Share your Tweaking Tips here

[Raaabo]

Let's see how you guys out there tweak your hardware / software to get the max out of your systems...


Anything goes, from overclocking to even taking the babies way out and installing TweakXP...

Let us know about it...

[ujjwal]

The fun of playing games comes only when you have to tweak them to make them run. Then you can enjoy, even if you lose. ;)

[super_ferrari]

Special thanks to Deejay(news poster--> www.tech-arena.com)

A huge collection of WinXP tweaks. Enjoy!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

Regards,

[ice]

Yeah...cource..

umm search for this post where ive posted losta tweaks.. it was between me and mariner.

[ice]

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8525#8525

[Raaabo]

That's it? Nothing special and weird...

[it_waaznt_me]

Hmmm.... I was searching for my Services related post and Ice helped me find it .. This forum's search system sucks ...
Raabo you should convert this forum to vBulletin ..

[Raaabo]

Ok, post what you think is the best way to tweak your computer/internet connection/games and the best tweak gets your name in digit :D

maybe that will bring a better response :)

[blade_runner]

TCP optimizer from www.speedguide.net does the trick for my connection.

For my gaming tweaks i am using Nvhardpage from here (http://www.nvhardpage.com/)

also have overclocked my Geforce 4 MX440 for performance gain !
core @ 250 Mhz overclocked @ 275 Mhz
memory @ 333 Mhz overclocked @ 378 Mhz

Hope this helps !! :D

[it_waaznt_me]

Ok .. Here I go ..

Blocking Unwanted Content From the Net

This can be done by editing a file called Hosts used by MS TCP/Ip for locating IP addresses for typed urls ..
What happens is Windows keeps tracks of IP address of sites visited by you in this file so it wont have to query the DNS service every time you open the website .. When you put an address in the address bar the address is first resolved to an IP address .. So Window keeps this file to list known IP addresses . ..
What we will do is to put a 127.0.0.1 for each site you wanna block .. like common ad servers and spysites .. When request to this site is found Windows will search for their entry in the Hosts file and it will found this (127.0.0.1) address and it will try to connect this site which is your Localhost address .. So it wont find the ad images and ad popups and the like .. Your computer will then give up calling the ad server and no ads will be loaded, nor will any tracking take place. Your choices for blocking sites are not just limited to blocking ad servers. You may block sites that serve advertisements, sites that serve objectionable content, or any other site that you choose to block...

This HOSTS file is located here:

Windows 95/98/Me c:\windows\
Windows XP c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\
Windows NT/2000/ c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\

This Hosts file doesnt have any extension .. You may find Hosts.sam in Win 98 but it is only a dummy file ... You should save the Hosts file corresponding to ur Operating System ...

So a small example Hosts file :



# localhost: Needs to stay like this to work
127.0.0.1 localhost

127.0.0.1 123banners.com
127.0.0.1 ad.adsmart.net
127.0.0.1 ad.ca.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.de.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.es.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.fr.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.free6.com
127.0.0.1 ad.it.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.iwin.com
127.0.0.1 ad.jp.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.kr.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.linkexchange.com
127.0.0.1 ad.linksynergy.com
# and so on ...


The # sign denotes a comment ..

You can find a sample Hosts file here .. (http://it_waaznt_me.webspace4free.biz/Bin/HOSTS.zip)
(The file contains many entries I found at www.mvps.org (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm))

PS .. When ad image is blocked a red cross box is visible (page not found messages) .. There is a program called eDexter (http://www.pyrenean.com/download.php) availible to replace the error message with transparent image ..

And yes .. I have read that putting 0.0.0.0 instead of 127.0.0.1 also works but it creates problem with proxy servers thats why I am not suggesting it ..

[Raaabo]

Finally some cool tips...

[club_pranay]

Thanx Raaabo for this "sticky"

[gxsaurav]

This might not be a tip, but if U R not connected & not using CD or floppy, disable Antivirus to gain app launching speed

For dial-up users, download Tz Connection booster, best one I have seen

To change the name of Application installed in ADD\remove Applet simply

1) Go to HKEY Local Machine -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Current Version -> Uninstall

2) look at the rite side pane for each key, look for the string, Display Name & change it to whatever U want

2) To change the icon, a 16x16 only, enter the string, Display Icon & enter the path for the icon

These are only aplicable for Windows 2000/XP

[icecoolz]

found this extremely useful as I use the command prompt a lot in Windows:

The following registry entry will add one more menu option when you right click on folder to open up a command prompt :

Put the following in notepad or something:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd]
@="Open Command Window Here"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command]
@="cmd.exe /k \"cd %L\""

save it as a .reg file somewhere. Now double click on it and import the contents into the windows registry and voila! Goto windows explorer right click on any folder and u will have "open command window here" in the option!

[ujjwal]

Nice to see this thread revived.

If windows detects 32 MB (?) or more RAM on your system, it automatically enables a feature called browse new process for internet explorer windows, such that each IE window is opened under a seperate process. However, on some systems this may be a slow down particularly with multiple windows as more space in the memory would be occupied by each. It's useful on systems with 64MB or less RAM to disable this. Go to start>run>regedit and browse to [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\BrowseNewProcess]
and create a string value (or modify the old one) called BrowseNewProcess and give it a value of Yes or No and restart windows. Note this will mean if one instance of explorer crashes all others are affected.

[ujjwal]

Linux: Enabling DMA with the hdparm utility

Most distro's come with the hdparm util, so you dont need to recompile the kernel to enable DMA. Use this command

hdparm -d1 /dev/hda

where hda is your hard drive

A good idea to check what settings are being used before

type hdparm /dev/hda

And hdparm -Tt /dev/hda to test performance

[prakashaka]

hey nice trics u guis...

is there any trics to boost up dial up modems speed?

pleeeeeez

[ujjwal]

Optimising registry (win9x i think)

Restart in DOS mode and run scanreg /opt

[koolbluez]

X-Setup Pro is a so-called "tweaker" program; it allows you to change settings that are normally hidden deeply in Windows fast and easily.

X-Setup Pro knows more than 1,700 of these settings and displays them in an easy to use interface, grouped by several aspects.

The best thing is that it's free.

Get it @ http://www.x-setup.net/downloads/home.asp?lang=EN

[Ashis]

Small Trick !!! :D

1) U Guys must be using the Up arrow key in the windows explorer ToolBar (To Move to the parient Directory). Now try Clicking It With Ur Ctrl Key Pressed (U get the parient Directory In a new Window)


Wanna More.... Later!
If U Knew it.. Spread It, If U Don't.. nJoy !!!

[suhas_sm]

Xp users simply use tweak xp :P
earlier i used to do all those manually not anymore after using tweak xp pro :)

[[flAsh]]

use coolbits to hack advanced settings of nVidia GFX card and used the nForce3 favour for nVidia cards. Rise in performance till 3% (of course in games)

[anusoni]

]use coolbits to hack advanced settings of nVidia GFX card and used the nForce3 favour for nVidia cards. Rise in performance till 3% (of course in games)
are you talking about the registry tweak ?
Anyway well there is a registry tweak for this ...i read this somewhere ...i did not discover it...:D
anyway
-->
1) goto HKLM(Local Machine)\Software\Nvidia Corporation\Global\NVTweak
2) make a new DWORD value called "Coolbits" and set its value to 3.

And Wallah you have a new tab in your advanced graphics card properties wid clock frequencies and memory frquencies ....overclock all you want :D

Note this worked for me with the latest nvidia's driver ...might not work with other customized drivers..

-->
Okay another Xp/2000 trick...not basically a tweak...if anyone thinks that his/her system files integrity has been compromised, you can run the system file checker utility to check system file integrity and restore any damaged system files...
here is how it goes

Type SFC /scannow at the run prompt(start-> run) or the command prompt. make sure u have the setup disk handy !

-->
okay this one relates to networking and is actually an option in XP but i was not aware of it , until i started preparing to take my MCSE exam...anyway
when we share a folder, we dont have much control over permissions(assuming a workgroup environment in network), to get some more control, in explorer, goto tools, folder options, click the view tab and in the advanced settings box, scroll right to the bottom ...there is an option that says .."use simple file sharing", well it is normally checked, when u disable it, click okays to get out of dialog boxes and check the sharing tab...u'll see manyyy more advanced options including permissions etc etc....try it out if u havent already done so.

-->
I searched a lot for the registry trick for this ..but could not find it, there is a utlity called MPTweak or media player tweak ...a powertoy by ms...well an option which makes the full screen controls only appear when the mouse pointer is at the top or bottom of the screen, not everytime the mouse pointer moves(a big irritant)...also has various options like
1)time out when until controls are hidden
2) time out until mouse pointer is hidden
3) transition style
4) transition speed
its basically a skin in Media player which somehow when changed to displays all these options...
available free from MS get it here
http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/c/8/1c89697d-6354-4813-98da-e0dbb520de2c/WM9Powertoy_TweakMP.EXE
basically for WMP9 but also works with WMP10

[ShekharPalash]

Here's how to launch any program directly from Start>Run

Go here in registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\App Paths

Now create a new key of program you want to launch, for example Winamp.exe

Now in its Default String Value paste the path

C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe

Done!

Now you can lauch progs like Winamp who's entries are not addred to run directly by Run command during installation...

Most of Windows Installer applications are by default written to launch directly from Run C\command but progs which comes with NSIS, Inno, Old version of WISE... don't write their entries to lauch directly from Run command...

So by the above tewak you can add an entry for your favorite program and launch it directly from Run command...

enjoy.

[s4saurabh]

Check my new site of forums for tweaks
www.s4saurabh.hollosite.com

[cheetah]

Just visit http://www.mdgx.com

Its the biggest tweaks site ever made.

All the tweaks available for download in a single zip.
To download the zip you can visit my site www.cheetahonline.tk

[Gaurav]

thought that this will be help for those using opera 7 ;) :) (found it on the opera's website.
What's this about?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Using Opera 7.x one is able to customize the rightclick menus. That in
mind it's possible to add a menu item for "Download using FlashGet".
First you need to know, that every kind of menu entry in Opera is
saved as plaintext in standard_menu.ini in the Opera defaults folder
(normally C:\Program Files\Opera7\defaults). So, we need to modify this
file in order to add our FlashGet menu extension.



Requirements
~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Opera 7.0 or above
- FlashGet 1.60 or above



Here we go!
~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Get the folder where Opera is installed. See the registry at

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Netscape\Netscape Navigator\5.0, Opera\Main]
"Install Directory"="C:\\Program Files\\Opera7"

From here on I will use %opera% instead of the whole path we got
from the registry since we need to save this info into a variable
to use it in our program.

ATTENTION! Be sure to not use this variable in any files we modify!
Always use the whole path we got from the registry. Otherwise it
will mess up your Opera installation!


2) Goto this folder and copy

%opera%\defaults\standard_menu.ini

to

%opera%\profile\menu\standard_menu.ini


3) Open this file with a text editor and change the following:

- change the name (line 7) into "Opera Standard with FlashGet extension"
- search for the categories

"[Link Popup Menu]" and "[Image Link Popup Menu]"

and add the following line to both categories:

Item, "Download using FlashGet" = Execute program, "C:\Program Files\FlashGet\flashget.exe","%l"

That is a lowercase L after the last %

- save the file and start Opera


4) Goto "File/Preferences/Toolbars and Menus". In newer versions
it's called "Extra's/Preferences/Toolbars and Menus" and highlight
the new entry "Opera Standard with FlashGet extension" in the field
"Menu setup"


5) Press "OK" and that's it! Now you can download link-targets (both
text- AND image-links) by right-clicking on a link and choose
"Download using FlashGet".



Hint:
~~~~~
You can skip 4) and 5) if you add the following line into section [User Prefs]
of the file %opera%\profile\opera6.ini

Menu Configuration=%opera%\profile\menu\standard_menu.i ni

This can easily be done using Nullsoft's NSIS Installer 2.0.
Get it from www.nullsoft.com



Legal
~~~~~
This tutorial has been written by ACiD StOUt from DJS Productions Inc.
Copyright 2004 DJS Productions Inc.
www.acidstout.tk
All rights reserved.

[Thilak]

Hai ,

Do it and save ur time ,

Fast Shutdown and/or Restart From Quick Launch Buttons
------------------------------------------------------------
This tip will enable you to create buttons in your quick launch toolbar to quickly and easily shut down and/or restart your computer.

1. Right click on your desktop, scroll to new..... shortcut
2. In the location line, for shutdown type; shutdown -s -t 0 ie: shutdown(space)-s(space)-t(space)number zero
3. Name the shortcut "Shut Down PC" or whatever u want
4. The new shortcut is now sitting on your desktop, right click on it and go to properties, then click on "change icon". Click OK, then pick a suitable icon, there is a red "off button" icon available, then click apply and ok.
5. Now drag the icon from your desktop into the quick launch toolbar, resize the toolbar so all the buttons are visible, then delete the shortcut from your desktop.

To create a restart button the location line should read shutdown -r -t 0 name it restart pc and give it a suitable icon for restart.

Now you can shut down or restart your pc in 1 mouse click without having to go through the startup menu.
THILAK

[vcrl82]

WINner Tweak SE-2

WINner Tweak is a tools suite for tweaking, optimizing and tuning of Windows 2000/XP. It helps you increase performance and manage your system using various tweaks and utilities for settings including Windows, Hardware, Security, Network and Software. In addition to the tweaks, the program also offers several additional tools (Power Utilities) that include a Disk Cleaner, Registry Cleaner, Shortcut Cleaner, Uninstall manager, File Shredder, Start-up Manager, Popup Blocker, Password Generator, and a Folder Protector to prevent access to selected folders.

[Ashish]

I don't know about hardware but i am using flexy and system mechanic for tweaking hidden features in win98.
They are easy and quite powerful to use.

[alib_i]

To change the 10 second wait before every disk check ( that occurs after imporper shutdown ) in WinXP

in command promt type
chkntfs/t:(time)
replace (time) by watever number of seconds u want it to wait
ie. for 5 sec wait .. type chkntfs/t:5

-----
alibi

[kavin]

to pin the taskmanager to your desktop ,
Double click on the side if window :D

[alib_i]

to pin the taskmanager to your desktop ,
Double click on the side if window :D
ughh what ??

____
alibi

[swatkat]

to pin the taskmanager to your desktop ,
Double click on the side if window :D
whatever it is...i think the bold lettered word above should have been of and not if,a typo error...may be..!!

[theraven]

hehehe this isnt soo much a trick
actually when u open the task manager there is this inner thick border outlining the tasks that u can see
if u double click this ur outer border and the file menu , tabs etc disappear
do this to play a trick on someone :P
the task manager appears empty !!
try it out

[alib_i]

ohh :)
i was able to make out that its a "of" not "if"
but cudnt understand wat is the 'trick' .. LOL

do one thing
1st maximize the task manager
and then dbl click on border ...
the whole screen is occupied by task manager
____
alibi

[it_waaznt_me]

to pin the taskmanager to your desktop ,
Double click on the side of window :D

You know what .. I have actually answered many questions reqarding How to bring back Task Manager to its usual appearance after it becomes so ..

Cant understand its utility though ..

[rajeshadvani]

tweaking?? what's that?

[khattam_]

Disk Defragmentation....................... Yeah!!
It is really troublesome to manage disk defragmentation. Yeah, it is, until you download Perfect Disk from Raxco.com. It will take very long on your first defragmentation, but after files are arranged once, defragmentation becomes real easy. The program is a 30 day trial version until you buy it. If you don't want to buy, warez sites are always there but i don't encourage such activities.
Defragmentor Premium, on the other hand is a file defragmentor, which can defragment your page files and all other system files that can't be done by a regular defragmenter. It does the job in boottime. It is worth trying. Get it from www.defragmentor.com.

[khattam_]

Before Defragmentation, you would like to make sure that your Disk is defragmented so that you get better performance plus your disk does not get fragmented quickly.(for XP Users)

Follow these easy steps to make sure that you get most out of tedious Disk Defragmentation.

>>Clean your disk with 'Windows Disk Cleaner' (Accessories>SystemTools>DiskCleaner) or use program such as DustBuster XP which is a freeware and a 78 K download.

>>Clean all unnecessary System Restore Points. You can do this by going to Accessories>SystemTools>DiskCleaner and under the 'More Options' tab, click on the 'Cleanup Button' below System Restore. This will clean all but the latest restore point.

>>Use Smart Defragmentation softwares such as O&O Defrag , Diskeeper or Perfect Disk. Use perfect disk to make sure that your disk fragments slowly. It may take long the first time you defragment, but later, it will be real easy to defragment and will take a very short time. Perfect Disk (shareware) also provides offline defragmentation which defragments folders, system files and pagefile during boot. Defragmenting system files will really boost your system performance if you have small sized HDD or have lesser space available.

>>You may also use file defragmentation programs such as 'Defragmentor Premium' which is a shareware. It defragments files to make them contigious. This is a very quick method of defragmentation and really helps in boosting performance. Defragmentor Premium also defragments system files and page files. Rapid File Defragmenotr is also a quick file defragmentation program but does not support offline defragmentation.

>>Registry defragmentation programs such as Registry Compactor and Advanced Registry Optimizer also can help.

[techsavvy]

Hai ,

Do it and save ur time ,

Fast Shutdown and/or Restart From Quick Launch Buttons
------------------------------------------------------------
This tip will enable you to create buttons in your quick launch toolbar to quickly and easily shut down and/or restart your computer.

1. Right click on your desktop, scroll to new..... shortcut
2. In the location line, for shutdown type; shutdown -s -t 0 ie: shutdown(space)-s(space)-t(space)number zero
3. Name the shortcut "Shut Down PC" or whatever u want
4. The new shortcut is now sitting on your desktop, right click on it and go to properties, then click on "change icon". Click OK, then pick a suitable icon, there is a red "off button" icon available, then click apply and ok.
5. Now drag the icon from your desktop into the quick launch toolbar, resize the toolbar so all the buttons are visible, then delete the shortcut from your desktop.

To create a restart button the location line should read shutdown -r -t 0 name it restart pc and give it a suitable icon for restart.

Now you can shut down or restart your pc in 1 mouse click without having to go through the startup menu.
THILAK


a nice simple way to shut down ur pc.
u can use tweak xp also 4 the same
but gives u pleasure to do it on ur own

[rajkumar_personal]

Get the latest version of X-Setup pro and U will never ask for MORE !!!

[Delpiero]

INCREASE SPEED OF YOUR PC

CPU PRIORITY
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\VxD\BIOS\
In the right hand pane of Regedit create a new DWORD Value called "CPUPriority" (no
quotes) -> double-click on it -> check the Decimal box -> type 1 -> click OK
to save.
This will speed things up by using the fastest priority to the CPU when
opening any program, and works on 99% of the PCs I've tried it on.
To reset to Windows 9x/ME default type 3 or delete this Value altogether.
To see your system's real time performance type 0 (NOT recommended by
Microsoft!).
In some cases this Registry BIOS key is absent, because enabling the BIOS
power management feature (APM) and the Win9x/ME ACPI BIOS extentions may
disable it!
Make sure there is a Plug and Play BIOS item listed in Control Panel -> System
-> Device Manager -> System devices.
Here are other DWORD Values (Decimal) you can use to tweak your CPU Priority
even further (under the same Registry key above):
- PCIConcur = 1 (enabled)
- FastDRAM = 1 (enabled)
- AGPConcur = 1 (enabled) [if your video controller is AGP based].

PROGRAM END TASK DELAY

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop
Create two new String Values in the right hand pane:
1. Right-click -> select New -> String Value -> call it "HungAppTimeout" (no
quotes). Double-click on "HungAppTimeout" and give it a value of 1000 (default
is 5000 milliseconds = 5 seconds).
This value sets the manual timeout until a program is terminated by using Task
Manager.
2. Right-click -> select New -> String Value -> call it "WaitToKillAppTimeout"
(no quotes). Double-click on "WaitToKillAppTimeout" and give a value of 2000
(default is 20000 milliseconds = 20 seconds).
This value sets the automatic timeout until Windows shuts down/restarts, while
trying to close all open programs.
Restart Windows when done so these changes can take effect.
You can try different values here to find your optimal timeouts. Minimum in
both cases is 1 millisecond (1/1000 of a second), but it's more than likely it
will hang Windows! :)
Use them with CAUTION!

[khattam_]

a nice simple way to shut down ur pc.
u can use tweak xp also 4 the same
but gives u pleasure to do it on ur own
Why shutdown when you can hibernate in XP...........?

[goobimama]

the most simple way of shutting down your pC is by pressing the power button. with the atx cabinet, you have to go the screen saver tab, power options and then just select shut down when I press the power button. works like a breeze

--------------
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Rollaword.com (http://www.rollaword.com)

[techsavvy]

a nice simple way to shut down ur pc.
u can use tweak xp also 4 the same
but gives u pleasure to do it on ur own
Why shutdown when you can hibernate in XP...........?


DO U NEVER SHUT DOWN UR PC?

[khattam_]

a nice simple way to shut down ur pc.
u can use tweak xp also 4 the same
but gives u pleasure to do it on ur own
Why shutdown when you can hibernate in XP...........?


DO U NEVER SHUT DOWN UR PC?

I rarely do!!
I only use the hibernate function. But sometimes when i need to restart due to program installation or uninstallation, i restart.
This really saves a lot of time and my computer need not load all the things each time i like to use my PC. :D

[Thilak]

Hi mate ,

Hibernation wants above 500 mb disk space :shock:

Why are u waste unnecessary ur valuable space ????????????/

Thilak

[khattam_]

Hi mate ,

Hibernation wants above 500 mb disk space :shock:

Why are u waste unnecessary ur valuable space ????????????/

Thilak
What are u gonna do with the space?? If you have 20 or 40 Gb, you can afford that for quick shutdown and restart. And it is not necessarily 500 Mb, it is equal to the amt of RAM u have. I have 128 mB RAM on 40 gb HD. So why shoul i worry about space. And by the way, if i need space in future, i can always disable hibernation.

[hellscream]

yeah i guess so.........

[khattam_]

!******!Quick Scanning!******!
(for XP)

When you are running an antivirus scan, you are probably doing nothing else, waiting for the scan to complete. Same happens for the Ad-Ware scans or Registry Scans. If you don't intend to work on heavy programs in your computer during scans, you can speed up the scan by setting its priority to high. If you intend to scan on background and do something else when the scan is going on, DON'T DO WHAT I'M SAYING!

>> Ok, to speed your scan, start the scan as usual and run the task manager.
>> In task manager, under the applications tab, look for the program that is sacnning the system.
>> Right click the program and select "Go to Process".
>> Now, right click the process and set its priority to "Very High" or "Realtime". Some antivirus do not allow to change their priority,however, but if you can change the priority, you get speed boost and that's for sure. But if other programs are running, then they will respond very slow. Moreover, it may cause a crash, so do this ON YOUR OWN RISK.

How does this work??
>> If you set the programs priority to "realtime", it will get to use the CPU the most and whenever it wants, hence increasing speed.

[vij26]

tweakhound.com has a good guide :!: :D :( :( :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

[rajkumar_personal]

Can any1 post the website where one can find a comprehensive guide for tweaks in Windows XP ?
I know of many such sites but the prob is that u have to click on a large number of links to get all the tweaks that the site has to offer. But i want the site that can give me the whole of it in a single exe / doc / pdf / zip / rar etc.........Do u guys get what i mean ? Please PM me if you u get such a link

[khattam_]

Less RAM no Probs. Performance boost guranteed if you use the following technique......

I have mentioned some of my tweaks so that my computer works fine and healthy and gives a better performance, in spite of less amount of RAM. I have Win XP Pro and Home (Dual-Boot) installed on my computer. I have a P4 with VIA 128 SDRAM RAM. Thank god i have a display card (NIVDIA) or i would have to give RAM to display. I have ZOneAlarm Security Suite installed (which consumes a lot of RAM and system resources). These tweaks can be childish to some geeks but for others it can be quite helpful.
The tweaks are as follows but I'm not responsible for whatever happens to your computer or to you during the use of the following. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK.


1. Cache and Memory management program

I have installed a program called CacheBoost from Systweak. It optimizes the windwos cache and also the RAM. If configured, it also performs tweaks like

a. forcing windows to use large system cache which will prevent hanging and slow response,

b. forcing windows to keep core kernel to RAM and preventing it from being paged to disk so that disk activity is minimized and hence better performance is guranteed

c. allocating more critical threads in the memory so that windows can use it when needed, and it need not be create just when it is needed and hence this will make the performance better.

Thus, this program is highly recommended if you have less RAM. Download it free from www.systweak.com. However, it is a shareware and shall expire after 30 days. But it is of about 800K download and certainly worth a try. If you like the program, you can buy it or if you don't want to buy.................mail me


2. Page file tweak

If you have less RAM, you may want to increase your page file size to the fullest to get better performance. If you have enough disk space, you can give a page file of about 2.5 times (considered ideal, i have 7 times the RAM) the RAM. I have given 900 Mb. I have 128Mb RAM. Actually, i have a separate partition of 1Gb for my Pagefile. You too can create one extra partition of about half a Gb for the pagefile.
You can do this with the help of windows itself if you don't have third party tools to do this. You will need to follow the following steps:
a. Empty a partition other than the system partition (where OS has been installed) or the C:. Let it be D: for an example. Move all the files from D: to another partition, say C:\D-drive folder. b. Once the partition is empty, goto Start| Run and type in 'compmgmt.msc' to bring up Computer Management.
c. Under Storage, click on Disk Management.
d. Now, right click D: (which we have just emptied) and select Delete Partition and/or Unallocate.
e. Now, right click the unallocated part and create new partition of about 1Gb(or how much u desire) for your pagefile. Don't forget to tick quick format while fomatting. This will save your time.
f. Again, create a partition in the remaining disk space in the same manner.
g. Copy the files of c:\D-drive to the new partition.

Creating the partition has been done. Now, you need to put the pagefile into the drive you just created. Follow the following steps.
a. Right click My computer and select Properties.
b. Click on Advanced tab and click on Settings under Performance.
c. Again, click on the advanced tab and click change under Virtual Memory.
d. Now, you should have a 'System Managed Size' of pagefile in C: or wherever your windows is installed. Select Custom Size in C: and give only 2-50 (min=2 max=50) in the C:. DOn't forget to click SET button after giving the size.
e. Now, select the newly created drive and give as much page file as you like. Let it be about 900 Mb, if you have 1 Gb drive. Note that you should keep the max and min values of the pagefile same, to prevent defragmentation of the pagefile and to decrease disk usage. Press SET and close all open dialog boxes. It will tell you to restart, so restart and you should feel a very good difference after the restart.


3. Defragmentation

If you have less RAM, fragmentation of the files can degrade your performance. So defragment your disks regularly. Using intelligent file defragmentors such as Defragmentor Premium and Perfect Disk can help you with the defragmentation but will cost you money. You always have the illegal way but is not recommended. So, you can use a similar program to Defragmentor Premium, called PageDefrag which is a freeware. Search these programs in Google. They can be found easily.

If you have better ideas, do write. Or have any questions or suggestions, do mail me @ khAttAm.khAttAm@gmail.com

[ashu888ashu888]

Since i dont use my Home pc to connect to the internet so i do the following to quickly shutdown or start my PC ---->

I use WIN XP PROFESSIONAL EDITION as my OS.

START>RUN>msconfig(u hv to type in the box )>now go to the startup link and UNCHECK all the programs that u dont wanna startup wen ur system starts.


U can also look under the SERVICES tab and UNCHECK the programs/tools that u dont require during startup of ur PC.

cheers n peace....

[amritpal2489]

These allow you to end tasks faster, shut down faster and speed up the menu display.
-------------------------------------------------------
regedit 5.0
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"ForegroundLockTimeout"=dword:00000000
"HungAppTimeout"="4000"
"MenuShowDelay"="200"
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="5000"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="5000"
----------------------------------------------------------
Copy this text in notepad and save it with a .reg extension
Double click on it to run

[amritpal2489]

Hi mate ,

Hibernation wants above 500 mb disk space :shock:

Why are u waste unnecessary ur valuable space ????????????/

Thilak


Hibernation does not use 500 mb disk space

It only takes space equal to you RAM

[Thilak]

Hi mate ,

Hibernation wants above 500 mb disk space :shock:

Why are u waste unnecessary ur valuable space ????????????/

Thilak


Hibernation does not use 500 mb disk space

It only takes space equal to you RAM

Go to conntrol panel-power options--hibernate-How many disk space want 4 hibernation------ 224 mb

Thilak

[ujjwal]

Windows tweakers, this file is a mammoth collection of tips & tweaks across all windows versions - http://www.mdgx.com/2

[ashisharya]

Kasperesky Anti-Virus Personal is the best of all other anti-viruses. Its gives best protection from viruses.

[khattam_]

Hey............
I have a tweak to fasten up your computer........
Slightly maybe but............. Still
........
Use only Bitmaps as Desktop wallpapers or don't use them at all.

[aadipa]

Off topic:

Kasperesky Anti-Virus Personal is the best of all other anti-viruses. Its gives best protection from viruses.

KAV is known to eat up system resources.

I prefer NOD32 over KAV

[LayZ]

Well let me just hope some day this rare collection of tweaks is going to come out in a single issue of digit and i'll try them out all one after the other with the mag in hand!

[khattam_]

Off topic:

Kasperesky Anti-Virus Personal is the best of all other anti-viruses. Its gives best protection from viruses.

KAV is known to eat up system resources.

I prefer NOD32 over KAVI'll agree. Nod32 is the best with System Resource Usage.

[technovice]

Well let me just hope some day this rare collection of tweaks is going to come out in a single issue of digit and i'll try them out all one after the other with the mag in hand!

yeah man!
...this is awesome!

i know a tweak that will allow you download more than 2 files simultaneouly in IE...the default is 2

1. Start > Run > type "regedit"
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software >Microsoft >Windows > CurrentVersion > Internet Settings
3. Double Click MaxConnectionsPerServer and change the value to your choice.

This is by no means my own discovery but im sorry i cant post the source bcoz i dont have it!

[Satissh S]

PLZ tell me a way to activate the DVD features of Windows Media Player 10.

[navjotjsingh]

WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS:

Microsoft has hidden many small and big utilities deep down in XP. Most people even don’t know that there is a small SFX creating utility in XP. Let’s discover all these utilities.

To run any of these utilities go to Start > Run and type the executable name, for example: charmap

1. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)
2. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)
4. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)
5. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)
7. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)
8. Mcft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe (appears to allow synchronization of files on the network for when working offline. Apparently undocumented).
9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).
10. ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe (something to do with databases)
11. Object Packager = packager.exe (to do with packaging objects for insertion in files, appears to have comprehensive help files).
12. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )
13. Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).
14. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).
15. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).
16. Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network).
17. File siganture verification tool = sigverif.exe
18. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the System Notification area).
19. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98! ).
20. Syskey = syskey.exe (Secures XP Account database - use with care, it's virtually undocumented but it appears to encrypt all passwords, I'm not sure of the full implications).
21. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe
22. Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (seems to be a utility for monitoring the actions of drivers, might be useful for people having driver problems. Undocumented).
23. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available).
24. System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)
25. Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc used to manage group policies, and permissions.
26. Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc Useful in renaming Administrator.
27. Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc used for encryption and certificate management.
28. Device Manager = devmgmt.msc

[navjotjsingh]

Many times you really get bugged up if you had to reformat your HDD and lose all your updates installed and you have to redownload them and reinstall for which you waste your time and money.
Now I will show you how to save all Windows updates to your HDD.

There are several methods and we will discuss all of them.

1st Method: Easiest and only for Windows XP with SP2.
Firstly you have to configure your Automatic Updates Settings through MyComputer(right click)>>properties>>Automatic Updates.
http://img100.exs.cx/img100/2953/autupdates2do.th.jpg (http://img100.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img100&image=autupdates2do.jpg)
Choose the option shown in the above shot and click ok. Your SP2 Security Center may warn you but ignore or disable it. Now connect to the net and wait for some time. You will get a notification in the system tray that Updates are available for download. Now double click on the System Tray Icon and it opens up a window and now you can see all the updates listed with their KB Article Numbers. Here is a screenshot.
http://img49.echo.cx/img49/7135/autupdates2ta.th.jpg (http://img49.echo.cx/my.php?image=autupdates2ta.jpg)

Now copy all the numbers to your notepad and now use the link
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX or click the link given in the box above.
Here XXXXXX is the 6 digit number you copied earlier. From the support page you will find a link to the patch and now you can download it convieniently.

2nd Method: Work for any Windows - Best Method
You can download all the updates that are available from Automatic Updates by using the Windows Update Catalog. For additional information about how to download updates from the Windows Update Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
HOW TO: Download Windows Updates and Drivers from the Windows Update Catalog (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;323166)
1. Visit the Windows Update Web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2. Click Personalize Windows Update.
3. Select the Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under
See Also check box.

4. Click Save Settings.
5. A Windows Update Catalog link appears under See Also.

6. Click the Windows Update Catalog link.
7. Click Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
8. Click the appropriate product, and then click Search.
9. Click Critical Updates and Service Packs.
10. Locate the patch you want, and then click Add.
11. Click Go to download basket. In the Type or browse to the download location of your choice box, type the full path for the folder in which you want to save the patch. Or, click Browse to browse to the folder. Click Download Now.

If you don't find the link to Windows Update Catalog (as in SP2) then go to Administrator Options and there is a heading named "Update multiple operating systems"? and under it link to Windows update Catalog is given.
A manual link (no guarantee on link working on diff Windows) to Windows Update Catalog is given below:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
I used this On WinXP SP2 and it worked and plus you can download updates for any Windows i.e. you can 98 updates while running XP. This works best for Networked PC's.

Source: MS-KB 283147 - Automatic Updates Downloads Cannot Be Installed on Other Computers (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283147)
3rd Method: Works in any Windows but not always
Another method to save the patch locally is to install the update 'as usual' from the Windows Updates page. Once the copy process is complete and the Install process is about to begin, look for the WUTemp folder in C:\ (or whatever drive you've installed Windows). This is the destination folder used by Windows Updates to save the hotfix. The hotfix will be deleted automatically once installed. Therefore, copy the WUTEMP directory contents to a new folder, while the install process has just started.

For Windows XP SP2, the installer is stored in a sub-folders under %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Another Note: Sometimes you find a long named file with random characters and without an extension in %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download. Try renaming the file by just adding .exe to the end of the filename. Do not modify anything else. Now right click and check its properties. It may turn out to be an update and its KB number is listed in its properties. You can now copy the update to any folder. Don’t move the update, just copy it to any location. This will work any time and even if you are not connected to the net.

Tip: After downloading the updates, save them to a CD if you’re planning to apply across multiple systems or a stand-alone system without internet connection. Before applying the downloaded updates, you can run through Windows Updates scan (don’t download yet) to know the list of Cricital Updates (Q######) pertaining to that particular computer. Note all of them to a piece of paper and install them one by one from the CD. This one works even better when combined with 2nd Method.

[navjotjsingh]

Go to Start Menu > Run and type “control userpasswords2�. Now you can control more logon options and even enable option to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE every time in advanced tab for more security. Uncheck the option of Users must enter and you can Auto logon with different username. For Win2000 type “control userpasswords� and rest remains the same.

[navjotjsingh]

Many programs require you to have Administrative permissions to be able to install them. Here is an easy way to temporarily assign yourself Administrative permissions while you remain logged in as a normal user.
Hold down the Shift key as you right-click on the program's setup file.Click Run as.Type in a user name and password that have Administrative rights.This works also with the Start menu applications.

[navjotjsingh]

Proper Order of Installing Items in XP

This is what I consider the proper order to install XP, its updates/drivers/patches and applications.
1. XP
2. SP2 (If you didn't make a slipstreamed CD)
3. Chipset drivers
4. Video Card Drivers. (run disk cleanup)
5. NIC/Modem Drivers and ISP software
6. Windows Update, High Priority Updates (SP2 if you didn't download ahead of time)
7. Windows Update, Optional hardware updates
8. Windows Update, Optional software updates (don't load unnecessary items)
9. Other Drivers (try to automatically update first) (run disk cleanup)
10. Backup
11. Major applications. Fully update each application before installing the next.
12. The rest of your apps. (run disk cleanup)
13. Anti-Virus software and update it.
14. Configure email, move My Documents to another drive
15. Cleanup System Tray, organize Start Menu, activate XP
18. Safe Mode, disk cleanup (advanced) and defragment.
19. Backup
20. Tweak it!
21. Backup

[navjotjsingh]

How can I uninstall Windows XP and return to my old Windows 98?
If you've upgraded to XP from Windows Me or Windows 98, go to the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel applet and click Uninstall Windows XP.

If you want, you can also uninstall XP from the command prompt by performing the following steps:
1. Start the computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt support
(press F8 during start up).
2. Navigate to %systemroot%\system32.
3. Type osuninst.exe and press Enter.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.

If XP was installed as a dual-boot system along with Win98 or W2K then you can simply format the partition on which it is installed. That is one of the reasons I always recommend to install separate operating systems on separate partitions!

Note: Windows XP Professional provides an uninstall tool when upgrading from Windows 98 on a drive formatted as FAT or FAT32. Therefore, when upgrading this type of drive, you will not have the option to upgrade to NTFS, as this would negate the uninstall option. However, you can convert the drive to NTFS after installation if you choose.

[navjotjsingh]

Auto-insert your Win9x CD-KEY

Pesky serial numbers, you can never find them when you need them. Well, why not have it on your install CD, and have it pre-filled in whenever you run setup? This should work for all versions of Windows 9x (Win95, Win98, and WinMe).

Create a text file named MSBATCH.INF. Use quotes around the name when you save it, else notepad may name it MSBATCH.INF.TXT (so when you Save As, type in "MSBATCH.INF" WITH the quotes). Copy this in the file:

; MSBATCH.INF
;
; Copyright (c) 1995-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
; All rights reserved.
;

[BatchSetup]
Version=3.0 (32-bit)
SaveDate=01/29/00

[Version]
Signature = "$CHICAGO$"

[Setup]
ProductKey="XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"

Of course, use your own serial number. Now place this file in the setup folder of your Windows CD (named Win98 for Windows 98 and Win9x for WinMe, same directory you can find the setup.exe, format.exe, scandisk.exe, extract.exe, etc. files. You can try it out by starting setup from within Windows and see if the serial number is pre-filled in for you (you can cancel out at that point to keep setup from installing Windows).

[navjotjsingh]

PLZ tell me a way to activate the DVD features of Windows Media Player 10.

You need the codecs from InterVideo WinDVD or SOnic or any other 3rd party software company to enable DVD playback with Windows Media Player.

Go to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/buypacks.aspx
http://www.intervideo.com/media_pack/jsp/Product_Profile.jsp?p=DVDMP3XPack&AID=10310167&PID=1423151
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/getmore/plugins.aspx#DVDDecoder
All these decoders come paid. None is free.

[navjotjsingh]

Speed up FireFox

1. Type "about:config" in the adress field.
2. Set the value of network.http.pipelining to "true".
3. Set the value of network.http.pipelining.maxrequests to "100".
4. Set the value of network.http.proxy.pipelining to "true"
5. Set the value of nglayout.initialpaint.delay to "0"

Now watch as the loading times that already beat IE's go into overkill mode.

[navjotjsingh]

Unlimited yousendit download trick

Noticed that most people use yousendit to post files and links are always bombarded with leechers and whatever...
copy and paste this:
http://anonym.to/? in front of the yousendit link it self..
so basicallly it will look like this when you are done

http://anonym.to/?http://s8.yousendit.com/...328683E2C345DB9
(Link is fake)

the point of this is just to extend the life of a link way beyond the normal 10 downloads or whatever it gives you. using this trick should make links last 7 days with unlimited or a very high amount of downloads... ive had a link do 100 downloads so far without dying.

so use it... the links will stay up longer and u wont have to re-up them as often

[navjotjsingh]

--------------------------------------

The BIG Windows XP Services Guide v1.4

--------------------------------------

By Alan (DeviantForums / 3DPixel.net)

Edited and Modified by: [deXter]


IMPORTANT NOTE:
***************

* It is recommended that you make a backup of your registry / or use system restore
before you proceed
* Do NOT use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead!
* Dont modify all services at one go. Instead, modify in small numbers, like 5 at a time
so that you can reboot and check if everythings working fine
* In case you system doesnt work properly after modifying the services, try booting up
in safe mode to: change the services back to normal, or use system restore
* You can also use the option 'Last known good settings' in the F8 menu to go back to
your original settings incase something goes wrong
* After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.



--------------------------------------

Descriptions and Recommendations:

--------------------------------------


Alerter

Microsoft Description - Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, programs that use administrative alerts will not receive them. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Good for big brother corporate networks. Home PCs do not need to send/receive administrative alerts.
Doesent Exactly do much for hindering performance, so leave it on Manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Application Layer Gateway Service

Microsoft Description - Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall

Human Description - Good if the system is a gateway/client on a NAT LAN, also (attempts to) protect nasty script kiddies from turning you and your friends' computers into their pawns in the quest for world domination.

XP's Firewall is about as useful as a chocolate Teapot. Disable this service unless you are on a home LAN and use Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Application Management

Microsoft Description - Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove.

Human Description - Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Best leaving this on the default setting of Manual. Rarely used but when you need it, it will be activated.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Automatic Updates

Microsoft Description - Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the operating system can be manually updated at the Windows Update Web site.

Human Description - Allows Windows XP free reign to contact the Microsoft servers and download a whole host of "critical" updates.

Most likely Windows XP will attempt this every time you are furiously playing Counter-Strike or Q3, then suddenly you wonder why you can't hit a barn-door from 5 paces as your ping rockets to 500ms+. No thanks Bill, think I can connect to WindowsUpdate by myself...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Microsoft Description - Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.

Human Description - A sneaky way of doing Automatic Updates - Windows XP will judge whether you are using your bandwidth or just sat there motionless looking at your screen. If not it will happily download away.

If you're sat there idling and your modem is going bonkers downloading a host of information, the scaremongery of today will trigger a switch in your head that convinces yourself that you are being used for above said script kiddies' plans to turn your system into a mindless zealot for world conquest. No thanks, and besides, automatic services will quash those extra 2fps in quake 3.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

ClipBook

Microsoft Description - Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Another "exactly what it says on the tin"

Why do you want to share your random cut'n'pastes with your fellow LAN chums? Or someone who is half way around the world? If you feel this is an important contribution to your life leave it on Manual. Otherwise kill that resource eating service!

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

COM+ Event System

Microsoft Description - Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Kind of like a communication method between different modules in Windows. Used basically for 16 bit programs that require it.

Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

COM+ System Application

Microsoft Description - Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - If COM+ Event System is the car then this service is the driver

Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Computer Browser

Microsoft Description - Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Like it says, needed to keep tracks of computers on your network.

If you're on a LAN, leave it to manual, if you're a standalone system then disable it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Cryptographic Services

Microsoft Description - Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Among other things, this service authenticates WHQL drivers (i.e. for graphics cards)

I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

DHCP Client

Microsoft Description - Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names.

Human Description - Under Windows managed networks DCHP is useful in assigning IP/DNS addresses.

I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

*** NOTE: Some users had problems with connecting to the net, if set to manual. If you are having any such problems,
then please set it to Automatic.

--------------------

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Microsoft Description - Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.

Human Description - Good for (e.g.) databases that rely on networked files for updating.

Do you share files that lots of people work on? Do you even use NTFS as a home user?

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Microsoft Description - Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Distributed Link Tracking Client

The service sounds like a job title for a pointless middle manager somewhere. For home users it's the same story for our Distributed Transaction Coordinator; going nowhere fast.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

DNS Client

Microsoft Description - Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Best leave this one automatic *cough*

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

EDIT ** >Actually it can be turned off. It just provides a caching
>DNS server locally to your PC. It can cause problems if you are using
>Dynamic, Round Robin, or any type of load balanced DNS upstream. I
>recommend you turn it off. Your PC will then always go upstream to do
>DNS rather than look in its own cache.***

** NOTE: Again, in case you are having problems connecting to the net, turn this service back to Automatic.

--------------------

Error Reporting Service

Microsoft Description - Allows error reporting for services and applictions running in non-standard environments.

Human Description - When something crashes (quite frequently) and Windows pops up and advises you to tell Microsoft all about it, that is the fruit of this service's loins

One of my pet hates, If something crashes I will scream at the monitor and stamp my feet as I please; I don't need to tell Microsoft that I'm doing it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Event Log

Microsoft Description - Enables event log messages issued by Windows-based programs and components to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service cannot be stopped.

Human Description - Exactly what it says on the tin

Can't stop it, fair enough, but we can disable it muhahahahaha... unless of course you actually want to read that Internet Explorer caused a fatal exception in blah blah blah...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For Multiple Users - Manual)

--------------------

Fast User Switching Compatibility

Microsoft Description - Provides management for applications that require assistance in a multiple user environment.

Human Description - For home users this functions as "switch user" when the logoff option is used.

If you want it you can have it. I set it to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual
(For single user setup - Disabled)

--------------------

Help and Support

Microsoft Description - Enables Help and Support Center to run on this computer. If this service is stopped, Help and Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Description is self-explanitory

I never use this as I suspect 90% of the people reading this don't either.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Human Interface Device Access

Microsoft Description - Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - If you have one of those fancy keyboards or other peripherals mentioned above then this allows you to use them in Windows.

I dream of fancy keyboards and remote controls, but at least I can disable this service (Obviously don't if you are fancy)

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service

Microsoft Description - Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to record CDs. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Controls the in-built CD-burning software in XP

If you don't use the in-built software then disable the service. Incidentally disabling this makes NERO Burning ROM open quicker.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Indexing Service

Microsoft Description - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.

Human Description - Works like an advanced search feature. This can search through files and index keywords for rapid searching.

Thanks, but no thanks. If I want to search I will use the "dog feature".

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Microsoft Description - Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.

Human Description - Related to Application Layer Gateway Service

Set this to the same as Application Layer Gateway Service

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

IPSEC Services

Microsoft Description - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver.

Human Description - Authenticates hosts before transfer of data, Encryption of IP traffic, Prevention of reply attacks

After testing I would set this to Manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

IPv6 Internet Connection Firewall

Microsoft Description - Provides intrusion prevention service for a home or small office network.

Human Description - Useful in case you have a network and connected to the net, and you dont have any other firewall

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Logical Disk Manager

Microsoft Description - Detects and monitors new hard disk drives and sends disk volume information to Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service for configuration. If this service is stopped, dynamic disk status and configuration information may become out of date. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Updates records to do with hard disk volumes.

Leaving something to download overnight only to return and find you didn't have enough space? I'm sure you will slap your head and think to yourself, "Why did I disable the Logical Disk Manager?".

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service

Microsoft Description - Configures hard disk drives and volumes. The service only runs for configuration processes and then stops.

Human Description - Related to Logical Disk Manager

As it is infrequently used, set to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Messenger

Microsoft Description - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allows network administrators the ability to pop a little prompt on your screen with information.

Although hilarious for the first 25 seconds in forcing your non-computer literate friends to think their machine has been hacked into this service is pretty much pointless.

Incidentally the command to pop-up a prompt on someones screen is "net send [computername] I know where you live" (or some other intimidating message). Enjoy your 25 seconds of fun...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Microsoft Description - Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Like the man said, it allows shadow copying.

Set to disabled unless you want your shadow copy service to control your life.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Net Logon

Microsoft Description - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.

Human Description - Domain Authentication[/b]

If you're a home user you probably won't have a domain. Disable this service and free up that memory.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing

Microsoft Description - Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Why use the bloated netmeeting when VNC does it about 10 times faster and is free?

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network Connections

Microsoft Description - Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.

Human Description - Controls your internet connection details basically.

If you want to use the internet it may be best to leave this setting to its default value of manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Network DDE

Microsoft Description - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. If this service is stopped, DDE transport and security will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Makes use of programs that have the ability to use DDE.

More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network DDE DSDM

Microsoft Description - Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If this service is stopped, DDE network shares will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Network DDE

More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Microsoft Description - Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.

Human Description -

Perhaps useful (although not critical) if you are on a network as Windows will attempt to update the network lists with events such as logon/logoff. If you are not on a network then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

NT LM Security Support Provider

Microsoft Description - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.

Human Description - Installation of some hardware requires usage of RPC.

Best leaving this setting to the default value of manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

NVIDIA Driver Helper Service

Microsoft Description -

Human Description - Provides help and support for NVIDIA graphics cards.

This is an optional service installed when NVIDIA detonator drivers are installed. Disabling this service seems to significantly reduce the time Windows XP takes to shut down.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Performance Logs and Alerts

Microsoft Description - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule

Human Description -

Hardly useful for a home PC now is it? Unless they start assigning the equivalent of 3DMarks I doubt anyone is really interested.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Plug and Play

Microsoft Description - Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.

Human Description -

Commonly referred to as Plug'n'Pray this service is perhaps one feature of Windows XP worth having.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Portable Media Serial Number

Microsoft Description - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer

Human Description -

Quite possibly the most pointless and utterly useless service known to human kind. Why memory is allocated to the retrieval of a needless serial number from your MP3 player is beyond me and I'm sure it's a joke.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Print Spooler

Microsoft Description - Loads files to memory for later printing.

Human Description -

With the advent of greater than 500MHz machines I doubt there will be much speed increase seen from loading files into memory for printing.
However after disabling this my printer would not work so thumbs up to MS for the vague description. Didn't say it would stop you printing now did it...?

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Protected Storage

Microsoft Description - Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.

Human Description - Stop those 1337 h4X0)2 skr1p7 |<1dd135 knocking around with your files.

Trouble is, if they are already past your firewall you've had it anyway. Leave on Manual just in case. Its also used by IE to store passwords and Autocomplete. If you dont use IE, disable it.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

QoS RSVP

Microsoft Description - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets.

Human Description - Quality Of Service - quite useful for services that use it

Used for network balancing and other nifty things to make "your internet experience as wonderful as possible". Quite good then that this service eats 25% of your bandwidth doing it and hardly anything actually makes use of it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager

Microsoft Description - Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.

Human Description - Makes use of embedded links in programs such as Office, also is used in autodial functions


Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Access Connection Manager

Microsoft Description - Creates a network connection.

Human Description - Involved in dial-up. (Digital connections aswell)

Leave as Manual. It usually starts anyway.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

Microsoft Description - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box.

Human Description - Allows incoming Remote Desktop connections.

If you don't use this feature of Windows XP (Remote Desktop) then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disable

--------------------

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Microsoft Description - Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services.

Human Description - Needed for some installations

nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator

Microsoft Description - Manages the RPC name service database.

Human Description - Related to Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Registry

Microsoft Description - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allow people to modify local registry settings via remote desktop or similar.

Possibly one of the biggest security holes that I am suprised nobody has yet exploited. Allowing your registry to be edited remotely? Come on....

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Removable Storage

Microsoft Description -

Human Description - Zip Drives, USB pens etc...

May aswell leave to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Routing and Remote Access

Microsoft Description - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.

Human Description - used on business networks

Pointless for home users.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Secondary Logon

Microsoft Description - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - allow multiple users on one machine.

Most people I think actually make use of this feature.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic
(Single User Setup - Manual)

--------------------

Security Accounts Manager

Microsoft Description - Stores security information for local user accounts.

Human Description - Related to Secondary Logon

Leave on automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Server

Microsoft Description - Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Supports file sharing and other basic LAN functions.

Used for sharing printers and files across Local Area Networks. If you're not on a network you don't need this.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Shell Hardware Detection

Microsoft Description - None

Human Descripton - Basically related to hardware detection and stuff..

Recomended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Smart Card

Microsoft Description - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allows reading of smart card media

If you don't use smart media, disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Smart Card Helper

Microsoft Description - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not support legacy reader. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Smart Card

If you don't use smart media, disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

SSDP Discovery Service

Microsoft Description - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.

Human Description - UPnP = Universal Plug'n'Play

Caters for such things as network printers etc... If you don't have a LAN then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

System Event Notification

Microsoft Description - Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.

Human Description - (Example) Can notify programs such as Outlook when an internet connection is established so that it can send its mail.

This service manages a lot of processes. Best to leave as default on automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

** NOTE: This can be set to Manual too. Just test a little bit.

--------------------

System Restore Service

Microsoft Description - Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties

Human Description - Allows "rollback" to previous configurations in order to solve hardware/software problems.

Bit of a sticky one this. I personally disable this sevice as it uses a lot of resources. It all depends on the individual user of course.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Task Scheduler

Microsoft Description - Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. If this service is stopped, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Depends again on the individual. Task Scheduler uses a fair amount of resources. In case you want your anti-virus program to update itself and to schedule automatic scans, then leave this on. Also supposedly used for prefetching.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Microsoft Description - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.

Human Description - Helper for Internet traffic.

Unless your fascinated by the intrinsic features of TCP/IP then use this feature. Or rather, go to a site that can give you more help.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Telephony

Microsoft Description - Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.

Human Description -

Best leaving this as manual. Not too sure if this covers modems etc.. aswell but it starts when a connection is made to the internet.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Telnet

Microsoft Description - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. If this service is stopped, remote user access to programs might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Cough*Big Security Hole*Cough - this is well worth disabling to bounce those 13 year old hackers.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Terminal Services

Microsoft Description - Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.

Human Description - Remote Desktop features.

If you disabled Remote Desktop earlier then do the same with this.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For MultiUser Setup - Manual )

--------------------

Themes

Microsoft Description - Provides user experience theme management.

Human Description - By default use either classic, Blue, Silver, or (nasty) Green themes in Windows XP

Most people use the themes so leave this automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Microsoft Description - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.

Human Description -

Most home users (unless you live in California) do not have UPS backups.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Universal Plug and Play Device Host

Microsoft Description - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.

Human Description - DO NOT CONFUSE this with Plug and Play (PnP). This is sort of a link with LANs and UPNP devices. Very few devices are UPNP. UPNP also poses some security risks. I recommend that you disable this service, if you are not a lan and dont have any UPNP devices.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Upload Manager

Microsoft Description - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. If this service is stopped, synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - By networks this also refers to the internet.

Unless you want to have problems sending and receiving traffic to and from the internet it may be best to leave this on automatic. Some people say that its used for LANs only. In case you are NOT on a LAN, I recommend that you leave this one to Manual, after testing it ofcourse.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Volume Shadow Copy

Microsoft Description - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Set the same as MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

WebClient

Microsoft Description - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function

Fundamental aspect of Windows. Can be set to Manual however, if you need those extra bits of ram ;)

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Audio

Microsoft Description - Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function

Fundamental aspect of Windows. Leave automatic. (Unless you don't have sound of course)

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

Microsoft Description - Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.

Human Description - In-built scanner and camera features.

If you don't have a scanner/camera then disable this service. Also if you use a 3rd party image aquisition program then disable this in any case.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Management Instrumentation

Microsoft Description - Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Obviously leave this to automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

Microsoft Description - Provides systems management information to and from drivers.

Human Description - Provides information to Windows Management Instrumentation

Leave as manual as this is needed for Windows Management Instrumentation.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Windows Time

Microsoft Description - Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.


Human Description -

Unless you are in dire need to have exactly the same time as the administrator on your network this service can be safely disabled.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Zero Configuration

Microsoft Description - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters


Human Description - Wireless networking auto-configuration

Why this is defaulted to automatic is beyond me. Wireless technology is still relatively new so auto-configuration functions resident in memory is pointless.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Installer

Microsoft Description - Installs, repairs and removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.


Human Description - Does as its said, but not required all the time.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

WMI Performance Adapter

Microsoft Description - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.


Human Description - Provides information about your system to system components that require it.

Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Workstation

Microsoft Description - Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.


Human Description -

Leave as automatic. Needed by Windows to provide functionality on the internet. But generally required if you are on a network, also for Cable Net. If you arent on a network, set this to Manual

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

---------------------


------------------------------------------------------

Approx Speed increases and/or Necessity for Disabling:

-----------------------------------------------------

Help & Support ****
NVIDIA Help and Support *****
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service ***
System Restore Service *****
Event Log **
Automatic Updates ****
Remote Registry ***** (security)
Error Reporting Service ***
Messenger *
Performance Logs and Alerts *
Portable Media Serial Number *
QOS RSVP ***** (I normally disable this in network properties anyway)
Task Scheduler ***
Telnet ***** (Security)
Wireless Zero Config *

[navjotjsingh]

Windows XP Shortcuts to do long jobs

Press Win+L to switch to the Welcome screen.
-----
Press Win+L to lock your workstation.
-----
You can switch users without going through the Welcome screen: From Task Manager, go to the Users tab, right-click a user, and select Connect.
-----
Hold down the shift key in the shutdown dialog to change "Stand By" to "Hibernate". Or just press H to hibernate instantly. You can even use the Power Control Panel to configure your power button to hibernate.
-----
To disable the password when resuming from standby or hibernation, open the Power Control Panel and uncheck "Prompt for password after returning from standby" on the Advanced tab.
-----
You can rename multiple files all at once: Select a group of files, right-click the first file, and select "Rename". Type in a name for the first file, and the rest will follow.
-----
Hold down the shift key when switching to thumbnail view to hide the file names. Do it again to bring them back.
-----
When dragging a file in Explorer, you can control the operation that will be performed when you release the mouse button:

Hold the Control key to force a Copy.

Hold the Shift key to force a Move.

Hold the Alt key to force a Create Shortcut.
-----
If you create a file called Folder.jpg, that image will be used as the thumbnail for the folder. What's more, that image will also be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for all media files in that folder.
-----
From the View Menu, select "Choose Details" to select which file properties should be shown in the Explorer window. To sort by a file property, check its name in the "Choose Details" in order to make that property available in the "Arrange Icons by" menu.
-----
To display the volume control icon in the taskbar, go to the Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel and select "Place volume icon in the taskbar".
-----
Hold down the shift key when deleting a file to delete it immediately instead of placing it in the Recycle Bin. Files deleted in this way cannot be restored.
-----
If you hold down the shift key while clicking "No" in a Confirm File Operation dialog, the response will be interpreted as "No to All".
-----
To save a document with an extension other than the one a program wants to use, enclose the entire name in quotation marks. For example, if you run Notepad and save a file under the name

Dr.Z

it will actually be saved under the name Dr.Z.txt. But if you type

"Dr.Z"

then the document will be saved under the name Dr.Z. Note that a document so-named cannot be opened via double-clicking since the extension is no longer ".txt".
-----
Put a shortcut to your favorite editor in your Send To folder and it will appear in your "Send To" menu. You can then right-click any file and send it to your editor.
-----
Ctrl+Shift+Escape will launch Task Manager.
-----
To arrange two windows side-by-side, switch to the first window, then hold the Control key while right-clicking the taskbar button of the second window. Select "Tile Vertically".
-----
To close several windows at once, hold down the Control key while clicking on the taskbar buttons of each window. Once you have selected all the windows you want to close, right-click the last button you selected and pick "Close Group".
-----
You can turn a folder into a desktop toolbar by dragging the icon of the desired folder to the edge of the screen. You can then turn it into a floating toolbar by dragging it from the edge of the screen into the middle of the screen. (It helps if you minimize all application windows first.)
-----
You can turn a folder into a taskbar toolbar.

First, unlock your taskbar.

Next, drag the icon of the desired folder to the space between the taskbar buttons and the clock. (Wait for the no-entry cursor to change to an arrow. It's a very tiny space; you will have to hunt for it.)

You can rearrange and resize the taskbar toolbar you just created.

You can even turn the taskbar toolbar into a menu by resizing it until only its name is visible.
-----
In the Address Bar, type "microsoft" and hit Ctrl+Enter. Internet Explorer automatically inserts the "http://www." and ".com" for you.
-----
To remove an AutoComplete entry from a Web form, highlight the item in the AutoComplete dropdown and press the Delete key.

To remove all Web form AutoComplete entries, go to the Internet Explorer Tools menu, select Internet Options, Content, AutoComplete, then press the "Clear Forms" button.
-----
To organize your Favorites in Explorer instead of using the Organize Favorites dialog, hold the shift key while selecting "Organize Favorites" from the Favorites menu of an Explorer window.
-----
You can organize your Favorites by dragging the items around your Favorites menu.

Alternatively, you can open the Favorites pane and hold the Alt key while pressing the up and down arrows to change the order of your Favorites.
-----
To run Internet Explorer fullscreen, press F11. Do it again to return to normal mode.
-----
If your "Printers and Faxes" folder is empty, you can hide the "Printers and Faxes" icon when viewed from other computers by stopping the Print Spooler service.
-----
To add or remove columns from Details mode, select Choose Details from the View menu, or just right-click the column header bar.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while turning the mouse wheel to go forwards or backwards.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while clicking on a link to open the Web page in a new window.
-----
In Internet Explorer, type Ctrl+D to add the current page to your Favorites.

This and many more keyboard shortcuts can be found by going to Internet Explorer, clicking the Help menu, then selecting Contents and Index. From the table of contents, open Accessibility and click "Using Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts".
-----
In some applications (such as Internet Explorer), holding the Control key while turning the mouse wheel will change the font size.
-----
To shut down via Remote Desktop, click the Start button, then type Alt+F4.
-----



Trivia

In 1984 Bill Gates said " I think 640KB memory will be enough for anyone in the future."

in 1991 Bill Gates said" I don't think anybody would need Internet . Internet is not for everyone."

Above statements are true to my knowledge.But What next? We don't need Firefox anymore or there is no OS secure than Windows Longhorn(guessed the name of nxt Windows)

[navjotjsingh]

More Tips by me soon. Watch Out............................................... ..................................................
huff..........

6 is my lucky no.
Next lucky no. 9
Tired after too much tip posts.

[chinmay]

hey blade runner...i m in a big prblem n u hv got to help it out...
u mentioned tcp optimizer in 1st page of da thread n i used it
...due to it my speed has degraded drastically ...plz temme what r the default settings of tcp optimizer....if u dont reply immediately i'll have to format my pc.....help me out dude
TCP optimizer from www.speedguide.net does the trick for my connection.

[shwetanshu]

to shutdown faster simply press: winkey-->u-->u
hibernate:winkey-->u-->h
restart: winkey-->u-->r

For me this is the fastest way rather than clicking icons, pressing power button or clicking on start menu. hehehe

[sandeeprao]

i have a P4 and a geforce 4 mx 420 agp card.i have both xp and 98 loaded on my comp.i overclocked my card in xp. i want to know whether the same setting apply for 98 ,also i would like to know upto what safe extent can i overclock my card.

[shwetanshu]

@sandeeprao.... post ur query here (http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13761)

[abhinav]

can any one tell me a tweak to speed my broadband internet connection speed.Pllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[whoopy_whale]

Changing the MaxMTU for faster Downloads

There are four Internet settings that can be configured, you can get greater throughput (faster Internet downloads) by modifying a few settings.
They are the MaxMTU, MaxMSS and DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL

Windows 98

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlset\Servic es\Class\net\000x
(where x is your particular network adapter binding.)
3.Right click on the right panel
4.Select New\String Value and create the value name IPMTU
5.Double click on it and enter then the number you want. The usual change is to 576
6.Similarly, you can add IPMSS and give it a value of 536

You can set DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL by adding these string values to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlset\Servic es\VXD\MSTCP
Set the DefaultRcvWindow to"5840"and the DefaultTTL to "128"

Note: These settings will slow down your network access speed slightly, but you will probably not even see the difference if you are using a network card. If you are using Direct Cable you should see a sight difference.

Source (http://www.easydesksoftware.com/regtrick.htm)

[navjotjsingh]

can any one tell me a tweak to speed my broadband internet connection speed.Pllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Try tips from to boost internet speeds

http://www.petri.co.il/increase_internet_connection_speed_in_windows_xp.h tm

http://www.petri.co.il/increase_broadband_connection_speed_in_windows_xp_ 2003.htm

http://www.petri.co.il/networking.htm

http://www.petri.co.il/speed_up_network_file_copying_in_windows_xp.htm

Please tell your OS. ALl above tips for XP, 2003, 2000, NT only.

[rajkumar_personal]

can any one tell me a tweak to speed my broadband internet connection speed.Pllzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Try tips from to boost internet speeds

http://www.petri.co.il/increase_internet_connection_speed_in_windows_xp.h tm

http://www.petri.co.il/increase_broadband_connection_speed_in_windows_xp_ 2003.htm

http://www.petri.co.il/networking.htm

http://www.petri.co.il/speed_up_network_file_copying_in_windows_xp.htm

Please tell your OS. ALl above tips for XP, 2003, 2000, NT only.



AWESOME Mate !!!

Was looking for this for a long time !
By the way, using other tools can also increase the speed of any highspeed connection !

I have tested some of them myself and have been rewarded with incredible results !!!!

[Santosh Halemani]

Well this is a tweak i belive.

Most of u guys install softwares in c drive where win is installed. I say make drive softwares only with the folder named program files and install.

then see how ur system stays out of trouble and speeds up.

Aslo no defragment required for c drive.

Tell me was it weird or good. :lol:

[Santosh Halemani]

Actually program files is for ur convinence while instaling softs.

[navjotjsingh]

Not a very good idea because it sometimes create problems in registries.

[Santosh Halemani]

Me never occcured one! Yes, u may be write. Tell me how?

[navjotjsingh]

Me never occcured one! Yes, u may be write. Tell me how?

How? Some programs are written by default to be installed in Root>Program Files or some settings used for this folder only. Also It is better to be on safe side than be on safe partition. Defrag C: regularly and u won't need such tweaks.

Better be 5mins. late in this world than 5mins. early in next. (For traffic rules - applies to above also)

A sitch in time saves nine.

Prevention is better than cure.

[Santosh Halemani]

why expect for something when nothing happened brother and why to maintain c drive when not required. Well someget installed their. I have installed 98% of them and have no problem!

[deathvirus_me]

First up ... if you like to automatically optimize things then i would recommend u to download firetune for tweaking firefox ..... now for the manual part .....u could visit www.tweakguides.com

Also here are few of my own tweaks ...
(I)Boot Optimize : just add this to your registry :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOpt imizeFunction]
"Enable"="Y"

(II)Diable Welcome Screen : just add this to your registry