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15 Top Windows XP secrets (Tutorial)1. Useful key shortcuts available:

- Windows key + D - shows the desktop- Windows key + M - minimizes all open windows- Windows key + Shift + M - maximizes all open windows- Windows key + E - Runs Windows Explorer - Windows key + R - shows the RUN dialog- Windows key + F - shows Search window- Windows key + Break - shows System Properties box- Windows key + TAB - Go through taskbar applications- Windows key + PAUSE Display the System Properties dialog box- Windows key + U Open Utility Manager - ALT + TAB - Cycle through opened applications

- Hold down CTRL while dragging an item to Copy it- CTRL + ESC Display the Start menu- ALT + ENTER View the properties for the selected item- F4 key Display the Address bar list in My Computer or - NUM LOCK + Asterisk (*) Display all of the subfolders that are under the selectedfolder

2. Lock Windows to protect computer You can lock Windows to protect the computer when leaving the station easily bycreating a shortcut with the path rundll32.exeuser32.dll, LockWorkStation. The Windowskey + L is also a shortcut to this feature.

3. Edit sysoc.inf to list all softwareTo show all software that can be removed from your computer (including protectedWindows services), you can manually edit (using notepad for example) the sysoc.inf filelocated in Windows\inf\. Just remove the word hide next to the software pack.*Note* - use this at your own risk. Removing critical components of the system willmake Windows instable.

4. Windows XP comes with IPv4 and IPv6Windows XP comes both IPv4 and IPv6 support. To enable IPv6, you can install the

protocols needed with the command "ipv6 install" in the command-prompt. Then typeipv6 /? to see the options. The installation will not remove the IPv4 protocols so your current configuration will still work.

5. Access Task Manager with shortcutTo access the Task Manager easier, you can make a shortcut that points to%windir%\system32\taskmgr.exe.

6. Stop treating ZIP files like Folders

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If you don't want your Windows XP to treat ZIP files like folders, you can disable thiscomponent by running regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll at the command prompt or Run dialog. If you start missing it, you can enable it by typing regsvr32 zipfldr.dll.

7. Run program as diffrent user

You can run a program as a different user. Right click an application and select Run Ascommand.

8. Switch users leaving applications openedYou can switch users leaving the applications opened too (*NOTE* use this only whenneeded since it could lead to system instability).Go to Task Manager - processes and end the process explorer.exe. This will end only your session and not all applications. Then go to Applications tab, click New task and typerunas /user:domainname\username explorer.exe. A password prompt will appear to loginto the desired username. The user's session will start, with all your previouslyapplications running.

I recommend to open first a command-line prompt and type runas /? to see all the optionsavailable.

9. Rename multiple files in Windows at onceRename multiple files in Windows at once. Select them all, right click and selectRename. Enter the desired name. They will be renamed using what you specified, with anumber in brackets to distinguish them.

10. Task kill feature in WindowsWindows has a task kill feature similar to Linux. Go to a command prompt and run thecommand tasklist to see running processes with PID numbers. Then type tskill toend the specific task. This forces an instant closing of the task.

11. Edit features with GPEDIT.MSCYou can edit many features by running gpedit.msc. You can add log on/log off scriptshere and many features.

12. Edit accounts in the command promptYou can edit accounts by running "control userpasswords2" at the command prompt.

13. Use systeminfo.exe to see System InformationYou can use the systeminfo.exe command in the command prompt to see SystemInformation, including all Windows updates and hotfixes.

14. Disable system services for maximum performanceThere are system services that you can disable to free up the system's load. To access theinterface that permits you to make changes to system's services, type services.msc and thecommand prompt.This is a list of services that are *usually* useless and can be safely disabled.Alerter

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Application Layer Gateway Service,Application ManagementAutomatic UpdatesBackground Intelligent Transfer Clipbook

Distributed Link Tracking ClientDistributed Transaction Coordinater Error Reporting ServiceFast User Switching CompatibilityIMAPI CD-BurningIndexing ServiceIPSEC ServicesMessenger

Net Logon Net MeetingRemote Desktop Sharing

Network DDE Network DDE DSDMPortable Media Serial Number Remote Desktop Help Session Manager Remote RegistrySecondary LogonSmartcardSSDP Discovery ServiceUninterruptible Power SupplyUniversal Plug and Play Device HostUpload Manager WebclientWireless Zero ConfigurationWMI Performance Adaptor

*NOTE*: Make sure you don't need them since some applications you're using coulddepend on them. If you make any application to fail by disabling any of the services, go

back and enable it again.

15. Repair Windows XP by using the XP installation CDIf your system failes to start due to an error related to missing HAL.DLL, invalid Boot.inior any other critical system boot files you can repair this by using the XP installation CD.Simply boot from your XP Setup CD and enter the Recovery Console. Then run "attrib-H -R -S" on the C:\Boot.ini file and delete it. Run "Bootcfg /Rebuild" and then Fixboot.

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