Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed

Description

While what you create using your computer is a unique expression of who you are, how you use your computer probably isn't. Nearly every Windows XP user follows the same Start menu path to launch programs, uses the same standard techniques in programs like Windows Explorer and Outlook Express, and performs the same customizations that don't go much beyond changing the wallpaper. However, there are those of us who qualify as the "post-novice" user, who think that doing things the "official" way is too slow, less efficient and less powerful than there is potential for with Windows XP. Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed will take you beyond the standard-issue default settings and program wizards to shortcuts, new customization techniques, workarounds for common problems, and warnings on how to avoid the pitfalls of Windows XP, including those associated with Service Pack 2. Along the way, you'll learn about all kinds of insider details, undocumented features, powerful tools, and background facts that help put everything about Windows XP into perspective.

Back Cover

While what you create using your computer is a unique expression of who you are, how you use your computer probably isn't. Nearly every Windows XP user follows the same Start menu path to launch programs, uses the same standard techniques in programs like Windows Explorer and Outlook Express, and performs the same customizations that don't go much beyond changing the wallpaper. However, there are those of us who qualify as the "post-novice" user, who think that doing things the "official" way is too slow, less efficient and less powerful than there is potential for with Windows XP. Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed will take you beyond the standard-issue default settings and program wizards to shortcuts, new customization techniques, workarounds for common problems, and warnings on how to avoid the pitfalls of Windows XP, including those associated with Service Pack 2. Along the way, you'll learn about all kinds of insider details, undocumented features, powerful tools, and background facts that help put everything about Windows XP into perspective.

Contents

Introduction.

Who Should Read This Book

How This Book Is Organized

Conventions Used in This Book

I. UNLEASHING DAY-TO-DAY WINDOWS XP.

1. Customizing and Troubleshooting the Windows XP Startup.

The Boot Process, from Power Up to Startup

Custom Startups with BOOT.INI

Changing the Default Startup Operating System

Using the BOOT.INI Switches

Using the System Configuration Editor to Modify BOOT.INI

Custom Startups with the Advanced Options Menu

Useful Windows XP Logon Strategies

Customizing the Logon

Setting Logon Policies

More Logon Registry Tweaks

Troubleshooting Windows XP Startup

When to Use the Various Advanced Startup Options

What to Do If Windows XP Won't Start in Safe Mode

Troubleshooting Startup Using the System Configuration Utility

What to Do If Windows XP Still Won't Start

From Here

2. Exploring Expert File and Folder Techniques.

Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros

Selecting Files and Folders

Making Sense of Windows XP's Rules for Moving and Copying

Choosing "No to All" When Copying or Moving

Expert Drag-and-Drop Techniques

Taking Advantage of the Send To Command

The Recycle Bin: Deleting and Recovering Files and Folders

File Maintenance Using the Open and Save As Dialog Boxes

Powerful Search Techniques for Finding Files

Reconfiguring the Search Behavior

Performing a Search

Searching Faster with the Indexing Service

Customizing Windows Explorer

Changing the View

Viewing Extra Details

Running Explorer in Full-Screen Mode

Sorting Files and Folders

Exploring the View Options

Moving My Documents

Customizing the Standard Buttons Toolbar

Using Windows Explorer's Command-Line Options

From Here

3. Mastering File Types.

Understanding File Types

File Types and File Extensions

File Types and the Registry

The File Types Tab: A Front-End for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Working with Existing File Types

Editing a File Type

Working with File Type Actions

Example: Opening the Command Prompt in the Current Folder

Disassociating an Application and an Extension

Creating a New File Type

Using Open With to Create a Basic File Type

Using the File Types Tab to Create a More Advanced File Type

Associating Two or More Extensions with a Single File Type

Customizing the New Menu

Adding File Types to the New Menu

Deleting File Types from the New Menu

Customizing Windows XP's Open With List

Opening a Document with an Unassociated Application

How the Open With Feature Works

Removing an Application from a File Type's Open With Menu

Removing a Program from the Open With List

Adding a Program to the Open With List

Disabling the Open With Check Box

From Here

4. Working with Digital Media.

Understanding Digital Audio

Analog-to-Digital Sound Conversion

A Review of Digital Audio File Formats

Displaying Your Installed Audio Codecs

Troubleshooting: Disabling an Audio Codec

Troubleshooting: Reinstalling an Audio Codec

Understanding Digital Video

Understanding Video Compression Schemes

A Review of Digital Video File Formats

Reinstalling a Video Codec

Tips for Working with Windows Media Player

Playing Media Files

Setting Windows Media Player's Playback Options

Copying Music from an Audio CD

Copying Tracks to a Recordable CD or Device

Dealing with Digital Media Files

Getting the Most Out of Digital Media Files and Windows Explorer

Tips for Working with Digital Media Files

Creating a Screensaver Using Digital Images

Customizing Media Folders

Selecting a Folder Template

Customizing the Folder Icon

From Here

5. Installing and Running Applications.

Practicing Safe Setups

User Accounts and Installing Programs

Running Through a Pre-Installation Checklist

Installing the Application

Applications and the Registry

Program Settings

User Settings

File Types

Application-Specific Paths

Shared DLLs

Uninstall Settings

Launching Applications

Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup

Running a Program as a Different User

Creating Application-Specific Paths

Restricting Program Launches for Users

Understanding Application Compatibility

Determining Whether a Program Is Compatible with Windows XP

Understanding Compatibility Mode

Scripting Compatibility Layers

Using Application Compatibility Toolkit

Using Compatibility Administrator

From Here

6. Getting the Most Out of User Accounts.

Understanding Security Groups

Working with the User Accounts Window

Working with the User Accounts Dialog Box

Adding a New User

Performing Other User Tasks

Requiring Ctrl+Alt+Delete at Startup

Working with the Local Users and Groups Snap-In

Setting Account Policies

Setting Account Security Policies

Setting User Rights Policies

Setting Account Lockout Policies

Working with Users and Groups from the Command Line

The NET USER Command

The NET LOCALGROUP Command

Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords

Creating a Strong Password

User Account Password Options

Taking Advantage of Windows XP's Password Policies

Recovering from a Forgotten Password

Sharing Your Computer Securely

From Here

II. UNLEASHING ESSENTIAL WINDOWS XP POWER TOOLS.

7. Using Control Panel, Group Policies, and Tweak UI.

Operating Control Panel

Reviewing the Control Panel Icons

Understanding Control Panel Files

Easier Access to Control Panel

Implementing Group Policies with Windows XP

Working with Group Policies

Example: Controlling Access to Control Panel

Tweaking Your System with Tweak UI

From Here

8. Getting to Know the Windows XP Registry.

A Synopsis of the Registry

A Brief History of Configuration Files

The Registry Puts an End to INI Chaos

Understanding the Registry Files

Navigating the Keys Pane

Understanding Registry Settings

Getting to Know the Registry's Root Keys

Understanding Hives and Registry Files

Keeping the Registry Safe

Backing Up the Registry

Saving the Current Registry State with System Restore

Protecting Keys by Exporting Them to Disk

Working with Registry Entries

Changing the Value of a Registry Entry

Renaming a Key or Setting

Creating a New Key or Setting

Deleting a Key or Setting

Finding Registry Entries

From Here

9. Programming the Windows Script Host.

WSH: Your Host for Today's Script

Scripts and Script Execution

Running Script Files Directly

Using WScript for Windows-Based Scripts

Using CScript for Command-Line Scripts

Script Properties and .wsh Files

Programming Objects

Working with Object Properties

Working with Object Methods

Assigning an Object to a Variable

Working with Object Collections

Programming the WScript Object

Displaying Text to the User

Shutting Down a Script

Scripting and Automation

Programming the WshShell Object

Referencing the WshShell Object

Displaying Information to the User

Running Applications

Working with Shortcuts

Working with Registry Entries

Working with Environment Variables

Programming the WshNetwork Object

Referencing the WshNetwork Object

WshNetwork Object Properties

Mapping Network Printers

Mapping Network Drives

Example: Scripting Internet Explorer

Displaying a Web Page

Navigating Pages

Using the InternetExplorer Object's Properties

Running Through a Sample Script

From Here

III. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP CUSTOMIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION.

10. Customizing the Windows XP Interface.

Customizing the Start Menu for Easier

Program and Document Launching

Getting More Favorite Programs on the Start Menu

Customizing the Internet and E-mail Icons

Setting Program Access and Defaults

Pinning a Favorite Program Permanently to the Start Menu

Streamlining the Start Menu by Converting Links to Menus

Adding, Moving, and Removing Other Start Menu Icons

Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching

Displaying the Built-In Taskbar Toolbars

Setting Some Taskbar Toolbar Options

Putting Taskbar Toolbars to Good Use

Controlling Taskbar Grouping

Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies

Using Screen Space Efficiently

From Here

11. Tuning Windows XP's Performance.

Monitoring Performance

Monitoring Performance with Task Manager

Monitoring Performance with System Monitor

Optimizing Startup

Reducing or Eliminating BIOS Checks

Reducing the OS Choices Menu Timeout

Turning Off the Startup Splash Screen

Upgrading Your Device Drivers

Using an Automatic Logon

Reducing or Eliminating Startup Programs

Using Hibernation Mode

Configuring the Prefetcher

Optimizing Applications

Adding More Memory

Installing to the Fastest Hard Drive

Optimizing Application Launching

Getting the Latest Device Drivers

Optimizing Windows XP for Programs

Setting the Program Priority in Task Manager

Optimizing the Hard Disk

Examining Hard Drive Performance Specifications

Performing Hard Drive Maintenance

Disabling Compression and Encryption

Turning Off the Indexing Service

Enabling Write Caching

Converting FAT16 and FAT32 Partitions to NTFS

Turning Off 8.3 Filename Creation

Disabling Last Access Timestamp

Optimizing Virtual Memory

Storing the Page File Optimally

Splitting the Page File

Customizing the Page File Size

Watching the Page File Size

Changing the Paging File's Location and Size

Defragmenting the Page File

More Optimization Tricks

Adjusting Power Options

Turning Off Fast User Switching

Reducing the Use of Visual Effects

From Here

12. Maintaining Your Windows XP System.

Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors

Understanding Clusters

Understanding Lost Clusters

Understanding Invalid Clusters

Understanding Cross-Linked Clusters

Understanding Cycles

Running the Check Disk GUI

Running Check Disk from the Command Line

Checking Free Disk Space

Deleting Unnecessary Files

Defragmenting Your Hard Disk

Running the Disk Defragmenter Tool

Defragmenting from the Command Line

Setting System Restore Points

Backing Up Your Files

Some Thoughts on Real-World Backups

Defining a Backup Job

Running the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard

Checking for Updates and Security Patches

Checking the Windows Update Website

Checking for Security Vulnerabilities

Verifying Digitally Signed Files

Reviewing Event Viewer Logs

Setting Up a 10-Step Maintenance Schedule

From Here

13. Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems.

Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem

Did You Get an Error Message?

Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?

Does an Error Appear in System Information?

Did the Error Begin with a Past Hardware or Software Change?

Did You Recently Edit the Registry?

Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?

Did Windows XP "Spontaneously" Reboot?

Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?

Did You Recently Install a New Program?

Did You Recently Install a New Device?

Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?

Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?

Did You Recently Install a Windows XP Hotfix or Service Pack?

General Troubleshooting Tips

Troubleshooting Using Online Resources

Recovering from a Problem

Booting Using the Last Known Good Configuration

Recovering Using System Restore

Recovering Using the Recovery Console

Reinstalling Windows XP

Recovering Using Automated System Recovery

From Here

14. Getting the Most Out of Device Manager.

Understanding Windows XP's Device Support

Device Support: The Bad Old Days

Device Support in Windows XP

Tips and Techniques for Installing Devices

Installing Plug and Play Devices

Installing Legacy Devices

Controlling Driver Signing Options

Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager

Controlling the Device Display

Viewing Device Properties

Working with Device Drivers

Uninstalling a Device

Managing Hardware Profiles

Working with Device Security Policies

Troubleshooting Device Problems

Troubleshooting with Device Manager

Troubleshooting Device Driver Problems

Tips for Downloading Device Drivers

Troubleshooting Resource Conflicts

From Here

IV. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP MODEM COMMUNICATIONS.

15. Getting Started with Modem Communications.

A Modem Communications Primer

Modems: The Inside Story

Serial Ports: Communicating One Bit at a Time

Modem-to-Modem Communications

Flow Control: The Communications Traffic Cop

Data Bits: The Crux of the Matter

Start and Stop Bits: Bookends for Your Data

Parity: A Crude Error Check

Terminal Emulation: Fitting in with the Online World

File Transfers: A Matter of Protocol

Configuring Serial Ports

Installing and Configuring a Modem

Installing a Modem

Working with Different Dialing Locations

Modifying the Modem's General Properties

Modifying the Modem's Advanced Properties

Testing the Modem

From Here

16. Putting Your Modem to Work.

Getting Your Modem to Dial Voice Calls for You

Placing a Voice Call

Configuring Windows Firewall to Allow Incoming Internet Calls

Placing an Internet or Network Call

Setting Phone Dialer's Options

Quick Connections with Speed Dial

Using HyperTerminal for Modem-to-Modem Connections

Creating a New HyperTerminal Connection

Connecting to a Remote System

Performing File Transfers

Disconnecting from the Remote System

Connecting to Another Computer

Entering AT Commands in HyperTerminal

Sending and Receiving Faxes

Installing the Fax Service

Starting the Fax Console

Configuring the Fax Service

Examining the Fax Console

Sending a Fax

Working with Fax Cover Pages

Receiving Faxes

Remote Collaboration with Microsoft NetMeeting

Configuring NetMeeting

Placing NetMeeting Calls

Exchanging Files in NetMeeting

Using the Chat Feature

Using the Whiteboard

Sharing Programs

Setting NetMeeting Options

From Here

V. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP FOR THE INTERNET.

17. Implementing TCP/IP for Internet Connections.

Understanding TCP/IP

What Is TCP/IP?

Understanding IP

Understanding TCP

Installing and Configuring TCP/IP

Installing the TCP/IP Protocol

Configuring the TCP/IP Protocol

Wielding the TCP/IP Utilities

The PING Command

The TRACERT Command

From Here

18. Exploring the Web with Internet Explorer.

Understanding Web Page Addresses

Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing

Taking Advantage of the Address Bar

Creating a Shortcut to a URL

Using the Handy History Bar

Searching the Web

Changing the Default Search Engine

Setting Up Other Search Engines for Address Bar Searching

The Favorites Folder: Sites to Remember

Adding a Shortcut to the Favorites Folder

Opening an Internet Shortcut from the Favorites Folder

Maintaining Favorites

Viewing the Favorites Folder

Sharing Favorites with Other Browsers

Reading Pages Offline

Setting Up a Page for Offline Reading

Synchronizing Offline Pages

Changing Offline Page Properties

Changing Synchronization Settings

Customizing Internet Explorer

Customizing the Links Bar for One-Click Surfing

Controlling the Web Page Cache

Setting Internet Explorer Options

Changing the Home Page

Configuring the Page History  

Setting More General Options

Using the Content Advisor

Specifying Internet Explorer Programs

Understanding Internet Explorer's Advanced Options

From Here

19. Communicating with Internet Email.

Setting Up Mail Accounts

Specifying Basic Account Settings

Setting the Default Account

Specifying Advanced Account Settings

Handling Incoming Messages

Processing Messages

Customizing the Message Columns

Setting Read Options

Sending Messages

Taking Control of Your Messages

Creating a Signature

Creating an Email Shortcut for a Recipient

Setting Send Options

Maintaining Outlook Express

Filtering Incoming Messages

Blocking Senders

Creating a Mail Rule

Finding a Message

Simple Searches

Advanced Searches

Finding a Person

Working with Identities

Creating a New Identity

Switching Identities

Managing Identities

Logging Off Your Identity

Identities-Storage Locations and the Registry

From Here

20. Chaptericipating in Internet Newsgroups.

Some Usenet Basics

Figuring Out Newsgroup Names

Understanding Articles and Threads

Practicing Newsgroup Etiquette

Setting Up a News Account

Working with Newsgroups in Outlook Express

Subscribing to a Newsgroup

Unsubscribing from a Newsgroup

Downloading Messages

Downloading Message Headers

Downloading Messages

Notes on Working with Newsgroup Messages

Following Up a Message

Posting a New Message

Filtering Newsgroup Messages

Setting News Options

Options for Newsgroups and Messages

Options for Individual Newsgroups

From Here

21. Implementing Windows XP's Internet Security and Privacy Features.

Working with Email Safely and Securely

Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses

Filtering Out Spam

Handling Hoaxes

Maintaining Your Privacy While Reading Email

Sending and Receiving Secure Email

Setting Up an Email Account with a Digital ID

Obtaining Another Person's Public Key

Sending a Secure Message

Receiving a Secure Message

Keeping Intruders Out of Your System

Turning Off File and Printer Sharing

Turning On the Internet Connection Firewall

Turning Off the Messenger Service

Surfing the Web Securely

Adding and Removing Zone Sites

Changing a Zone's Security Level

Enhancing Online Privacy by Managing Cookies

Blocking Pop-Up Windows

Understanding Internet Explorer's Advanced Security Options

Security and Privacy Options for Windows Media Player

Setting Security Options

Setting Privacy Options

From Here

VI. UNLEASHING WINDOWS XP NETWORKING.

22. Setting Up and Accessing a Small Network.

Understanding Networking

LANs, WANs, MANs, and More

Client/Server Versus Peer-to-Peer

Hardware: NICs and Other Network Knickknacks

The Network Interface Card

The Cable Connection

More Hardware Goodies

Understanding Wireless Network Hardware Requirements

Walking the Walk: Topology and the Lay of the LAN

The Star Topology

The Bus Topology

The Ring Topology

Talking the Talk: Networking Protocols

Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network

Running the Network Setup Wizard

Configuring a Wireless Gateway

Implementing Wireless Network Security

Working with Network Settings

Connecting to a Wireless Network

Accessing Network Resources

Using My Network Places

Adding a Network Place

Mapping a Network Folder to a Local Drive Letter

Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder

Printing over the Network

Sharing Resources with the Network

Deactivating Simple File Sharing

Creating User Accounts

Sharing a Resource

Hiding Shared Resources

Working with Network Files Offline

Turning Off Fast User Switching

Enabling Offline Files

Making Files Available Offline

Working with Network Files Offline

Administering Your Network

Connecting to a Remote Registry

Connecting to Remote Group Policies

Monitoring Performance on a Remote Computer

Managing a Remote Computer

Broadcasting Console Messages

From Here

23. Making Remote Network Connections.

Creating a Dial-Up Connection

Configuring the Dial-Up Host

Configuring the Dial-Up Client

Making the Dial-Up Connection

Ending the Dial-Up Connection

Connecting to a Remote Desktop

Getting the Remote Computer Ready

Getting the Client Computer Ready

Making the Connection to the Remote Desktop

Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop

Connecting to a Remote Desktop via the Internet

Making Remote Desktop Connections with a Web Browser

Using Virtual Private Network Connections

Setting Up a VPN Server

Configuring a Network Gateway for VPN

Configuring the VPN Client

Requiring VPN Encryption

Making the VPN Connection

Ending the VPN Connection

From Here

24. Troubleshooting Network Problems.

The First Step: Rerun the Network Connection Wizard

Checking Connection Status

Checking Network Utilization

Repairing a Network Connection

Working with Network Diagnostics

Setting Scanning Options

Running Network Diagnostics

Running Network Diagnostics from the Command Line

Some Group Policy "Problems"

Troubleshooting General Network Nuisances

Cable Conundrums

Some Things to Bear in Mind When Running Cable

Cable Limitations

Troubleshooting Cables

Troubleshooting Adapter Afflictions

More Sophisticated Tools

From Here

VII. APPENDIXES.

Appendix A: Windows XP Keyboard Shortcuts.

Appendix B: Using the Windows XP Command Prompt.

Getting to Command Prompt

Using CMD.EXE Switches

Running Commands

Adding Parameters and Switches to a Command Prompt Command

Working with Command Prompt

Working with Long Filenames

Changing Folders Faster

Taking Advantage of DOSKEY

Starting Applications from Command Prompt

Sharing Data Between 16-Bit and Windows Applications

Customizing the Command-Line Window

Customizing the Command Prompt Window

Customizing Other Command-Line Windows

Appendix C: Automating Windows XP with Batch Files.

Batch Files: Some Background

Creating Batch Files

Making a Home for Your Batch Files

REM: The Simplest Batch File Command

ECHO: A Voice for Your Batch Files

The PAUSE Command

Using Parameters for Batch File Flexibility

Improving on Command-Line Utilities

SHIFT: A Different Approach to Parameters

Looping with the FOR Command

Looping: The Basics

Understanding the FOR Command Syntax

A Simple Batch File Example

Different Sets for Different Folks

Using Delayed Environment Variable Expansion

GOTO: Telling Your Batch Files Where to Go

IF: Handling Batch File Conditions

Testing Parameters with IF

Checking for Missing Parameters

The SHIFT Command Redux

Using IF to Check Whether a File Exists

Checking for Command Errors

Redirecting Windows XP

Redirecting Command Output

Redirecting Input

Piping Commands

Appendix D: Glossary.

Index.

Features

Unleash your computer's potential with proven techniques for getting the most out of Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Author
Paul McFedries is the president of Logophilia Limited, a technical writing company. He has been working with computers for over 30 years, and has been using Microsoft Windows since version 1. Paul has written more than 40 books that have sold nearly three million copies worldwide.