ISBN: 0-7356-1896-8 
Pages: 416 
Disk: N/A 
Stolin-Softwares Price: $24.99
Release: 02/12/2003 
Level: Int/Adv  

Accept no limits! Tweak Windows® XP for ultimate performance with the undocumented secrets and hidden gems of the experts who work with the technology every day. Three Microsoft® Consulting Services (MCS) professionals have teamed with well-known Windows book author Paul McFedries to reveal their best from-the-field techniques, practices, hacks, tricks, and workarounds for putting all of your PC’s muscle to work. Smart, straightforward, and uncompromisingly practical, this book is the ultimate insider’s guide to pushing Windows XP as far as it can go!

Put professional-level practices to work for you:

• Tweak registry settings without getting burned
• Employ lethal techniques to help fight viruses, intruders, and spam
• Customize startup and shutdown—get work done behind the scenes
• Install devices and drivers—painlessly
• Learn 10 ways to help give your system rock-solid stability
• Write your own scripts—or run the ones inside 
• Share your PC using group policies, account lock-outs, and other management tools
• Optimize memory, performance, and usability
• Easily synchronize files between your mobile and desktop PCs
• Troubleshoot problems the way the experts do

PART I   MASTERING ESSENTIAL INSIDER TECHNIQUES   

1   Mastering Control Panel, Policies, and PowerToys 3 
    Operating Control Panel  4 
        Reviewing Control Panel's Icons  5 
        Understanding Control Panel Files  7 
        Accessing Control Panel More Easily  9 
    Implementing Group Policies with Windows XP  11 
        Working with Group Policies  11 
        Example: Controlling Access to Control Panel  14 
    Enhancing Your System with the Windows XP PowerToys  15 
        Tweak UI  16 
        Alt-Tab Replacement  16 
        Open Command Window Here  17 
        PowerToy Calculator  18 
        Image Resizer  18 
        CD Slide Show Generator  19 
        Virtual Desktop Manager  21 
        Taskbar Magnifier  22 
        HTML Slide Show Wizard  22 
        Webcam Timershot  23 
2   Getting the Most Out of the Registry 25 
    Understanding the Registry 25 
    Taking a Tour of the Registry 26 
        Navigating the Keys Pane 27 
        Understanding Registry Settings 28 
        Getting to Know the Registry's Root Keys 29 
        Understanding Hives and Registry Files 31 
    Keeping the Registry Safe 33 
        Backing Up the Registry 33 
        Saving the Current Registry State with System Restore 34 
        Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk 34 
    Working with Registry Keys and Settings 36 
        Changing the Value of a Registry Entry 36 
        Creating a .reg File 40 
        Renaming a Key or Setting 43 
        Creating a New Key or Setting 44 
        Deleting a Key or Setting 44 
    Finding Registry Entries 45 
3   Programming Windows XP with Scripts  47 
    Understanding Scripts and Script Execution  48 
        Running Script Files Directly  48 
        Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts  48 
        Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts  51 
    Programming Objects  52 
        Working with Object Properties  52 
        Working with Object Methods  53 
        Assigning an Object to a Variable  55 
        Working with Object Collections  55 
    Displaying Text Using the WScript Object  56 
    Scripting and Automation  57 
    Programming the VBScript FileSystemObject  58 
    Displaying More Detailed Information to the User  60 
        Setting the Style of the Message  61 
        Getting Return Values from the Message Dialog Box  63 
    Running Applications  64 
    Working with Registry Entries  65 
        Reading Registry Keys or Values  66 
        Storing Registry Keys or Values  66 
        Deleting Registry Keys or Values  67 
    Scripting Example: Programming Internet Explorer  67 
        Displaying a Web Page  68 
        Navigating Pages  68 
        Using the InternetExplorer Object's Properties  69 
        Running Through an Example Script  70 

PART II   GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EVERYDAY TASKS   

4   Starting Up and Shutting Down  75 
    Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup  76 
        Using the Startup Folder  76 
        Using the Registry  77 
        Using Group Policies  78 
        Some Startup Scripts  81 
    Controlling Startup Using the System Configuration Utility 84 
    Controlling Startup Using Boot.ini 88 
        Changing the Default Startup OS 90 
        Using the Boot.ini Switches 91 
    Controlling Startup with the Advanced Options Menu 93 
    Getting the Most Out of the Shutdown Procedure 95 
        Using the SHUTDOWN Command  95 
        Deleting Files at Shutdown  96 
        Running Scripts at Logoff or Shutdown  97 
5   Managing Logons and Users 99 
    Useful Windows XP Logon Strategies  100 
        Customizing the Logon  101 
        Setting Logon Policies  105 
        More Logon Registry Tweaks  106 
    Getting the Most Out of User Accounts  108 
        Control Panel's User Accounts Icon  109 
        The User Accounts Dialog Box  110 
        The Local Users And Groups Snap-In  112 
        Setting Account Policies  113 
        Working with Users and Groups from the Command Line  115 
    Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords  117 
        Creating a Strong Password  117 
        User Account Password Options  119 
        Taking Advantage of Windows XP's Password Policies  120 
        Recovering a Forgotten Password  121 
    Sharing Your Computer Securely  122 
6   Installing and Running Programs 125 
    Tips and Techniques for Installing Applications  126 
        User Accounts and Installing Programs  126 
        Working Through a Preinstallation Checklist 127 
    Launching Applications  131 
        Launching Programs from the Command Prompt  134 
        Running a Program as a Different User  135 
        Creating Application-Specific Paths  136 
        Restricting Program Launches for Users  138 
    Understanding Application Compatibility  138 
        Determining Whether a Program Is Windows XP-Compatible  140 
        Understanding Compatibility Mode  141 
        Scripting Compatibility Layers  143 
        Using the Application Compatibility Toolkit  144 
        Using QFixApp  145 
        Using the Compatibility Administrator  147 
7   Getting the Most Out of Files and Folders 149 
    A Dozen Little-Known Windows Explorer Techniques  150 
        Viewing Extra Details  150 
        Choosing "No To All" When Copying or Moving  151 
        Determining Selection Size  151 
        Running Windows Explorer in Full-Screen Mode  152 
        Making Quick Backup Copies  153 
        Dragging and Dropping via the Taskbar  153 
        Customizing the Send To Command  153 
        Searching Faster with the Indexing Service  154 
        Running Windows Explorer from the Command Line  154 
        Moving the My Documents Folder  155 
        Restricting Windows Explorer's Features with Group Policies  156 
        Working with Compressed Folders  156 
    Getting Familiar with File Types  158 
        Modifying Actions for an Existing File Type  159 
        Creating a New File Type  161 
    Customizing the Windows XP New Menu  165 
        Adding File Types to the New Menu  167 
        Deleting File Types from the New Menu  167 
    Customizing Windows XP's Open With List  167 
        Removing an Application from a File Type's Open With Menu  169 
        Removing a Program from the Open With List  169 
        Adding a Program to the Open With List  170 
        Disabling the Open With Check Box  170 
8   Playing, Copying, and Storing Digital Media  171 
    Tips for Working with Windows Media Player  172 
        Playing Media Files  172 
        Setting Media Player's Playback Options  173 
        Copying Music from an Audio CD  178 
        Copying Tracks to a Recordable CD or Device  182 
    Working with Digital Media Files 185 
        Digging Deeper into Digital Media Files  185 
        Tips for Working with Digital Media Files  187 
        Creating a Screen Saver Using Digital Images  188 
    Customizing Media Folders  190 
        Selecting a Folder Template  190 
        Changing the Folder Icon  191 
    Investigating the Windows Media Bonus Pack  191 
9   Installing and Troubleshooting Devices  195 
    Tips and Techniques for Installing Devices  196 
        Installing Plug and Play Devices  196 
        Installing Legacy Devices  200 
        Controlling Driver Signing Options  201 
    Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager  204 
        Controlling the Device Display  205 
        Viewing Device Properties  206 
        Working with Device Drivers  206 
        Uninstalling a Device 207 
    Managing Hardware Profiles  208 
    Working with Device Security Policies  210 
    Troubleshooting Device Problems  211 
        Troubleshooting with Device Manager  211 
        Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems  213 
        Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts 215 

PART III   CUSTOMIZING AND OPTIMIZING   

10   Customizing the Interface 219 
    Customizing the Start Menu for Easier Program and Document Launching 220 
        Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu  220 
        Changing the Default Internet and E-mail Programs  222 
        Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu  224 
        Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus  225 
        Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons  226 
    Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching 228 
        Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars  228 
        Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options  229 
        Creating New Taskbar Toolbars  229 
        Putting Taskbar Toolbars to Good Use  230 
        Improving Productivity by Setting Taskbar Options  231 
    Controlling Taskbar Grouping  233 
    Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies  235 
    Using Screen Space Efficiently  236 
11   Optimizing Performance  239 
    Monitoring Performance 240 
        Using Task Manager 240 
        Using System Monitor 244 
    Fine-Tuning Performance 245 
        Optimizing Startup 246 
        Optimizing Applications 251 
        Optimizing the Hard Disk 252 
        Optimizing Virtual Memory  255 
        Adjusting Power Options 260 
        Turning Off Fast User Switching 261 
        Reducing the Use of Visual Effects  261 
12   Maintaining Your System in 10 Easy Steps  263 
    Step 1—Check Your Hard Disk for Errors 264 
        Running the Check Disk GUI  264 
        Running Check Disk from the Command Line  266 
    Step 2—Check Free Disk Space  267 
    Step 3—Delete Unnecessary Files  269 
    Step 4—Defragment Your Hard Disk  272 
        Running the Disk Defragmenter Tool  272 
        Defragmenting from the Command Line  273 
    Step 5—Set System Restore Points  273 
    Step 6—Back Up Your Files  275 
    Step 7—Run the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard  278 
    Step 8—Check For Updates and Security Patches  280 
        Checking the Windows Update Web Site  280 
        Checking for Security Vulnerabilities  281 
    Step 9—Verify Digitally Signed Files  282 
    Step 10—Review Event Viewer Logs  283 
    Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule  285 
13   Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems  287 
    Determining the Source of the Problem  288 
    General Troubleshooting Tips  295 
    Troubleshooting Using Online Resources  296 
    Recovering from a Problem  299 
        Booting Using the Last Known Good Configuration  299 
        Recovering Using System Restore  300 
        Recovering Using the Recovery Console  302 
        Reinstalling Windows XP  304 
        Recovering Using Automated System Recovery  305

PART IV   MASTERING INTERNET AND NETWORKING FEATURES   

14   Implementing Internet Security and Privacy 309 
    Working with E-mail Safely and Securely  310 
        Protecting Yourself Against E-mail Viruses  310 
        Filtering Out Spam  313 
        Maintaining Your Privacy While Reading E-mail  319 
        Sending and Receiving Secure E-mail  320 
        Setting Up an E-mail Account with a Digital ID  321 
        Obtaining Another Person's Public Key  322 
        Sending a Secure Message  323 
        Receiving a Secure Message  324 
    Keeping Intruders Out of Your System  325 
    Surfing the Web Securely  328 
        Adding and Removing Zone Sites  330 
        Changing a Zone's Security Level  331 
        Enhancing Online Privacy by Managing Cookies  332 
15   Getting the Most Out of Internet Explorer 335 
    Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing  336 
        Navigating Sites Quickly and Easily Using the Address Bar  338 
        Customizing the Links Bar for One-Click Surfing  340 
    Searching the Web  341 
        Changing the Default Search Engine  342 
        Setting Up Other Search Engines for Address Bar Searching  343 
    Understanding Internet Explorer's Advanced Options  345 
16   Setting Up and Administering a Small Network 357 
    Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network  358 
        Understanding Ethernet Network Hardware Requirements  359 
        Understanding Wireless Network Hardware Requirements  360 
        Running the Network Setup Wizard  361 
        Working with Network Settings  364 
    Administering Your Network  366 
        Using My Network Places  367 
        Adding a Network Place  368 
        Mapping a Network Folder to a Local Drive Letter  370 
        Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder  372 
        Connecting to a Remote Registry  372 
        Connecting to a Remote Desktop  373 
    Sharing Resources with the Network  375 
        Clearing Simple File Sharing  375 
        Creating User Accounts  376 
        Sharing a Resource  377 
INDEX 381