Disable Password Caching

As in Windows for Workgroups, when logging on to an NT Domain, it is preferable to disable password caching. This allows for the single NT Domain login and eliminates the secondary Windows logon screen. It also eliminates the possibility of the respective passwords to get out of sync. To disable password caching on the workstation, a one-line addition to the registry needs to...

Here is how to add any application to the menu when you right click on any Folder.This could be useful if there is an app you always want available and don't want to go through the Start menu Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shellAdd a key Name_of_Your_AppThis can really be any label, just use one that makes sense to youGive it a default value of Name_of_Your_AppPutting...

Changing Exchange's Mailbox Location

When you create a mailbox in Exchange for e-mail, you specify the file where you want to mail to go.You cannot change this in Exchange afterwards. If you want to change the file name or location:: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ WindowsMessaging Subsystem \ ProfilesGo to the profile you want to changeGo to the section that has the file location...

Removing Sound Events from Control Panel / Sounds

When you view what events you can assign sounds to from Control Panel / Sounds,you cannot delete the events themselves. In order to do that: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / AppEvents / Schemes / AppsFrom here you can delete any items you don't want to show or no longer ne...

Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer

Add or Edit the following Registry Keys [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew]@="Dos Prompt in that Directory"[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command]@="command.com /k cd %1"[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew]@="Dos Prompt in that Drive"[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command]@="command.com /k cd %1" These will allow you to right click on either the drive...

Compacting the Registry

How to compact the registry? Got to true DOS, not a DOS windowRun Regedit and then export the entire Registry to COMPACT.REG.Then exit regedit and run it again with the following switch. REGEDIT /C COMPACT....

Removing Unwanted Items from the RUN Menu

Start the REGEDIT programSearch for the word RUNMRUDelete the ones you don't wantRename so they are all in alphabetical order againClose and restart wind...

Displaying Hi-Color Icons without the Plus Pack

Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ desktop \ WindowMetricsAdd or edit Shell Icon BPP=16 where the number is the color depth.The default is 8 (bit or 256 color...

Enabling the Middle Mouse Button on Logitech Mouse

To enable the middle mouse button on Logitech Mouses to act as a double-click button by only pressing it once: Run RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LOGITECH\MOUSEWARE\CURRENTVERSION\SERIALV\0000Change DoubleClick to equal ...

Easily Opening a File with Notepad

This will enable you to right click on any file and have the option to open it with notepad.Also if a file has no association and you try to open it it will open with notepad Run 'regedit.exe'Expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"Inside "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT", expand "*"Inside "*", create a key called "shell"Inside "shell" create a key called "open"Inside "open" edit the string "(default)"...

Removing the Hand Icon from Shared Resources

When you share a local resource, Windows95 normally puts a hand in from of that resources icon.To remove hand icon from your shared resources: Start Regedit.Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / NetworkOpen SharingHandler.Clear it's default valueRestart Windows.To restore set Default value "msshrui.dl...

Hiding Any Combination of Drives

If you want to stop a drive or any combination of drives appearing in Explorer/My Computer Add the Binary Value of 'NoDrives' in the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer Give it a value from a combination of the table below: A 1 00 00 00 B 2 00 00 00 C 4 00 00 00 D 8 00 00 00 E 16 00 00 00 F 32 00 00 00 G 64 00 00 00...

Creating a Legal Text Notice Before Logon

You can create a banner that will come up just before you logon to the computer: Start RegeditGo to HKeyLocalMachine \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ WinLogonCreate a new string value called LegalNoticeCaption and give it a value you want to see in the menu barCreate a new string value called LegalNoticeText and give it a value you want to see in the...

Disabling the Blinking Cursor

To stop the cursor from blinking in applications such as Word: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\DesktopAdd a String ValueName it CursorBlinkRateGive it a value of -1Reboot the compu...

Re-Enabling DHCP Error Messages

If you got a DHCP error message, selected to not see DHCP errors, and now want to see them again; Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ VxD \ DHCPChange the value of PopupFlag from 00 to...

Getting Rid of Schemes

A safer way would be is to go to the Control Panel / Display / Appearance tabGo to the Scheme drop down boxSelect the one you don't want and click on the delete buttonWhen you right click on your desktop and pick properties your Display Properties screen appears.Under Appearance tab / Schemes, determine if you want all those wild schemes.If not they can be deleted and clear...

NT Crash Log File

In addition to the crash log file, you can also enable two other methods of crash notification and logging. You can enable an administrative alert by changing the value of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl\SendAlert to 1. The next time the system crashes, an administrative alert will be sent that may provide the first sign of the crash. You can...

Changing the Location of Outlook Express Data Files

Normally Outlook Express keeps its data files in the C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express directory. To change this: First copy those files to the new locationStart RegEditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Outlook ExpressChange the Store Root key to the directory where you moved the fi...

Sticky Menus

Normally when you move the mouse over the Start Menu / Programs, it will automatically cascade and show the submenus.If you want them to open only when you actually click on them: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ DesktopIf if it not already there, create a string called MenuShowDelayGive it a value of 65...

Automatic Shutdown with Windows NT

Most laptops allow the operating system to turn off the hardware after shutdown, instead of displaying the message telling you it's now safe to turn off your system.You can take advantage of this capability by enabling the Power Down After Shutdown feature. To enable this feature, simply add a REG_SZ value named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\PowerdownAfterShutDown...

Kill Hung Processes When Logging Off in Windows NT

When you tell NT to shut down, it first sends shutdown requests to any running processes.Most 32-bit applications honor these requests and shut down, but older 16-bit apps running in the Virtual DOS Machine often won't.When this occurs, the operating system prompts you with a dialog box asking if you want to kill the task, wait for the task to die on its own, or cancel the ...

Automatically Deleting a Registry Key

Normally you cannot automatically delete registry keys from reg file. But there is a way... Simply include a minus sign inside the left bracket before the main key. For example.If you want to delete the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 8.0 \ Common \ Assistants, your regfile would simply look like: REGEDIT4 [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common\Assistants]...

Fixing no AutoRun for CDs

If your CDs have stop starting automatically, and you have checked everything else: Go to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorerThe value for NoDriveTypeAutoRun should be set to 95 00 00...

Renaming the File System Profiles

In the Control Panel / System / Performance / File System, you can select either Desktop Computer, Mobile or docking system, or Network Server.You can change these labels to something more descriptive: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft / Windows / Current Version / FS TemplatesYou can change the text that appears under each ...

Turning Off the Help on Min, Max, Close Icons

When the mouse goes over the minimize, maximize and close icons on the upper right hand side of a window, you normally get a display telling you want those are for.To disable that display: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ DesktopCreate a String Value called MinMaxCloseGive it a value of 1 Reb...

Adding Open With to the Right Click in the Explorer

To add the option Open With when you right click on a file in the Explorer: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ CLASSES \* \ shell \ openas \ commandIf this key isn't there then just create itGive it the value of C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL...

Changing the Title on Windows Media Player

You can change the title bar for the Windows Media Player Start RegeditGo to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ WindowsMediaPlayerCreate a string value of TitleBarGive it a value of whatever you want to appear in the title ...

Eliminating the Right Click on the Taskbar

To eliminate the right click on the taskbar: Start Regedit Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ ExplorerAdd a DWORD and give it a name of NoTrayContextMenuGive it a value of 1Reb...

Eliminating the Right Click on the Desktop

To eliminate the right click on the desktop: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ ExplorerAdd a DWORD and give it a name of NoViewContextMenuGive it a value of 1Reb...

Restricting the Start Menu, Explorer and the Desktop

There are many general restrictions you can make to the Start Menu, the Explorer and to the Desktop itself. Start RegeditGo to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / PoliciesThere should already be at least a Explorer section there alreadyAdditional...

Changing Office 2000's Excel Undo History

By default, Excel has only approximately 16 undo's you can perform. To increase that number: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ OptionsAdd a dword called UndoHistoryGive it the value you want for the amount you wa...

Control Panel Restrictions

There are many general restrictions you can make to the Control Panel Start RegeditGo to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / PoliciesCreate a new keys under Policies called SystemYou can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keysTo re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0 NoDispCPL - Disable Display Control PanelNoDispBackgroundPage...

Prevent Changes to the Start Menu

To prevent any changes to the Start Menu, even a right click: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ ExplorerAdd a DWORD called NoChangeStartMenuGive it a value of...

DOS Restrictions

There are restrictions you can make to the ability to execute DOS programs Start RegeditGo to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / PoliciesCreate a new key under Policies called WinOldAppYou can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keysTo re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0 Disabled - Disable MS-DOS PromptNoRealMode...

Networking Restrictions

There are general restrictions you can make in Networking Start RegeditGo to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / PoliciesCreate a new key under Policies called NetworkYou can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keysTo re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0 DisablePwdCaching = Password Caching HideSharePwds...

Changing Common Icons

You can change many of the common Windows icons. Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell IconsThe default icons are numbered in the right panel from 0-40Double click on the number of the particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.Enter the name of the icon file you want to use followed by the...

Comparing Registries

While working with changes to your system, you might want to see what is changing in your Registry.Since you can export it to a text file, the steps are fairly easy Start RegeditWith the very top level select - My Computer, on the Toolbar select Registry / Export Registry FileI usually save it to the root of the C: drive with the name before (you don't need to add an extension)Make...

Setting Excel 2000 High-Contrast Cell Selection

If you want to increase the contrast in selected cells: Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ Options Add a DWORD value call Options6Give it a value of 16Now when you select cells, they will be white on bla...

Setting the Internet Explorer Home Page

If you want to set the home page used by Internet Explorer through the registry Start RegeditGo to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Main Give the Start Page key the string value you wish set as homep...

Preparing to Move Hard Drive to Another Computer

To remove the devices from device manager when taking a HD from one computer to another,simply: Run RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ and delete the Enum sectionThis removes all of the hardware specific setti...

Setting the Recycle Bin to Always Delete

You can set the recycle bin to always delete items (like holding down the shift key when dragging files to the recycle bin) Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ BitBucketSet the key NukeOnDelete to...

Changing the Location Of Special Folders

You can modify the registry to change the location of special folders like: My DocumentsFavoritesMy PicturesPersonal Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell FoldersDouble click on any locations you want to change and alter the pathLogoff or restart for the changes to go into effect Note: TweakUI from Microsoft will allow...

Deleting Specific Registry Value

In a previous tip, Automatically Deleting a Registry Key, it was mentioned how to remove an entire registry key.If you want to simply remove a specific value within a key, use the syntax below: [Registry Key]"value"=- For example: REGEDIT4[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]"MSConfig"=- would delete the value MSCONFIG....

Locking File Associations

If you have your file associations the way you want for a particular file type, you can remove it from the list that gets displayed in the Folder Options / File Types screen Start Regedit Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Scroll to the file association you want to lock. In the right panel, create a new Binary value Call it EditFlagsGive it a value of 01 00 00 00 Now when you go to the...

Turning off System Beeps

If you want to turn off all system beeps (like the ones that go through your computers' internal speaker): Start Regedit Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\SoundEdit the key Beep and give it a value of...

Preventing Changes to File Associations

You can prevent users from changing associations via Windows Explorer's Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab. Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ ExploreCreate REG_DWORD data type NoFileAssociateGive it a value of...

Allowing Network Access with Blank Passwords (XP and Vista)

Although you can log in locally without a password, by default, WindowsXP Pro does not allow network users to access the computer without a password. Typically you will receive an Unknown error 31 if this is the case. To change this setting: Run gpedit.mscGo to Computer Configuration...

Disabling the F3 Search Key

If you want to disable the ability to use the F3 key from either the Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\RestrictionsCreate a Dword value called NoFindFilesGive it a value of 1Reb...

Add/modify a registry value to point to the exchange-oma

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. 2. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MasSync\Parameters 3. On the right panel, make sure ExchangeVDir points to /exchange-oma. If the value of ExchangeVDir...

Protection on system files

To enable protection on system files such as the KnownDLLs list, add the following value; 1. Open RegEdit 2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Control\ SessionManager 3. Create the a Dword value and name it "ProtectionMode " 4. Set the Value to1...

The Fix for Grayed Out Boxes

The File Types tab in Explorer's View / Options menu lets you edit most of your file types, but certain settings cannot be changed. The default action for a batch file, for instance, runs the batch file instead of opening it via Notepad or Wordpad. Thus, when you double-click on AUTOEXEC.BAT, a DOS window opens, and the file executes. If you want to change this default action and...

Removing Programs from Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs Section

If you uninstalled a program by deleting the files, it may still show up in the Add/Remove programs list in the Control Panel. In order to remove it from the list. 1.Open RegEdit 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Uninstall 3.Delete any programs here. If you have a problem locating the desired program open each key and view the DisplayName...

Increasing the Modem Timeout

If your modem it is timing out during file transfers or loading Web Pages, you might try increasing the timeout period. To change the Time Out:: 1.Open RegEdit2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Services\ Class\ Modem\ XXXX\ Settings Where XXXX is the number of your modem 3. In the right panel and double click on Inactivity Timeout 4.The number of minutes for...

Changing your Modem's Initialization String

1.Open RegEdit 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet \Services \Class \Modem \0000 \Init 3.Change the settings to the new val...

Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows

1.Open RegEdit 2.Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT 3.Open the Key LNKFILE 4.Delete the value IsShortcut 5.Open the next Key PIFFILE 6.Delete the value IsShortcut 7.Restart the Wind...

Turn Off Window Animation

You can shut off the animation displayed when you minimize and maximize Windows. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control panel \Desktop\ WindowMetrics 3. Create a new string value "MinAnimate". 4. Set the value data of 0 for Off or 1 for...

Recycle Bin Edits

Fooling with the recycle bin. Why not make the icon context menu act like other icon context menus. Add rename to the menu: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ ShellFolder"Attributes"=hex:50,01,00,20 Add delete to the menu: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ ShellFolder"Attributes"=hex:60,01,00,20 Add rename and delete...

Setting the Minimum Password Length

1.Open RegEdit 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Network3. Now, choose the Edit/New/Binary value command and call the new value MinPwdLen. Press Enter twice and Assign it a value equal to your minimum password leng...

Add\delete programs to run every time Windows starts

You can start or stop programs from executing at boot up by adding or deleting them to/from the run Keys in the Registry. Windows loads programs to start in the following order; Program listed in the Local Machine hive, then the Current User hive, then theWin.ini Run= and Load = lines. then finally programs in your Start Up folder. To add or remove programs in the Registry 1.Open...

Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button

Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows you to open your programs folder, the Explorer and run Find. In situations where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure your computer. 1.Open RegEdit 2.Search for Desktop 3.This should bring you to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory 4.Expand this section 5.Under Shell is Find 6.Delete...

Disabling My Computer

In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the computer, it might be beneficial to disable the ability to click on My Computer and have access to the drives, control panel etc. To disable this: 1.Open RegEdit 2.Search for 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D 3.This should bring you to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID section 4.Delete the entire section. Now...

Opening Explorer from My Computer

By default, when you click on the My Computer icon, you get a display of all your drives, the Control Panel etc. If you would like to have this open the Explorer: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ Shell 3 . Add a new Key named "Open" if it does not exists by right clicking "Shell" and selecting new. 4. . Add a new Key...

Disabling Drives in My Computer

To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer: 1.Open RegEdit 2.Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Explorer 3.Add a New DWORD item and name it NoDrives 4.Give it a value of 3FFFFFF 5.Now when you click on My Computer, none of your drives will sh...

Changing the caption on the Title Bar

Change the Caption on the Title Bar for OutLook Express or the Internet Explorer: For Outlook Express: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OutLook Express For IE5 and up use: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\IDENTITIES \{9DDDACCO-38F2-11D6-93CA-812B1F3493B}\ SOFTWARE\ MICROSOFT\ OUTLOOK EXPRESS\5.0 3. Add a string value "WindowTitle" (no space) ...

Changing Telnet Window

You can view more data if you increase the line count of Telnet. By Default it has a window size of 25 lines. To increase this so you can scroll back and look at a larger number on lines: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Telnet 3. Modify the value data of "Ro...

Changing the Tips of the Day

You can edit the Tips of the day in the Registry by going to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ explorer\ T...

Removing Items from NEW Context Menu

When you right-click on the desktop and select New, or use the File Menu item in the Explore and select New a list of default templates you can open up are listed. To remove items from that list: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Do a Search for the string ShellNew in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Hive 3. Delete the ShellNew command key for the items you want to rem...

Disable Password Caching

To disable password caching, which allows for the single Network login and eliminates the secondary Windows logon screen. Either use the same password or: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\ Network 3. Add a Dword value "DisablePwdCaching" and set the value to...

Automatic Screen Refresh

When you make changes to your file system and use Explorer, the changes are not usually displayed until you press the F5 key To refresh automatically: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Update 3. Set the value name "UpdateMode" to...

Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line

There are two ways to delete a key from the Registry from the Command line. At the Windows Command line: RegEdit /l location of System.dat /R location of User.dat /D Registry key to delete You cannot be in Windows at the time you use this switch. Or you can create a reg file as such: REGEDIT4 [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\the key you want to delete] Note the negative sign just...

Change/Add Restrictions And Features

If you want to make restrictions to what users can do or use on their computer without having to run Poledit, you can edit the Registry. You can add and delete Windows features in this Key shown below. Zero is Off and the value 1 is On. Example: to Save Windows settings add or modify the value name NoSaveSettings to 0, if set to1 Windows will not save settings. And NoDeletePrinter...

Creating a Logon Banner

If you want to create a Logon Banner: A message box to appear below your logon on. 1.Open RegEdit 2.Go To For Windows 9x and ME - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon For Windows 2000 XP 2003 Vista - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon 3.Create a new String value"LegalNoticeCaption " ...

Creating a Default File Opener

If you have a un-registered file type and want to view it instead of having to select Open With. Use Explorer's Right-click and add your program to the right-click options by: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\Shell 3. Right click on "Shell" and create a New Key and name it "Open " 4. Create a New Key under the "Open" key you just created and name it "Command"...

Adding Explore From Here to Every Folder

When you want to right click on any folder and want to open up an Explorer window of that folder. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell 3. Add a new Key "RootExplore " under the "Shell" Key 4. Set the (Default) value to "E&xplore From Here " 5. Right Click the "RootExplore " Key and add a new Key "Command"to the RootExplore 6. Set the (Default) value...

Changing the Location of Windows' Installation Files

If you need to change the drive and or path where Windows looks for its installation files: 1.Open RegEdit 2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Setup 3.Edit the value next to SourceP...

Changing Exchange/Outlook Mailbox Location

To change the location of your mailbox for Exchange: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows Messaging Subsystem\ Profiles 3. Go to the profile you want to change 4. Go to the value name that has the file location for your mailbox (*.PST) file 5. Make the change to file location or name To change the location of your mailbox for Outlook 1....

Add/Remove Sound Events from Control Panel

You can Add and delete sounds events in the Control Panel. In order to do that: 1. Open RegEdit2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Eventlabels. If this key does not exist you can create it and add events. 3. You can add/delete any items you want to or delete the ones you no longer want....

Adding an Application to the Right Click on Every Folder

Here is how to add any application to the Context Menu when you right click on any Folder. This way you do not have to always go to the Start Menu. When you right click on any folder, you can have access to that application, the same as using Sent To. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell 3. Add a new Key to the "Shell" Key and name it anything you like.4....

Change the Registered Change the User Information

You can change the Registered Owner or Registered Organization to anything you want even after Windows is installed. 1) Open RegEdit 2) Got to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion. 3) Change the value of "RegisteredOrganization" or "RegisteredOwner", to what ever you want...

Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer

Add the following Registry Keys for a Directory: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew @="Dos Prompt in that Directory" HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command @="command.com /k cd %1" Add or Edit the following Registry Keys for a Drive: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew @="Dos Prompt in that Drive" HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command @="command.com...

Changing Windows' Icons

You can change the Icons Windows uses for folders, the Start Menu, opened and closed folder in the Explorer, and many more. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Shell Icons 3. Add a string value for each Icon you wish to change.Example: "3" ="C:\Windows\Icons\MyIcon.ico,0" This will change the closed folders in...

Change Default Folder Locations

1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Shell Folders 3. Change the desired folder location, My Documents is normally list as "Personal" 4. Open the Explorer and rename or create the folder you wish. To change the desired location of the Program Files folder 1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion...

Disable the Outlook Express Splash Screen

You can make OutLook Express load quicker by disabling the splash screen: 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OutLook Express 3. Add a string value "NoSplash" 4. Set the value data to 1 as a Dword value...

Multiple Columns For the Start Menu

To make Windows use multiple Start Menu Columns instead of a single scrolling column, like Windows 9x had, Also if you are using Classic Mode in XP 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Advanced 3. Create a string value "StartMenuScrollPrograms" 4. Right click the new string value and select modify 5....

Customize the System Tray

You can add your name or anything you like that consists of 8 characters or less. This will replace the AM or PM next to the system time. But you can corrupt some trial licenses of software that you may have downloaded. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International 3. Add two new String values, "s1159" and "s2359" 4. Right click the new value name...

Lock Out Unwanted Users

Want to keep people from accessing Windows, even as the default user? If you do not have a domain do not attempt this. 1. Open RegEdit 2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network\Logon 3. Create a dword value "MustBeValidated" 4. Set the value to 1 This forced logon can be bypassed in Safe Mode on Windows...

FTP Sites to Download Softwares, Games, Music, Movies and e-Books

1. ftp://ftp.freenet.de/pub/filepilot/2. ftp://193.43.36.131/Radio/MP3/3. ftp://195.216.160.175/4. ftp://207.71.8.54:21/games/5. ftp://194.44.214.3/pub/music/6. ftp://202.118.66.15/pub/books7. ftp://129.241.210.42/pub/games/8. ftp://clubmusic:clubmusic@217.172.16.3:8778/9. ftp://212.174.160.21/games10. ftp://ftp.uar.net/pub/e-books/11. ftp://129.241.210.42/pub/games/12. ftp://193.231.238.4/pub/13....

regedit not opening

This is probably have some corrupted files or corrupted registry entries. Insert your W2K/XP CD. If it loads and displays on the screen click Exit. Then go to Start, Run, type sfc /scannow ,click OK. The program will check for corrupted files and reinstall them.Unfortunately it does not provide a report.If that does not work then your next step would be a repair using the Win2K/XP...

An A-Z Index of the Bash command line for Linux.

Bash Comma...

Speed up viewing shared files across a network

Windows 2000 & XP machines delay as long as 30 seconds when you try to view shared files across a network because Windows is using the extra time to search the remote computer for any Scheduled Tasks. Here's how to prevent this remote search for Scheduled Tasks: Open up the Registry and go to :HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpaceUnder...

XP file Sharing

File sharing. Is the sharing of a disk or printer...

Where has Scan Disk Gone

Scandisk is not a part of Windows XP - instead you get the improved CHKDSK. You can use the Error-checking tool to check for file system errors and bad sectors on your hard disk. 1: Open My Computer,...

Easy sendto menu modification

first open - X:\Documents and Settings\username\SendTo (it is hidden) where X is your drive letter and username is your username make and delete shortcuts to folders and devices at will ...

Disable Error Reporting

1. Open Control Panel 2. Click on Performance and Maintenance. 3. Click on System. 4. Then click on the Advanced tab 5. Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows. 6. Select Disable error reporting. ...

WinXP Clear Page file on shutdown

Go to Control panel Administrative tools, local security policy. then goto local policies ---> security options. Then change the option for "Shutdown: Clear Virtual Memory Pagefile" ...

Reduce Temporary Internet F ile Space

The temporary internet files clutter your hard drive with copies of each page visited. These can build up over time and take up disk space. Even more bothersome is that instead of getting new pages each time IE often takes the page out the temp internet files. This can ...

User Accounts and Fast User Switching

User Accounts and Fast User SwitchingBrief infoDOWNL...

Using Remote Desktop

You must first enable the Remote Desktop feature on your office computer so that you can control it remotely from another computer. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to enable Remote...

Slow Shutdown

Some people have noticed that they are experiencing a really slow shutdown after installing Windows XP Home or Professional. Although this can be caused a number of ways, the most clear cut one so far...

Getting an Older Program to Run on Windows XP

1.Right–click the executable or the program shortcut to the executable, and then click Properties. 2.Select the Run this program in compatibility mode check box. 3.From the list, select an operating system that the ...

For a Safer, faster XP Close Unwanted Services

To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no...