) - Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu
ALT+ENTER - View properties for the selected item
ALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order they were opened
ALT+F4 - Close the active item, or quit the active program
ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the System menu for the active window
ALT+TAB - Switch between open items
ALT+Underlined letter - Display the corresponding menu
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer
CTRL+A - Select all
CTRL+B - Bold
CTRL+C - Copy
CTRL+I - Italics
CTRL+O - Open an item
CTRL+U - Underline
CTRL+V - Paste
CTRL+X - Cut
CTRL+Z - Undo
CTRL+F4 - Close the active document
CTRL while dragging - Copy selected item
CTRL+SHIFT while dragging - Create shortcut to selected item
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word
CTRL+LEFT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+DOWN ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph
CTRL+UP ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph
SHIFT+DELETE - Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
ESC - Cancel the current task
F1 - Displays Help
F2 - Rename selected item
F3 - Search for a file or folder
F4 - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer
F5 - Refresh the active window
F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active program
SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
SHIFT+CTRL+ESC - Launches Task Manager
SHIFT when you insert a CD - Prevent the CD from automatically playing
WIN - Display or hide the Start menu
WIN+BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box
WIN+D - Minimizes all Windows and shows the Desktop
WIN+E - Open Windows Explorer
WIN+F - Search for a file or folder
WIN+F+CTRL - Search for computers
WIN+L - Locks the desktop
WIN+M - Minimize or restore all windows
WIN+R - Open the Run dialog box
WIN+TAB - Switch between open items



Windows Explorer Shortcuts
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ALT+SPACEBAR - Display the current window’s system menu
SHIFT+F10 - Display the item's context menu
CTRL+ESC - Display the Start menu
ALT+TAB - Switch to the window you last used
ALT+F4 - Close the current window or quit
CTRL+A - Select all items
CTRL+X - Cut selected item(s)
CTRL+C - Copy selected item(s)
CTRL+V - Paste item(s)
CTRL+Z - Undo last action
CTRL+(+) - Automatically resize the columns in the right hand pane
TAB - Move forward through options
ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to a previous view
ALT+LEFT ARROW - Move backward to a previous view
SHIFT+DELETE - Delete an item immediately
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up
ALT+ENTER - View an item’s properties
F10 - Activate the menu bar in programs
F6 - Switch between left and right panes
F5 - Refresh window contents
F3 - Display Find application
F2 - Rename selected itemhttp



Internet Explorer Shortcuts
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CTRL+A - Select all items on the current page
CTRL+D - Add the current page to your Favorites
CTRL+E - Open the Search bar
CTRL+F - Find on this page
CTRL+H - Open the History bar
CTRL+I - Open the Favorites bar
CTRL+N - Open a new window
CTRL+O - Go to a new location
CTRL+P - Print the current page or active frame
CTRL+S - Save the current page
CTRL+W - Close current browser window
CTRL+ENTER - Adds the [url=http://www]http://www -. (url) .com
SHIFT+CLICK - Open link in new window
BACKSPACE - Go to the previous page
ALT+HOME - Go to your Home page
HOME - Move to the beginning of a document
TAB - Move forward through items on a page
END - Move to the end of a document
ESC - Stop downloading a page
F11 - Toggle full-screen view
F5 - Refresh the current page
F4 - Display list of typed addresses
F6 - Change Address bar and page focus
ALT+RIGHT ARROW - Go to the next page
SHIFT+CTRL+TAB - Move back between frames
SHIFT+F10 - Display a shortcut menu for a link
SHIFT+TAB - Move back through the items on a page
CTRL+TAB - Move forward between frames
CTRL+C - Copy selected items to the clipboard
CTRL+V - Insert contents of the clipboard
ENTER - Activate a selected link
HOME- Move to the beginning of a document
END - Move to the end of a document
F1 - Display Internet Explorer Help

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: 21 October 2005 - 05:30 PM

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #9: Opening the Registry

Some tweaks require you to change something in your registry, So I added this in for those the need to know how to get into it. Also is important that you don't do any thing that you are not sure about because it can cause problems with you computer.

It is advised that you back up parts of it before you change it. The best way to to this is to
Right click the part in question and press Export and save it to a place that you can find it if you need to.

To get into it go:
Start < run and type regedit, you will now have a Windows much like Explorer open with folders that start with HKEY_.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: 21 October 2005 - 07:16 AM

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #10: Change Icon for File Type

First get to the place where we can change it
Start < Control Panel < Folder Options < File Types

Now scroll down the list till you find the file type that you are after. Then press the button down the bottom of the tab that says "Advanced," in the new Window that opens press "Change Icon" select the icon that you what (go to C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll if you can't find and icon there are plenty there). Press OK then close. You will now have a new icon for that file type.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #11: Display settings

To open the desktop settings go
Start < Control Panel < Display

The first tab is Themes

In This tab you can change you theme, for best proformance Windows Classic in the theme that is best to use. Personally I use Windows XP because I like a bit of visual "Bubble-Gum." There is also the option here to Browse you hard drive for .theme files or to get "More themes online."

The next tab is Desktop

Here is where you can select you desktop background. I select "none" because if you do chose a picture Windows converts it to a Bitmap and loads it into memory, every picture in memory is a Bitmap. For most computers this is 2mb more in RAM. There is also the "Browse" button here to look for a picture on you hard drive. Under Position you can chose how you what your picture placed; tile, centre, or stretch. Under Colour is the option of choosing a background colour, what color you chose will make no difference to computer proformance.

Customize Desktop Button

There are two tabs here the first is called "General". In this tab there is a section called "Desktop Icons" here is the option of have things like "My Computer" on you desktop. You can also change their Icons to something you prefer by pressing the "Change Icon" button and browsing your hard drive for an icon. Down the botton of this tab there is "Desktop Cleanup" I untick this because I don't what icons removed that I have not used for awhile.

The other tab is Web, here you can add web pages to you desktop. I don't like doing this because they have to be downloaded every time I start my computer, slowing everything up. If you do chose to do so press the "New" button and type the url for the web page such as http:\\www.geekstogo.com and press OK. Down the botton of this tab there is the a box next to "Lock Desktop Items" ticking this will stop you accidentally moving web content that is on you desktop.

The next tab is Screen Saver

Here you can chose your Screen Saver. If you are after proformance, I would chose none, this means that your computer screen is on all the time, with most new computer screens you can do this. Some times it is better to have a screen saver on very quite computers so you know if it is on of not, or because you screen is old and it might get burn in. There is also the option of the time before the screen saver starts, set it to something so it is not continuously starting but so it still gets used. If your computer is in a place like an office ticking "On resume, password protect" will stop people accessing your computer while you are not there.

Down the botton the under "Monitor power" there is a button call "Power" The only tab of importance here is "Power Schemes" the setting are very easy to follow and it is up to personal choice what you set then to. Something to point out here if you chose to have your monitor turn of after a time it is the same as not having a screen saver and still stopping burn in on old computer screens.

The next tab is Appearance

The first option here is "Windows and Buttons:" choosing "Windows XP style" will keep it looking like XP changing it to Windows Classic style" will make XP look like Windows 2000 and run a bit faster.

Under "Colour Scheme:" you can chose what scheme you what such as Default(blue), Olive Green and Silver it is a matter of preference. The Option "Font Size" controls how big text looks and is best left at Normal.

In this tab there is a button called "Effects" if you press that a window comes up. For best proformance untick every thing here. But there are two you may what to think about before you do.
Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts: <--Fonts will not look as good.
Show Window contents while dragging <--When you move a Window it will not move but a dotted out line of it will, when you let go the whole windows will then move to the new position.

Back in the Appearance tab there is a button called "Advanced" Here is the option of changing the colour, font and size of some system elements. This is just a matter of preference, and makes no real change to proformance.

The next tab is Settings

Here you can set the Screen resolution and color quality. If you put it on a low setting your computer will run a bit faster. I prefer to have 32bit color and 1280 X 1024 resolution because it looks better. It is up to you what you like it on.

Here is also a button called "Troubleshoot" if you are having problems with your monitor press this it might help you work out what the problem is, and another button called "Advanced" this is for changing your monitor settings and it changes depending what monitor you have so I will not go into detail about it.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #12: Shutdown, Restart and Logoff Icons on desktop

Ever wish you could shut down you computer from a shortcut form the desktop? Here is how you do it.

Right click on the desktop and in the menu that comes up go to New and then click Shortcut
in the "Type the location of the item" box enter

shutdown.exe -s -t 00

and then press next and type a name for the shortcut such as "Shutdown." You can change the 00 in the code to change the delay before the computer shuts down 00 is instant and 01 in 1 second, 02 is two seconds and so on.

The same can be done for restarting your computer just use

shutdown.exe -r -t 00

instead of the code used above.

Again the same can be done for logging off just use

shutdown.exe -l -t 00

instead of the code used above.

Again the same can be done for fast user switching just use

Rundll32.exe User32.dll,LockWorkStation

instead of the code used above.

You can also make a short cut for Standby/Hibernation. If you have Hibernation emable it will do that, if not if will put you computer in to Standby. Just use this code instead of the above.

%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState

You can now change the Icon of the shortcut by right clicking it and pressing properties and in the Window that comes up "Change Icon" and select one that you want. I use the ones I made in the attachment (the restart icon can not be found in XP).

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #13: The Page File/Virtual memory

For those that don't know what it is first a little explanation of what Virtual memory/Page File is. When a program gets loaded into memory (Random Access Memory or Ram) when opened there are pages of it that never get used. Every thing that is in memory is divided in to pages that are 4kb in size. So to save space in Ram, which is very limited resource, pages that are not used get dropped out of memory to a Page File (called pagefile.sys in XP) after a certain time, this make the computer run faster. The more page file will make a computer run faster to some degree. That dose not mean that you make it as big as you can because not all of it would get used, there are two guides as to how much you need: 1.5 x the amount of Ram you have (1gb of Ram would mean 1.5gb of page file) or 2gb - the amount of Ram you have (if you have 1gb ram you would need 1gb of page file). I do what ever means the most on that computer.

So to change it
Start < Control Panel < system < Advanced < Performance < Setting < Advanced < Virtual Memory < Change
Once here select "custom size" and set the "Initial size (MB)" to what you decided that it needs to be (In the first example we need 1.5gb so I would type 1500 because it is in megabytes) then set the "Maximum size (MB)" to the same size , this will prevent it from growing (which it dose not need to do it you set it to the right size) and if did grow it gets fragmented it to many parts with is not fast as when it is all in one spot on the hard drive. Now press the "set" button then OK then OK again and then OK again and then restart your computer. You will now have a page file set for best performance

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #14 How to move your stuff off of your OS drive:
My Documents is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new My Documents folder on a different drive. Right-click the desktop icon, choose "Properties" and then "Move". Point to the desired location. You will be asked if you want all sub-folders and contents to be moved also. The original folder can be deleted, but it can also be left as is. The registry is automatically edited to reflect the change.

The Favorites folder is moved [in Windows Explorer] from C:\Documents and Settings\"User name"\ by right-clicking and dragging-n-dropping to the new drive, and choosing "Move Here". The registry is automatically edited to reflect the change.

The Address book is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new Address Book folder on a different drive. From: C:\Documents and Settings\"User name"\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\
Right-click and drag-n-drop "User name".wab and "User name".wa~ to the new folder and choose "Move Here".

You have to manually edit the registry. Click Start / Run and type "Regedit" in the run-dialog box and hit the <enter> key. Find the registry key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab File Name" and change the path to the new location. Close regedit and restart the computer. If you don't, it will create a new "User name".wab and default back to the original location.

E-mail storage location is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new E-mail folder on a different drive. [I use the folder name "Mail".] From within Outlook Express, click Tools / Options / Maintenance and the "Store Folder" button. Click "Change" and point to the new location.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak (Hint) #15: Using QFECHECK

If you have run sfc in the past, your file versions may have been replaced by older versions. Many programs that have been updated may have been replaced by the versions on the CD. The only way to repair what sfc has done is to re-install all the Windows Updates. Though the catalog database will show that these have already been installed, the version changes will not have been recorded in the database.

You may want to download and install qfecheck:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...&DisplayLang=en
Then, go to a command prompt (Start > Run and type: cmd) and type: qfecheck /v
for a "verbose" output concerning your presently installed hotfixes. Qfecheck will verify the integrity of those installations and tell you which need to be re-installed.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #16
How to Limit Accounts:
- in Documents & Settings, check the 'all users' account and if the shortcut is there, remove it and put it in the admin account. Users won't see it then.

- in the folder containing the .exe file, go into security and make sure the administrator account has full access then remove/delete any other users and groups (everyone is probably there now).

No one except Admins will see the shortcut and if a user knows to go to the exe and run it, it will not let him/her.

If you run XP-Pro you can just use Windows Explorer when logged on as an administrator to do the above.

If you run XP-Home, you will have to boot to safe mode as the administrator to even see the security tab for the folder.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak (HINT) #17
Systeminfo

Displays detailed configuration information about a computer and its operating system, including operating system configuration, security information, product ID, and hardware properties, such as RAM, disk space, and network cards.

Syntax
systeminfo[.exe] [/s Computer [/u Domain\User [/p Password]]] [/fo {TABLE|LIST|CSV}] [/nh]

Top of page
Parameters
/s Computer : Specifies the name or IP address of a remote computer (do not use backslashes). The default is the local computer.

/u Domain\User : Runs the command with the account permissions of the user specified by User or Domain\User. The default is the permissions of the current logged on user on the computer issuing the command.

/p Password : Specifies the password of the user account that is specified in the /u parameter.

/fo {TABLE|LIST|CSV} : Specifies the format to use for the output. Valid values are TABLE, LIST, and CSV. The default format for output is LIST.

/nh : Suppresses column headers in the output. Valid when the /fo parameter is set to TABLE or CSV.

/?: Displays help at the command prompt.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #18
Customizing the Windows Explorer Shortcut:

Create a new shortcut on your Desktop.

Then type or paste the following line into the target/command line:

For NT:
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,,/select,C:\

When you use this shortcut to access Windows Explorer, it will open up with all tree branches collapsed. You can even drag and drop this shortcut on the START button and have access to it when the Desktop may be obscured.

You may change the word "select" to "open" and it will start with the drive opened.

You may also change the drive specified after the "select" or "open" command and have it select or open any drive you choose. In addition, you can add further path information to include a directory or further subdirectories.

You can create any number of these shortcuts, even change their icons, and have a way to quickly access your favorite files, with a single click.

Example= %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,/root,f:\backup will open the Explorer screen to an opened Backup folder on the F: drive.

Here's some further explanation of the switches and their usage:

:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE {/n},{/e},{options},{folder}

/n, - Opens a new single pane Explorer window
/e, – Opens a 2 pane view of the selected folder
options- lets you choose between /root and /select
/root, – Used with folder. Chooses the designated folder as the starting point(root) of the folder tree. (Ordinarily, \DESKTOP is the root)
/select, – Highlights the designated folder and displays the contents of the parent folder in the right pane.
folder – designates the folder path

Note that there is a space between EXPLORER.EXE and {/n}, but no spaces elsewhere.
Each comma belongs to the preceeding element. Curly braces mean an item is optional- for example, you can include /n, and omit the the others. Spend a little time and experiment and you will understand how the parameters work. The following are some examples:

To present a SINGLE PANE view of C:\WINDOWS, use this command (don’t forget the mentioned space):

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n, C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /n, C:\WINNT (for Win2k)

To present a DUAL PANE view with an open, highlighted \WINDOWS folder as the top folder in the left pane, use:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /e,C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

OR

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /e, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START MENU\PROGRAMS… (for Win2k)

To present a DUAL PANE VIEW WITH C: \WINDOWS, as the top folder in the left pane, use:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /e,/root,C:\WINDOWS (for Win98)

C:\WINNT\EXPLORER.EXE /e, /root,C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS (for Win2K)

Drag your newly created shortcuts in the Explorer Views folder and then drag the Explorer Views folder to the TASK BAR next to the START button. Now you have a kind of “Quick Launch” Explorer view folder.

[Michael Buckley]

Tweak #19: Turn off Visual Effects to improve system performance.

This will turn of a lot of visual effect that you would not have even noticed (ever seen the shadow under the mouse?)

To turn them off go:

Start < control Panel <system < Performance < settings <Visual Effects.

The only ones that need to be kept are:

Show window contents while dragging <---- if turned off when you move a Window it stays where it is and dotted outline of the size of the window is shown until you let go of it and then it moves.
Smooth edges of screen fonts <---- if turned off text has less smooth edges.
Use drop shadows for Icon label on the desktop <---- if you have a back ground picture (which slows your computer up a bit so if after max performance don't have a back ground picture) this puts the icon label over the picture instead of having it in a box the colour of you background colour.
Use Visual Styles on Windows and buttons <---- if turned off the computer looks like Windows 98, ME, 2000 etc.

All of the others can be turned off with no effect.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.