How to Get Your Computer to Boot Faster

Step1

The biggest problem is that almost every time you install new software, it loads when you boot. I have applications that I rarely use like optical character recognition, and those I turn to several times a day like MS Outlook. By simply loading software only when you need it, you can cut your boot time significantly. To see what is loading now and to pick and choose in Windows XP click on your Start Menu. Go to Run. Type: msconfig. You’ll be presented with tabs. You’re probably operating under Normal Start Up which loads all device drivers and services. Choose Selective Startup instead. Under Selective Startup I’ve checked Process System.INI file, Process Win.INI.file, Load System Services, Load Startup Intems and Use Original Boot.INI. If you are an advanced user and you know what you are doing you can select or deselect these boxes as you choose. If you click everything except Services and then click disable all, followed by OK, you’ll end up booting in Safe Mode. Our goal here is to cut back on the Start Up programs. Click that tab. There you’ll find a long list of applications like ALCMTR and hpsysdrv. I took the time to enter each of them in Google to search for what they did. Sites like processlibrary.com proved useful in determining whether or not I should enable or disable the applications on booting. Right now I’ve only selected about a third of those listed. My machine boots faster and I’ve notice no lack of performance.

 

Step2

While you are in MS Config, look under the "BOOT.INI" tab. You will see a box labeled "Timeout." It is typically set to 30, which adds a half a minute delay. You can readily change it to 3 seconds, but no shorter. Close that tab, Click OK and reboot for the changes to take place. The first time you restart you’ll probably have a window pop up saying you’re in selective boot mode. You can disable the window while preserving your changes.

 

Step3

Make sure that you are not loading Trojans or ad ware when you boot. Not only should you keep your anti virus software like McAffee or Norton up to date, you should load and install an adware fighter like Lavasoft’s Ad Aware 2007 which is free for private use and does a good job at removing pop ups, tracking cookies and other spyware.

 

Step4

At least once a month, clear out your Internet temp files through your browser, empty your recycle bin, move unneeded files to a back up drive and perform a disc defragmentation. In My Computer, right click on your boot drive. Click on Properties, Go to Tools then defragment. This will take time, so don’t run any applications including screen savers while performing this task. When your files are closer together they’ll load faster. You can also go through your cookies folder, deleting those you don't need. I keep only the ones that allow me to log on quickly to my favorite sites.

 

Step5

Use Standby Mode. Since most of the boot time is used by loading programs, standby mode saves time by retaining those programs in memory. It saves power by shutting down the drives and monitors, the biggest power hogs. In control panel you can set up your computer to go into standby mode automatically after a certain amount of time. In Windows XP the standby option is presented to you when you choose to power down. Open documents and programs are stored in volatile memory. It’s a quick way to get active and I usually use it when I leave in the afternoons for a workout, however it’s useful to save everything before entering standby. If there’s a power outage your most recent changes will evaporate. I don’t use standby much longer than a couple of hours because my PC is quirky and will tend to exit standby on its own. Still it’s my only way to set up my computer to use the hard disc to record a television program.

 

Step6

Establish hibernate mode. A better choice for an overnight shut down is hibernation mode, which saves an image of your computer’s open applications and documents on your hard drive. If you go into your computer’s control panel, you can set this up so that you enter and leave hibernation by pushing your power switch. You can also establish hibernation after a fixed amount of time that your computer is unused. On your start menu access the Control Panel. Double click on Power Options. Click on the Hibernate tab to enable Hibernation. Choose your options then click OK. When you decide to leave your computer for the day, go through the start menu and click Turn Off Computer. By holding down your shift key, a new Hibernate option will appear. Click on it and your computer will snooze, coming back a lot faster than before when you need it.

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Tips & Warnings

• When I used hibernate mode, my computer sometimes came back on by itself. Since my computer and all my peripherals are plugged into a surge protector, I now take the additional step of powering it down before walking away from the machine.
  
• If you power down your computer in standby with an external device, you will reboot from scratch when you resume.

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How to Format a Computer with Windows XP

How to Format a Computer with Windows XP

1. The first step in learning how to format a computer with Windows XP or 2000, is to insert Windows CD and restart your computer.
   
   
   
2. Your computer should automatically boot from the CD to the Windows Setup Main Menu.
   
   
   
3. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
   
   
   
4. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
   
   
   
5. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.
   
   
   
6. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition.
   
   
   
7. Type the size in megabytes (MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.
   
   
   
8. Select the format option that you want to use for the partition (Recommended: NTFS), and then press ENTER.
   
   
   
9. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to continue installing Windows.
   

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How to Format a Computer with Windows 95, 98, or ME

How to Format a Computer with Windows 95, 98, or ME

To reinstall Windows, you will need a Startup Diskette and a Windows Installation CD.

Note: We recommend using the Startup Diskette available on this page. Other Windows Startup Diskettes may not work with the following steps.

1. Once you have your Startup Diskette, insert it into the floppy drive and restart your computer.
   
   
   
2. Select option #1 - Start the computer with CD-ROM support.
   
   
   
3. After a minute or so, you will see "A:>_".
   
   
   
4. Type "fdisk" and press Enter.
   
   
   
5. If asked to enable large disk support, select Y for Yes. (Note: Some versions of Windows 95 may not be compatible with large disk support. Select N here if it does not support the FAT32 file system.)
   
   
   
6. Select Option #1 - Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive.
   
   
   
7. Select Option #1 - Create Primary DOS Partition.
   
   
   
8. The drive integrity will be verified.
   
   
   
9. Unless you are planning to make multiple partitions, select Y when asked if you want to use the maximum available size for the partition and to make the partition active.
   
   
   
10. The drive integrity will be verified again.
    
    
    
11. When completed press the Esc key to exit fdisk.
    
    
    
12. Without removing the floppy disk, press the reset button on the computer or press the keys Ctrl then Alt then Delete and release them together. This will restart the computer.
    
    
    
13. Again, select the option to Start the computer with CD-ROM support.
    
    
    
14. When you see A:>, directly above it is a message about your CD-ROM drive. It will tell you the letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive, take note of it.
    
    
    
15. At the A:>, type "format C:" and press Enter.
    
    
    
16. Press the Y key then the enter key when asked if you want to proceed with the format.
    
    
    
17. The format will probably take some time, so be patient.
    
    
    
18. 
    
    You will be asked to choose a Volume Label, which is a name for your hard drive. It has no effect on the operation of your computer, you may choose any name you like.

 

 

How to Reinstall Windows XP

1. To reinstall Windows XP or 2000, imply insert Windows CD and restart your computer.
   
   
   
2. If your hard drive has not been formatted, Windows XP will walk you through the formatting process described above
   
   
   
3. Your computer will automatically boot from the CD and begin the installation process
   

How to Reinstall Windows 95, 98, or ME

1. After formatting your hard drive as described above, insert the Startup Diskette into the floppy drive and restart your computer.
   
   
   
2. Select option #1 - Start the computer with CD-ROM support.
   
   
   
3. After a minute or so, you will see "A:>_".
   
   
   
4. Place the Windows Install CD into the CD-ROM drive.
   
   
   
5. Type "E:" (where E is the letter assigned to the CD-ROM drive) and press the Enter key.
   
   
   
6. Type "dir" and press Enter. You will see something like the following:
   

   Volume in drive E is 020409_1121
   Directory of E:
   WIN98_SE <DIR> 04-09-02 11:21a
   0 file(s)0 bytes
   1 dir(s)0 bytes free
   

   
   
7. WIN98_SE is a directory, as indicated by the "<DIR>" after it.
   
   
   
8. Type "cd WIN98_SE", replacing WIN98_SE with the result from above, then press the Enter key.
   
   
   
9. Type "dir" and press the Enter key.
   
   
   
10. If you see: SETUP <DIR> somewhere in the output, then type "cd SETUP" and press the Enter key. Otherwise, skip this step.
    
    
    
11. Type "SETUP" and press the Enter key to begin the Windows setup program.
    
    
    
12. Simply follow the prompts to install Windows.
    
    
    
13. Remove the Windows Startup Diskette when prompted.
    

WipeDrive: Wipe All Data Before Formatting

Deleted files can be recovered even after a computer has been formatted!

A recent study of 129 old hard drives (many of them formatted) revealed more than 5,000 credit card numbers, medical correspondences, love letters, pornography, bank account information, and other confidential data. To protect yourself from identity theft, erase ALL data before formatting a hard drive.

Do you need to know:

• How to format a computer before selling or donating a system.
  
  
  
• How to format a computer to erase personal data before returning it to an employer.
  
  
  
• How to format a computer with an operating system damaged by viruses or spyware.
  
  
  
• How to format a computer in compliance with government regulations (including HIPAA).

How to Format a Computer Securely With WipeDrive

WipeDrive is an easy-to-use disk sanitizing tool that boots from a CD or floppy disk.

Learning how to format a computer is as easy as inserting the WipeDrive disk and restarting your system. WipeDrive will automatically load with prompts indicating how to format computer hard drive data to Department of Defense specifications.

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window xp tips

Windows^® XP - Remote Desktop Web Connection - How to use [MVP-Doug Knox]

Host Machine:

On the server machine, go to Control Panel, System, Remote.  Check Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.

On the server, you need to install Internet Information Services from Add/Remove, Windows Components. Specifically you need to install the Remote Desktop Web Connection. This will make your computer accessible via the web. The URL to use would be

You can also use the hostname if one is available for your connection.

Guest machine:

You will be presented with a login screen. When asked for the server name, use the IP address or host name of the server.
Check Send Login information
Enter the user name  (this must be a valid user account on the server)
Domain name (on my setup) is left blank

Click continue

You'll get a new screen, and a login prompt. Enter your password and you're all set to go.

To enable Autologon in Windows^® XP Professional

1. Click Start, Run and enter "control userpasswords2" to open the Windows 2000-style User Accounts application.

2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer.

Set Numlock State on Startup

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY CURRENT USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators

0 = numberlock off
2 = numberlock on

If you want the numlock on at the welcome screen you also need to change:

HKEY USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators same number values as above.

Registry keys and values to fix XP's Help and Support after running Toni Arts EasyCleaner

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default Value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

Unread Mail Notification on the Welcome Screen

Use TweakUI/Logon/Unread Mail or Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail\[Your E-Mail Address]. In the right pane modify: Message Count, Change it to 0.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail. In the right pane modify: MessageExpiryDays Change it to 0.

Overview of Mail Notification Display on WinXP Welcome Screen

 

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win XP

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK.

To change the name of the registered owner, do the following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.

Restore the Welcome Screen

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\WinLogon.
In the right pane, remove the entry for Gina.DLL.

Fix Windows® XP Logon/Restore Welcome Screen

 

Disable the Windows Key

This tweak disables the Windows key that is found between the Ctrl and Alt keys on a Windows enhanced keyboard.

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

Value Name: Scancode Map
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Value Data: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00

Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'Scancode Map' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Balloon Tips

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.  Modify or create, "EnableBalloonTips" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value to 1.

Disable Registry Editing Tools

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Value Name: DisableRegistryTools
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = allow regedit, 1 = disable regedit)

Create a new DWORD value named 'DisableRegistryTools' and set the value to '1' to disable registry editing functions.
Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Uninstall/Reinstall NetMeeting in Windows XP  [MVP Doug Knox]

To Uninstall: Start/Run: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\WINDOWS\inf\msnetmtg.inf,NetMtg.Remove

To reinstall: open the Windows\Inf folder (this is a hidden folder, so you may need to adjust your Folder Options to show hidden files and folders. Or you can click Start, Run and enter %systemroot%\Inf).

Locate the msnetmtg.inf file in the Inf folder.  Right click and select Install. 

Disable CD Burning

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Disable Media Player Update Message

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Search Assistant

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the value to: no

Disable native CD burning in XP

Right click the CD in My Computer, click Properties/Recording.  Uncheck "Enable CD recording on this drive."

Disable CD Burning - Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Allow limited users access to CD Burning:

To allow Limited User's to burn CD's, click Start/Run/Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look in the right pane for AllocateDASD and double click the entry. Set the value to 2.

On PRO, this is exposed in Local Security Policy under Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.

"Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media"

For XP Pro, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and entering SECPOL.MSC

Go to Local Policies, Security Options, look in the right pane for Devices: Allowed to Format and eject removable media. Set this option to Administrators and Interactive Users

Clear Search History in Search

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru

Delete the key.  To prevent keeping a history altogether, right click ACMru/Permissions/Deny all users and groups listed.

Clear Recent File Lists

 

Display Tab in the Device Manager

Open a command prompt window and enter:  SET DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS=1.  Then enter START DEVMGMT.MSC.  When you look at a device's properties in Device Manager you'll see a new Details tab.

TweakUI

Remove TweakUI v1.33 Manually

To remove TweakUI v1.33 manually, perform the following steps:  (Written by MVP Doug Knox)

1. Do a Find for TWEAKUI.CPL, TWEAKUI.HLP and TWEAKUI.GID.  When each of these files has been located, delete it.  Note: TWEAKUI.GID may not exist on your system.
   
2. Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT.
   
3. This step is only necessary if you wish to remove the Shortcut Icon customization. Go to the Registry branches indicated and modify or delete the values as instructed.
   a) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons\29
   In the right pane, locate the value named "29".  Right click on this value and select Delete.
   b) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
   In the right pane, locate the value called "Shell Icon Size".  Double click on this entry and set the value to 32.
   
4. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   In the right pane, locate the value called "Tweak UI".  Right click on this value and select Delete.
   
5. Close Regedit.

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Windows^® XP - Remote Desktop Web Connection - How to use [MVP-Doug Knox]

Host Machine:

On the server machine, go to Control Panel, System, Remote.  Check Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.

On the server, you need to install Internet Information Services from Add/Remove, Windows Components. Specifically you need to install the Remote Desktop Web Connection. This will make your computer accessible via the web. The URL to use would be

http://%3cyouripaddress%3e/tsweb  You can also use the hostname if one is available for your connection.

Guest machine:

You will be presented with a login screen. When asked for the server name, use the IP address or host name of the server.
Check Send Login information
Enter the user name  (this must be a valid user account on the server)
Domain name (on my setup) is left blank

Click continue

You'll get a new screen, and a login prompt. Enter your password and you're all set to go.

To enable Autologon in Windows^® XP Professional

1. Click Start, Run and enter "control userpasswords2" to open the Windows 2000-style User Accounts application.

2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer.

Set Numlock State on Startup

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY CURRENT USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators

0 = numberlock off
2 = numberlock on

If you want the numlock on at the welcome screen you also need to change:

HKEY USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators same number values as above.

Registry keys and values to fix XP's Help and Support after running Toni Arts EasyCleaner

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default Value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

Unread Mail Notification on the Welcome Screen

Use TweakUI/Logon/Unread Mail or Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail\[Your E-Mail Address]. In the right pane modify: Message Count, Change it to 0.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail. In the right pane modify: MessageExpiryDays Change it to 0.

Overview of Mail Notification Display on WinXP Welcome Screen

 

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win XP

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK.

To change the name of the registered owner, do the following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.

Restore the Welcome Screen

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\WinLogon.
In the right pane, remove the entry for Gina.DLL.

Fix Windows® XP Logon/Restore Welcome Screen

 

Disable the Windows Key

This tweak disables the Windows key that is found between the Ctrl and Alt keys on a Windows enhanced keyboard.

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

Value Name: Scancode Map
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Value Data: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00

Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'Scancode Map' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Balloon Tips

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.  Modify or create, "EnableBalloonTips" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value to 1.

Disable Registry Editing Tools

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Value Name: DisableRegistryTools
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = allow regedit, 1 = disable regedit)

Create a new DWORD value named 'DisableRegistryTools' and set the value to '1' to disable registry editing functions.
Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Uninstall/Reinstall NetMeeting in Windows XP  [MVP Doug Knox]

To Uninstall: Start/Run: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\WINDOWS\inf\msnetmtg.inf,NetMtg.Remove

To reinstall: open the Windows\Inf folder (this is a hidden folder, so you may need to adjust your Folder Options to show hidden files and folders. Or you can click Start, Run and enter %systemroot%\Inf).

Locate the msnetmtg.inf file in the Inf folder.  Right click and select Install. 

Disable CD Burning

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Disable Media Player Update Message

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Search Assistant

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the value to: no

Disable native CD burning in XP

Right click the CD in My Computer, click Properties/Recording.  Uncheck "Enable CD recording on this drive."

Disable CD Burning - Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Allow limited users access to CD Burning:

To allow Limited User's to burn CD's, click Start/Run/Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look in the right pane for AllocateDASD and double click the entry. Set the value to 2.

On PRO, this is exposed in Local Security Policy under Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.

"Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media"

For XP Pro, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and entering SECPOL.MSC

Go to Local Policies, Security Options, look in the right pane for Devices: Allowed to Format and eject removable media. Set this option to Administrators and Interactive Users

Clear Search History in Search

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru

Delete the key.  To prevent keeping a history altogether, right click ACMru/Permissions/Deny all users and groups listed.

Clear Recent File Lists

 

Display Tab in the Device Manager

Open a command prompt window and enter:  SET DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS=1.  Then enter START DEVMGMT.MSC.  When you look at a device's properties in Device Manager you'll see a new Details tab.

TweakUI

Remove TweakUI v1.33 Manually

To remove TweakUI v1.33 manually, perform the following steps:  (Written by MVP Doug Knox)

1. Do a Find for TWEAKUI.CPL, TWEAKUI.HLP and TWEAKUI.GID.  When each of these files has been located, delete it.  Note: TWEAKUI.GID may not exist on your system.
   
2. Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT.
   
3. This step is only necessary if you wish to remove the Shortcut Icon customization. Go to the Registry branches indicated and modify or delete the values as instructed.
   a) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons\29
   In the right pane, locate the value named "29".  Right click on this value and select Delete.
   b) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
   In the right pane, locate the value called "Shell Icon Size".  Double click on this entry and set the value to 32.
   
4. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   In the right pane, locate the value called "Tweak UI".  Right click on this value and select Delete.
   
5. Close Regedit.

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