Easy XP Tweaks has been close by Admin and that was a good thing because it was becoming a place for almost random posts. I am starting again fresh, and this time can we make it 100% tweaks if you have a problem please post in Windows XP, 2000, 2003, NT Forum that is what it is there for.

Also don't add any thank you posts, PM the person that way only one person reads it and not thousands of other users. I will try to have non-tweak posts removed after a two weeks or so, thank you for understanding.

When posting please follow the paten I set in my tweaks, makes it look nice and tidy that way. And if don't under stand a tweak, think a tweak should not be here or should be done differently, or a link dose not work please PM me and I will fix it.

Tweak Index

Red are proformance Tweaks
Green are thing for conveinence
Blue are Hard drive/File Related
Purple How to do Usefull Things

Tweak #1 Remove Two Annoying Windows Components
Tweak #2 Turn off Indexing
Tweak #3 Turn off Hibernation
Tweak #4 Remove Windows Messenger
Tweak #5 Turn off Auto Restart
Tweak #6 Repair Corrupt Files
Tweak #7 Disable Start UP Programs
Tweak #8 Commands, Hotkeys & Short-Cuts
Tweak #9 Using the Registry
Tweak #10 Change Icon for File Type
Tweak #11 Display Settings
Tweak #12 Shutdown, Restart and logoff Icons on Desktop
Tweak #13 Page File
Tweak #14 Move My Docs off of C
Tweak #15 QFECheck - how to make sure hotfixes are installed
Tweak #16 Limiting Accounts
Tweak #17 System Info
Tweak #18 Windows Explorer Shortcut
Tweak #19 Turn Off Visual Effects
Tweak #20 All the Messengers
Tweak #21 Turn Off "Low Disk Space" Notification
Tweak #22 Diable Balloon Tips
Tweak #23 Stop System Sounds
Tweak #24 Clipboard Viewer
Tweak #25 Viewing/Changing File Associations
Tweak #26 Where the Icons Are
Tweak #27 Customise Desktop Icons
Tweak #28 Customise Windows Explorer
Tweak #29 Profile Tweaks - Desktop, Quick Launch, and Start Menu
Tweak #30 Shorten System set Delays
Tweak #31 Clean out the Prefetch folder
Tweak #32 How to Delete
Tweak #33 Microsoft Update
Tweak #34 Repair/Reinstall Windows Components
Tweak #35 Remove Entries From Add/Remove Programs
Tweak #36 How to Unistall Programs
Tweak #37 Add/Remove Optional Components
Tweak #38 Add Another Menu to the Task Bar
Tweak #39 Folder Options
Tweak #40 Remove Unwanted Context menus

If you have come here because your computer is slow, and at the same time you have haveing popups, unknow toolbars in Internet Explorer, or your computer is just acting how it should not, you probably have malware such as a Virus, Spyware, Adware, or Trojan Horse. If this is the case you should first read You Must Read This Before Posting A Hijackthis Log and then post in the Malware Forum once clean come back here.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 22 2005, 05:07 AM

Tweak #1: Remove Two Annoying Windows Components

Have you tried to disable messenger, but it still shows in the system tray icon every now and then? If so, this next tweak is for you. To completely turn off Windows Messenger:

1. Go to Start < Run
2. Type or Copy in "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove" with out the quotes and press enter
3. Restart and you will never see Windows Messenger again!

It is best it you copy and paste that command it is very hard to type right. This will do nothing to MSN messenger if you have it.

Ever get sick of Accessibility Tools?

1. Go to Start < Run
2. Type of Copy in "RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\optional.inf,BLC.Remove"
3. Restart and you will never see Accessibility Tools again!

It is best it you copy and paste that command it is very hard to type right

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 21 2005, 02:25 AM

Tweak #2: Turn off Indexing to Speed up Response Time

Another by Smokey



When this is done it is normal for there to be errors that say it can not be applied to some files, this is because they are being used by the computer, just ignore it. If the box to untick is not there it is because your file system dose not support having it on.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 13 2005, 12:12 AM

Tweak #3: Turn off Hibernation

Another by Smokey



Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 6 2005, 10:43 PM

Tweak #4: Remove "Messenger Service" Advertisements from non-Service Pack XP PCs

Another by Smokey



Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 6 2005, 10:43 PM

Tweak #5: Turn off Auto Restart

By Johanna



Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 12 2005, 05:36 PM

Tweak #6: Repair Corrupt Files.

Some times in XP files get corrupt, the good thing is it is easy to fix.

Now go
Start < run and type sfc /scannow (note the space between the sfc and /)

It will ask you for you installation CD so have it ready. This will gives you a blue bar it can tack some time to finish (any where up to an hour) when it gose reboot. It fixes any files that have become corrupt.

Go
Start < run and type chkdsk /r /x (again note the spaces)

This many ask you if you what to do it in your next boot, answer yes. Wanning this may take some time to finish, about 1 minute per gigbyte. This will fix all hard drive errors.

You should not use you computer while you do either of these.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael Buckley: Oct 9 2005, 03:16 AM

Tweak #7: Disable Startup programs

This will make booting a lot quicker, because many program that are installed get parts to load into Ram when Windows Loads, disabling it will not stop the program working. Most of these program are not needed. As a guide you should only need your Anti Virus and Spyware, instant message program if you use them and some times you that diver for the flashy new mouse that you have just got.

The first place to look is
Start then Programs then Startup
Every thing found can be deleted, they are never needed.

The second place to look is
Start press Run and type msconfig and press OK

When it loads open the Startup tab. Have a good look at the command column this is where the .exe file that runs the start up item is. From this you should be able to work out what program is it and if you needed. If unsure you can test what turning it off dose, you can turn it back on if you need it. Changing anything will not stop Windows working, it may disable your security software but if you do things a few at a time, you should know when this happens and you can undo the changes.

Hope you find this tweak useful, please do not post comments in this thread.

This post has been edited by Michael: Nov 25 2006, 07:17 AM

Tweak #8: Run Commands, Hotkeys & Short-Cuts

Run Commands
-------------------------------------------------------------------
compmgmt.msc - Computer management
devmgmt.msc - Device manager
diskmgmt.msc - Disk management
dfrg.msc - Disk defrag
eventvwr.msc - Event viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Shared folders
gpedit.msc - Group policies
lusrmgr.msc - Local users and groups
perfmon.msc - Performance monitor
rsop.msc - Resultant set of policies
secpol.msc - Local security settings
services.msc - Various Services
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
regedit - Registry Editor
msinfo32 - System Information
sysedit - System Edit
win.ini - windows loading information(also system.ini)
winver - Shows current version of windows
mailto: - Opens default email client
command - Opens command prompt

Run Commands to access the control panel
-------------------------------------------------------------------
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs
control admintools - Adminastrative Tools
control color - The Display with the appearance tab open
control date/time - Date and Time properties
control folders - Folder Options
control fonts - Fonts Folder
control infrared - Infrared folder if available
control netconnections - Network and Dial-up Connections window
control netware - Netware window if installed and available
control panel - Control Panle
control printers - Printers Folder control printers
control schedtasks - Schedule tasks window
ccontrol telephony - Location information window
control userpasswords - User Accounts
desk.cpl - Display Properties
findfast.cpl - FindFast control
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
Hdwwiz.cpl - Add Hardware Wizard
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Properties
intl.cpl - Regional and Language Options
joy.cpl - Game Controls
jpicpl32.cpl - Java Control Panle
main.cpl keyboard - keyboard Keyboard Properties
main.cpl - Mouse Properties
mlcfg32.cpl - Mail and Fax
mmsys.cpl - Multimedia Properties
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties
ncpa.cpl - NetWork Connections
netcpl.cpl - Network Properties
netsetup.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
nusrmgr.cpl - User Accounts
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
Powercfg.cpl - Power Options
password.cpl - Password Properties control
sysdm.cpl - System Properties
Telephon.cpl - Telephone Controls
timedate.cpl - Date/Time Properties
wscui.cpl - Windows Security Center
Wuaucpl.cpl - Windows Auto Updater



Command Prompt
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSI.SYS - Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reassign keys.
APPEND - Causes MS-DOS to look in other directories when editing a file or running a command.
ARP - Displays, adds, and removes arp information from network devices.
ASSIGN - Assign a drive letter to an alternate letter.
ASSOC - View the file associations.
AT - Schedule a time to execute commands or programs.
ATMADM - Lists connections and addresses seen by Windows ATM call manager.
ATTRIB - Display and change file attributes.

BATCH - Recovery console command that executes a series of commands in a file.
BACKUP - Enables users to backup their data on their computer.
BOOTCFG - Recovery console command that allows a user to view, modify, and rebuild the boot.ini
BREAK - Enable / disable CTRL + C feature.

CACLS - View and modify file ACL's.
CALL - Calls a batch file from another batch file.
CD - Changes directories.
CHCP - Supplement the International keyboard and character set information.
CHDIR - Changes directories.
CHKDSK - Check the hard disk drive running FAT for errors.
CHKNTFS - Check the hard disk drive running NTFS for errors.
CHOICE - Specify a listing of multiple options within a batch file.
CLS - Clears the screen.
CMD - Opens the command interpreter.
COLOR - Easily change the foreground and background color of the MS-DOS window.
COMMAND - Opens the command interpreter.
COMP - Compares files.
COMPACT - Compresses and uncompress files.
CONTROL - Open control panel icons from the MS-DOS prompt.
CONVERT - Convert FAT to NTFS.
COPY - Copy one or more files to an alternate location.
CTTY - Change the computers input/output devices.

DATE - View or change the systems date.
DEBUG - Debug utility to create assembly programs to modify hardware settings.
DEFRAG - Re-arrange the hard disk drive to help with loading programs.
DEL - Deletes one or more files.
DELETE - Recovery console command that deletes a file.
DELTREE - Deletes one or more files and/or directories.
DIR - List the contents of one or more directory.
DISABLE - Recovery console command that disables Windows system services or drivers.
DISKCOMP - Compare a disk with another disk.
DISKCOPY - Copy the contents of one disk and place them on another disk.
DISKPART - used to delete and create partitions.
DOSKEY - Command to view and execute commands that have been run in the past.
DOSSHELL - A GUI to help with early MS-DOS users.
DRIVPARM - Enables overwrite of original device drivers.

ECHO - Displays messages and enables and disables echo.
EDIT - View and edit files.
EDLIN - View and edit files.
EMM386 - Load extended Memory Manager.
ENABLE - Recovery console command to enable a disable service or driver.
ENDLOCAL - Stops the localization of the environment changes enabled by the setlocal command.
ERASE - Erase files from computer.
EXIT - Exit from the command interpreter.
EXPAND - Expand a Microsoft Windows file back to it's original format.
EXTRACT - Extract files from the Microsoft Windows cabinets.

FASTHELP - Displays a listing of MS-DOS commands and information about them.
FC - Compare files.
FDISK - Utility used to create partitions on the hard disk drive.
FIND - Search for text within a file.
FINDSTR - Searches for a string of text within a file.
FIXBOOT - Writes a new boot sector.
FIXMBR - Writes a new boot record to a disk drive.
FOR - Boolean used in batch files.
FORMAT - Command to erase and prepare a disk drive.
FTP - Command to connect and operate on a FTP server.
FTYPE - Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.

GOTO - Movesa batch file to a specific label or location.
GRAFTABL - Show extended characters in graphics mode.

HELP - Display a listing of commands and brief explanation.
HOSTNAME -Display the hostname of the machine.

IF - Allows for batch files to perform conditional processing.
IFSHLP.SYS - 32-bit file manager.
IPCONFIG - Network command to view network adapter settings and assigned values.

KEYB - Change layout of keyboard.

LABEL - Change the label of a disk drive.
LH - Load a device driver in to high memory.
LISTSVC - Recovery console command that displays the services and drivers.
LOADFIX - Load a program above the first 64k.
LOADHIGH - Load a device driver in to high memory.
LOCK - Lock the hard disk drive.
LOGON - Recovery console command to list installations and enable administrator login.

MAP - Displays the device name of a drive.
MD - Command to create a new directory.
MEM - Display memory on system.
MKDIR - Command to create a new directory.
MODE - Modify the port or display settings.
MORE - Display one page at a time.
MOVE - Move one or more files from one directory to another directory.
MSAV - Early Microsoft Virus scanner.
MSBACKUP -MS-DOS application that enables users to backup their data on their computer.
MSD - Diagnostics utility.
MSCDEX - Utility used to load and provide access to the CD-ROM.
MWBACKUP - MS-DOS application that enables users to backup their data on their computer.

NBTSTAT - Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT
NET - Update, fix, or view the network or network settings
NETSH - Configure dynamic and static network information from MS-DOS.
NETSTAT - Display the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.
NLSFUNC - Load country specific information.
NSLOOKUP - Look up an IP address of a domain or host on a network.

PATH - View and modify the computers path location.
PATHPING - View and locate locations of network latency.
PAUSE - Command used in batch files to stop the processing of a command.
PING - Test / send information to another network computer or network device.
POPD - Changes to the directory or network path stored by the pushd command.
POWER - Conserve power with computer portables.
PRINT - Prints data to a printer port.
PROMPT - View and change the MS-DOS prompt.
PUSHD - Stores a directory or network path in memory so it can be returned to at any time.

QBASIC - Open the QBasic.

RD - Removes an empty directory.
REN - Renames a file or directory.
RENAME - Renames a file or directory.
RMDIR - Removes an empty directory.
ROUTE - View and configure windows network route tables.
RUNAS - Enables a user to execute a program on another computer.

SCANDISK - Run the scandisk utility.
SCANREG