windows xp tricks

8/4/2019 Windows XP Tricks

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/windows-xp-tricks 1/12

Windows XP Tricks & Tips!!!! (by scruggs420)

Opening Ports or Adding Allowed Programs with SP2's Firewall

1.Click on Start / Run2.Enter in firewall.cpl3.Click on the Exceptions tab

Adding a Port for Internet Access: 1.Click on the Add Port button2.Name it whatever you want

3.Enter in the ports you want to open

Adding a Program for Internet Access

1.Click on Add Program... button

2.A list of all installed programs will be displayed3.Highlight the one you want to include for Internet access

4.Click on the OK button

Autoexec.nt or Config.nt Errors

If you are getting errors similar to:The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.

Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.Try copying the file from \windows\repair directory to the one that is in the

\windows\system32 directory.

Common Control Panel Applets

The follow are some common Control Panel Applets that are located in the

\windows\system32 directory.If you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can simply make

shortcu[/color]ts to them on your desktop.

appwiz.cpl >>Add/Remove Programsdesk.cpl >> Display Properties

firewall.cpl >> Firewall Settings

inetcpl.cpl >> Internet Optionsmmsys.cpl >> Sound and Audioncpa.cpl >> Network Connections

nusrmgr.cpl >> User Accountspowercfg.cpl >> Power Optionssysdm.cpl >>System Properties

wscui.cpl >> Security Center

wuaucpl.cpl >> Automatic Updates Configuration Go to Top

Windows Explorer Opens Search Companion Rather than the Folder



If the Windows Explorer opens up the Search Companion rather than opening up the actualfolder, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.To correct this:

Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shellEdit the default value to be explorer or none

Guest Only Network Access

If you try and connect to an XP computer and are shown a logins screen with only thecomputername/Guest,You may need to change one of the Local Security Policies:

Got to Control Panel - Administrative Tools

Go to Local Policies - Security OptionsCheck teh Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts

Set it to Classic - local users authenticate as themselves

Hiding a XP Computer from Network Neighborhood

If you want to share files from a XP computer,yet want to remove it from showing up in the Network Neighborhood,

Run net config server /hidden:yes

Easy Way to Share Multiple Folders

If you need to share multiple folders, running the program SHRPUBW.EXE will bring up asimple dialog box to let you:

Browse to the folder you want to share

Enter in a Share nameEnder in a Share description

Set permissions. Several choices are availableRestart the process from within the same program Go to top

Not Viewing Zip Files as Folders

If you want to turn of WindowsXP showing Zip files as folders,

just run:regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

Setting Capslock, Numlock, Scroll Lock

If you want to set the startup state for any or all of these keys,

you just need to edit the registry.Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Keyboard

Open InitialKeyboardIndicatorsChange the value to one of the following numbers



0 - All Keys off 1 - Caps Lock on2 - Num Lock on

4 - Scroll Lock onFor multiple keys, add their values:3 - Caps Lock and Num Lock on

5 - Caps Lock and Scroll Lock on

6 - Num Lock and Scroll Lock on7 - Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock onLog off and back on again

Restoring Desktop Icon to the Quicklaunch Bar

If you mistakenly deleted the icon for the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbarGo to C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet

Explorer\Quick Launch

(where user_name is replaced by your login name)

Create a Text file called ShowDesktop.SCF with the following contents:[Shell]

Command=2

IconFile=explorer.exe,3[Taskbar]

Command=ToggleDesktop Go to top

Network Access After Norton Anti-Virus Install

Sometimes you can't access a WinXP computer after installing Norton Anti-Virus.There might be a variety of errors at the other computer depending on the operating

system.

On the XP computer, in the Event Viewer / System log, there will be the following error:The server's configuration parameter "irpstacksize" is too small for the server to use a local

device.Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters

Edit the IRPStackSizeGive it a value of 15

Reboot the computer

Configure for Auto-Logon If you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you on,Start / Run / "control userpasswords2" - no quotes

Uncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computer

Services You Can DisableThere are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically.This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources.

They are only suggestions so I suggestion you read the description of each one when yourun Services



and that you turn them off one at a time.

Some possibilities are:

Alerter - Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the servercomputer.Application Management - Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove Programs

feature via the Windows Installer technology.

Background Intelligent Transfer Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer

service is used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download files by using sparebandwidth.

Clipbook - ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.

Error Reporting Service - Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in the eventof an application fault.

Fast User Switching - Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts, without

requiring them to log off.

Help and Support - Allows the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run.IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - You don't need this if you have other software to create

CDs.

Indexing Service - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers;provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.

IP SEC - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP securitydriver. If you are not on a domain, you likely don't need this running.

Messenger - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers.This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop.

Net Logon - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in

a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't need this runningNetwork DDE - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)

for programs running on the same computer or on different computers.

NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC)programs that use transports other than named pipes.

Performance Logs and Alerts - Collects performance data from local or remote computersbased on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an

alert. If you don't need to monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this service.Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player

connected to your computerQOS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-

aware programs and control applets.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If youare not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service.Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer.

Routing & Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide areanetwork environments. Allows dial-in access.Secondary Login - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what

allows you to run an application as another user.

Smart Card - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer.Smart Card Helper - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers usedby this computer.

SSDP Discovery Service - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and



NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in today's network environment.Telnet - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supportsvarious TCP/IP Telnet clients.

Uninterruptible Power Supply Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)connected to the computer.Universal Plug and Play Device Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play

devices

Upload Manager - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clientsand servers on the network.Volume Shadow Copy Service - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for

backup and other purposes.Web Client - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify non-local filesacross the Internet.

Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters

WMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.

Cleaning the Prefetch Directory

WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used

programs.However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.

To clean this periodically go to:Star / Run / Prefetch

Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the shorcutsDelete them Go to top

Not Displaying Logon, Logoff, Startup and Shutdown Status Messages

To turn these off:Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system

If it is not already there, create a DWORD value named DisableStatusMessagesGive it a value of 1

Repair Install If XP is corrupted to the point where none of the previous solutions get it to boot,you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the current settings.

Make sure you have your valid WindowsXP key.The whole process takes about half an hour depending on your computerIf you are being prompted for the administrator's password, you need to choose the 2nd

repair option, not the first.

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CDAt the second R=Repair option, press the R keyThis will start the repair

Press F8 for I Agree at the Licensing AgreementPress R when the directory where WindowsXP is installed is shown. Typically this is



C:\WINDOWSIt will then check the C: drive and start copying filesIt will automatically reboot when needed. Keep the CD in the drive.

You will then see the graphic part of the repair that is like during a normal install of XP(Collecting Information, Dynamic Update, Preparing Installation, Installing Windows,Finalizing Installation)

When prompted, click on the Next button

When prompted, enter your XP keyNormally you will want to keep the same Workgroup or Domain nameThe computer will reboot

Then you will have the same screens as a normal XP InstallActivate if you want (usually a good idea)Register if you want (but not necessary)

Finish

At this point you should be able to log in with any existing accounts. Go to top

NTOSKRNL Missing or Corrupt If you get an error that NTOSKRNL not found:

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows

you want to repair.Typically this will be #1

Change to the drive that has the CD ROM.CD i386

expand ntkrnlmp.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe

If WindowsXP is installed in a different location, just make the necessary change toC:\Windows

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be theBOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.At the first R=Repair option, press the R key

Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows

you want to repair.Typically this will be #1Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file

Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair itTake out the CD ROM and type exit

Corrupted or Missing \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG If you get the error:Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWAREInsert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.



At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windowsyou want to repair.

Typically this will be #1Enter in the administrator password when requestedcd \windows\system32\config

Depending on which section was corrupted:

ren software software.bad or ren system system.badDepending on which section was corruptedcopy \windows\repair\system

copy \windows\repair\softwareTake out the CD ROM and type exit Go to top

NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM Not Found If you get an error that NTLDR is not found during bootup,

If you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than with NTFS.

Just boot with a Win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM files

from the i386 directory to the root of the C:\ drive.For NTFS:

Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.

At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows

you want to repair.Typically this will be #1

Enter in the administrator password when requestedEnter in the following commands (X: is replaced by the actual drive letter that is assigned to

the CD ROM drive.

COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\

Take out the CD ROM and type exit

Bringing Up the Shutdown Dialog Box Create a new txt file somewhere on your system, open it and put in this one line:

(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindow s();Save and Close the file. Change the extension to js and your got it.

You can make a shortcut to that file to make it easy to shut down your system.

Hiding the Last User Logged On If you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:Start the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies /Security OptionsScroll down to Interactive logon: Do not display last user name

Set it to Enable Go to top

Poweroff at Shutdown If your computer does not turn off the power when doing a shutdown,



you may need to edit the registry. I have all the correct BIOS and Power settings and stillneeded to do this.Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\DesktopEdit the key PowerOffActive and give it a value of 1You can do the same in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

Remembering Folder Settings If XP does not remember your folder settings, delete or rename the following registry keys

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell NoRoam\BagMRU][HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell NoRoam\Bags]

Preventing Applications from Stealing the Focus 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 ForegroundLockTimeoutGive it a value of 00030d40

Disable Explorer Thumbnail View

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 Go to top

Disable Shared Documents

To disable the Shared Documents folder that shows up on the networkStart Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer \

Create a new DWORD ValueGive it the name NoSharedDocuments

Give it a value of 1Log off or reboot

Removing Thumbs.db Files

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 / ViewIn the first section under Files and Folders, check Do not cache thumbnailsNow you can search for the thumbs.db file on your computer and remove them. No more

should be created.



Enable / Disable the Task Manager

Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\SystemCreate the Dword value DisableTaskMgr

Give it a value of 0 to enable it

Give it a vaule of 1 to disable it Go to top

Clearing the Page File on Shutdown 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 PanelAdministrative Tools

Local Security Policy

Local Policies

Click on Security OptionsRight hand menu - right click on "Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile"

Select "Enable"

Reboot

If you want to clear the page file on each shutdown: Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\SessionManager\Memory Management\ClearPageFileAtShutdown

Set the value to 1

No GUI Boot If you don't need to see the XP boot logo,

Run MSCONFIGClick on the BOOT.INI tab

Check the box for /NOGUIBOOT

Using the Classic Search in Explorer

If you prefer to use the classic search style in Explorer,Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre

ntVersion\Explorer\CabinetStateAdd a String Key called Use Search AsstGive it a value of no Go to top

Changing Drive Letters

If you want to change the letters assigned to your fixed or removable drives:Right Click on My Computer



Select ManageSelect Disk ManagementFor a Fixed Disk:

Select itRight clickSelect Change Drive Letter and Path

Click on the Edit button

Enter in the letter you want to useFor a Removable Disk:In the lower, right hand panel, right click on the Disk or CD ROM #

Select Change Drive Letter and PathClick on the Edit buttonEnter in the letter you want to use

Changing the Registered Owner

Start Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

From there you can edit the name in the Registered Owner key

Decreasing Boot TimeMicrosoft has made available a program to analyze and decrease the time it takes to boot to

WindowsXPThe program is called BootVis

Uncompress the file.Run BOOTVIS.EXE

For a starting point, run Trace / Next Boot + Driver Delays

This will reboot your computer and provide a benchmarkAfter the reboot, BootVis will take a minute or two to show graphs of your system startup.

Note how much time it takes for your system to load (click on the red vertical line)

Then run Trace / Optimize SystemRe-Run the Next Boot + Drive Delays

Note how much the time has decreasedMine went from approximately 39 to 30 seconds. Go to top

Hide/Unhide Logon Names

If you want to hide or unhide the names of users that are displayed on the initial logon

screen:Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \

Winlogon \ SpecialAccounts \ UserListAdd a DWORD with the name of the user account you want to hideMake sure it has a value of 0

If there is an existing account, you can unhide it by giving it a value of 1

WindowsXP Command Line Utilities While there are a lot of command line utilities in WindowsXP, here are some that I have



been using lately.bootcfg - Configures, queries, or changes Boot.ini file settings.driverquery - Displays a list of all installed device drivers and their properties.

getmac - Returns the media access control (MAC) address and list of network protocolsassociated with each address for all network cards in each computergpresult - Displays Group Policy settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) for a user or a

computer

netsh - You can use commands in the Netsh Interface IP context to configure the TCP/IPprotocolschtasks - Schedules commands and programs to run periodically or at a specific time

systeminfo - Displays detailed configuration information about a computer and its operatingsystem

Creating an Automated Install of WindowsXP

On the WindowsXP CP, in the SUPPORT\TOOLS directory,

there is a file called DEPLOY.CAB.Extract the programs DEPLOY.CHM (help file) and SETUPMGR.EXE (main program)

Run SETUPMGR and answer the prompts.

This will create both a unattend.bat and unattend.txt file you can use for automated installs.Note: The batch file might need some minor modification for file locations but it is fairly

basic.

Disabling Hibernation

If you don't want to use up the disk space taken by Hibernation, or don't need to use it atall,

you can easily disable it.

Open up the Control Panel / Power Options iconClick on the Hibernation icon

Uncheck Enable Hibernation Go to top

Increasing System Performance If you have 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system performance

by having the core system kept in memory.

Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\SessionManager\Memory Management\DisablePagingExecutive

Set the value to be 1Reboot the computer

Common Command Console Utilities WindowsXP comes with quite a few console utilities you can easily run from the command

line:Computer Management - compmgmt.msc



Disk Managment - diskmgmt.mscDevice Manager - devmgmt.mscDisk Defrag - dfrg.msc

Event Viewer - eventvwr.mscShared Folders - fsmgmt.mscGroup Policies - gpedit.msc

Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc

Performance Monitor - perfmon.mscResultant Set of Policies - rsop.mscLocal Security Settings - secpol.msc

Services - services.mscComponent Services - comexp.msc

Automatically Ending Non-Responsive Tasks

Start Regedit

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks

Set the value to be 1In the same section, change the WaitToKillAppTimeout to the number of milliseconds you

want.

Changing the Internet Explorer Title

Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Window Title

Enter what you want appear in the title bar

Changing Programs That Start Automatically WindowsXP has a similar program, MSCONFIG, that was available in Windows98.

This allows you to view and change what programs are automatically started each time youlog in.

The new version also allows you to view and edit the boot.ini file (as well as check for errorsand use several advanced switches)

http://www.masala4india.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=447304







