Manual Checkpoints:

Go to Start/Control Panel/Add or Remove - Uninstall obvious added programs.

Added info for later:

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove

If you receive any type of error message while attempting to delete or remove:

a. Open the Task Manager, end process on said.
b. Go to Start/Run/msconfig/Startup (uncheck all seem able problematic listings) to get
the exact location(s) read the path to each and delete the entries.

To do so, move the glider over to read. If that doesn't offer enough viewable
information, run the program below and read the log file:

Windows XP Startup Program Tracker - MVP Doug Knox
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/StartupTracker3.zip

More info for later:

Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup (Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

c. Go to Start/Run/msconfig/Services. Place a check in the box that reads: Hide All
Microsoft Services, then evaluate the list left. For troubleshooting measures, uncheck all
of them. And/or: Start/Run/services.msc and stop/disable the Service(s) in question.

Tip: To Delete a Service

In Services take note of the Service Name (not the display name). Then go to Start/Run/CMD
and type in: sc delete <service name>. Reboot.

Or: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Locate the Service in the list. Delete it, reboot.

For a list of legitimate XP Services:

Black Viper's Windows XP Home and Professional Services Configurations:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

d. Check your Startup Folder (right click the Start button/Expore All Users...) for the
same.

e.  In very rare cases, there can be an added:  Windows/Run here:  Start/Run/msconfig/Win.ini
If this is present, uncheck what is listed there.

f.  Again, rare but some add Load and Run in the key below:  Most times left blank, delete both of them.
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Advanced:

Go to Start/Run/regedit and navigate to these keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Delete anything listed here that you don't normally need or have placed yourself and/or is
set pragmatically to run upon boot. Note: These are often third party iconized programs
that are placed in the Notification Area.

Tip:  Run, RunOnce, RunServices, RunServicesOnce and Startup
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q179/3/65.asp

Added info for later:

Troubleshooting the Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm#na

NOTE:  Messenger Service pop-ups are not the same as Spyware, etc pop-ups.  More info here:

You need to turn turn on the firewall.

To disable the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services. Double click the Messenger Service and change Automatic to Disabled, then click the Stop button.

Or use this automated edit:

Disable Messenger Service (Line 95)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

More information and options here on using a Firewall:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#ms


Update:  Quick Launch -  As of late, the removal of wsaupdater.exe causes the Quick Launch toolbar to not
remain checked/present nor retains the sort order. To correct, verify your values here:

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

In the right pane under Userinit, Change the key to read:
C:\Windows\System32\Userinit.exe,

Once done, run the Taskbar Repair (clickable link on page) and/or Quick Launch repair from here, then the add on edit.

Update:  Quick Launch:  Gives error message, Cannot Create Toolbar

Either download the file from here or run my utility listed below it to correct. 

Note:  If you already had my utility downloaded, you will need to re-download for the added fix.

Cannot Create Toolbar - Quick Launch (Line 296)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus! Quick Launch - Repair
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Save Settings on Exit (Line 54)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use the Regedit: Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes
to the import prompt. REG files can be viewed in Notepad by right clicking on the file and
selecting Edit.

Another checkpoint:

In Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View make sure all of your System files are viewable. Once done, right click
the Quick Launch task bar/Open Folder. Verify that desktop.ini is present. If not, create one and place it there.

Example (modify as needed) for the others:

[LocalizedFileNames]
Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk=@xpsp1res.dll,-11003
Windows Media Player.lnk=@C:\WINNT\inf\unregmp2.exe,-4
Show Desktop.scf=@xpsp2res.dll,-6100

Navigate to this key, delete it, refresh:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\Favorites\Links

Go to Start/Run and type in each of these separately and hit ok.

regsvr32 msdxm.ocx
regsvr32 browseui.dll
regsvr32 shell32.dll
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll

Toolbars missing in Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/ToolbarRepair.Exe

Restore Search/Address Bar to XP Default
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG

Restore Toolbars:  Toolbars Greyed Out or Missing
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/toolbarsgreyedout.reg
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

In IE - Go to Tools/Internet Options/Advanced and uncheck:  Enable third party browser extensions.

If still nothing:  Disable all third party programs and/or:

How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
How to Use Clean Boot Troubleshooting for Windows XP
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP 
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_conflicts.htm

Then try again.

Lastly:  If none of the above has helped:

Enable Reinstallation of Internet Explorer or OE (Line 114)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Then re-install IE - Go to Start/Run, and type :
"rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %windir%\inf\ie.inf"

How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q318378

Note:  Many Zone Alarm users have stated that this happened after the latest update.

If your case is more extreme from the above mentioned .exe, thus resulting in your not
being able to select a user nor log into Windows XP:

Verified by Rick Lewis:

Place your XP CD in and navigate to the Recovery Console.

Tip: HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307654

At the prompt: Change the C:\Windows prompt to: C:\Windows\System32 and copy
userinit.exe to wsaupdater.exe

Reboot into Safe Mode, go to Start/Run/Regedit, navigate to the key below and
and modify/change Userinit: from wsaupdater.exe, to userinit.exe,

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT
\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Other than that:  Go to Start/Run and type in:  %SystemRoot%\Debug\UserMode\Userenv.log

Added info:

Recovering XP using the Recover Console (Line 333) Right hand side:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Update:  CWS Hijacker disables cleaners.  Workaround by 3bentarrows:

The way to remove the registry key is not obvious. If you just delete it from regedit, since the trojan
DLL is loaded, it will re-add it right back. (Try it. Delete the AppInit_DLLs registry key and hit F5.
Notice that it's added right back by the trojan).

Go to Start/Run/regedit and navigate to this key:

1. Rename the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows folder to Windows2.
2. Now delete the AppInit_DLLs key under the Windows2 folder.
3. Hit F5 and notice that AppInit_DLLs doesn't come back.
4. Rename the Windows2 folder back to Windows.

Now that AppInit_DLLs is gone, run the latest Adaware 6 to remove the trojan for good. Reboot your machine.
Check the registry and make sure AppInit_DLLs is still gone. Your computer should be free of this for good now.

Or download and merge this edit from MVP Mike Burgess:

RepairAppInit.reg
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/RepairAppInit.reg

Tip: common edits needed after running cleaners:

EXE and LNK Fix for Windows XP - Line 12
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Tip: For all other File Association Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Reset IE Search back to XP Default (Line 229)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore/Repair Toolbars in IE and/or Windows Explorer (Line 3)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore All Tabs under Internet Options (Line 268)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore Start Button, Desktop and Taskbar to XP Default:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

More registry fixes here:  http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Just for your information:

To get a better idea of some of the types and definitions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware.

For a list of Known Spyware: http://virgolamobile.50megs.com/spyware/spyware.htm

Adware, Spyware and other unwanted "malware" - and how to remove them:
http://cexx.org/adware.htm

If you have unwanted programs loading and bugging you at startup, here's how to get rid of
them. http://cexx.org/startup.htm

Virus Encyclopedia: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html

Virus Descriptions: Alphabetical List - http://ve.nod32.ch/

Hoax Description Databases: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
and http://www.f-secure.com/news/hoax.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites - MVP Mike Burgess
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

NOTE:  Special thanks to David Candy for his help with the continuing research in this area/matter.

Clear History

Temp Files: IE/Tools/Internet Options/Delete Temporary Internet Files
Temp Files: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Temp & TIF
Cookies: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Cookies
History: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\History

Typed URL's:  Start/Run/Regedit: Open your registry and find the key below and delete any value you want to remove.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLs

Clearing History May Not Remove Pages You Visited Today in Internet Explorer
Clear Recent File Lists
Prevent History of Typed URL's and Prevent Document History Registry Edits

Removes your Internet history in Internet Explorer and Netscape. Clears the address list drop-down, cached files, history and cookies. In Windows it clears the TEMP folder and Recycle Bin, the run history, recent documents, and find files history. It also deletes locked files ("index.dat" and files that are in use by applications). Clean out Usage Tracks in Windows

Clear Recent MRU

Clear Recent File Lists in XP (Typed URL's, Media Player Play List, Run Commands, Search History...).  Download here.

Clear Search History

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru.  Delete the key. To prevent keeping a history altogether, right click ACMru/Permissions/Deny all users and groups listed.

Clear Search History under Search (Line 24)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Clear Recent File Lists - Clears Search History
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/ClearRecent.Exe

Clear System Restore Points

Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup. "More Options" tab, see the option to delete all but the last restore point.

Clear Type

Microsoft ClearType

Clear Type - Active Clear Type on the Welcome Screen

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop. In the right pane, right click "FontSmoothingType", modify, change the value to 2.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Name: NoCommonGroups
Data Type: dword
Value: 00000001

A value of 1 hides the common groups, a value of 0 displays them.

Clock - Hide

On the right side of your Windows XP Taskbar, you see a clock and a number of notification icons (also known as the "tray" of the Taskbar in previous versions of Windows). Unlike its predecessors, Windows XP provides a number of options for customizing this "Notification Area."

For example, if you don't want the clock there (unnecessary if you have one on your desk already), Right click a blank area of the Taskbar and select Properties. Under Notification area, deselect Show the Clock, then click OK.

Cluster Size

The Default Cluster Size for the NTFS and FAT File Systems

Cmaudio.ax

Problems When You Are Using an Out-of-Date Version of the C-Media Cmaudio.ax Driver File

Command Line Switches for Windows Explorer

Right click Windows Explorer/Properties and type this into the Target path:

To have C: open (No folders)
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\

To have C: open expanded:  %windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:

To have C: open and My Documents:
%windir%\EXPLORER.EXE /e,c:,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

For it to open to My Documents:
explorer /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents or
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n,/e,%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\My Documents

To have My Documents open only (No folders):
Explorer /root, c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents

If you wish to have Explorer open at My Documents on another drive, you would use:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /e, f:\My Documents

To have another Drive letter assigned to opening: D for example:  C:\Windows\Explorer.exe /e, d:\

d:\ can be modified for any folder/sub-folder you like. As in: %SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /e,d:\My Stuff

The /e switch tells Windows Explorer to open in the two pane explorer mode and the c:\ tells it to open in folder C:\. If you omit the /e switch, Windows Explorer opens in a single pane view.

HOW TO: Have Windows Explorer Default to the %SystemRoot% Drive When Started
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;257518

Command-Line Switches for Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q130/5/10.asp

Command Prompt - Add to the Right Click

Download here or see:  http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Command Prompt - Change the command prompt to C: 

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun.  In the right pane, double click Autorun and type in: cd\ as the value data.

Other options:

This setting allows you to change the format of the command prompt to show additional information instead of just the current drive and path ("C:\>").  To do so, go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment.  In the right pane, double click the REG_EXPAND_SZ string named PROMPT and modify the Value data accordingly:

Special Codes

$A - & (Ampersand)
$B - | (pipe)
$C - ( (Left parenthesis)
$D - Current date
$E - Escape code (ASCII code 27)
$F - ) (Right parenthesis)
$G - > (greater-than sign)
$H - Backspace (erases previous character)
$L - < (less-than sign)
$N - Current drive
$P - Current drive and path
$Q - = (equal sign)
$S - (space)
$T - Current time
$V - Windows XP version number
$_ - Carriage return and linefeed
$$ - $ (dollar sign)

Variables

%USERNAME% - Current Username
%COMPUTERNAME% - Local computer name
%USERDOMAIN% - Local domain name

The default prompt is "$P$G" (e.g. "C:\>"), some alternatives include:

[%computername%]$S$P$G to show the computer, drive and path
[%username%]$S$P$G to show the current user, drive and path

Restart or log-off Windows for the change to take effect.

Command Prompt - Run Startup Programs

This setting allows you to specify commands or programs to be automatically executed whenever a command processor is launched. For example, to set environment variables or parameters using a batch file.

Create a new string value called "AutoRun" and set the value to equal the commands to be automatically executed. Multiple commands should be seperated by double ampersands e.g. "command1 && command2".  The changes will take effect the next time the command processor is used.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor]

Value Name: AutoRun
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: Command to Execute

Command Prompt - Quick Edit

Quick Edit allows you to easily cut and paste text in the command prompt window using the mouse. The ability to use the Edit menu options is still possible.  Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

Per User:  [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console] Per System:  System Key: [HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Console]

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "QuickEdit" and set it according to  (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled).  Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Common Dialog - History

By default, Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes (for example, the Open dialog box and the Save As dialog box) provide both a most-recently-used (MRU) list of file names and an AutoComplete list of previously typed file names.

To prevent the MRU list and the AutoComplete list of file names from appearing, use the procedures that are described in this section.

How to Prevent the MRU List of File Names from Appearing

NOTE : After you complete this procedure, the MRU list does not appear in Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes; however, this list is not removed from the registry.

Windows XP Professional:  Log on as the user. Click Start, and then click Run. Type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.

In the left pane under User Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, expand Windows Explorer, and then click Common Open File Dialog. In the right pane, double-click Hide the dropdown list of recent files. Click Enabled, and then click OK. Click File, and then click Exit.

Windows XP Home Edition: Log on as the user. Click Start, and then click Run. Type regedit, and then click OK .
Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Comdlg32

NOTE : If the Comdlg32 key does not exist, follow these steps: Click the Policies key. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type comdlg32, and then press ENTER. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
Type nofilemru, and then press ENTER. On the Edit menu, click Modify. Type 1, and then click OK. On the File menu, click Exit.

How to Prevent the AutoComplete List of File Names from Appearing
 
To prevent the AutoComplete list from appearing in typical Windows Explorer-style dialog boxes, turn off the AutoComplete functionality for Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer: Start Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options. Click the Content tab, and then click AutoComplete. Under Use AutoComplete for, click to clear the Web Addresses check box, and then click OK. Click the Advanced tab, click to clear the Use inline AutoComplete check box in the Browsing section (if this check box has been selected). Click OK.

Common Groups - Hide

In the Start Menu, groups (subfolders) in the upper part of the Programs menu are specific to each user, while groups (subfolders) in the lower part are common to all users. In order to prevent a user from viewing the common groups, make the following Registry change:

Common Tasks

Remove Common Tasks from Desktop. This Regedit or small VB Script utility will modify the System Registry to remove Common Tasks from your Desktop.  Regedit or VB Script

Common Tasks - Don't Match Folder Type (by Keith Miller)

Common Tasks - Show Common Tasks in Folders (Missing or greyed out)

Check your settings here:  Start/Run/gpedit.msc/User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows  Components/Windows Explorer.  In the right pane, double click Turn on Classic Shell and choose Enable.  Another checkpoint:  Start/Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance/Settings/Visual Effects/Use common tasks in folders.

Communicate

Windows Messenger: Get Started with Real-Time Communication

Windows Messenger: Instant Messaging

Windows Messenger: Voice Communications

Windows Messenger: Video Communications

Windows Messenger: Send a File or Photo

Windows Messenger: Control Your Online Status

Windows Messenger: Applications and Whiteboard Sharing

Compaq

Compaq is committed to bringing you the best computing experience available, whether you are purchasing a new PC with Windows XP installed or you already own a Microsoft Windows XP Ready PC. Our qualifying accessories and Presario PCs meet all the minimum hardware requirements to make it easy to upgrade to Windows XP Home Edition. Support.

Compatibility Mode - Explained

Using Program Compatibility Mode

Compatibility Wizard

Windows XP Program Compatibility Wizard (detailed walk through)
HOW TO: Use the Program Compatibility Wizard

Compressed Files and Folders - Change Display Color

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer. Value Name: AltColor, Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value), Value Data: 00 00 ff 00 (default). Create a new binary value, or modify the existing value, named "AltColor" and set it to equal the hexadecimal RGB color value for the files and folders. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. Note: The option to "Display compressed files and folders with alternate color" must be enabled in explorer.

Compressed Folders - Disable Compressed Folders in Windows XP

Windows XP includes a built-in feature to manage compressed ZIP files and folders. This tweak allows you to disable it and install a third-party application.

To disable the compressed folder feature click on Start/Run and enter the following command:  regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll. 
To enable ZIP folder support run this command:  regsvr32 zipfldr.dll.  Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Compressed Folders - Extract Files From

Extracting files from a compressed folder is just as easy as getting them in there. Right-click the *.zip file and select Extract All. Identify a destination folder (click Browse, and so on), click Next, then click Finish. As an alternative, click and drag a file from inside the compressed folder to another location, then let go.

Compressed Folder - Restore Icon

Start/Run and Type: regsvr32 zipfldr.dll

Computer Jargon

Computer Jargon by Babylon

Confirm Open after Download

Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/File Types/[File type in question]/Advanced/Confirm open after download.

Containing Text - Search Issue

Windows® XP has a known issue for not finding a number of File Types when you do a Search for Files "containing text" or using the "A word or phrase in the file" option. This can be remedied for many file types, but not all. The cause is the lack of a PersistentHandler value in the Registry for this type of file.  Fix:  http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_bad_search.htm

Using the "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work

Content Advisor

Remove the Content Advisor and Ratings Password

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ratings

Open your registry, find the key below. Single click on the key to highlight it, press the DELETE key, or alternatively select Delete from the Edit menu. Close Internet Explorer, re-open it, and the Content Advisor feature should be disabled.

Content Advisor - Apply per user

Content Advisor On (vb script).  Download it (you may want to right click and use Save Target As) and save it to your desktop.  Then place it in the startup folder of each account you want it activated in. 

Next, download the Content Advisor Off (vb script) and place it in each startup folder that you don't want/need it activated in.

Both scripts can be found here:  (scroll to the very bottom)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Content Advisor Restrictions

These settings allow you to control the Content Advisor feature of Internet Explorer. Including the option to disable Content Advisor, require a supervisor password and view unrated content.

Open your registry (Start/Run/Regedit) and find the key below, create it if it does not already exist.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Ratings\.Default]

Value Name: Allow_Unknowns, Enabled, PleaseMom
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable, 1 = enable restriction)

Create a new DWORD value for each required restriction from the list below.

• Enabled - (1 = enable content advisor, 0 = disable)
• Allow_Unknowns - (1 = display unrated sites, 0 = restrict unrated sites)
• PleaseMom - (1 = allow supervisor password, 0 = no supervisor override)

Restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

Context Menu - Customizing Windows Explorer Context menu (right click menu in windows explorer)

Ever wondered how does the right click menu (which is actually a context menu) work? For example, when I right click in windows explorer, I see an option which says "open command window here". This is seen because you have following entries in the registry.

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

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd\command]
@="C:\WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe /k cd "%1""

If You have never used a tweaking utility and have newly installed Windows XP, You would not see this option. You would have to navigate to [[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive] go and create two subkeys ("cmd" and within that "command" and would have to put the text "Open Command Window Here" without quotes in default string value of "cmd" key and the text "C:\WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe /k CD"%1"" without quotes in default string value of command key). After this You need to REBOOT for these changes to take effect.

Context Menus (Right Click) - Deleting entries

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\OpenWithList
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

You can also go to a specific File extension (example: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt\ShellNew) and right click on the ShellNew key and select Delete, if the item shows up in the New context menu.

Expand the above branch and look through the sub-keys. Locate the one that corresponds to the entry you wish to remove and right click that sub-key and select Edit.

You may wish to right click the desired sub-key and select Export. This will create a REG file that you can double click to re-import the information, if you find out you deleted the wrong one, or want it back.

Customizing Right-Click Menu Options in Windows

Right Click - Submenus

The new OpenExpert is the answer to this problem! Instead of messing around with a fixed association of a file type with only one application, it adds an "Open with" item to the context menu of the chosen file type with all the applications you decide.

Control-Alt-Delete - Enable

To Enable or Disable the CTRL+ALT+DELETE Sequence

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. In the "Secure logon" section, select or clear the "Require users to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete" check box.

If you want to set up a requirement for a user to press CTRL+ALT+DEL before the classic logon is displayed, in the same manner as it behaves on Windows XP Server:

1. Click Start/Run/Regedit, and then click OK.
2. Select the Winlogon subkey at the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Click Edit, click New, and then click "DWORD value".
4. Change the value name to "DisableCAD" (without the quotes) and press ENTER.
5. Keep the data value set to 0 which is displayed as 0x00000000(0).

If the Welcome screen is enabled, the computer can be locked if you press CTRL+ALT+DELETE (to open Task Manager), and then click Lock Computer or click Switch User on the Shut Down menu. 

Control, Alt, Delete Process Explained and Key Commands

Control-Alt-Delete - Use Crtl + Alt + Delete to Restart the Computer

Normally when you press Ctrl + Alt + Delete the Windows task list is displayed. Using this tweak the key combination will instead reboot the computer. Open the SYSTEM.INI file found in the Windows directory using Notepad.

Under the [386Enh] section create or modify the value named "KybdReboot". Set the value to equal "True" to cause the system to reboot on the key combination or "False" to show the task list. For example:

[386Enh]
KybdReboot=False

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Control, Alt, Delete Process Explained and Key Commands

Control Panel Applets

This tweak does not prevent the control panel applets from running, they just do not show up in control panel any more.

Start/Run/gpedit.msc. User Configuration/Administrative Templates Folder/Control Panel Folder. Select Show only specified Control Panel Applets (right pane) properties. Select the enable button/click the Show button.

A new window will pop up that will display control panel objects that are OK to show. Items not on this list will not be displayed in control panel when this feature is enabled. Here are the Windows XP Pro Control Panel applets:

System Properties = sysdm.cpl
Network Connections = ncpa.cpl
ODBC Administrator = odbccp32.cpl
Display Properties = desk.cpl
Add or remove programs = appwiz.cpl
Internet Properties = Inetcpl.cpl
Game Controllers = joy.cpl
Phone and modem Options = telephon.cpl
Time and Date Properties = timedate.cpl
Region and Language Options = intl.cpl
Power Options = powercfg.cpl
Mouse Properties = main.cpl
Accessibility Options = access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard = hdwwiz.cpl
Sound and Audio Devices = mmsys.cpl
User Accounts = nusrmgr.cpl
Speech Properties = sapi.cpl

Control Panel - Classic

You can remove the "common tasks" pane from the left side of your open folder windows: inside a folder window, click the Folder Options icon, select Use Windows Classic Folders, then click OK. Similarly, you can switch from the new, task-oriented Control Panel (great for new users or those who want to perform common tasks without wading through dialog boxes) back to the "classic" version. Open the Control Panel (select Start, Control Panel), and in the common tasks pane on the left side of the window, click Switch to Classic View.

Control Panel - Display

This setting specifies the visual style of the Control Panel. Allowing you to either force the use of the new XP style, classic style or allow the user to select the preferred style. Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'ForceClassicControlPanel' and edit the value according to the settings (0 = force new, 1 = force classic).  Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Control Panel - Icons Missing

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT

Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\don't load

Look in the right pane and you'll see the Control Panel Icons that have been disabled. You can either right click on the "don't load" subkey and select Delete to restore all disabled icons, or you can right click on each of the items in the right pane and select Delete to selectively restore them. Scroll up to Control Panel Applets for a listing of what each one is.

The change will be seen the next time you open Control Panel.

Control Panel - Tools (Reference)

Have You noticed the new view of control panel in XP. Well as its says, its a view and you can switch to a classic view anytime. But if you like the view but want to customize the categories, there is again a good article on How to do this :
How to Add a Control Panel Tool to a Category (Q292463).

You can get complete details by visiting the site but in brief a control Panel tool can be included in a particular category by adding a registry DWORD entry for the tool in the following registry key:  Go to Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Extended Properties\{305CA226-D286-468e-B848-2B2E8E697B74} 2.  Value category ids are:

0x00000000 : Other Control Panel Options (any tool that does not specify a category ID is placed in this category)
0x00000001 : Appearance and Themes
0x00000002 : Printers and Other Hardware
0x00000003 : Network and Internet Connections
0x00000004 : Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices
0x00000005 : Performance and Maintenance
0x00000006 : Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options
0x00000007 : Accessibility Options
0xFFFFFFFF : Do not put the tool in any category (for special tools such as Add/Remove Programs which only start directly).

Control Userpasswords2 - Add to Control Panel

Copying User Profiles

How to Copy User Profiles

Copying User Profiles - Copy To Button Disabled

"Copy To" Button in System Properties Dialog Box Is Unavailable

Crash Report

Windows® Online Crash Analysis

If you experience a blue screen crash event, or Stop error, while using Microsoft Windows XP, you can upload the error report for analysis. http://oca.microsoft.com/welcome.asp

CTFMON

CTFMon is involved with the language/alternative input services in Office XP. CTFMON.exe will continue to put itself back into MSConfig when you run the Office XP apps as long as the Text Services and Speech applets in the Control Panel are enabled. Not required if you don't need these features.  

OFFXP: What Is CTFMON and What Does It Do?

Customize Your Computer

Get Started Customizing Your Computer

Change Your Desktop Background

Add a Colorful Screen Saver

Work with Themes

Change the Screen Size

Work with Sound Effects

Customize Your Mouse and Pointer

Customize the Start Menu

Microsoft ClearType Tuner: Customize Your Screen for Your Eyes

Accessibility: 80 How-to Articles

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