Windows XP Tips and Tricks in Easy Steps

by Yarnold, Stuart

• ISBN13: 9781840782974
• ISBN10: 1840782978
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-30
• Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited

Summary

What drives you nuts about Windows XP? What can you just never figure out how to do? Chances are, you'll find the answers and solutions you're looking for in Windows XP Tips & Tricks In Easy Steps. This book covers the waterfront. Want to get rid of those stinkin' Balloon Tips? Find those desktop icons that Windows XP hid on you? Go back to 640 x 480 resolution, even though Microsoft officially eliminated that option? Speed up your Start menu? Shut down in one click instead of several? All here.

Table of Contents

Performance	7	(22)
Introduction	8	(2)
Windows XP System Requirements	10	(1)
How to Back Up the Registry	11	(1)
Streamline the Registry	12	(1)
Defragment the Hard Drive	13	(1)
Adjust XP's Display Properties	14	(1)
Disable Unneeded Internal Services	15	(2)
Run XP From Memory	17	(1)
Give Important Programs Priority	18	(1)
Force XP to Unload DLL Files	19	(1)
Boost the System with NTFS	20	(1)
Keep the File System Healthy	21	(1)
Slim Down the Hard Drive	22	(1)
Clean Out the Prefetch Folder	23	(1)
Resource-Hungry Programs	24	(1)
Purge the System of Malware	25	(2)
Spring-Clean the PC	27	(1)
Use Task Manager for a Faster PC	28	(1)
Boot-up and Shutdown	29	(10)
Boot-up Tweaks	30	(1)
Startup Programs	30	(2)
Streamline the Fonts Folder	32	(1)
Screensavers and Wallpaper	33	(1)
Change the BIOS Boot Sequence	34	(1)
Enable Quick Power On Self Test (POST)	35	(1)
Disable Floppy Drive Seek	35	(1)
Disable IDE Slot Auto-Detection	36	(1)
Shutdown Tweaks	37	(1)
Close Services Quickly	37	(1)
Automatically End Tasks on Shutdown	38	(1)
System Customization	39	(14)
Single-Click Operation	40	(1)
Customize the Send To Menu	41	(1)
Speed Up XP's Start Menu	42	(1)
Rename the Recycle Bin	43	(1)
How to Change File Associations	44	(1)
Mouse Snap-To	45	(1)
Customize XP's Thumbnail Sizes	46	(2)
Hide Frequently Used Programs List	48	(2)
Log on Automatically to XP	50	(2)
Remove Shared Documents Folders	52	(1)
XP Annoyances	53	(8)
Say Goodbye to Error Reports	54	(1)
Banish New Program Messages	55	(1)
Hide the Logon Email Message Alert	56	(1)
Puncture Those Balloon Tips	57	(1)
Cancel Unsigned Driver Warnings	58	(1)
Set the Correct Refresh Rate	59	(1)
Shoot the Messenger	60	(1)
Cosmetic Customization	61	(16)
Restore Familiar Desktop Icons	62	(1)
How to Configure XP's Taskbar	63	(1)
Lose XP's New Look	64	(1)
Change XP's Icons	65	(1)
How to Customize Folder Icons	66	(1)
Create Your Own Icons	67	(2)
Uncover XP's Hidden Icons	69	(1)
Get Rid of Shortcut Arrows	70	(1)
Create Your Own Wallpaper	71	(1)
Create a Personal Screensaver	72	(1)
Change User Picture Icons	73	(1)
Change the Logon Bitmap	74	(1)
Add Extra Themes to XP	75	(1)
How to Display a Logon Message	76	(1)
Multimedia	77	(10)
Get Media Player 2 Back	78	(1)
Keep the CDs in the Drawer	79	(1)
Use the Correct Graphic Format	80	(2)
How to Create a Movie CD/DVD	82	(2)
Get the Best Out of Your Games	84	(1)
Disable Media Content Protection	85	(1)
Create a PC Entertainment Center	86	(1)
Security	87	(14)
Secure the PC Against Attack	88	(1)
Install Service Pack 2	88	(1)
Run a Firewall	88	(1)
Run an Anti-Virus Program	89	(1)
Turn On Automatic Updates	89	(1)
Password-Protect Your Accounts	90	(2)
Password-Protect Your Folders	92	(1)
Lock the Computer Quickly	93	(1)
Create an Encrypted Password Disk	94	(1)
Keep Your Account Password Safe	95	(1)
How to Hide Private Folders	96	(1)
Hide Your Browsing Tracks	97	(2)
Turn Off AutoComplete	99	(1)
Censor Web Content	100	(1)
Installation/Setting Up	101	(14)
Trouble-Free XP Installation	102	(1)
How to do a Clean XP Installation	103	(4)
Dual Booting with XP	107	(1)
Setting the Default Boot System	108	(1)
Set up XP for Several Users	109	(2)
Don't Lose Your Old Files & Settings	111	(1)
Read the Instructions	112	(1)
Run Older Applications on XP	113	(1)
Manage Your Drives with XP	114	(1)
Shortcuts	115	(10)
Switch Users Quickly	116	(1)
Quickly Switch Between Applications	117	(1)
Add Pop-Up Menus to the Taskbar	118	(1)
Create Hotkey Shortcuts	119	(1)
Use the Windows Logo Key	120	(1)
How to do a Quick Keyword Search	121	(1)
Easy Email	122	(1)
One-Click Shutdown/Restart Icons	123	(1)
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts	124	(1)
The Internet	125	(24)
Minimize Interrupted Downloads	126	(2)
Keep Your Dial-Up Connection Alive	128	(2)
Speed Up Your Connection	130	(2)
Speed Up Your Browser	132	(2)
How to Repair Internet Explorer	134	(1)
Set Your Own Homepage	135	(1)
How to Back Up Your Favorites	136	(1)
File-Sharing	137	(1)
Save Your Files On the Internet	138	(1)
How to Date a Web Page	139	(1)
Power Surfing	140	(1)
Use All Your Download Bandwidth	141	(1)
How to Change Internet Explorer's Default Search Engine	142	(1)
Stop Desktop Spam Messages	143	(1)
Miscellaneous Internet Explorer Tips	144	(3)
Internet Explorer Key Shortcuts	147	(2)
Email	149	(16)
How to Back Up Email Messages	150	(2)
How to Back Up Email Accounts	152	(1)
How to Back Up the Address Book	153	(1)
How to Open Blocked Attachments in Outlook Express	154	(2)
High-Risk File Types	156	(1)
Low-Risk File Types	157	(1)
How to Confirm Your Message Has Been Received	158	(1)
Automatically Resize Email Pictures	159	(1)
How to Beat the Spammers	160	(2)
Check Your Emails From Any PC	162	(1)
Minimize Outlook to the System Tray	163	(1)
Outlook Express Keyboard Shortcuts	164	(1)
Miscellaneous	165	(22)
Stop XP Asking for the Installation Disk	166	(2)
Keyboard Calculator	168	(1)
Successful Minesweeping	169	(1)
Compress Files and Folders with XP	170	(1)
How to Silence the Modem	171	(1)
How to Locate XP's Backup Utility	172	(1)
Be On Time with XP	173	(1)
Windows Update Catalog	174	(2)
How to Fax with XP	176	(1)
How to Restart Windows Explorer	177	(1)
Quick Internet Searching	178	(2)
XP's Power Toys	180	(1)
Automatic Email Backup for Outlook	181	(1)
Improve Text Clarity	182	(2)
Batch Renaming of Files	184	(2)
How to Test Your Connection-Speed	186	(1)
Index	187