Windows XP Tips & Tricks - Part 3

1. 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 shortcuts to them on your desktop.
appwiz.cpl --> Add/Remove Programs
desk.cpl --> Display Properties
firewall.cpl --> Firewall Settings
inetcpl.cpl --> Internet Options
mmsys.cpl --> Sound and Audio
ncpa.cpl --> Network Connections
nusrmgr.cpl --> User Accounts
powercfg.cpl --> Power Options
sysdm.cpl --> System Properties
wscui.cpl --> Security Center
wuaucpl.cpl --> Automatic Updates Configuration

2. Windows Explorer Opens Search Companion Rather than the Folder:
If the Windows Explorer opens up the Search Companion rather than opening up the actual folder, the default setting for opening a folder is changed.
To correct this:
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Drive \ shell]
3. Edit the default value to be explorer or none

3. System32 Folder Opens When Logging On:
If the System32 folder shows on the desktop, there may be an invalid entry in the Registry
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to both:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Double check that the values do not have incorrect, incomplete, or blank entries

4. Not Viewing Zip Files as Folders:
If you want to turn of WindowsXP showing Zip files as folders,just run:
regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

5. 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. 1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Keyboard
3. Open InitialKeyboardIndicators
4. Change the value to one of the following numbers
0 - All Keys off
1 - Caps Lock on
2 - Num Lock on
3 - Caps Lock and Num Lock on
4 - Scroll Lock on
5 - Caps Lock and Scroll Lock on
6 - Num Lock and Scroll Lock on
7 - Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock on
5. Log off and back on again

6. DOS Tips in XP:
Windows XP cmd tip (DOS isn’t dead... it just smells funny) Some command-line folder creation examples:
To create multiple folders at once, add them directly to the "md" command:
C:\> md this is a test
To create a folder several folders deep, use:
C:\> md this\is\a\test
Creating a folder with a long name requires the double-quote at the beginning:
C:\> md "this is a test
Bonus tip: Windows XP supports the forward slash "/" as a folder divider. Unix/Linux users: don't let the DOS environment get you down. Use a Unix-style CD command to change your present working directory:
C:\> cd Windows/system32/drivers/etc

Submitted by Bob and Tina

7. Restoring Desktop Icon to the Quicklaunch Bar:
If you mistakenly deleted the icon for the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbar

Go 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

8. Configure for Auto-Logon:
If you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you on,
1. Start / Run / "control userpasswords2" - no quotes
2. Uncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computer

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

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU][HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]

10. Disable Explorer Thumbnail View:
If you want disable the Explorer's ability to show the Thumbnail View:
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced 3. Change ClassicViewState to 1

11. Preventing Applications from Stealing the Focus:
To prevent applications from stealing the focus from the window you are working:
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop
3. Edit the key ForegroundLockTimeout
4. Give it a value of 00030d40

12. Disable Passport Pop-Up:
Normally, WindowsXP will prompt you 10 times that You Need a Passport to use WindowsXP Internet communication features.
To disable this:
1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ MessengerService
3. Edit the binary key PassportBalloon
4. Give it a value of 0A (0A 00 00 00)