Windows XP Tips & Tricks

 

Note:
S-Plus Systems Consultancy will not be responsible for any undesirable results that may occur if you choose to follow the tips and tricks listed in this page. Tips and Tricks listed here may require that you use your system registry editor to change certain registry settings. Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. S-Plus Systems Consultancy cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
 

 

#Tip 1 - To prevent Windows Messenger from running, use one of the following methods.
Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on a Windows XP Professional-Based Computer
  1. Click Start , click Run , type gpedit.msc , and then press ENTER.

     
  2. Double-click the following items to expand them:

     
    • Local Computer Policy

       
    • Computer Configuration

       
    • Administrative Templates

       
    • Windows Components

       
    • Windows Messenger

       
  3. Double-click Do not allow Windows Messenger to run , and then click Enabled .

     
  4. Click OK , and then quit the Group Policy snap-in.

NOTE : Group Policy Editor (Gpedit.msc) is not available on Windows XP Home Edition-based computers.

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition-Based Computer
  1. Start Windows Messenger.

     
  2. Click Options on the Tools menu.

     
  3. Click the Preferences tab, click to clear the Run this program when Windows starts check box, and then click OK .

NOTE : This procedure does not prevent users from manually running Windows Messenger, but it does prevent Windows Messenger from running automatically each time that you start Windows. If you use Outlook Express, Windows Messenger may start automatically each time you run Outlook Express. To prevent Windows Messenger from running when you run Outlook Express, perform the following steps:

  1. In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tools menu.

     
  2. On the General tab, click to clear the Automatically log on to Windows Messenger check box.

     
  3. Click OK .
     
Windows Messenger 4.5 or Later on Windows XP Home Edition-Based or Windows XP Professional-Based Computers
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

     
  2. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New , click Key , and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key.

     
  4. Locate and click the following registry key:
     

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger

  5. On the On the Edit menu, point to New , click Key , and then type Client for the name of the new registry key.

     
  6. Locate and click the following registry key:
     

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client

  7. On the Edit menu, point to New , click DWORD Value , and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value.

     
  8. Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify , type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK .

     
  9. Quit Windows Messenger.

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#Tip 2 - To Use the ultimate XP configuration tool (For Windows XP Pro Only)

One of the most full featured Windows XP configuration tools available is hidden right there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short. To invoke this editor, select Start and then Run, then type the following:
gpedit.msc
After you hit ENTER, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify virtually every feature in Windows XP without having to resort to regedit.

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# Tip 3 - Internet Connection Sharing

To enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection:

  1. Open Network Connections.

  2. Click the dial-up, local area network, PPPoE, or VPN connection you want to share, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.

  3. On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.

  4. If you want this connection to dial automatically when another computer on your home or small office network attempts to access external resources, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box.

  5. If you want other network users to enable or disable the shared Internet connection, select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box.

  6. Under Internet Connection Sharing, in Home networking connection, select any adapter that connects the computer sharing its Internet connection to the other computers on your network.

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# Tip 4 - Reduce Your Temporary Internet 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 be a problem if you are viewing a website that is updated all the time. If you are on a slow connection such as a 56K or lower then this can be good but if you are on a fast broadband connection, like me, then you can get away with decreasing the size of your temp internet files to just one meg without any performance decrease.

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 # Tip 5 - Increase the speed of your Broadband connection

This is for broad band connections.

  1. make sure your logged on as actually "Administrator". do not log on with any account that just has administrator privileges.

  2. start - run - type gpedit.msc

  3. expand the "local computer policy" branch

  4. expand the "administrative templates" branch

  5. expand the "network branch"

  6. Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window

  7. in right window double click the "limit reservable bandwidth" setting

  8. on setting tab check the "enabled" item

  9. where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0

Effect is immediate on some systems, some need to re-boot. This is more of a "counter what XP does" thing. In other words, programs can request up to 20% of the bandwidth be reserved for them, even with QoS disabled, this is no big deal and most programs do not request it. So, although QOS has caused a big stink because people think it reserves 20% of their bandwidth, you can still disable it, just to be sure.

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 # Tip 6 - Create a password reset disk

Microsoft has enhanced security features in XP including the the ability to create a floppy diskette to recover your password incase it is forgotten.

  • Click Start

  • Click Control Panel

  • Click User Accounts

  • Click on the account which you want to create a password disk

  • Click Prevent a forgotten password which starts the Forgotten Password Wizard . This is found under Related Tasks

  • Insert a blank, formatted disk into drive A, and click Next

  • Enter the password in the Current user account password box

To use the recovery disk, at the Welcome screen

  • Click the user name whose password is on the recovery disk

  • Click the question mark button

  • This causes the Did you forget your password message to appear.

  • Click use your password reset disk

  • This will start the Password Reset Wizard.

From this point, just follow the wizard's instructions and you will be able to set a new password.

To create a password reset disk for your local user account within a Domain:
  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE. The Windows Security dialog box appears.
  2. Click Change Password . The Change Password dialog box appears.
  3. In the Log on to box, click the local computer. For example, click Computer (this computer) .
  4. Click Backup . The Forgotten Password Wizard starts.
  5. On the "Welcome to the Forgotten Password Wizard" page, click Next .
  6. Insert a blank, formatted disk in drive A, and then click Next .
  7. In the Current user account password box, type your password, and then click Next . The Forgotten Password Wizard creates the disk.
  8. When the progress bar reaches 100 percent complete, click Next , and then click Finish . The Forgotten Password Wizard quits and you return to the Change Password dialog box.
  9. Remove, and then label the password reset disk. Store the disk in a safe place.
  10. In the Change Password dialog box, click Cancel .
  11. In the Windows Security dialog box, click Cancel.

If you forget your password, you can log on to the computer with a new password that you create by using the Password Reset Wizard and your password reset disk.
To gain access to your local user account on a computer that is a member of a domain, or has been disconnected from a domain:

  1. In the Welcome to Windows dialog box, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
  2. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type an incorrect password in the Password box, and then click OK .
  3. In the Logon Failed dialog box that appears, click Reset . The Password Reset Wizard starts. The Password Reset Wizard lets you create a new password for your local user account.
  4. On the "Welcome to the Password Reset Wizard" page, click Next .
  5. Insert the password reset disk in drive A, and then click Next .
  6. On the "Reset the User Account Password" page, type a new password in the Type a new password box.
  7. Type the same password in the Type the password again to confirm box.
  8. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint that will help you remember the password if you forget it. NOTE : This hint is visible to anyone who attempts to log on to the computer by using your user account.
  9. Click Next , and then click Finish . The Password Reset Wizard quits and you return to the Log On to Windows dialog box. The password reset disk is automatically updated with the new password information. You do not have to create a new password reset disk.
  10. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your new password in the Password box.
  11. In the Log on to box, click the local computer. For example, click Computer (this computer) , and then click OK . You are logged on to the local computer with your local account information.

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# Tip 7 - How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP

Method 1: Reinstall Windows XP from Within Windows XP

To reinstall Windows XP from within Windows XP, follow these steps:

  1. Start your computer.
     

  2. Insert the Windows XP compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
     

  3. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page that appears, click Install Windows XP .
     

  4. On the Welcome to Windows Setup page, click Upgrade (Recommended) in the Installation Type box (if it is not already selected), and then click Next .
     

  5. On the License Agreement page, click I accept this agreement , and then click Next .
     

  6. On the Your Product Key page, type the 25-character product key in the appropriate Product key boxes, and then click Next
     

  7. On the Get Updated Setup Files page, select the option that you want, and then click Next .
     

  8. Follow the instructions on the remaining pages of the Windows XP Setup Wizard to reinstall Windows XP.
     

Method 2: Reinstall Windows XP by Starting Your Computer from the Windows XP Compact Disc

To reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP compact disc or from MS-DOS mode, or by starting your computer from a Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) or Microsoft Windows 98 startup disk, follow these steps:

  1. Do one of the following:
     

    • If you want to reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP compact disc, insert the Windows XP compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

      When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP compact disc.

      NOTE : Your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, please see your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.

      -or-
       

    • If you want to reinstall Windows XP from MS-DOS mode by starting your computer from a startup disk, follow these steps:
       

      1. Insert the Windows XP compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
         

      2. Insert the Windows Me or Windows 98 startup disk into your computer's floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.
         

      3. When the Windows Startup menu appears, select Start Computer with CD-ROM Support .
         

      4. Make a note of the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive -- for example, E.

        NOTE : Before you proceed to the next step, you may want to run SMARTDrive (Smartdrv.exe). If you do not use SMARTDrive, the portion of Windows XP Setup that copies files to the hard disk may perform very slowly.
         

      5. At the command prompt, type the following lines, and be sure to press ENTER after each line

        e:
        cd i386
        winnt.exe

        where E is the drive letter of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP compact disc.
         

      6. Type the path to the Windows XP installation files, and then press ENTER. For example, type e :\i386 , where E is the drive letter of the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP compact disc.
         

      7. When you see following message displayed on your screen, remove the startup disk from your computer's floppy disk drive, and then press ENTER: 

           The MS-DOS based portion of the Setup is complete.
   Setup will not restart your computer. After your computer restarts,
   Windows XP Setup will continue.

   If there is a floppy disk in drive A; remove it now.

   Press ENTER to restart your computer and continue Windows XP Setup.

        The computer restarts and Setup resumes.
         

  2. The following message is displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen that appears: 

       This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft 
   Windows XP to run on your computer:

   To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

   To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

   To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

    Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.
     

  3. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
     

  4. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
     

  5. Follow the instructions on the remaining screens to reinstall Windows XP.

    After you repair Windows XP, you may be required to reactivate your copy of Windows XP.

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# Tip 8 - How to Move a Windows XP Installation to Different Hardware

Windows Backup (Ntbackup.exe) can handle differences in hardware configuration information between computers and maintain critical registry entries that are unique to the computer to which you are migrating information. This capability means that you can migrate to new hardware by performing a full backup of the source computer and then restoring the backup over a fresh installation of Windows XP on the destination computer.

Ntbackup.exe handles restore operations in the registry by first querying the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\KeysNotToRestore

This registry key indicates to Ntbackup.exe that certain registry keys under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM key should not be overwritten when files are restored.

An entry that ends with a backslash (\) indicates that a key is protected and that any keys or values under that key should not be restored. If the entry ends with a backslash and an asterisk (\*), all subkeys are "merged." In this situation, "merged" means comparing the start values of the keys in the backup set with the start values that exist in the current registry, to determine the correct key to restore.

If the value of the key on the backup set has a lower start value, the backup key takes precedence. If the value of the key in the current registry has a lower start value, the current key takes precedence. This process ensures that all services and devices start correctly after a "system state" restoration, even on dissimilar hardware.

For example: If the value of the following key on the backup set has a lower start value, the backup key takes precedence:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dhcp

If the value of the same key in the current registry has a lower start value than the key you want to restore, the current key takes precedence. 

                Original System   New System: Before Restore  After Restore
   ========================================================================
   DHCP Running:      YES                          NO             YES
   DHCP Running:      NO                           YES            YES  
   DHCP Running:      NO                           NO             NO

After the computer successfully restarts, Windows Plug and Play takes care of any minor differences in hardware configuration.

The Factors to Consider Before You Use This Procedure

Drive Letters and the %SystemRoot% Folder

For a complete migration to work correctly, the %SystemRoot% folder (the Windows folder in Windows XP) and the drive letters for any (target) volumes that contain a system-state component must be the same on both the source computer and the destination computer. This means that if the source computer has, for example, Windows XP Professional installed in the C:\Windows folder and has Active Directory (NTDS) and SYSVOL on separate drives, drive D and drive E respectively, the destination computer must have Windows XP pre-installed in a C:\Windows folder and contain drives D and E before the restore operation can succeed.

Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

The HALs on both of the computers should be the same. This means that the source and destination computers should be using the same HAL type to achieve favorable results. Although this is not a requirement, the computer may not perform migration properly if the HALs do not match.

To determine the type of HAL that you are using on each computer:

  1. Click Start , click Control Panel , and then double-click System .
     

  2. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager , and then view the listing under Computer . Possible values for the system description and the associated HAL include:

    ACPI Multiprocessor PC = Halmacpi.dll
    ACPI Uniprocessor PC = Halaacpi.dll
    Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC = Halacpi.dll
    MPS Multiprocessor PC = Halmps.dll
    MPS Uniprocessor PC = Halapic.dll
    Standard PC = Hal.dll
    Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible = Halsp.dll

The Windows\Repair Folder

The Windows\Repair folder that contains your source computer hardware and software configuration files and the Setup.log file may not be valid for the new hardware on the destination computer to which you restored them. You should perform an in-place upgrade on the destination computer to update these files so that you can make the appropriate repairs in the future if necessary.

NTFS Volumes

You may need to start special filter drivers before you can restore files that contain reparse points to NTFS volumes. This means that before you can restore these types of files, you need to restart the computer after you restore the operating system. Examples of these types of files include Remote Installation Services (RIS) images that rely on Single Instance Storage (SIS), Remote Storage Server (RSS) files that you are restoring to managed volumes, or other third-party services that use reparse points and require filter drivers.

The Procedure for Moving a Windows Installation

  1. On the destination computer, perform a new installation of Windows, using the product type that matches that of the source computer. Ensure that the drive letter and %SystemRoot% folder names match those on the source computer.
     

  2. Using Disk Management, create, format, and assign drive letters to any additional volumes that may be required to hold a system-state component (for example, SYSVOL, Active Directory, or Active Directory Log files). Ensure that all drive letters match those on the source computer.

    For additional information about drive letter assignments,, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    Q307844 HOW TO: Change Drive Letter Assignments in Windows XP

  3. On the source computer, log on as Administrator, and then stop all the non-essential services that you normally stop before performing a backup.
     

  4. Using Ntbackup.exe, back up the system\boot volume, the system state, and associated NTDS and SYSVOL volumes, if applicable.

    For additional information about how to perform a backup, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    Q308422 HOW TO: Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer

  5. On the destination computer, log on as Administrator. If the system that you want to restore is a destination computer, you must restart the computer, press F8 during startup, and then click Directory Services Restore Mode before you log on as Administrator.
     

  6. Start Ntbackup.exe, click Options on the Tools menu, click the Restore tab, and then click Always replace the file on my computer . Restore the system\boot volume, the system state, and associated volumes from the backup that you performed previously. Make sure that you select the option to restore them to "original location" in the backup program.

    For additional information about how to restore, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    Q309340 HOW TO: Use Backup to Restore Files and Folders on Your Computer

    NOTE : To have access to all removable media (tape or magneto-optic [MO] disk) from the source computer after the full system restore is complete, you must also click Restore Removable Storage Database under Advanced before you begin the restore.
     

  7. After the full restoration finishes, and before you restart the destination computer, make sure that the computer is disconnected from the network, to avoid conflicts.
     

  8. Restart the computer.

    • If the computer does not restart after restoration because of HAL mismatches, you can start from the Windows installation disk to perform an in-place installation or repair. This type of repair occurs after you accept the licensing agreement, and Setup searches for previous versions to repair. When the installation that is damaged or needs repair is found, press R to repair the selected installation. Setup re-enumerates your computer's hardware (including the HAL) and performs an in-place upgrade while maintaining your programs and user settings. This also refreshes the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder with accurate information that you can use for normal repairs.
       

    • If the computer does restart after the restoration, log on as Administrator and initiate an in-place upgrade by running Winnt32.exe from the i386 folder on the Windows CD-ROM. This refreshes the Setup.log and registry files in the %SystemRoot%\Repair folder, and ensures that the proper HAL is in use.

    Note that in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, user profiles are stored as a subfolder of the %SystemRoot%\Profiles folder. In Windows XP, if the installation is an upgrade, the existing profile path continues to be used. In new Windows XP installations, a Documents and Settings folder is created on the same volume as the Windows XP installation, to hold user profiles. If the original system was an upgrade from Windows NT, the original profiles will be used after the restore. However, if an in-place upgrade is performed, you may need to change the profiles' path in the registry back to %SystemRoot%\Profiles by modifying the keys under the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

  9. After the upgrade is finished and you are certain that everything works, you can remove the source (original) computer from the network and connect the destination (new) computer in its place.

NOTE : The difference between the time of the backup and the time of the restoration to the new computer may affect the machine account on the domain controller. You may have to join a workgroup first, and then rejoin the domain.

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# Tip 9 - Shutdown Works, but it is real slow

If it appears that Win XP is not shutting down, give it some time. Some users report a minute or longer for shutdown to visibly start. Generally, this is a consequence of software that is running when shutdown is attempted; it also may have something to do with particular hardware. If you experience this problem, be sure to close all running programs before attempting shutdown and see if this solves your problem. If so, then you can determine, by trial and error, which program(s) are involved.
One specific solution for this. In Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services, stop the Nvidia Driver Helper service. (You can also get this by launching SERVICES.MSC from a Run box.) Many other newsgroup participants quickly confirmed that this solved this extremely slow shutdown problem for them.
Another possible solution: In Win XP Professional, the Group Policy Editor has a security option to clear the pagefile at system shutdown. The same setting also forces the hibernation file to be wiped at shutdown. These processes take long enough that users may think that shutdown has hung. Since someone actually has to have set this policy, the problem will be pretty rare, but is worth mentioning. To change the setting, click Start | Run, type GPEDIT.MSC, click OK. Drill down to Computer Configuration | Windows Settings | Security Settings | Local Policies | Security Options. In the right pane, find Shutdown: Clear virtual memory pagefile.

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# Tip 10 - You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart

To resolve this problem, download and execute the following file from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download Q317277_wxp_sp1_x86_enu.exe now   or

WORKAROUND

You can solve this problem by recreating the pagefile. To recreate the pagefile, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start .
     

  2. Right-click My Computer .
     

  3. Click Properties .
     

  4. On the Advanced tab, in the Performance section, click Settings .
     

  5. In the Virtual Memory section, click Change .
     

  6. For Paging file size for selected drive , click No Paging File and then click Set .
     

  7. Click Yes after the following warning appears:

    If the paging file on volume X : has an initial size of less than xx megabytes, then the system may not be able to create a debugging information file if a STOP error occurs. Continue anyway?

    ( X is the drive letter and xx is the amount of RAM installed on your computer minus 1 megabyte.)

  8. Click System Managed Size .
     

  9. Click OK four times, and then restart the computer when you are prompted.

For an alternative to this procedeure, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Q255205 How to Delete the Pagefile.sys File in Recovery Console

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# Tip 11 - Sets the amount of time a network connection is kept between a remote PC.

1. Edit the registry by running regedit.exe

2. Edit the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters\autodisconnect.

3. Modify the REG_DWORD value from 15 minutes to 2 in decimal

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# Tip 12 - Backup for Windows XP Home Edition

"I use Windows XP Professional at work. I decided to save some money
    and use Windows XP Home Edition on my home computer as well. I don't
    need many of the extras that I lost by purchasing the Home edition,
    but I do miss the backup program.

    "I would like to back up the data on my XP Home machine to another
    computer on my three-computer LAN. Since the Windows backup program
    isn't available, can you suggest some kind of similar backup
    program? I don't want to pay a lot of money for this, so a freeware
    program would do."

You don't have to buy a backup program, or even look for a freeware
program; the Windows backup program is on your XP installation disk,
although it isn't installed by default. To install the backup program,
put the installation disc into your CD-ROM drive and open it in Windows
Explorer. Navigate to \VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP. In the NTBACKUP folder,
double-click ntbackup.msi to install the program. Once you install the
backup program, it will appear in Start, All Programs, Accessories,
System Tools.