P

Page [Paging] File

• Defragmenting A Page File

• Locating the Page File

• Page Files and Fragmentation

• Page File Performance Monitoring

• Physically Setting the Page File Size

• Sizing the Page File

Pagefile - Clear on System Shutdown - As an added security precaution it is possible to clear all data that has been written to the page file so it cannot be retrieved.

Partitioning A Hard Drive During the XP Installation Process

Passport Balloon - Enable/Disable - This tweak disables the balloon reminder that appears frequently prompting users to obtain a Microsoft Passport.

Password

• Administrator Password Reset Disk

• Alter When Pending Password Expiration Warning Appears

• Auto-Complete Passwords Not Retained - This is a known issue in Windows 2000 and Windows XP that Microsoft has addressed in the Knowledge Base.

• Automatic Logon to Windows XP - Convenience is one of the major reasons this tweak has become so popular. However, with convenience there is a price, and in this case that price is a lack of security.

• Blank Password Network Access - Windows XP professional will not allow network users computer access without a password. Trying to do so will normally return and error code. To allow network access using a blank password:

• Create Password Reset Disks

• Create and Use a Password Reset Disk for a Computer in a Domain (Q306214)

• Create and Use a Password Reset Disk for a Computer That Is Not a Domain Member (Q305478)

• Domain Password Reset Disk

• Limited Account Password Reset Disk

• Non-Domain Password Reset Disks

• Password Expiration Policy - Part of the security features of Windows is XP is a password expiration policy.

• Password Is Not Saved in Outlook or Outlook Express

• Passwords and User Accounts

• Using the Password Reset Disk to Log On to A Computer

Performance and Maintenance - The redesigned Windows XP Control Panel now contains a section called Performance and Maintenance, the fifth of the nine categories under Category View in Control Panel.

Performance Logs and Alerts Service

Permissions

• Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP

Picture and Fax Viewer - If you find the default Picture and Fax Viewer more of an annoyance than a help, it can be removed.

“Pin” Favorite Programs to the Top of the Start Menu

Plug and Play Service

Prevent Duplicate Icon When Creating Desktop Shortcut - Certain system configurations enable a duplicate icon to appear on the desktop when a shortcut is created. Moving either the original shortcut or the duplicate shortcut to the Recycle Bin causes the remaining desktop shortcut to become disabled. Edit the registry as follows to prevent the duplicate icon from being created.

Profile

• Assign the Administrator Profile to Other Users - Windows 2000 Knowledge Base Article; some parts are applicable to Windows XP.
• Copy User Data to a New User Profile [KB]
• Create a Custom Default User Profile
• Desktop.ini File Does Not Work Correctly When You Create a Custom Default Profile

• Windows Cannot Load Your Profile Because It May Be Corrupted

Portable Media Serial Number Service

Power Down the Computer After Shutdown

Power Schemes - Set the power scheme that will be used for either individual users or system wide for all users.

Power Toys for Windows XP

Prefetch

• How to Disable the Prefetcher Component in Windows XP

• Prefetch Parameters - Prefetch is one of the commonly overlooked components that can have a significant impact on system boot time. This tweak allows selection of which components will make use of the prefetch parameters.

Prevent Messenger from Running In Outlook Express

Prevent Programs from Loading at Startup - Provides an alternative method to MSCONFIG for disabling programs from loading at startup.

Print Spooler Service

Printers and Other Hardware - The redesigned Windows XP Control Panel now contains a section called Printers and Other Hardware, the sixth of the nine categories under Category View in Control Panel.

Protected Storage Service

Protecting The Windows XP System and Data