Logon Screen Saver - Enable/Disable - This applies only to the default Login [login.scr] screensaver and is not the same as screensaver selections made in the [Display Properties] property sheet accessed by right clicking on the desktop and selecting [Properties] from the context menu.
Screensaver - Create a Personal Screen Saver

ScriptBlocking Service

Secondary Logon Service

Security

Security Accounts Manager Service

Security Service Packs Versus Security Patches

"Send To" Menu Command

Serious Error Message - You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart

Server Service

Service

Services Guide for Windows XP

Increase Shutdown Time For Services To Close

Service Packs

Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 1a

Obtaining Service Pack 1
Before Installing Service Pack 1
Installing Service Pack 1
After the Installation - What's Changed?
Best Practices for Applying Service Packs, Hotfixes and Security Patches
Cannot Start Windows XP After Installing Service Pack 1 and Then Performing a System Recovery Operation
Categorized List of Fixes in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Differences Between Windows XP SP1 and Windows XP SP1a
How to Obtain the Latest Windows XP Service Pack
How to Remove Windows XP Service Pack 1 Folders
Microsoft Windows Update Site Unavailable
"Setup Could Not Verify the Integrity of the File" Error Message Occurs When You Try to Install Windows XP Service Pack 1
When to Reinstall Windows XP Service Pack 1

Service Pack 2

Windows Service Pack Road Map

Set Active Window Tracking to Mouse Movements - When the mouse is moved over an open window it automatically sets the focus to that particular window. It does not bring the window to the foreground of the open windows.

Set Default Search Options

Setup

Application Compatibility Update (April 10, 2002) [KB]
Clean Install Windows XP
Error Message: Setup Cannot Find the End-User License Agreement
Get Ready to Set Up Windows XP Professional [KB]
Hardware Compatibility List
Limited OEM Driver Support Is Available with F6 During Windows XP Setup
Microsoft Support Policy on Hardware Not on Windows HCL [KB] Although XP is not listed as one of the operating systems this Knowledge Base article applies to, the information is still of value to anyone using XP Home or Professional.
Setup Repeatedly Stops and Restarts
Setup Stops While Installing Drivers
Upgrade Install Windows XP
Windows XP Readiness Test by PC Pitstop - Want to see if your computer is ready to run Windows XP? Take a minute to run our tests. You'll see how your computer stacks up against the minimum and recommended hardware specs. We'll also look for software that may not run properly under Windows XP.
Windows XP Upgrade Advisor [KB] The Upgrade Advisor is a tool that checks your system hardware and software to see if it is ready for upgrade to Windows XP. If you run Upgrade Advisor while you are connected to the Internet, and if your system needs updates that are available on the Windows Update Web site, Upgrade Advisor will find and install the updates for you.

Share Tab in Folder Properties Missing

Shared Network Drive Buttons to Toolbar

Shell Hardware Detection Service

Show Hidden Operating System Files - Controls whether Operating System Files are shown in Windows Explorer

Shortcuts

Disable the NTFS File System Tracking of Broken Shortcut Links
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.
Shortcut Wizard

Show/Conceal Hidden Devices in Device Manager - When accessing Device Manager there may be hidden devices that are not displayed. This tweak forces all devices to be displayed.

Shutdown

Applications Not Responding at Shutdown - When an application fails to respond during shutdown a dialog box is displayed prompting the user to either end it now or to wait. Enabling the value AutoEndTasks will take care of the non-responding application without user intervention.
Create Icons for Shutdown and Reboot - If you find it annoying to access the Start Menu for shutting down or rebooting the computer, create a shutdown and reboot icon for the desktop.
Power Down the Computer After Shutdown
The Role of the F5 Key and Shutdown Problems
Troubleshooting Windows XP Shutdown Issues

Simple File Sharing - Quick Guide to XP Simple File Sharing

Sizing the Page File

Slipstream

Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP3 Final
Burning the Windows XP/SP3 Slipstreamed CD NERO Burning ROM 8
Burning the Windows XP/SP3 Slipstreamed CD Roxio Easy Media Creator 9
Slipstreaming - Worthwhile or a Waste of Time?
Slipstreamed Bootable Windows XP Installation CD with SP1a
Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2 RC1
Slipstreamed Windows XP SP2 Beta CD
Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2 - Instructions using the Final Release Version of Service Pack 2

Smart Card Servicee

Smart Card Helper Service

Snap To Default Button - This forces the cursor to always jump to the default button of any dialog or alert that opens.

Sort Menus Alphabetically - For those that are annoyed by new entries in the Start Menu being appended to the bottom of the list instead of being automatically integrated alphabetically, this tweak will force XP to perform the sort function automatically.

Sounds

Volume Control in Notification Area Uses Internal Speaker Rather Than External Speakers for Ding .WAV File

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices - The redesigned Windows XP Control Panel now contains a section called Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, the fourth of the nine categories under Category View in Control Panel.

Specify Additional Time Servers - The time is shown by default in the Notification area of the Taskbar. The accuracy of the time displayed is determined by time servers that Windows connects to automatically, if your computer is online when the scheduled synchronization time arrives.

Specify Default IE Download Directory

Specify Default Search Options

Specify Source Path to XP Installation Files

SSDP Discovery Service

Start Menu and Taskbar Overview - The Start Menu and Taskbar made their debut in Windows 95, remaining with us in each of the Windows versions that have found their way onto our computers. Some users prefer the Start Menu for the majority of their work while others find the Taskbar more convenient.

Start Menu

Add Your Photo to the Start Menu
Balky After Booting Computer - A number of people have reported a problem with the Start Menu items being non-responsive after booting and logging into XP. The menu items can be selected via mouse or keyboard, but remain unresponsive for up to two minutes after login.
Change Start Button Text - If you’re tired of looking at the word “start” on that green button at the lower left of your desktop it can be changed.
Exclude a Program from the Start Menu
Faster Start Menu - I see no reason for there to be any delay when I click on the Start Menu. Effects are pretty, but I wouldn’t click on it if I didn’t have business inside, so lets get it open and get moving. The default speed can be adjusted with a quick registry entry.
Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP

Startup

Launch Programs at Login Without Using the Startup Folder

Start Windows Explorer In The C Drive

Stop Error Messages - Use this link for a general description of each error message, or the specific link below to go to the TechNet site for detailed instructions on resolving individual errors.

Suppress Error Messages During Boot Process

Suppress NTFS Volume Last Access Timestamp

System Event Notification Service

System Properties Access from My Computer

System Restore

Adjust System Restore Default Timing Parameters - By default, System Restore creates a restore point of the system every 24 hours and saves restore points for 90 days. The GUI doesn't allow modifying the default settings but it can be done via this registry tweak.
Cannot Create a Network Connection After You Restore Windows XP
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore in Windows XP - This FAQ is a description and primer on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding System Restore for the Windows XP OS.
How To: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP
Set System Restore Space Allotment
System Restore Not Functioning - If you are running Windows XP Home and after going thru the System Restore process, a message stating "Cannot restore the computer to an earlier restore point, no changes have been made to your computer" pops up, try the procedure listed below to restore its functionality.
System Restore - Re-Enabling System Restore
The Registry Keys and Values for the System Restore Utility

System Restore Service

System Volume Information Folder - If you've done much wandering around in Windows Explorer you might have noticed a folder called System Volume Information and wondered what purpose it serves. It's actually a part of System Restore; the tool that allows you to set points in time to roll back your computer.

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

Custom Search

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.

Copyright © 2002/2003/2004/2005/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010/2011, Jim Foley/The Elder Geek, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Reproduction, in any form, of information on this site is prohibited without express written permission.
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