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. The tip groupings below correspond to the Classic View in Windows XP. The final table below shows available feature access comparisons via the two Control Panel styles.

Administrative Tools
A Few Words About FDISK	Add Computer Management to XP Desktop	Create a MS-DOS Startup Disk
Security Service Packs Versus Security Patches	Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks	Add Safe Mode Startup to the Boot Menu

Power Options
Create Icons for Shutdown and Reboot	How to Choose Hibernate on the Shutdown Dialog	Shutting Down Windows XP

Scheduled Tasks
Scheduled Tasks Passwords	Error: Task Scheduler Object Already Exists

System
Add Defrag As A Context Menu Item	Balky Start Menu After Booting Computer		Changing Drive Letters
Compressing Files and Folders in Windows XP	Delete Shared Documents Folder		Disable Automatic Windows Update
Disable the Windows XP Startup Screen	Fast Boot and Fast Resume Design		Format Versus Quick Format
Roll Back to Previous Driver	Start Explorer in C Drive		The Missing Share Tab
Turn Off CD AutoPlay	System Volume Information Folder		NTFS or FAT32 File System
Error Using External CD Burner	Modifying the "Send To" Menu Command		Re-enable System Restore
System Restore Not Functioning	Disable 8.3 Name Creation
Use the XP CD to Format a FAT32 Partition On A Hard Drive Larger Than 32 Gigabytes
Create A XP Boot Disk from System Files		Maximize Internet Explorer on Opening

Feature Access Comparison Between Category and Classic Views

Performance and Maintenance
Category View	Classic View
Pick A Task Section 1-See basic information about your computer 2-Adjust visual effects 3 -Free up space on your hard disk 4- Back up your data 5-Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs run faster	No Direct Link To Any Of These Tasks
Pick A Control Panel Icon -Administrative Tools -Power Options -Scheduled Tasks -System	All Of The Icons Available In Classic View
'See Also' Section -File Types -System Restore	No 'See Also' Section -Accessible Via Folder Options Icon -Accessible Via System Icon
Troubleshooters -Startup and Shutdown	No Troubleshooter Access

TEG Vista Main

TEG Win 7 Main

TEG Win 8 Main

Slipstreamed XP/SP2 CD
How to create including
burning instructions for
Nero and Roxio

Slipstreamed XP/SP3 CD

Be sure to visit TEG on
Vista and Windows 7

Service Pack 2
Articles Archive

Guide to Simple File Sharing
Share Folders, Files, and Printers in XP Home and Professional

Virtual Memory Paging File
Size - Optimize
Defragment - Monitor

Common Solutions

Consider A Donation

Basic How To Articles
for XP Newbies

- Managing Starting / Stopping XP
- Managing Desktop Components
- Managing Basic Hardware Settings
- Managing Folders and Files
- Managing Applications

System Services Guide

Troubleshooting Shutdown Issues

XP File Management
Tips to organize Quick Launch, Search, and Windows Explorer for easier, efficient use.

Protecting System and Data Via NTBackup
Backup w/ Wizard
Backup w/ Adv. Mode

Windows Update Catalog
Windows Update Catalog offers centralized XP and .NET Critical Updates, Service Pack, and Hardware Driver Downloads

Automatic Update

Advertise with TEG
Rate Card

XP Power Toys
Power Toys Download

Clean or Upgrade
XP Installation?
Which is better?

Consider A Donation

Bare Bones Troubleshooting
Tried everything and can't get XP to install? Take a look here.

The 'System Volume Information' Folder
What is it and why is it taking up room on your hard drive(s)?

Microsoft Management Console
A Guide to Understanding and Using This Often Overlooked but Useful XP Feature

Registry Tweaks and Edits

Backing Up and Restoring the XP Registry

Accessing The Different Methods of Repair Available in Windows XP

Generate File Listings from IE Context Menu

The "Send To" Menu Command
Add your own frequently accessed locations to make this context menu more useful.

Consider A Donation

Create A Personalized Boot Logo Screen

Using XP Disk Cleanup Utility

Using Disk Defragmenter Utility

Common Solutions

Tips and Solutions Arranged by XP Control Panel Groupings

- Reminder -

For many months now I've been posting a reminder about 'Patch Tuesday' or 'Second Tuesday' as it has come to be known when Microsoft releases the latest round of updates for Windows XP and other products.

If you're using a Microsoft operating system (and it's likely you are or you wouldn't be on this site) it's once again time to head for Windows Update for the latest round of Critical and Security updates.

As always, I strongly suggest you read about any update prior to installation, especially updates carrying a less than 'Critical' rating, and have a current system and data backup available in case it's necessary to restore the system to a pre-patch condition.

More info at Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification

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Important Information
The Elder Geek sites contain many articles and suggestions for modifying the Windows operating system. I've tried these tweaks and tips on many systems. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. The point is, ensure you have a current, tested backup of all system and data files and understand how to restore the system in case something goes very wrong. You can still yell at me, but I assume no responsibility for your actions and use of the information and disclaim any legal responsibility for any consequences of such actions.

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