1. Explicit Phrase: Lets say you are looking for content about internet marketing. Instead of just typing internet marketing into the Google search box, you will likely be better off searching explicitly for the phrase. To do this, simply enclose the search phrase within double quotes.
Example: “internet marketing”
2. Exclude Words: Lets say you want to search for content about internet marketing, but you want to exclude any results that contain the term advertising. To do this, simply use the “-“ sign in front of the word you want to exclude.
Example Search: internet marketing -advertising
3. Site Specific Search: Often, you want to search a specific website for content that matches a certain phrase. Even if the site doesn’t support a built-in search feature, you can use Google to search the site for your term. Simply use the “site:somesite.com” modifier.
Example: “internet marketing” site:www.smallbusinesshub.com
4. Similar Words and Synonyms: Let’s say you are want to include a word in your search, but want to include results that contain similar words or synonyms. To do this, use the “~” in front of the word.
Example: “internet marketing” ~professional
5. Specific Document Types: If you’re looking to find results that are of a specific type, you can use the modifier “filetype:”. For example, you might want to find only PowerPoint presentations related to internet marketing.
Example: “internet marketing” filetype:ppt
6. This OR That: By default, when you do a search, Google will include all the terms specified in the search. If you are looking for any one of one or more terms to match, then you can use the OR operator. (Note: The OR has to be capitalized).
Example: internet marketing OR advertising
7. Phone Listing: Let’s say someone calls you on your mobile number and you don’t know how it is. If all you have is a phone number, you can look it up on Google using the phonebook feature.
Example: phonebook:617-555-1212 (note: the provided number does not work – you’ll have to use a real number to get any results).
8. Area Code Lookup: If all you need to do is to look-up the area code for a phone number, just enter the 3-digit area code and Google will tell you where it’s from.
Example: 617
9. Numeric Ranges: This is a rarely used, but highly useful tip. Let’s say you want to find results that contain any of a range of numbers. You can do this by using the X..Y modifier (in case this is hard to read, what’s between the X and Y are two periods. This type of search is useful for years (as shown below), prices or anywhere where you want to provide a series of numbers.
Example: president 1940..1950
10. Stock (Ticker Symbol): Just enter a valid ticker symbol as your search term and Google will give you the current financials and a quick thumb-nail chart for the stock.
Example: GOOG
11. Calculator: The next time you need to do a quick calculation, instead of bringing up the Calculator applet, you can just type your expression in to Google.
Example: 48512 * 1.02
12. Word Definitions: If you need to quickly look up the definition of a word or phrase, simply use the “define:” command.
Example: define:plethora
Hope this proves useful in your future Google searches. If there are any of your favorite Google power tips that I’ve missed, please feel free to share them in the comments.
Actually,13 tips to use google like an expert Grin
13. Searching for URLs containing certain words. Use the "inurl:word" modifier.
Example site:forumw.org inurl:discuss
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
13 Quick Tips To Search Google Like An Expert :
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Selectively clean the history of START-RUN list
If you have not cleaned the RUN entries for a while or you choose not to, you would have a list of
them.If you want to selectively delete the entries do this.Open registry by going to START-RUN and
entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU] . In
this look for various entries on right pane. You can choose what you want to delete and simply delete
it. Or you can clear all command lines as well.
them.If you want to selectively delete the entries do this.Open registry by going to START-RUN and
entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU] . In
this look for various entries on right pane. You can choose what you want to delete and simply delete
it. Or you can clear all command lines as well.
Laptop/portable computer users ! Undock without logon
I read about this over the Internet. This would allow you to undock without logging on to Window
XP.To do this, open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] . In
this look for value of "UndockWithoutLogon". Setting its value to 1 to enable it or 0 to disable it.
XP.To do this, open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] . In
this look for value of "UndockWithoutLogon". Setting its value to 1 to enable it or 0 to disable it.
AutoReboot whenever Windows XP experiences BSOD (Blue Screen of Death!)
Since Windows XP is touted as most reliable Windows XP ever, you do not need this trick!. Well I am
somewhat kidding. There is nothing in this world that is foolproof. I have faced this twice so far. To
make windows reboot instead of producing the cryptic dump, open registry by going to START-RUN
and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl] . In this look for
value of "AutoReboot". Setting its value to 1 will activate Autoreboot. By default this is the value on
my system but just in case if you have a 0,set it to 1.
somewhat kidding. There is nothing in this world that is foolproof. I have faced this twice so far. To
make windows reboot instead of producing the cryptic dump, open registry by going to START-RUN
and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl] . In this look for
value of "AutoReboot". Setting its value to 1 will activate Autoreboot. By default this is the value on
my system but just in case if you have a 0,set it to 1.
Disable use of Win key
I am not sure why you would ever want to do this except probably if you do not have a windows
enabled keyboard but here is the tip anyway (tip for the sack of tip !!!!). To disable use of Win key,
open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout] . In this look
for value of "Scancode Map". Its binary data so be extra careful:
Set its value to "00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00" to disable
the win key.
enabled keyboard but here is the tip anyway (tip for the sack of tip !!!!). To disable use of Win key,
open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout] . In this look
for value of "Scancode Map". Its binary data so be extra careful:
Set its value to "00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00" to disable
the win key.
Improve Shutdown. Lets not save your active session's settings on exit
If you Don't care which windows app was located where when you are shutting down the system, this
tip may in fact help improve the shutdown time a bit (a bit not too much)..Simply inform windows not
to save the settings at exit time. To do this , open registry by going to START-RUN and entering
regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] . In this
look for value of "NoSaveSettings". If available, do one of the following:
If you want to enable no save on exit, set its value to 1 else to save on exit. set it back to 0.
tip may in fact help improve the shutdown time a bit (a bit not too much)..Simply inform windows not
to save the settings at exit time. To do this , open registry by going to START-RUN and entering
regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] . In this
look for value of "NoSaveSettings". If available, do one of the following:
If you want to enable no save on exit, set its value to 1 else to save on exit. set it back to 0.
Automatically kill non-responding application at shutdown
Remember this ! It happens to all of us invariably sometime or the other no matter what you do. Don't
you hate waiting for those extra seconds and then simply responding yes to the windows query. Well
you have a remedy. You can tell Windows XP to automatically close all non responding windows.
Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktopn] . In this look for value of "AutoEndTasks". If
available, do one of the following:
If you want to enable automatic killing of non responding tasks, set its value to 1. to disable it set it
back to 0.
you hate waiting for those extra seconds and then simply responding yes to the windows query. Well
you have a remedy. You can tell Windows XP to automatically close all non responding windows.
Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktopn] . In this look for value of "AutoEndTasks". If
available, do one of the following:
If you want to enable automatic killing of non responding tasks, set its value to 1. to disable it set it
back to 0.
Disable default capability of Windows XP to open the compressed/zipped folder
I am comfortable with the default capability that Windows XP provides to unzip the
zipped/compressed files/folders. But if you are used to winzip/pkzip or any other third vendor software,
it may make sense to avoid confusion by disabling default unzipper code in windows. To do this go to
START-RUN and entering "regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll" (without quotes). To enable it go to START-RUN
and entering "regsvr32 zipfldr.dll" (without quotes).
zipped/compressed files/folders. But if you are used to winzip/pkzip or any other third vendor software,
it may make sense to avoid confusion by disabling default unzipper code in windows. To do this go to
START-RUN and entering "regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll" (without quotes). To enable it go to START-RUN
and entering "regsvr32 zipfldr.dll" (without quotes).
Control parsing of autoexec.bat
In Window 3.1 autoexec.bat was one of the few choices of executing any app at boot time. But its
importance has gradually thinned. It is still supported but you can pretty much do without it for most
part. If you do not need to parse the autoexec.bat (there may not be anything in it anyway !), you can
tell Windows XP to do that. Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] . In this
look for value of "ParseAutoexec". If available, do one of the following:
If you want to disable parsing of autoexec.bat, set its value to 0.
If you want to enable parsing of autoexec.bat, set its value to 1.
importance has gradually thinned. It is still supported but you can pretty much do without it for most
part. If you do not need to parse the autoexec.bat (there may not be anything in it anyway !), you can
tell Windows XP to do that. Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] . In this
look for value of "ParseAutoexec". If available, do one of the following:
If you want to disable parsing of autoexec.bat, set its value to 0.
If you want to enable parsing of autoexec.bat, set its value to 1.
Define a logical value for System Cache
Depending upon how you intend to use your computer (like a workstation or server ), it may make
sense to set the system cache. Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate
to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management] . In this look for value of "LargeSystemCache". If available, do one of the following:
If intention is to use the computer like a workstation, set its value to 0.
If intention is to use the computer like a server, set its value to 1.
sense to set the system cache. Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate
to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management] . In this look for value of "LargeSystemCache". If available, do one of the following:
If intention is to use the computer like a workstation, set its value to 0.
If intention is to use the computer like a server, set its value to 1.
Secure your computer: Enable Advanced File System Security Options
This will further secure your windows explorer and not really a performance tweak. Open registry by
going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] . In this look for value of
"forceguest". If available, its default value would be 1. Set its value to 1. This would enables Windows
XP logic for advanced permissions.
going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] . In this look for value of
"forceguest". If available, its default value would be 1. Set its value to 1. This would enables Windows
XP logic for advanced permissions.
Run Windows Explorer in its own process. Avoid Total Explorer Crash
This will further secure your windows explorer from crash though not a great idea if short on memory.
Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] . In
this look for value of "SeparateProcess". If available set its value to 1 and if not (which could be the
case ) then add a DWORD key by the name "SeparateProcess" and set its value to 1.
If you would rather prefer not to change registry settings , you can get similar results by following
steps mentioned below
Click on "Start" Menu
Clcik "My Computer"
Click on "Tools" Menu
Click "Folder Options"
Check "Lauch folder windows in separate process"
Stability would be more because each Folder window will start in separate process and will not cause
system to halt in case one or more of such processes stop responding. Although it is supposed to
provide better stability but may be at the cost of performance.
Open registry by going to START-RUN and entering regedit. Navigate to
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] . In
this look for value of "SeparateProcess". If available set its value to 1 and if not (which could be the
case ) then add a DWORD key by the name "SeparateProcess" and set its value to 1.
If you would rather prefer not to change registry settings , you can get similar results by following
steps mentioned below
Click on "Start" Menu
Clcik "My Computer"
Click on "Tools" Menu
Click "Folder Options"
Check "Lauch folder windows in separate process"
Stability would be more because each Folder window will start in separate process and will not cause
system to halt in case one or more of such processes stop responding. Although it is supposed to
provide better stability but may be at the cost of performance.
Using the Ultimate Configuration Tool (Professional Edition Only)
One of the most full featured Windows XP configuration tools available is hidden right
there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local
Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short. It just like old Poledit.exe.
To start this editor:
Select Start and then Run, then type the following:
gpedit.msc
After you hit Enter, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify almost every
feature in Windows XP without having to go to regedit.
there in your system, but most people don't even know it exists. It's called the Local
Group Policy Editor, or gpedit for short. It just like old Poledit.exe.
To start this editor:
Select Start and then Run, then type the following:
gpedit.msc
After you hit Enter, you'll be greeted by gpedit, which lets you modify almost every
feature in Windows XP without having to go to regedit.
How to Pause or Resume Downloading
After the download process has started, you can pause or resume downloading at any
time. If you close your Internet connection or restart your computer after pausing a
download process, Windows automatically resumes the download process the next
time you are connected to the Internet.
During the download process, click the icon that is displayed in the notification area,
and then click Pause.
When you are ready for Windows to start downloading again, click the Automatic
updating icon, and then click
Resume.
Restore an Update that You Previously Declined
If you decide not to download a specific update, you can prompt Windows Update to
offer that update again.
Click Start , click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Restore Declined Updates.
time. If you close your Internet connection or restart your computer after pausing a
download process, Windows automatically resumes the download process the next
time you are connected to the Internet.
During the download process, click the icon that is displayed in the notification area,
and then click Pause.
When you are ready for Windows to start downloading again, click the Automatic
updating icon, and then click
Resume.
Restore an Update that You Previously Declined
If you decide not to download a specific update, you can prompt Windows Update to
offer that update again.
Click Start , click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Restore Declined Updates.
How to Download Available Updates
If you configured automatic updating to notify you before downloading any updates,
an icon is displayed in the notification area each time new updates are found.
Double-click the icon in the notification area.
Do either of the following steps:
If you want Windows to download an update, make sure that the check box beside it is
selected.
-or-
If you do not want Windows to download an update, click to clear the check box
beside it.
Your selected updates are downloaded in the background; this behavior allows you to
continue working uninterrupted. Downloading does not interfere with or slow down
other network activity, such as Internet browsing.
When downloading is finished, the icon is displayed in the notification area to notify
you that updates are ready to be installed.
an icon is displayed in the notification area each time new updates are found.
Double-click the icon in the notification area.
Do either of the following steps:
If you want Windows to download an update, make sure that the check box beside it is
selected.
-or-
If you do not want Windows to download an update, click to clear the check box
beside it.
Your selected updates are downloaded in the background; this behavior allows you to
continue working uninterrupted. Downloading does not interfere with or slow down
other network activity, such as Internet browsing.
When downloading is finished, the icon is displayed in the notification area to notify
you that updates are ready to be installed.
How to Have Windows Remind You About Pending Updates
Click Remind Me Later in the Automatic Updates dialog box before you download or
install the update.
In the Reminder dialog box, you can specify the amount of time Windows should wait
before reminding you.
If the reminder is for downloading, Windows reminds you only when you are
connected to the Internet.
If the reminder is for installing, Windows reminds you according to the schedule that
you specify.
install the update.
In the Reminder dialog box, you can specify the amount of time Windows should wait
before reminding you.
If the reminder is for downloading, Windows reminds you only when you are
connected to the Internet.
If the reminder is for installing, Windows reminds you according to the schedule that
you specify.
How to Update Your Files Manually by Using Windows Update
If you choose not to use automatic updating, you can still install specific updates from
the Windows Update Web site. Windows Update is a catalog of items such as drivers,
security fixes, critical updates, the latest Help files, and Internet products that you can
download to keep your computer up-to-date.
Click Windows Update in Help and Support Center.
On the Windows Update home page, click Scan for updates.
Click Yes when you are prompted to install any required software or device drivers.
the Windows Update Web site. Windows Update is a catalog of items such as drivers,
security fixes, critical updates, the latest Help files, and Internet products that you can
download to keep your computer up-to-date.
Click Windows Update in Help and Support Center.
On the Windows Update home page, click Scan for updates.
Click Yes when you are prompted to install any required software or device drivers.
How to Turn Off Automatic Updates
Click Start , click Control Panel , and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Turn off automatic updating. I want
to update my computer manually.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click Turn off automatic updating. I want
to update my computer manually.
How to Turn On Automatic Updates
Click Start , click Control Panel , and then double-click System.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click one of the following options:
- Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be
installed. (This is the default setting.)
- Notify me before downloading any updates and notify me again before installing
them on my computer.
Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click one of the following options:
- Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be
installed. (This is the default setting.)
- Notify me before downloading any updates and notify me again before installing
them on my computer.
Restore Shortcuts
If a shortcut that you want is removed, follow these steps to restore the shortcut:
On the Desktop, double-click the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. The Unused
Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is displayed. Note: If the Unused Desktop Shortcuts
dialog box is maximized, click the Restore Down button (appears to the left of the red
Close button).
Drag the shortcut that you want to the Windows desktop.
Close the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box.
On the Desktop, double-click the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. The Unused
Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is displayed. Note: If the Unused Desktop Shortcuts
dialog box is maximized, click the Restore Down button (appears to the left of the red
Close button).
Drag the shortcut that you want to the Windows desktop.
Close the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box.
Remove Unwanted Shortcuts
In the Welcome to the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, click Next.
In the Shortcuts dialog box, a list of shortcuts are displayed in the Shortcut to Clean Up
list. The shortcuts that you click are removed from the desktop and placed in the
Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on the Windows desktop.
If you do not want a shortcut to be removed from the desktop, click to clear the check
box for that shortcut, and then click Next when you are finished.
In the Completing the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, view the items in the
Shortcuts box to confirm that you want them removed from the desktop, and then click
Finish.
The Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves the selected shortcuts to the Unused Desktop
Shortcuts folder and then quits.
In the Shortcuts dialog box, a list of shortcuts are displayed in the Shortcut to Clean Up
list. The shortcuts that you click are removed from the desktop and placed in the
Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on the Windows desktop.
If you do not want a shortcut to be removed from the desktop, click to clear the check
box for that shortcut, and then click Next when you are finished.
In the Completing the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, view the items in the
Shortcuts box to confirm that you want them removed from the desktop, and then click
Finish.
The Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves the selected shortcuts to the Unused Desktop
Shortcuts folder and then quits.
Use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard in Windows XP
To start the Desktop Cleanup Wizard:
Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes under Pick a category.
Under or pick a Control Panel icon , click Display. The Display Properties dialog box
is displayed.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize
Desktop. The Desktop Items dialog box is displayed.
Under Desktop cleanup , click to clear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days
check box if you do not want the Desktop Cleanup Wizard to automatically start every
60 days.
Click Clean Desktop Now. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard starts.
Click Start , and then click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes under Pick a category.
Under or pick a Control Panel icon , click Display. The Display Properties dialog box
is displayed.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize
Desktop. The Desktop Items dialog box is displayed.
Under Desktop cleanup , click to clear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days
check box if you do not want the Desktop Cleanup Wizard to automatically start every
60 days.
Click Clean Desktop Now. The Desktop Cleanup Wizard starts.
Identify a 16-bit Program
Use Windows Explorer to open the folder that contains the program's executable (.exe)
file.
Right-click the .exe file, and then click Properties.
A 16-bit program does not have a Version tab in this dialog box.
file.
Right-click the .exe file, and then click Properties.
A 16-bit program does not have a Version tab in this dialog box.
Change the Default Opening Folder in Windows Explorer
By default, Windows Explorer opens showing the My Documents folder. To change
the default setting so that all top–level drives and folders are shown, follow these steps:
Click Start > Programs > Accessories, then right–click Windows Explorer, and click
Properties.
Under Target field, which reads %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe, add to make the line
read:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\
Click OK.
the default setting so that all top–level drives and folders are shown, follow these steps:
Click Start > Programs > Accessories, then right–click Windows Explorer, and click
Properties.
Under Target field, which reads %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe, add to make the line
read:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\
Click OK.
Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs
Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is
installed? If it gets in the way when you’re logging off, turn it off completely. To do this:
Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and
then click Properties.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click
Customize.
Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
installed? If it gets in the way when you’re logging off, turn it off completely. To do this:
Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and
then click Properties.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click
Customize.
Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Change Drive Letters in Windows XP
When you add drives to your computer, such as an extra hard drive, a CD drive, or a
storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the
drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might
have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive.
When you want to change drive letters, follow these steps:
Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
Under Computer Management, click Disk Management. In the right pane, you’ll see
your drives listed. CD-ROM drives are listed at the bottom of the pane.
Right-click the drive or device you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter
and Paths.
Click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the drive letter you want to
assign, and then click OK.
storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the
drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might
have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive.
When you want to change drive letters, follow these steps:
Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
Under Computer Management, click Disk Management. In the right pane, you’ll see
your drives listed. CD-ROM drives are listed at the bottom of the pane.
Right-click the drive or device you want to change, and then click Change Drive Letter
and Paths.
Click Change, click Assign the following drive letter, click the drive letter you want to
assign, and then click OK.
Remove Hibernation File
If you do not use hibernation, make sure you do not have it enabled, which reserves
disk space equal to your RAM. If you have a hidden file on the root directory of your
C-drive called hiberfil.sys, hibernation is enabled. To remove that file:
Go to Control Panel, select Performance and Maintenance, Power Options, Hibernate
tab, and uncheck the Enable hibernation box.
disk space equal to your RAM. If you have a hidden file on the root directory of your
C-drive called hiberfil.sys, hibernation is enabled. To remove that file:
Go to Control Panel, select Performance and Maintenance, Power Options, Hibernate
tab, and uncheck the Enable hibernation box.
Speed Up Detailed View in Explorer
If you like to view your files in Windows Explorer using the "Details" view here is a
tweak to speed up the listing of file attributes:
Viewing files in Windows Explorer using the "Details" mode shows various attributes
associated with each file shown. Some of these must be retrieved from the individual
files when you click on the directory for viewing. For a directory with numerous and
relatively large files (such as a folder in which one stores media, eg: *.mp3's, *.avi's
etc.), Windows Explorer lags as it reads through each one. Here's how to disable
viewing of unwanted attributes and speed up file browsing:
Open Windows Explorer.
Navigate to the folder which you wish to optimize.
In "Details" mode right-click the bar at the top which displays the names of the
attribute columns.
Uncheck any that are unwanted/unneeded.
Explorer will apply your preferences immediately, and longs lists of unnecessary
attributes will not be displayed.
Likewise, one may choose to display any information which is regarded as needed,
getting more out of Explorer.
tweak to speed up the listing of file attributes:
Viewing files in Windows Explorer using the "Details" mode shows various attributes
associated with each file shown. Some of these must be retrieved from the individual
files when you click on the directory for viewing. For a directory with numerous and
relatively large files (such as a folder in which one stores media, eg: *.mp3's, *.avi's
etc.), Windows Explorer lags as it reads through each one. Here's how to disable
viewing of unwanted attributes and speed up file browsing:
Open Windows Explorer.
Navigate to the folder which you wish to optimize.
In "Details" mode right-click the bar at the top which displays the names of the
attribute columns.
Uncheck any that are unwanted/unneeded.
Explorer will apply your preferences immediately, and longs lists of unnecessary
attributes will not be displayed.
Likewise, one may choose to display any information which is regarded as needed,
getting more out of Explorer.
Editing explorer in windows xp
Editing explore in windows xp is very easy with available tools its not as difficult like
old dos based tedious method here u need just one tool called RESOURCE HACKER
It is a resource viewer it will show u Resources in any 32bit Windows
95/98/ME/NT/2000 executable files (including exe’s, dll’s, ocx’s and cpl’s) . ok go in
to ur windows directory and find explorer.exe and make its two copies name them
As explorer_1 and explorer_2 .exe respectively and keep them in windows folder only.
We will edit explorer_1 and will keep explorer_2 as backup copy if anything goes
wrong. Open explorer_1.exe in resource hacker and go to String table and edit
whatever u want to even u can change start button by ur name or anything else
After editing even a single word do not forget to click the COMPILE button. Change
icon or u can change animated message such as when u install a new programs so
when u go to all programs a animated message comes “New Program Installed” u can
change it by ur sentence etc. now we have edited the explore_1 now go To File menu
in Resource hacker and save it as explorer_1.exe it will ask u that explorer_1.exe is
already present do u want to replace it, click YES. Now we have our edited explorer.
Now restart ur computer in safe mode with command prompt by pressing F8 during
booting process . Now we will copy explorer_1.exe on explorer.exe by typing
command Copy C:\windows\explorer_1.exe C:\windows\explorer.exe
Now restart ur computer and what u will seeing that u r working with ur edited
explorer. If anything goes wrong than just copy explorer_2.exe on explorer.exe by
same process.
old dos based tedious method here u need just one tool called RESOURCE HACKER
It is a resource viewer it will show u Resources in any 32bit Windows
95/98/ME/NT/2000 executable files (including exe’s, dll’s, ocx’s and cpl’s) . ok go in
to ur windows directory and find explorer.exe and make its two copies name them
As explorer_1 and explorer_2 .exe respectively and keep them in windows folder only.
We will edit explorer_1 and will keep explorer_2 as backup copy if anything goes
wrong. Open explorer_1.exe in resource hacker and go to String table and edit
whatever u want to even u can change start button by ur name or anything else
After editing even a single word do not forget to click the COMPILE button. Change
icon or u can change animated message such as when u install a new programs so
when u go to all programs a animated message comes “New Program Installed” u can
change it by ur sentence etc. now we have edited the explore_1 now go To File menu
in Resource hacker and save it as explorer_1.exe it will ask u that explorer_1.exe is
already present do u want to replace it, click YES. Now we have our edited explorer.
Now restart ur computer in safe mode with command prompt by pressing F8 during
booting process . Now we will copy explorer_1.exe on explorer.exe by typing
command Copy C:\windows\explorer_1.exe C:\windows\explorer.exe
Now restart ur computer and what u will seeing that u r working with ur edited
explorer. If anything goes wrong than just copy explorer_2.exe on explorer.exe by
same process.
Correcting System Hang at Startup
If your system hangs about 2 or 3 minutes at startup, where you can't access the Start
button or theTaskbar, it may be due to one specific service (Background Intelligent
Transfer) running in the background. Microsoft put out a patch for this but it didn't
work for me. Here's what you do
Click on Start/Run, type 'msconfig', then click 'OK'.
Go to the 'Services' tab, find the 'Background Intelligent Transfer' service.
Disable it, apply the changes & reboot.
button or theTaskbar, it may be due to one specific service (Background Intelligent
Transfer) running in the background. Microsoft put out a patch for this but it didn't
work for me. Here's what you do
Click on Start/Run, type 'msconfig', then click 'OK'.
Go to the 'Services' tab, find the 'Background Intelligent Transfer' service.
Disable it, apply the changes & reboot.
Cracking windows xp admin and user passwords.
I hope u guys liked tip given for resetting passwords in first part. If u have guest or
limited user account on PC than that control userpasswords2 tip does not help u much.
Windows will still ask u admin password for resetting users passwords .
Ok go and Download a tool called CIA COMMANDER this is just what we want.
This tool will create a copy protected bootable floppy which will allow u to boot any
computer and also help u to get into any NTFS partition .First select floppy as first
bootable device from BIOS. CIA shows u every thing to u in GUI.
After booting CIA will allow u to reset any user password even administrator’s
password. It also includes a file manager, registry editor and a text/hex editor. Present
version of CIA does not support FAT partitions but sooner its new version will even
support FAT partition based system.
I have read on some tutorials about a tool called NTFS Pro which looks almost like
CIA .
limited user account on PC than that control userpasswords2 tip does not help u much.
Windows will still ask u admin password for resetting users passwords .
Ok go and Download a tool called CIA COMMANDER this is just what we want.
This tool will create a copy protected bootable floppy which will allow u to boot any
computer and also help u to get into any NTFS partition .First select floppy as first
bootable device from BIOS. CIA shows u every thing to u in GUI.
After booting CIA will allow u to reset any user password even administrator’s
password. It also includes a file manager, registry editor and a text/hex editor. Present
version of CIA does not support FAT partitions but sooner its new version will even
support FAT partition based system.
I have read on some tutorials about a tool called NTFS Pro which looks almost like
CIA .
Shutdown Button on Desktop
Right click on ur Desktop and create new Shortcut and type
“C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Shutdown.exe –s” without quotes in the popup box
which will appear asking for a path of shortcut . Now when u will double click this
shortcut it will give u shutdown message and ur computer will shutdown after some
seconds. U can customize ur shutdown button with same icon which original shutdown
have Just go to the properties of ur shortcut and click change icon tab select any icon u
like and click apply.
Similarly u can also put restart button on ur desktop just replace –s in above line by –r
If u don’t want shutdown button on ur desktop u can the go to start >run and type
Shutdown –s or –r they will do the same job. If someone tries to shutdown u remotely
on the net then u can stop shutdown process but typing shutdown –a in Run.
Shutdown –s = Shutdown & restart
Shutdown –r = Restart
Shutdown –a = To abort shutdown
“C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Shutdown.exe –s” without quotes in the popup box
which will appear asking for a path of shortcut . Now when u will double click this
shortcut it will give u shutdown message and ur computer will shutdown after some
seconds. U can customize ur shutdown button with same icon which original shutdown
have Just go to the properties of ur shortcut and click change icon tab select any icon u
like and click apply.
Similarly u can also put restart button on ur desktop just replace –s in above line by –r
If u don’t want shutdown button on ur desktop u can the go to start >run and type
Shutdown –s or –r they will do the same job. If someone tries to shutdown u remotely
on the net then u can stop shutdown process but typing shutdown –a in Run.
Shutdown –s = Shutdown & restart
Shutdown –r = Restart
Shutdown –a = To abort shutdown
Turn Off System Restore to Save Space
By default, Windows XP keeps a backup of system files in the
System Volume Information folder. This can eat up valuable space
on your hard drive. If you don't want Windows to back up your
system files:
Open the Control Panel.
Double-click on System.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives".
Hit Apply.
You may now delete the System Volume Information folder.
System Volume Information folder. This can eat up valuable space
on your hard drive. If you don't want Windows to back up your
system files:
Open the Control Panel.
Double-click on System.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives".
Hit Apply.
You may now delete the System Volume Information folder.
Speeding Up Your Old Shit Pentium by 50%
We all know that you really shouldn't try to run Windows XP on
anything less that about a Pentium 3 of some sort if you are out
for speedy operations and amazing reaction times, but for those
of us with the good old Pentium 2's who want to see just how well
we can run XP, we have to tweak as much as we can where-ever we
can. A real killer to the system's performance is Windows Media
Player. Although it may look desirable and fancy with it's
rounded off edges and 3rd-Dimensional appearance, the truth is,
it takes up a large amount of that precious processing power.
All of these troubles however, lead to one thing in particular
with this 'new-look' over-rated music and video player...the
Visualizations. The look-great I'll admit but like a lot of
software these days, it has no purpose. If you run the task
manager, and click the Performance tab along the top, you'll see
that when Windows Media Player is running and nothing else is
active, it takes up around 50% of the processors power. Once
these visualizations are turned off, it barely takes up 2-3% of
the processors power, which leaves much more room for other
applications to work efficiently.
Here's how to disable the feature:
Open Media Player.
Make sure the Now Playing tab on the left is selected.
Click the View menu along the top.
Go down to Now Playing Tools
anything less that about a Pentium 3 of some sort if you are out
for speedy operations and amazing reaction times, but for those
of us with the good old Pentium 2's who want to see just how well
we can run XP, we have to tweak as much as we can where-ever we
can. A real killer to the system's performance is Windows Media
Player. Although it may look desirable and fancy with it's
rounded off edges and 3rd-Dimensional appearance, the truth is,
it takes up a large amount of that precious processing power.
All of these troubles however, lead to one thing in particular
with this 'new-look' over-rated music and video player...the
Visualizations. The look-great I'll admit but like a lot of
software these days, it has no purpose. If you run the task
manager, and click the Performance tab along the top, you'll see
that when Windows Media Player is running and nothing else is
active, it takes up around 50% of the processors power. Once
these visualizations are turned off, it barely takes up 2-3% of
the processors power, which leaves much more room for other
applications to work efficiently.
Here's how to disable the feature:
Open Media Player.
Make sure the Now Playing tab on the left is selected.
Click the View menu along the top.
Go down to Now Playing Tools
Stop Jerkey Graphics
If you are connected to a LAN and have problems with jerkey
graphics, this might be the solution:
Right-click "MyComputer".
Select "Manage".
Click on "Device Manager".
Double-click on your NIC under "Network Adapters".
In the new window, select the "Advanced" tab.
Select "Connection Type" and manually set the value of your NIC.
(Not "Auto Sense" which is default.).
You should reboot.
graphics, this might be the solution:
Right-click "MyComputer".
Select "Manage".
Click on "Device Manager".
Double-click on your NIC under "Network Adapters".
In the new window, select the "Advanced" tab.
Select "Connection Type" and manually set the value of your NIC.
(Not "Auto Sense" which is default.).
You should reboot.
Increase Your Cable Modem or DSL Speed in XP
This tweak is for broad band cable connections on stand alone
machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home
version also. It may also work with networked machines as well.
This tweak assumes that you have let WinXP create a connection on
install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your
connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing - and client
for Microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that
WinXP will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it
doesn't do not try this.
In the "My Network Places" properties (right-click on the desktop
icon and choose properties), highlight the connection
then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings".
Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the
bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS
networks. Click OK.
machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home
version also. It may also work with networked machines as well.
This tweak assumes that you have let WinXP create a connection on
install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your
connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing - and client
for Microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that
WinXP will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it
doesn't do not try this.
In the "My Network Places" properties (right-click on the desktop
icon and choose properties), highlight the connection
then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings".
Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the
bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS
networks. Click OK.
Disable Error Reporting
Open Control Panel.
Click on Performance and Maintenance.
Click on System.
Then click on the Advanced tab.
Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
Select Disable error reporting.
Click OK. Click OK.
Click on Performance and Maintenance.
Click on System.
Then click on the Advanced tab.
Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
Select Disable error reporting.
Click OK. Click OK.
Adjust Various Visual Effects
Open up the Control Panel.
Go under System and click on the Advanced tab.
Click settings under Performance options.
You can now change various graphical effects (mainly animations
and shadows).
Go under System and click on the Advanced tab.
Click settings under Performance options.
You can now change various graphical effects (mainly animations
and shadows).
)Win XP Won’t Completely Shutdown
Go to Control Panel, then go to Power Options.
Click on the APM tab, then check the "Enable Advanced Power
Management support."
Shut down your PC.
It should now successfully complete the Shut Down process.
Click on the APM tab, then check the "Enable Advanced Power
Management support."
Shut down your PC.
It should now successfully complete the Shut Down process.
Synchronize Your Computer Clock with an Internet Time Server
Does your computer have the right time? If your computer is not
part of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an
Internet time server. To do so:
Double–click the time on your task bar.
Click the Internet Time tab.
Select the time server you want to use and make sure to select
the Automatically synchronize with an Internet time
server check box.
part of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an
Internet time server. To do so:
Double–click the time on your task bar.
Click the Internet Time tab.
Select the time server you want to use and make sure to select
the Automatically synchronize with an Internet time
server check box.
Turn Off Autoplay for Program CDs
How can you stop Windows XP from launching program CDs?
Click Start, click Run, type GPEDIT.MSC to open Group Policy in
the Microsoft Management Console.
Double-click Computer Configuration, double-click Administrative
templates, double-click System, and then click Turn off autoplay.
The instructions on your screen describe how to configure this
setting. Click Properties to display the setting dialog.
Click Enabled, and choose CD-ROM drives, then click OK, to stop
CD autoplay.
This setting does not prevent Autoplay for music CDs.
Click Start, click Run, type GPEDIT.MSC to open Group Policy in
the Microsoft Management Console.
Double-click Computer Configuration, double-click Administrative
templates, double-click System, and then click Turn off autoplay.
The instructions on your screen describe how to configure this
setting. Click Properties to display the setting dialog.
Click Enabled, and choose CD-ROM drives, then click OK, to stop
CD autoplay.
This setting does not prevent Autoplay for music CDs.
Easily Disable Messenger
Go into: C:/Program Files/Messenger. Rename the Messenger folder
to "MessengerOFF".
This does not slow down Outlook Express or hinder system
performance.
to "MessengerOFF".
This does not slow down Outlook Express or hinder system
performance.
Shutdown XP Faster
Like previous versions of windows, it takes long time to restart
or shutdown windows XP when the "Exit Windows" sound is enabled.
To solve this problem you must disable this useless sound.
Click Start button.
Go to settings > Control Panel > Sound, Speech and Audio devices
> Sounds and Audio Devices > Sounds.
Then under program events and windows menu click on "Exit
Windows" sub-menu and highlight it. Now from sounds you can
select, choose "none" and then click Apply and OK.
Now you should see some improvements when shutting down your
system.
or shutdown windows XP when the "Exit Windows" sound is enabled.
To solve this problem you must disable this useless sound.
Click Start button.
Go to settings > Control Panel > Sound, Speech and Audio devices
> Sounds and Audio Devices > Sounds.
Then under program events and windows menu click on "Exit
Windows" sub-menu and highlight it. Now from sounds you can
select, choose "none" and then click Apply and OK.
Now you should see some improvements when shutting down your
system.
Easy Way to Adjust LargeSystemCache
Normally, the tweak I've seen asks you to go into
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management and change the value to either O or 1 to the
adjustment the LargeSystemCache.
However, in Windows XP, all you have to do is:
Right-click My Computer.
Select Properties.
Click Advanced.
Choose Performance.
Click Advanced again.
Select either Programs or System Cache under Memory Usage.
Programs = 0 for the registry tweak equivalent
System Cache = 1 for the registry tweak equivalent
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory
Management and change the value to either O or 1 to the
adjustment the LargeSystemCache.
However, in Windows XP, all you have to do is:
Right-click My Computer.
Select Properties.
Click Advanced.
Choose Performance.
Click Advanced again.
Select either Programs or System Cache under Memory Usage.
Programs = 0 for the registry tweak equivalent
System Cache = 1 for the registry tweak equivalent
DMA Mode on IDE Devices
Just like Windows 2000, Windows XP still fails to set the DMA
mode correctly for the IDE device designated as the slaves on the
primary IDE and secondary IDE channels. Most CD-ROMS are capable
of supporting DMA mode, but the default in XP is still PIO.
Setting it to DMA won't make your CD-ROM faster, but it will
consume less CPU cycles. Here's how:
Open the Device Manager. One way to do that is to right-click on
"My Computer", select the Hardware tab, and select Device
Manager.
Expand "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and double-click on "Primary
IDE Channel".
Under the "Advanced Settings" tab, check the "Device 1" setting.
More than likely, your current transfer mode is set to PIO.
Set it to "DMA if available".
Repeat the step for the "Secondary IDE Channel" if you have
devices attached to it. Reboot.
mode correctly for the IDE device designated as the slaves on the
primary IDE and secondary IDE channels. Most CD-ROMS are capable
of supporting DMA mode, but the default in XP is still PIO.
Setting it to DMA won't make your CD-ROM faster, but it will
consume less CPU cycles. Here's how:
Open the Device Manager. One way to do that is to right-click on
"My Computer", select the Hardware tab, and select Device
Manager.
Expand "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and double-click on "Primary
IDE Channel".
Under the "Advanced Settings" tab, check the "Device 1" setting.
More than likely, your current transfer mode is set to PIO.
Set it to "DMA if available".
Repeat the step for the "Secondary IDE Channel" if you have
devices attached to it. Reboot.
Load Internet Explorer the Fastest Way Possible
Edit your link to start Internet Explorer to have -nohome after
it. For Example: "C:\Program Files\Internet
Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" -nohome
This will load internet explorer very fast because it does not
load a web page while it is loading. If you want to go to your
homepage after it is loaded, just click on the home button.
it. For Example: "C:\Program Files\Internet
Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" -nohome
This will load internet explorer very fast because it does not
load a web page while it is loading. If you want to go to your
homepage after it is loaded, just click on the home button.
Reduce 10 Second Scandisk Wait Time
Start MS Dos Prompt (Start run CMD), and type: CHKNTFS /T:4
where 4 is the amount of wait time.
CHKNTFS /?
for more info.
where 4 is the amount of wait time.
CHKNTFS /?
for more info.
Performance Increase Through My Computer
Easy enough tweak to usually find out about it on your own, but
still, some of us still don't find it right away. So here it is:
Start > right-click on My Computer and select Properties.
Click on the "Advanced" tab.
See the "Performance" section? Click "Settings".
Disable the following:
Fade or slide menus into view
Fade or slide ToolTips into view
Fade out menu items after clicking
Show Shadows under menus
Slide open combo boxes
Slide taskbar buttons
Use a background image for each folder type
Use common tasks in folders
There, now Windows will still look nice and perform faster.
still, some of us still don't find it right away. So here it is:
Start > right-click on My Computer and select Properties.
Click on the "Advanced" tab.
See the "Performance" section? Click "Settings".
Disable the following:
Fade or slide menus into view
Fade or slide ToolTips into view
Fade out menu items after clicking
Show Shadows under menus
Slide open combo boxes
Slide taskbar buttons
Use a background image for each folder type
Use common tasks in folders
There, now Windows will still look nice and perform faster.
Clean Your Prefetch to Improve Performance
This is a unique technique for WinXP. We know that it is
necessary to scrub registry and TEMP files for Win9X/ME/2000
periodically. Prefetch is a new and very useful technique in
Windows XP. However, after using XP some time, the prefetch
directory can get full of junk and obsolete links in the Prefetch
file:///D|/My%20File/tips%20xp/Windows%20XP.htm (2 of 9) [04/09/2003 8:12:02]
Windows XP
catalog, which can slow down your computer noticeably.
Open C(system drive):/windows/prefetch, delete those junk and
obsolete files, reboot. It is recommended that you do this every
month.
necessary to scrub registry and TEMP files for Win9X/ME/2000
periodically. Prefetch is a new and very useful technique in
Windows XP. However, after using XP some time, the prefetch
directory can get full of junk and obsolete links in the Prefetch
file:///D|/My%20File/tips%20xp/Windows%20XP.htm (2 of 9) [04/09/2003 8:12:02]
Windows XP
catalog, which can slow down your computer noticeably.
Open C(system drive):/windows/prefetch, delete those junk and
obsolete files, reboot. It is recommended that you do this every
month.
Turn Off Indexing to Speed Up XP
Windows XP keeps a record of all files on the hard disk so when
you do a search on the hard drive it is faster. There is a
downside to this and because the computer has to index all files,
it will slow down normal file commands like open, close, etc. If
you do not do a whole lot of searches on your hard drive then you
may want to turn this feature off:
Open My Computer.
Right-click your hard drive icon and select Properties.
At the bottom of the window you'll see "Allow indexing service to
index this disk for faster searches," uncheck this and click ok.
A new window will pop up and select Apply to all folders and
subfolders.
It will take a minute or two for the changes to take affect but
then you should enjoy slightly faster performance.
you do a search on the hard drive it is faster. There is a
downside to this and because the computer has to index all files,
it will slow down normal file commands like open, close, etc. If
you do not do a whole lot of searches on your hard drive then you
may want to turn this feature off:
Open My Computer.
Right-click your hard drive icon and select Properties.
At the bottom of the window you'll see "Allow indexing service to
index this disk for faster searches," uncheck this and click ok.
A new window will pop up and select Apply to all folders and
subfolders.
It will take a minute or two for the changes to take affect but
then you should enjoy slightly faster performance.
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