Miscellaneous

Another way to delete hidden devices
Written By: Jeff Galbraith | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2098 | Print Tweak | 2/18/2002

You can view and delete or modify hidden devices by:
1. Openning Device Manager. (I usually right-click on My Computer, select Properties, select the Hardware tab, then select Device Manager.)
2. Select View and check "Show hidden devices"
3. Hidden devices will appear below with the others and can be modified.

Search several extentions at once
Written By: Alexey J | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 1254 | Print Tweak | 2/17/2002

You need to search for files with let say 2 extentions? Easy, just put this in the search string:

*.bin;*.cue

It will search for 2 types of files.
You can add more by separating by ";" sign.

Shortcut for Run
Written By: hamza | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3146 | Print Tweak | 2/10/2002

To quickly bring up the run window, press the windows button + r, the run window pops up with a flash!

happy tweaking

Cab files are not folders
Written By: Matti Palmstrom | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 1698 | Print Tweak | 2/5/2002

XP treats Cab files like folders, to stop this type 'regsvr32 /u cabview.dll' at the command prompt.
To reverse it type 'regsvr32 cabview.dll'.

Regedit stays expanded
Written By: Brough | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3778 | Print Tweak | 1/29/2002

When I open regedit and expand a folder and open regedit later the folder stays expanded. how can I disable this?

How can you disable it? Why, through the Registry, of course! You'll need to be in the admin account, or yours must have admin privileges.

In regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Regedit and look for the value LastKey. Double-click it and clear the string. Then right-click the Regedit key (in the lefthand pane) and select Permissions. Set Permissions to Deny for any/all users/groups.
Voila!

Shutdown PC with extended options
Written By: Eric Greveson | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 10997 | Print Tweak | 1/24/2002

This tweak explains alternative ways of shutting down your PC and more options for shutting down.

To shut down your computer from the command line, type "shutdown -s". This could be used in a batch file, for example. However, this does not shut down immediately - it gives a 30 second countdown. To see further options for the shutdown command, type "shutdown" at the command prompt and it will show you a list of options. You can even shut down another PC remotely! Logoff and restart are other options.

Here are some of the other flags you can use along with the another ussage example:

Usage: shutdown [-i | -l | -s | -r | -a] [-f] [-m \\computername] [-t xx] [-c "comment"] [-d up:xx:yy]

-i Display GUI interface, must be the first option

-l Log off (cannot be used with -m option)

-s Shutdown the computer

-r Shutdown and restart the computer

-a Abort a system shutdown

-m \\computername Remote computer to shutdown/restart/abort

-t xx Set timeout for shutdown to xx seconds

-c "comment" Shutdown comment (maximum of 127 characters)

-f Forces running applications to close without warning

-d [u][p]:xx:yy The reason code for the shutdown
u is the user code
p is a planned shutdown code
xx is the major reason code (positive integer less than 256)
yy is the minor reason code (positive integer less than 65536)

Regedit stays expanded
Written By: Brough | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3779 | Print Tweak | 1/29/2002

When I open regedit and expand a folder and open regedit later the folder stays expanded. how can I disable this?

How can you disable it? Why, through the Registry, of course! You'll need to be in the admin account, or yours must have admin privileges.

In regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Regedit and look for the value LastKey. Double-click it and clear the string. Then right-click the Regedit key (in the lefthand pane) and select Permissions. Set Permissions to Deny for any/all users/groups.
Voila!

Shutdown PC with extended options
Written By: Eric Greveson | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 10998 | Print Tweak | 1/24/2002

This tweak explains alternative ways of shutting down your PC and more options for shutting down.

Here are some of the other flags you can use along with the another ussage example:

Usage: shutdown [-i | -l | -s | -r | -a] [-f] [-m \\computername] [-t xx] [-c "comment"] [-d up:xx:yy]

-i Display GUI interface, must be the first option

-l Log off (cannot be used with -m option)

-s Shutdown the computer

-r Shutdown and restart the computer

-a Abort a system shutdown

-m \\computername Remote computer to shutdown/restart/abort

-t xx Set timeout for shutdown to xx seconds

-c "comment" Shutdown comment (maximum of 127 characters)

-f Forces running applications to close without warning

How to change colors on Command Prompt
Written By: TexDeafies | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3585 | Print Tweak | 1/18/2002

You can change the colors on your command prompt! It's neat that you can change the color to match your mood and personal favorite! :) Here the following on how to do this!

1. Click start> All Programs> Accessories> Command Prompt.

2. When it opens, click the icon on upper left corner where say "C:\" beside "Command Prompt" there will be submenu comes down.

3. Click Default then click color tab then that it! You can change colors whatever you like to match your mood, and personal!

Happy Tweak Hunt! :)

System Uptime for Pro and Home
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 7420 | Print Tweak | 1/16/2002

Microsoft has released a small utility for their Windows NT operating systems that will quickly calculate the current system uptime. Just put uptime.exe in your system32 folder and run it from the command line. For more options try uptime /help. You can find the program here.

Get System Uptime Only
Written By: Robert DeFusco | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4677 | Print Tweak | 1/14/2002

In XP Pro, in order to get your uptime you must execute the SYSTEMINFO command at the CMD terminal.
As you know, this produces other system information output, and you have to scroll up to see your uptime.

If you wish to receive ONLY your uptime information, simply copy and paste the following into notepad

@echo.
@systeminfo | @find "System Up Time:"
@echo.

And save as UPTIME.BAT (save to your windows dir if you want to be able to access it anywhere)

Now when you type UPTIME you will see just:

---------------------------
System Up Time: 5 Days, 20 Hours, 13 Minutes, 46 Seconds
---------------------------

Also, if you wish to create a shortcut to IP.BAT, or run it via the Run command, it may close before you can view the result
To stop this, add @pause after the last @echo. command, this will cause the terminal to wait for your response before closing.

Example:

@echo.
@systeminfo | @find "System Up Time:"
@echo.
@pause

will result:

---------------------------
System Up Time: 5 Days, 20 Hours, 13 Minutes, 46 Seconds

Press any key to continue . . .
---------------------------

enjoy!

(information about the code: @echo. produces a blank line, @systeminfo | @find "System Up Time:" causes the output of systeminfo to be piped to the find command, which looks for the line containing "System Up Time:", find then outputs your system uptime, the optional @pause causes the terminal to wait for user input before continuing. The @ before each command tells the terminal not to echo the command being typed.)

Stop noise in copying audio CD
Written By: Shinyicao | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 6987 | Print Tweak | 1/12/2002

When using 3rd party burning software (eg, Nero Burning Rom) to copy audio CD,some noise may be heard at the end of each track. To prevent this,try the following method

1. Enter System Properties\device manager
2. Select IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
3. Double click on thee CD writer IDE channel
4. Select advance setting
5. Change the transfer mode to 'PIO Only'
6. Restart Computer

Change arrow on Desktop Icons
Written By: Neil Nix | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3971 | Print Tweak | 1/1/2002

Download TweakUI, under Explorer/Shortcut, you have the option to leave the arrow as is, change to a smaller sleaker version, no arrow at all, or insert your own.

This changes the arrows for all your desktop Icons, not just IE.

Have fun you Tweaksters!

Edit MP3 ID tag
Written By: Shinyicao | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4648 | Print Tweak | 1/1/2002

MP3 ID tag can be edit by

right on the MP3 file
selet properties/summery/advance

multi file can be seleted at the same time

There may be a better way but all the tweaks I have found have been pro version only.

Link Device Manager (2) Easier
Written By: Wicked Woody | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2655 | Print Tweak | 12/30/2001

If you are the type of user that uses device manager often, than try puting it on your destop an easier way..

1.My Computer\C:(HDD)\Windows\System32]

2. Look for devmgmt.msc Right click on Icon
and send to: desktop (create shortcut)...

That all folks...

Sendto Any Folder
Written By: David Pope | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4594 | Print Tweak | 12/30/2001

It has been stated that the sendto any folder option is not availible. Well, that's not extactly true.

1. It's availible if you right click on the windows explorer tool bar.
2. Choose customize. There you can add or remove buttons from the tool bar.
3. Choose to add "move to any folder" or "copy to any fold". The buttons are then added to the tool bar.

When you click thoses buttons then a browser window opens, choose the folder you want and viola!! It copies or moves the file.

Sick of inserting winxp cd when computer asks you to!
Written By: Wicked Woody | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 7155 | Print Tweak | 12/30/2001

Sometimes you are installing something, were as your asked to insert the windows xp cd, and sometimes your just to lazy to get it, or you dont have it at the moment. Well heres something that'll definitely solve that problem...

1. Insert your windows xp cd

2. click on, Perform Additional Tasks

3.now click on, Browse this CD

4.Look for the I386 folder, right click on the folder and copy.

5.Get into, My Computer

6. right click on you c: drive and paste.

Well folks, from now on you never need that cd agian, I mean never ever...

Disabling New Programs Alert
Written By: Andy Maher | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2937 | Print Tweak | 12/29/2001

I know I was really bugged by Windows XP when it would highlight any new program I installed. I already knew that I installed it so why should it tell me. Not to mention the fact that it would tell me a program that I have already run is new.
Any way... to get rid of this alert is really easy:
1. Right click the start bar and click properties.
2. Go to the start menu tab and click customise.
3. Click on the advanced tab
4. Deselect "Highlight newlie installed programs"

Windows XP has moved everything around and there are so many new features that this was a tough one to find. By the way, this is only applicable if you have the new XP start menu not if you are using classic
~Andy

Keyboard Shortcut for Device Manager
Written By: Scro | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3014 | Print Tweak | 12/28/2001

Allows quick access to the Windows device manager at the push of a button.....

Hold down your Windows Key and press Pause (Break), releasing both and just like magic up pops the Windows Device Manager

Unlock the Lowest Screen Resolutions and Color Quality
Written By: BrahmaBull3dfx (Liem) | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5916 | Print Tweak | 12/28/2001

For some who have the desire to have screen resolution lower than Windows XP's default 800 x 600 or color quality lower than 16bit. This is how you do it...

1. Right-click the desktop

2. Highlight and click on "Properties"

3. Click on the "Settings" tab

4. Click the "Advanced" button

5. Click the "Adapter" tab

6. Click the "List All Modes..." button

7. Choose the valid mode you desire.

8. Click the "OK" button

9. Click the "OK" button again

10. Click the "OK" button one more time

There, that should do it. Enjoy!

Link to Device Manager quickly
Written By: Jeremy | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3534 | Print Tweak | 12/26/2001

Create a shortcut to
%windir%\system32\mmc.exe %windir%\system32\devmgmt.msc
With this, you can reach device manager without having to go to System properties>Hardware>Device Manager

Saving streamed MP3s for future reference
Written By: M. | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4954 | Print Tweak | 12/26/2001

Sometimes a website allows you only to play an MP3 file, not to save it. In most cases you can save them anyway. Here's how.

Not really a tweak, but OK. Go to the website (e.g. www.mp3.com) where your favorite MP3 file is and start playing it in the Windows Media Player. During playing WMP will say x% downloaded. Play the entire mp3 or wait for the download indicator to reach 100%. The mp3 is now on your disk; you just need to find it...

Start Windows Search, enter search pattern "*.mp3", have it look in "c:\documents and settings\[your logon name]\local settings\temporary internet files". (Replace with -- you guessed it -- your logon name, for example "John Doe" (excluding the quotes).

In XP click "More Advanced Options" and check "System Folders", "Hidden Files and Folders" and "Subfolders". Hit the Search button and wait for your MP3s to appear. Now copy them to anywhere you want.

In Windows 2000 you need to first enable viewing of hidden files and folders. To do this, open "My Computer", Click "Tools | Folder Options", click "View", and then in section "Advanced" click "Show Hidden Files and Folders".

The above also applies to other kinds of multi-media files such as mpeg (search for *.mpg and *.mpeg).

Happy mp3-ing, y'all....

Change Hard and CD-ROM Drive Letter in XP Pro
Written By: BrahmaBull3dfx (Liem) | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5415 | Print Tweak | 12/22/2001

If you want to change your hard drive letter or your cd-rom drive letter, this is the tip you want.

1. Click the start button

2. Go into Administrative tools (either in the start button or in "All Programs"

3. From Administrative Tools, go into "Computer Management"

4. In "Computer Management", click on "Disk Management" under "Storage" from the left menu

5. You should see a window from the lower right hand corner open (it shows all the hard disk drives and cd-rom drives)

6. To change...

...hard drive, click on the hard disk with a blue horizonal bar, the box should be shaded; next right click that box that you desire to change the letter then click on "Change Letter Drive and Path"

...cd-rom drive, click on the box that you desire the drive letter; next right click that box that you desire to change the letter then click on "Change Letter Drive and Path"

7. click the "change..." button

8. from the "assign the following drive letter", select the letter you want to assign to the hard drive or the cd-rom drive

9. click ok

10. click ok

11. (optional) redo the whole step to reassign other hard drives or cd-rom drives

There! You have succeeded in changing the hard drive or cd-rom drive letter. Enjoy!

Explorer Toolbar Background Bitmap for XP
Written By: Ice doGG | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4362 | Print Tweak | 12/21/2001

This is how to add or change the background of the Explorer and Internet Explorer backgorund image.

First run Regedit : Start > Run > regedit.exe
Then go to : HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Internet Explorer > Toolbar
and in the left pane add a new string value.
The name of the string should be "backbitmap"
and its value is the .bmp file and its location.
Enjoy.
Just double click My Computer if u did right then it must work.

How to start XP with Administrator and Guest accounts
Written By: Jimmy | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 7797 | Print Tweak | 12/21/2001

When xp starts (after a fresh install/reinstall) and xp asks you what your user name will be type "system"
I don't know how it works but it does, remember that you can always add or change names after in Users!
Thats all have fun ;D

Disable desktop screen savers
Written By: STOLE SH.QC.CA . | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2701 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

If you disable this setting, screen savers do not run. Also, this setting disables the Screen Saver section of the Screen Saver tab in Display in Control Panel. As a result, users cannot change the screen saver options.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > CONTROL PANEL > DISPLAY > FIND SCREENSAVER > RIGHT CLICK PROPERTIES > CLICK DISABLE > OK

Limits the Windows programs that users have permission to run on the computer
Written By: STOLE SH.QC.CA | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4653 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

Limits the Windows programs that users have permission to run on the computer. If you enable this setting, users can only run programs that you add to the List of Allowed Applications. NOTE: This setting only prevents users from running programs that are started by the Windows Explorer process.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > FIND RUN ONLY ALLOWED WINDOWS APPLICATIONS > RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > CLICK ENABLE > FIND APP. > OK REBOOT

Prevent Access to Command Prompt
Written By: STOLE SH.QC.CA . | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2489 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

Prevents users from running the interactive command prompt, Cmd.exe. This setting also determines whether batch files (.cmd and .bat) can run on the computer.
If you enable this setting and the user tries to open a command window, the system displays a message explaining that a setting prevents the action.
Note: Do not prevent the computer from running batch files if the computer uses logon, logoff, startup, or shutdown batch file scripts, or for users that use Terminal Services.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > FIND PREVENT ACCESS TO THE COMMAND PROMPT > RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > CLICK ENABLE > OK REBOOT

Prevent Access to Registry Editing Tools
Written By: STOLE SH.QC.CA . | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2507 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

Disable the Windows registry editors, Regedit.exe and Regedit.exe.
If this setting is enabled and the user tries to start a registry editor, a message appears explaining that a setting prevents the action.
To prevent users from using other administrative tools, use the "Run only allowed Windows applications" setting.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > FIND PREVENT ACCESS TO REGISTRY EDITING TOOLS > RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > CLICK ENABLE > OK > REBOOT

Remove Balloon Tips
Written By: STOLE SH.QC.CA . | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 8718 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

With this setting, some of this pop-up text is not displayed. The pop-up text affected by this setting includes "Click here to begin" on the Start button, "Where have all my programs gone" on the Start menu, and "Where have my icons gone" in the notification area.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > START MENU AND TASKBAR > FIND REMOVE BALLOON TIPS ON START MENU ITEMS > CHECK ENABLED > OK

Specify the wallpaper on users' desktops and prevents users from changing the image or its presentation
Written By: STOLE SH.QCCA | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 2511 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

To use this setting, type the fully qualified path and name of the file that stores the wallpaper image. You can type a local path, such as C:\Windows\web\wallpaper\home.jpg or a UNC path, such as \\Server\Share\Corp.jpg. If the specified file is not available when the user logs on, no wallpaper is displayed. Users cannot specify alternative wallpaper. You can also use this setting to specify that the wallpaper image be centered, tiled, or stretched. Users cannot change this specification. Note: You need to enable the Active Desktop to use this setting.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > DESKTOP > ACTIVR DESKTOP > FIND ACTIVE DESKTOP WALLPAPER > RIGHT CLICK PROPERTIES > CHECK ENABLED > FIND WALLPAPER > OK

Turn off the Autoplay feature
Written By: Stole SH.QC.CA | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4442 | Print Tweak | 12/15/2001

Turns off the Autoplay feature

you can also disable Autoplay on all drives.

START > RUN > GPEDIT.MSC > USER CONFIGURATION > ADMINISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > SYSTEM > FIND TURN OFF AUTOPLAY > RIGHT CLICK PROPERTIES > CLICK ENABLE > SELECT ALL OR CD ROM DRIVES > OK >REBOOT

How to get "My Briefcase" in windows xp
Written By: Trigga | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3108 | Print Tweak | 12/14/2001

How to get "My Briefcase" in windows xp

go to C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache.

look for a file named "syncapp".

double click it.

an icon should appear on your desktop that says "My Briefcase".

double click it.

it will come up with this window that tells you how to use it.

thats it

Reboot or shut down PC quickly
Written By: Tony | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 19614 | Print Tweak | 12/13/2001

For a one-click method to quickly shut down or reboot your system without the fuss of going through the Start menu, make use of the Shutdown command, a command line utility in XP.

Here's how you can set up a restart button on your desktop:

1. Create a shortcut (Right-click on desktop, select New > Shortcut).

2. For location, type the following:

shutdown -r -t 0

3. Click Next, enter a name for the shortcut ("Restart" is appropriate), and click Finish.

When you click your Restart shortcut, Windows XP will reboot *automagically*!

The "-r" switch tells XP to reboot. If you'd like the shortcut to shut off your PC instead, change it to "-s"; to simply log off, change it to "-l". The "-t 0" sets the timeout (in seconds), so up this value if you find the need for it. To force running applications to close, add "-f" -- be careful with this one!

For more information on Shutdown, type "shutdown" in a command prompt window (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt), or search for Shutdown in Windows XP's Help and Support Center.

Turn NumLock on at logon
Written By: Tony | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 8635 | Print Tweak | 12/10/2001

NumLock does not toggle on by default (system-wide), even if you have it set in your PC's BIOS, because of XP's multi-user functionality. Guess Microsoft doesn't know everyone actually turns it on, which should be reason enough for what acts as "default"...

Anyway, you can hack the Windows Registry to change this behavior, or run a script at logon to turn NumLock on.

1. To enable NumLock through the Registry:

* Open Windows' Registry Editor (START > RUN, type "REGEDIT").
*. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Keyboard.
*. Change the value for InitialKeyboardIndicators from 0 to 2.

2. To enable NumLock using a script, see this MS Knowledgebase article for complete instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q262625

Option 1 is the quicker method, but if you have more than one user on your system and one or more don't want NumLock on (stranger things have been known of), then option 2 is the way to go since it allows you to only attach the script to specific users.

Quick Search Tweak
Written By: Dan | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5334 | Print Tweak | 12/8/2001

A quick way to bring up the Search window is to just press the Win key + F

Get Messenger to run again after uninstall
Written By: RedFox Whiteruff | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 3631 | Print Tweak | 12/4/2001

It seems when you uninstall Messenger (using the tweaks on this site) the policy is automatically set to prevent it running.

This causes the symptom of clicking on the Messenger shortcut and seeing an hourglass for a second or two but the program not loading.

To get Messenger installed again requires more than just reinstalling the program from Windows Update or a downloaded installer.

After that you have to change the following registry entry with regedit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client

You should change the PreventRun value from (1) to (0)

How to uninstall Windows XP to 98
Written By: Dope Star | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 6749 | Print Tweak | 12/4/2001

Some people say it isnt possible to uninstall XP. Fact is, it is! Use your Win98 Cd-ROM Autostart thing and go to DOS. There go to your XP-Drive and do a format -u. This will delete any XP-Files. Add to format -u an r and it restores the overwritten files from the last os (you won't see the RESTORED_OS-Folder since it is implemented in the Partition

Lock Computer when Idle
Written By: Larry Craig | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5769 | Print Tweak | 12/4/2001

Go into c:\windows and create a new shortcut.

for the path of what you want the shortcut to be, paste this...

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

click next

rename it (ex. sysdll) make it sound important, because it is after all going to make your PC more secure.

click finish

now goto control panel>scheduled tasks

double click add scheduled task

click next

at the next screen, click browse

browse to your new shortcut... (ex. c:\windows\sysdll.ink)

select it

pick daily and then click next

click next

type in a pw for your scheduled task
confirm

click next

click finish

now double click on the new scheduled task you just made

click the schedule tab

under scedule task: select When Idle

enter in how long you want your computer to go before it gets locked

click ok

your all set... it's a nice little trick, and it beats the hell out of a screensaver password.

Setup Disks for Windows XP
Written By: Trebor | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 8949 | Print Tweak | 12/3/2001

For some reason they have not included these very usefull gems, the Setup Disks for Windows XP, for all those that cannot boot from a CD for some reason.

XP uses 6 floppies and there is a version for XP Pro and one for Home Edition. You need the right set for your version. The makeboot and files for
the floppies are not on the XP CD.

You can download them from here:

Home Edition: Click Here

Pro Edition: Click here

winipcfg for Windows XP
Written By: skaquix | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 22716 | Print Tweak | 12/3/2001

Instead of using the command line to display /configure your ip with ipconfig, you can download wntipcfg from microsoft which will give you the same GUI to display / configure your ip as winipcfg.

here's the link: Click Here

once you download it and install it (the default is c:\program files\resource kit\ ) copy wntipcfg.exe to c:\windows and rename it to winipcfg.exe Now you can just click on run, then you type in "winipcfg" just like the good old days =)

Report Error's to Microsoft automaticly
Written By: Alexander Hvaal | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 6259 | Print Tweak | 12/2/2001

The error reporting is very handy for Microsoft because it gives them hints how to make things better when making their new os. thats why its called error reporting. well heres the wizard how to enable it:
Press start --> Run --> Computer configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System --> Error Reporting . Now right click Report Errors and press "Properties" there you press Enabled , and make and enable "Do not display links to any Microsoft provided `more information` web sites. There you go! Now Windows XP (Home/Pro.) will automaticly send errors that may occour to microsoft, this will give the microsoft workers a great advantage of making their products even better. Enjoy

disable "shortcut to" prefix without external programs
Written By: BunnYPandA | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4428 | Print Tweak | 12/1/2001

This tweak stops windows creating the annoying "shotcut to" prefix when creating shortcuts to the desktop via either dragging/dropping or right clicking and selecting send to . This means that you do not need to rename all those shortcuts on your desktop . Here's how -

Start Registry Editor.

Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Modify the data value of the Link value to be 00 00 00 00.

NOTE : For Windows 95, the Link value does not exist by default. Create the Link value as a Binary value, with a data value of 00 00 00 00.

Restart the computer.

disable "shortcut to" prefix without external programs
Written By: BunnYPandA | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4429 | Print Tweak | 12/1/2001

This tweak stops windows creating the annoying "shotcut to" prefix when creating shortcuts to the desktop via either dragging/dropping or right clicking and selecting send to . This means that you do not need to rename all those shortcuts on your desktop . Here's how -

Start Registry Editor.

Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Modify the data value of the Link value to be 00 00 00 00.

NOTE : For Windows 95, the Link value does not exist by default. Create the Link value as a Binary value, with a data value of 00 00 00 00.

Restart the computer.

Turn off system beeps
Written By: Webmaster | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 11718 | Print Tweak | 12/1/2001

If those beeps annoy you there is a way to turn them off

Start Regedit. If you are unfamiliar with regedit please refer to our FAQ on how to get started.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound
Once there, locate Beep on the list on the right.
Right click on it and select Modify
Change the value equal to no
Reboot your computer and the beeps will be gone!

Free Disk space by deleting restore points
Written By: allen | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 10253 | Print Tweak | 11/30/2001

Start button-all programs-accessories-system tools-cleanup-more options. You will have the option of deleting your restore points. I had over 2 gigabytes of restore points. When your done creat one restore point as a back up.

Quick access to your user profile
Written By: allen | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4482 | Print Tweak | 11/30/2001

Start button-click on your user picture pcture

Reset folder view
Written By: Gary Shapiro | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4765 | Print Tweak | 11/30/2001

Sometimes windows XP forgets it's folder view settings.

Here is the solution.

Backup these RegKeys.

1:[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]

2:[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]

After that you must delete them.

Restart windows to take effect.

Now you can change each folder and the setting will stay.

Access XP Utility Manager
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 23545 | Print Tweak | 11/29/2001

Press windows key + U

Access XP Utility Manager
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 23546 | Print Tweak | 11/29/2001

Press windows key + U

Still want messenger but don't want it to start up with windows?
Written By: allen | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 11897 | Print Tweak | 11/28/2001

To stop windows messanger from loading at startup.Try this, open windows mess_anger "hehe" messanger, go to tools-options-preferences-"uncheck",run this program when windows starts,and run this program in the background.You can still use it by clicking the icon,but it won't load with windows on start up.

Add/Remove more Windows Components like MSN Explorer and the Accessories programs
Written By: Steve Hamblet | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 16915 | Print Tweak | 11/23/2001

This tweak lets you uninstall Windows Components such as MSN Explorer and programs in the Accessories menu on the 'All Programs' menu.

1. Edit the hidden system file SYSOC.INF in the Windows/Inf folder (or WINNT/Inf if you upgraded from NT or 2000).
2. Delete all instances of the word HIDE. Don't put any spaces inbetween the commas.
3. Save your changes.
4. Open 'Add or Remove Programs' in Control Panel.
5. Click on 'Add/Remove Windows Components. You will now see options for 'Accessories and Utilities' (the programs in the Accessories menu on the Start panel), MSN Explorer and several other components.
6. Uncheck the tick box to remove that component or check it to install it from your XP CD.

Be careful what components you remove though!

How to get to Corporate Windows Update
Written By: Eric G. | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 47458 | Print Tweak | 11/21/2001

This url will take you to the Corporate Windows Update Page where you can download and save updates and files for later use.

Click Here

Quick Note from Steve:
To access the corp windows update site for other versions of window Click Here

Forgotten Power Toys
Written By: Ed Bindler | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 37990 | Print Tweak | 11/12/2001

The Microsoft Power Toys designers forgot to add to the latest collection: Send To and Deskmenu

For those not familiar with these 2 indispensible extras:

Send To adds additional Send To functions the most important (I think) is the Send To Any Folder feature, why on earth MS doesn't add this to the base version of any Windows is beyond me. With this function, you can send a file anywhere you want to send it.

Desk Menu puts a little icon in the system tray that without minimizing windows you can click on the icon and see and click on any icon on your desktop.

I have installed these "old" Toys (dating back to the first Power Toys 95) on Win98/2000/XP with no troubles at all. On 2000/XP, you have to reboot to see and use these added functions.

You can download them from my AOL FTP account at this link: http://members.aol.com/bluarcher/powertoy/forgottentoys.zip

Zip files are not folders.
Written By: David Campbell | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 12601 | Print Tweak | 11/4/2001

XP treats Zip files like folders, to stop this type 'regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll' at the command prompt.
To reverse it type 'regsvr32 zipfldr.dll'.

Half Life and Windows XP
Written By: AK | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 49160 | Print Tweak | 11/3/2001

Half-life is unplayable on XP without tweaking.

1. How to recover from incompatible drivers

Before you install new drivers set a system restore point. Start>All programs>Accessories>system tools>system restore

After your new drivers don't work reset your computer. Press F8 repeatedly as soon as the BIOS screen disappears, and before the Windows XP screen appears. Select safe mode. Use system restore again to undo your mess.

2. Video Drivers

The NVidia drivers that come with XP do not allow you to run Half Life in OpenGL. Update to the newest drivers.
Despite the fact that they are not official drivers, 22.50 was the only set which worked

3. Sound Drivers

Use windows update to update Creative drivers.

4. Fixing screen flicker

Windows XP defaults to 60Hz for games. A fix is available here:

http://www.fileplanet.com/dl/dl.asp?/planetquake/ztn/nvreffix-setup.exe

Select "set: every resolution to monitor's maximum supported rate"

5. Fixing lag

If you are having trouble with lag, try disabling the windows XP firewall. Go to control panel>network connections. Select connection, right click, properties, advanced, untick the firewall.

6. Mouse

You can improve your mouse smoothness for games.
Control panel>mouse>hardware>properties>advanced
Change the sample rate to a higher one, eg. 200

Quick access to System Properties
Written By: Taiho Santelices | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 6316 | Print Tweak | 10/31/2001

Hold windows key and hit "break"......walla !!!

Media Player Album Art
Written By: Dan | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 6743 | Print Tweak | 10/27/2001

1. Make a folder of your favorite artist and copy audio files to that folder.
2. Rename any '.jpg' file to folder.jpg. Resize to 200 x 200.
3. Copy and rename the folder.jpg to AlbumArtSmall.jpg. Resize to 75 x 75.

The Album Art will now adjust automatically to fit the now playing window in Full Mode.

* You can use the 'Resize Picture' included in the WinXP Powertoys for resizing.

Getting older programs to work under xp
Written By: mr_rogers | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 21124 | Print Tweak | 10/26/2001

straight outa the help, thought some people might find it usefull
To set the compatibility properties for a program manually
Right-click the program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start menu for the program you want to run, and then click Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab, and change the compatibility settings for your program.
Notes

The Compatibility tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive. Although you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on programs or setup files on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.
For more information about an option on the Compatibility tab, right-click the option and then click What's This.

Enabling/Disabling Automatic Logon
Written By: Shadow Code | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 9369 | Print Tweak | 10/25/2001

1. Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type "control userpasswords2" (without quotes), and then click OK.
3. In the dialog box that appears,
You'll see: "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box.
Enabled will require users to logon, disabling will make XP automatically logon to the Administrator account.

How to turn on microsoft narrator
Written By: johnny appleseed | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 11889 | Print Tweak | 10/25/2001

press (window key + u) and the narrator comes out, some pretty funny stuff. It tells you everything your doing

Disableing the 'Unsigned driver' dialog
Written By: [RotA]Defiance | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5585 | Print Tweak | 10/24/2001

This option wll disable the screen wich keeps popping up when you try to install 'digitally unsigned drivers'.
Normally you can choose to continue the install anyways, but I have had situations where you cannot continue the install.. very annoying..

This is how to fix it.

Click Start - Run
then type: gpedit.msc
then hit enter.
Browse the folder tree to the following location:
User Configuration - Administrative Templates - System

now right-click Code signing for Device drivers and select Properties.
On the Settings tab, either select
- enable, and then select ignore from the appearing listbox..
- or click the disable option.

Click apply and Ok and your set!

Peer-2-Peer Networking with FireWire
Written By: Leviathan | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 9364 | Print Tweak | 10/9/2001

Windows XP has the ability to network through FireWire cables. So far I have created a machine-to-machine network, with a transfer rate of 400mb/sec. Impresive, for a technology that sprung off of universal serial bus, which is a relatively slow technology. I am working on getting a FireWire hub and running a true peer-2-peer network. If you want to create your own FireWire network, this is what you will need:

1. At least 2 machines with FireWire cards.
2. FireWire cables.
3. Windows XP (Not sure if this works with home edition).

Simply, connnect the two computers together with the FireWire cable, run the networking wizard and it is done. The speeds are very impressive and networking with games is much faster.

The down falls of FireWire networking come in the network administration area. The only protocol available to FireWire is TCP/IP. So those games that require IPX/SPX are out of luck.

Selectively Remove Control Panel Functions
Written By: Eric H. | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 4769 | Print Tweak | 10/8/2001

This tweak is useful for uncluttering your Control Panel and removing unused functions:

Go to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\]

add a key named "don't load" (minus the quotes of course)
Next add String values within the "don't load" Key. You will use one String value for each control panel applet you want removed. For example, I want to remove the "System" applet once I configure my Paging File to Performance settings as well as Restore functions and more - I will make a string value with the name "sysdm.cpl" and no value set and the System applet will no longer be available under the Control Panel. To restore a full control Panel to default just delete the "don't load" key.

Here are the Windows XP Pro Control Panel applets:
System Properties = sysdm.cpl
Network Connections = ncpa.cpl
ODBC Administrator = odbccp32.cpl
Display Properties = desk.cpl
Add or remove programs = appwiz.cpl
Internet Properties = Inetcpl.cpl
Game Controllers = joy.cpl
Phone and modem Options = telephon.cpl
Time and Date Properties = timedate.cpl
Region and Language Options = intl.cpl
Power Options = powercfg.cpl
Mouse Properties = main.cpl
Accessibility Options = access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard = hdwwiz.cpl
Sound and Audio Devices = mmsys.cpl
User Accounts = nusrmgr.cpl
Speech Properties = sapi.cpl

Reg File for adding additional time servers...
Written By: Met_Enkeph | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 5275 | Print Tweak | 10/6/2001

Browse to : http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/ntp/servers.htm for a list of public NTP servers.

Save your list as a text file with the extension .reg
Here's a sample:
------------------- cut here ------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers]
@="1"
"1"="time.windows.com"
"2"="time.nist.gov"
"3"="clock.isc.org"
"4"="timekeeper.isi.edu"
"5"="usno.pa-x.dec.com"
"6"="tock.usno.navy.mil"
"7"="tick.usno.navy.mil"
------------------- cut here ------------------

Then R-click the file and select "Merge"

WooHoo!

Add More Time Servers
Written By: TrOn | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 13986 | Print Tweak | 9/13/2001

As you may or may not know, Windows XP provides an easy and fast way to synchronize your system time with an Internet time server (Control Panel/Date and Time/Internet Time). By default there are only two servers available (time.windows.com and time.nist.gov). To add more, just add them in the registry (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers).

More time servers can be found Here

Quick Folders
Written By: Coffee | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 14327 | Print Tweak | 9/3/2001

Not sure if this is really considered a tweak or useful but I love it and everyone i show it to does also. Works on 98se to XP.
Create a new folder of any name in my Documents, now put any shortcut to a program you would like. Drag the folder drom the DOCument folder onto your task bar where your clock is. Now you have a customized quick folder for accessing programs on the fly without the clutter of desktop icons.
Hope you like =)

Create a shortcut to lock computer
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 19236 | Print Tweak | 8/24/2001

Right click on desktop and select new -> shortcut. Then copy and paste this in the program location box "rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation" Click next and enter a name for you shortcut and then click finish. Now you can copy and paste that shortcut anywhere you want on your computer.

On screen keyboard
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 12718 | Print Tweak | 8/20/2001

Click on the start button and select run. Then type in osk in the box and click OK.

Use the group policy tool to restrict access
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 9514 | Print Tweak | 8/6/2001

If you would like to play computer god and limit or control just about every aspect of your computer you can use a great tool called the group policy editor.

Click Start and select Run
Type gpedit.msc in the text box and click on OK.
The group policy editor will load. Navigate through the folders and you will discover hundreds of items that you can limit access to and control.

On screen keyboard
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 12719 | Print Tweak | 8/20/2001

Click on the start button and select run. Then type in osk in the box and click OK.

Use the group policy tool to restrict access
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 9515 | Print Tweak | 8/6/2001

If you would like to play computer god and limit or control just about every aspect of your computer you can use a great tool called the group policy editor.

Enable Hibernation
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 15683 | Print Tweak | 8/5/2001

Click on the start button and select turn off computer. Then hold down the shift key and the hibernate button will be shown. Click it and your computer will enter into hibernation.

Remove programs from uninstall list
Written By: Steve | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 14127 | Print Tweak | 8/3/2001

If you deleted a program instead of uninstalling it, most likely the program will still be listed in the windows uninstall list. Follow the directions below to remove programs from list manually.

Start regedit, if you are unfamiliar with regedit please see our FAQ.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall.
Delete the folder of the program.

Clear pagefile on shutdown
Written By: Webmaster | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 34165 | Print Tweak | 6/4/2001

For added security you should always clear the page file upon shutting down your computer. Windows uses this file as extra ram. Lets say that you are working on a confidential MS Word doc. When you load this document it is loaded into ram. To save ram windows places certain items in the page file. The page file can then be opened and the document can be extracted as well as any other open program or files. However Microsoft has implemented a feature that will clear the page file but they do not have it enabled by default. Please note, this will slightly increase the amount of time it takes to shut down your computer but it is well worth it.

Start Regedit. If you are unfamiliar with regedit please refer to our FAQ on how to get started.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
Select ClearPageFileAtShutdown from the list on the right.
Right on it and select Modify.
Change the value to 1 to enable.
Reboot your computer

Easy way to create desktop shortcuts
Written By: Al Strachan | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 8392 | Print Tweak | 8/2/2001

Instead of going into the register, it is simpler to open Windows Explorer, find the .exe file that you want, right-click on it and choose send to desktop.

Clear pagefile on shutdown
Written By: Webmaster | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 34166 | Print Tweak | 6/4/2001

For added security you should always clear the page file upon shutting down your computer. Windows uses this file as extra ram. Lets say that you are working on a confidential MS Word doc. When you load this document it is loaded into ram. To save ram windows places certain items in the page file. The page file can then be opened and the document can be extracted as well as any other open program or files. However Microsoft has implemented a feature that will clear the page file but they do not have it enabled by default. Please note, this will slightly increase the amount of time it takes to shut down your computer but it is well worth it.

View and modify user folder location
Written By: Webmaster | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 9201 | Print Tweak | 6/3/2001

Microsoft Windows XP uses a lot of folders for each user. Everything from "My video" to your personal documents folder. Below is where you can view the locations of these folders and can change them.

Start Regedit. If you are unfamiliar with regedit please refer to our FAQ on how to get started.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
Right click on the folders and select Modify
Change the path to a new path if you want to change the path.
Reboot your computer.

Disable error reporting
Written By: Webmaster | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 20724 | Print Tweak | 6/1/2001

One feature that I can do without is error reporting. Every time a program crashes I do not want to send a report to microsoft. Read below to find out how to disable this stupid feature.

Open Control Panel
Click on Preformance and Maintenance.
Click on System.
Then click on the Advanced tab
Click on the error reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
Select Disable error reporting.
Click OK
Click OK