Windows^? XP Timesaving Techniques^TM For Dummies^?, 2nd Edition

by Woody Leonhard (Phuket Island, Thailand); With: Justin Leonhard

• ISBN13: 9780764596179
• ISBN10: 0764596179
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780470149584, 9780764578830
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: For Dummies
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Written by one of the world's best known and well-respected Windows gurus, this revised edition includes all the changes that come with Windows XP Service Pack 2. One-third of this new edition is updated to cover the latest software changes, including invaluable tips on the new security, anti pop-up, and media features that come with the SP2 upgrade. Other topics include streamlining maintenance, managing passwords more effectively, and setting security to prevent virus problems.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: No-Bull Installation and Setup.

Technique 1: Getting the Latest Version of Windows.

Technique 2: Running the Activation Gauntlet.

Technique 3: Retrieving Your Product Key.

Technique 4: Installing a Legal Copy of Windows XP over a Bootleg.

Part II: Making Windows Lean and Clean.

Technique 5: Making Windows Work Faster.

Technique 6: Shut Down, Restart, and Switch Users Quickly.

Technique 7: Saving Time (And Your Eyes) On-Screen.

Technique 8: Stopping a Thief with Your Welcome Screen.

Technique 9: Rapid Power Passwords.

Technique 10: Windows Power Management.

Technique 11: Keeping Programs from Starting Automatically.

Technique 12: Removing and Reinstalling Programs.

Part III: Convincing Windows to Work Your Way.

Technique 13: Streamlining the Start Menu.

Technique 14: Building a Power Desktop.

Technique 15: Tricking Out the Taskbar.

Technique 16: Launching Your Most-Used Programs Quickly.

Technique 17: Making Programs Run Your Way.

Technique 18: Using Built-In Keyboard Shortcuts.

Technique 19: Making Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts.

Technique 20: Exploring Effectively.

Technique 21: Finding the Files You Want Fast.

Technique 22: Listing Files Quickly.

Part IV: Making the Most of Internet and E-Mail.

Technique 23: Customizing Internet Explorer.

Technique 24: Saving Time with Google.

Technique 25: Locating and Sharing Files on the Internet.

Technique 26: Keeping Messenger in Line.

Technique 27: Polyglot IMing with Trillian.

Technique 28: Streamlining Outlook Express.

Technique 29: Zapping Junk Mail.

Technique 30: Protecting Your Kids.

Part V: Optimizing Your Musical Entertainment.

Technique 31: Using Windows Media Player.

Technique 32: No-Nonsense Music Gathering.

Technique 33: Buying Music on the Web.

Technique 34: Tuning In the Radio.

Technique 35: Creating Your Own Music CDs.

Technique 36: Transferring Music to MP3 Players.

Part VI: Having Fun and Saving Time with Visual Media.

Technique 37: Taking Snapshots with a Webcam.

Technique 38: Recording Video with a Webcam.

Technique 39: Editing Your Home Movies.

Technique 40: Managing Pictures from a Digital Camera.

Technique 41: Doing More with Your Pics.

Technique 42: Decreasing Picture Download Times.

Technique 43: Printing and Posting Pictures.

Technique 44: Using a Scanner Effectively.

Part VII: Ensuring Peak Network Performance.

Technique 45: Installing a Small Network.

Technique 46: Securing Your Wireless Network.

Technique 47: Adding and Configuring a New User.

Technique 48: Sharing Drives and Folders.

Part VIII: Fast Security Techniques.

Technique 49: Protecting Your PC from Viruses While You Sleep.

Technique 50: Plugging and Unplugging Windows Firewall.

Technique 51: Building a Better Firewall.

Technique 52: Zapping Scumware.

Technique 53: Canning Adware and Obnoxious Cookies.

Technique 54: Checking Your Security Perimeter.

Part IX: Keeping Your PC Alive.

Technique 55: Updating Windows on Your Own Terms.

Technique 56: Running Disk Chores While You Sleep.

Technique 57: Keeping Your Hard Drive in Shape.

Technique 58: Updating Drivers Safely.

Technique 59: Running Periodic Maintenance.

Technique 60: Making Backups — Fast.

Technique 61: Requesting Remote Assistance.

Technique 62: Getting Help Fast.

Part X: Fast (Nearly Painless) Disaster Recovery.

Technique 63: Getting Your PC to Boot When It Doesn’t Want To.

Technique 64: Restoring Your System after Calamitous Change.

Technique 65: Recovering a Lost Password.

Technique 66: Surviving the Blue Screen of Death.

Technique 67: Creating a Startup Disk.

Part XI: The Scary (Or Fun!) Stuff.

Technique 68: Changing the Registry without Getting Burned.

Technique 69: Updating Windows’ Registered Owner.

Technique 70: Speeding Up Scanning for Squishable Files.

Technique 71: Using Program Compatibility Modes.

Technique 72: Fast, Easy, and Safe Online Shopping.

Index.