Search - Rename

Rename Search on the Start Menu

Search - Text

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

To Add Specific extensions:  Copy these lines into Notepad including a blank last line, change where it reads .php to the extension of your choice, save with a .reg extension (ex. php.reg), then double click. 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.php\PersistentHandler]
@="{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

Here are some already created:  .htm , php, java , html , xls , doc
 
Search for All Files (Line 136)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Speed up Windows XP Search
http://xpsearch.info/xpsearch.htm

Search Tool Does Not Search for Some Words or Phrases in Text Files
The "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work
Content Search Does Not Search All File Types for a String

Search Engine - Change to Google

Automated Edit:

Add Google as Primary Search (Line 18)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Go to Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
"Search Page"="http://www.google.com"
"Search Bar"="http://www.google.com/ie"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL
""="http://www.google.com/keyword/%s"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search
"SearchAssistant"="http://www.google.com/ie"

To change the Search Companion and address bar search to Google, you must disable the Search Companion, change the AutoSearch URL, and then re-enable Search Companion.

To disable the Search Companion feature and use the Classic Internet Search feature open Internet Explorer, click the Search button on the toolbar. Click Change Preferences, and then click Change Internet search behavior. Click With Classic Internet Search, and then click OK. Restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

To change the autosearch URL, open the Search sidebar again and click Customize. Then click AutoSearch settings and select "Google Sites".

To re-enable the Search Companion feature, click Customize on the Search bar. Click Use Search Companion in the Customize Search Settings dialog box, and then click OK. Restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

TweakUI/Internet Explorer/Search/Create.  Prefix: g
URL: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&num=100&q=%s

Search Google from the Address Bar & KB Q#'s (Line 65)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use: Type g (followed by a space) then the search line
To use: Type gk (followed by a space) then Q######

Remove Google Search History (Line 33)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edit:

Go to the key listed below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider\
S-1-5-21-1960408961-220523388-682003330-1003

With the S-1-5-21....in blue, choose File/Export and save it to your deskop and name it (ex). googlehistoryclear.reg. Leave the registry open then go to your desktop.

Right click the saved reg file and choose Edit. If it needs an association choose Notepad.

Scroll down to these keys:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System
Provider\S-1-5-21-839522115-1708537768-1343024091-1003\Data\e161255a-37c3-11d2-bcaa-00c04fd929db\e161255a-37c3-11d2-bcaa-00c04fd929db\q:StringData]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System
Provider\S-1-5-21-839522115-1708537768-1343024091-1003\Data\e161255a-37c3-11d2-bcaa-00c04fd929db\e161255a-37c3-11d2-bcaa-00c04fd929db\q:StringIndex]

To make the search/scroll easier they are listed in alphabetic order and you are looking for the end of the string in this case \q:StringData and \q:StringIndex. So scroll down to the q's....

Under q:StringData
Highlight what is listed after the word "Behavior"= only up to the words "Item Data"= and delete it. Then place a - (minus sign) after the = so that it looks like this: "Behavior"=-

From there hightlight what is listed after the words "Item Data"= only up to the next key and delete it. Then place a - (minus sign) after the = so that it looks like this:
"Item Data"=-

Do the same for q:StringIndex.

Once done choose File/Save. Use the red X to close. If it asked to save again, answer yes.

Return to the registy and delete this key: (right click, delete, accept the warning)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider\
S-1-5-21-1960408961-220523388-682003330-1003

Then go back to your desktop and double click your saved regedit, answer yes. Then open Google and the search history is gone.

To Clear Google Toolbar History

Click on the Google logo to access the drop down menu. Choose the Clear Search History option. This will clear all the previous searches out of the drop down box.

TIP:  If you prefer several search engines:

Create an empty subfolder called "Search Engines" under your Windows folder, and change the value of the Registry key above to read (replace %windir% with your real Windows folder name):  %windir%\\Search Engines

From now on, when you click that Search button, this empty folder will open in the Search pane.  All the hard work is done, we just need to fill it with Search engines. For this go to http://www.allonesearch.com/. Start by dragging this URL from the Address bar into the Search pane. A link to this web page will be created in the Search pane.

Browse through the list of Search engines there, and simply drag the URLs of the ones you like into the Search pane. You can rename them, customize the folder's appearance, delete them by right-clicking, change their icons, and generally do all the drag-and-drop natural Windows GUI things to them that you wish.

NOTE: The only thing that doesn't work well is using subfolders (they don't behave nicely), however you can work around this by using a modified internet shortcut (via Notepad), to point to a folder instead (it will open in the main window), if you want to create a hierarchy of specialized Search engines.

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called "Search Bar" and set it to the Search URL of your choice under value data.

Note: This tweak can also be applied on a per-user basis under the [HKEY_CURRENT_USER] hive.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Note2: If you want a choice of several Search engines, create an empty subfolder called "Search Engines" under your Windows folder, and change the value of the Registry key above to read (replace %windir% with your real Windows folder name): %windir%\\Search Engines

Fill the folder with Search Engines of your choice. When you click that Search button, this folder will open in the Search pane.

Searching Help and Support - Disable the Search Word from Being Highlighted in Blue

When searching for a topic in the Help And Support Center, the search feature automatically highlights the word you searched for every time it occurs in the help topic text. This can be obnoxious. For example, when we searched for the word “Registry” and then displayed the Windows Registry help topic, the word Registry occurred twelve times in the text, and each time was highlighted in blue. To turn this off, click Start, Help And Support, and Set Search Options. Under Set Search Options, click the Turn On Search Highlight checkbox to deactivate that feature.

While you’re still using Set Search Options, notice the line that reads, Return Up To 15 Results Per Provider. This means that of all possible search results, up to 15 results will appear from each of three categories: suggested topics, full-text search matches, and the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To display more or fewer results for each search, highlight the number 15 and type the number of maximum results you want to see.

Security and Maintenance

Use Windows Update to Keep Your Computer Current

Use Access Control to Restrict Who Can Use Files

Use Backup to Protect Data

Copy Files and Folders to a CD

Encrypt Your Data to Keep It Safe

Use Hibernate and Standby to Conserve Batteries

Use Security and Privacy Features in Internet Explorer 6

Security Tab

To Display the Security Tab: Start/Settings/Control Panel/Appearance & Themes/Folder Options. View/Advanced
and clear "Use Simple File Sharing".

Security Shortcut

In Internet Explorer, the traditional way to adjust your browser's security settings is to click on Tools / Internet Options / Security -- but there's a faster way: look for a green globe at the bottom right-hand corner of your browser. Double-click on it, and now you can change your security settings on the fly!

Send Mail

This add-on context menu item allows you to open a mail client window and add the web page Title and URL to it.
Handy if you want to refer someone to the page in an E-Mail or Newsgroup post. Requires Internet Explorer 4 or higher.

The .zip file should contain 3 files:

Readme.txt
Mailto_URL.reg
Mailto_URL.htm

To install, move Mailto_URL.htm to C:\Windows\Web folder, then double-click the Mailto_URL.reg file to add the context menu key to the Registry.

To use, just right-click anywhere in a web page and select "E-mail page". The URL will be copied to the subject and the title plus url to the body of the new message

To uninstall, you need to manually edit the Registry, and delete the key:  HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt\E-mail Page.  Download here.  After the procedure is complete, logoff then log back on.

SENDMAIL.DLL FIX - (Reference)

"When you right-click on a graphic file to e-mail it via "Mail Recipient" from the SendTo menu, you have to deal every single time with that annoying dialog box: "Do you want to keep the original size or change the size?", and you are given 3 options to choose from. Also right-clicking on a file sending places "Emailing:" in the Subject box.

In the Compose mail window you must also delete "Your files are now attached and ready to send."
But I eliminated all these nuisances by altering WinXP's SENDMAIL.DLL [26 KB, zipped].

Place the "fixed" file into BOTH your %systemroot%\System32 and %systemroot%\System32\DllCache folders (default XP %systemroot% directory is C:\Windows), overwriting the original ones.

You may have to go to DOS to actually be able to perform these replacements: see "MS IE 5.5 SP2 + 6.0 FIX" step 6 (SOLUTION + UPDATE), also in MYTIPS95.TXT (part of W95-11D.ZIP), to learn how to replace Windows 2000/XP system files already in use.  Reboot when done.

When trying to e-mail a pic, Windows XP may balk and refuse at first, but just click on the red X to exit the error box, and then when asked if you are sure, just say Yes.  BACKUP your unmodified SENDMAIL.DLL FIRST!"

SendMail.dll  - XP Fix Mail (Annoyed with Windows XP mail quirks?)

This fixes the inability of Outlook Express to send text URLs to other mail users from your Internet Explorer web browser.  After some investigation even though other IE6/OE6 users have normal functionality, their sendmail.dll file is at version 5.5, as opposed to Windows XP users having version 6.0.

This little routine automatically replaces sendmail.dll with version 5.5.  This routine also backs up your XP V6 sendmail.dll, and the entire procedure can be reversed using the standard Add/Remove programs from your control panel.  The program is called XPfixMail, and as always, is FREE software courtesy of FrazierWare (A wholly owned imaginary subsidiary of a non-existent corporation that has no known commercial customers).  Download Fix Here.

Sendmail.dll - TweakXP.Com

Fix bug in IE 6.0 sendmail.dll file (Functionality of Menu/Send/Link by Email)

In IE6 when trying to Send/File/Link by Email from the menu bar, IE6 prevents the loaded Web Address from being copied into the email message area of either OE6 or Outlook XP. This does not occur in IE 5.5. This is specifically regarding the IE feature, which allows the convenient quick paste of the Web Address into an email message area without having to manually copy and paste. (This does not address OE or Outlook security blocking of misc. attachments.)

To fix this, a copy of IE 5.5 sendmail.dll file is required, located in the Windows/System folder. Delete or rename and/or backup the IE 6.0 sendmail.dll file, which is located in the Window/System32 folder (Windows XP). Paste the IE 5.5 sendmail.dll into the Windows/System32 folder. This will allow you to use the Menu/Send/Link by Email function on the IE 6.0 menu bar.

Send To

Windows Explorer/Documents & Settings/User Name/SendTo or Start/Run/SendTo
How to Add Items to the "Send To" Menu in Windows XP

Sent To - Desktop

Send to Desktop Fix

Open notepad, and create a blank text file named 'Desktop (create shortcut). DESKLINK' Save it in the %userprofile%/sendto folder.

Send To - Add to Context Menu (Right Click). 

Add SendTo the right click. Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Send To]

Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called "(Default)" and set it to this value data:
 "{7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}".  Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

     Tip:  Add a Menu Option to Move and Copy Folders.  Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
             [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

To enable the Copy To Folder menu option create a new subkey called "Copy To" and set the (Default) value to "{C2FBB630-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}".

To enable the Move To Folder menu option create a new subkey called "Move To" and set the (Default) value to "{C2FBB631-2971-11d1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}".  Changes should take effect immediately, right click on folder to view the new options.

Send To Toys is an enhancement of the Send To system menu: Screenshot and download.

- "Add to Send To menu" and "Remove from Send To menu" allow you to personalize the Send To system menu for drives,
   folders, and programs.

- Send To "Clipboard (as name)" copies the name of the file or files to the clipboard. Hold down the CTRL key to change
   the settings for this extension.

- Send To "Command Prompt" opens a DOS console window, setting the current directory to the selected folder.

- Send To "Favorites" adds a shortcut to your Favorites list. Hold down the CTRL key for the Add Favorites system dialog.

- Send To "Folder..." sends a file or files to another folder, you will be shown a dialog box that lets you choose where the
   files should be copied. To move the files press and hold down the SHIFT key.

- Send To "Run..." sends a file or files to the Run command dialog.

Send To - Show "Send to" Context Menu

This setting allows you to control whether the "Send to" context menu is displayed when a file or directory object is right-clicked in explorer.

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

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Send To]

Value Name: (Default)
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: (empty = disabled, "{7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}" = enabled)

Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called '(Default)' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Serious Error Message

The system has recovered from a serious problem. A log of this error has been created. When you view the System Log in the Event Viewer, you may notice an Event ID 1003.  This behavior can occur if the Windows XP System Restore feature is corrupted.

To resolve this issue, turn off the System Restore feature, and then turn it back on. To do this, follow these steps. NOTE: You must turn on the System Restore feature after you turn it off to resolve this issue. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View, and then double-click System. Click the System Restore tab, and the click to select the Turn off System Restore check box. Click OK, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to turn off the System Restore feature.
Restart the computer.

You may receive the following error message when you restart Windows: The system has recovered from a serious problem. A log of this error has been created. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System. Click the System Restore tab, and the click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box. Click OK, and then restart the computer.

Use of these options to rid of the error message:

Windows XP Patch: System Recovery Error Appears After Every Reboot:
You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After Every Restart

Use one of these three:

1.  Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Settings/Advanced/Change. Set Page File to 0, ok your way out and reboot. Then follow the same procedure and reset the Page File to System Managed File.

2.  Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Advanced/Virtual Memory/Change/No Page File. Reboot. Then delete C:\Pagefil.Sys then revert the page file setting.

3.  Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Advanced/Virtual Memory/Change. Set the swap file size to zero, reboot. Re-set to System Managed, reboot. Reset the Custom setting, reboot.

     Report Error's to Microsoft Automatically

Start/Run/gpedit.msc/Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Error Reporting. Right click Report Errors/Properties. Check off Enable and then check off, Do not display links to any MS provided more information web sites. Apply, ok.

Services - Disable (Source Unknown)

To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services). If you are a single user of a non-networked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect.

Alerter
Clipbook
Computer Browser
Fast User Switching
Human Interface Access Devices
Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down)
Messenger
Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain)
Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security)
Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
Remote Procedure Call Locator
Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
Server
SSDP Discovery Service ("Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open)
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Telnet (disabled for extra security)
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
Upload Manager
Windows Time
Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks)
Workstation

Services - Listed and Explained

Windows XP Services

Services - Here is a way to figure out which services to set as Automatic and which to set as manual or disabled.

Step1:  Set ALL your services to *manual* setting.
Step2:  Reboot computer and wait for windows XP to load. XP will boot pretty slowly, since it has to turn on each service
            separately. Use your computer for a bit, doing what you normally do during a computing session. This will allow any
            other services to activate (such as DHCP or other services that didn't load during the boot process).
Step3:  Go back to the list of services, and see which ones are Started. Change the services that are marked as Started, to
           *Automatic*. This way windows will automatically load all of the services that you normally use, and the ones that
            you don't use will stay unloaded.

     Tip:  Services Running - Alter to Improve Performance

DNS Client - Automatic / Manual - This service is responsible for DNS lookup so disable at your own risk!
IPSEC Services - Automatic / Manual
Messenger - Automatic / Manual
Remote Registry - Automatic / Manual
Automatic Updates - Automatic / Disabled
Computer Browser - Automatic / Manual
Distributed Link Tracking Client - Automatic / Manual
Portable Media Serial Number - Automatic / Disabled
Task Scheduler - Automatic / Manual

Service Packs and Components

You can use the SPCheck to determine the service pack level of installed components on computers.

The SPCheck tool generates a report that lists the origin of each file for each installed component.
Download XPSP Chk.exe
Which fixes are included in Service Pack 1?

Setup

Get Ready to Set Up Windows XP Professional

Setup Issues and Conflicts
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_conflicts.htm

Setup Stops Responding (Hangs) During File Copy
Error Msg: Cannot find file: \Windows\System32\hal.dll
Cannot Install Windows XP from a Folder That Is Not Named i386
"NTLDR Is Missing" Error Message When You Upgrade or Install Windows XP Over Win95/98, or Win Me
Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
"Path Specified in Setup Is Invalid" Error Message When You Try to Install Windows XP
Error Message "Setup Cannot Upgrade..." When You Upgrade to Windows XP Pro
Message About Pressing ESC to Restart Your Computer During Windows XP Setup
Error Message: Setup Cannot Continue. Please Contact Microsoft Technical Support. (Error: 3E6h)

Tip:  Since Win2K, it has been possible to hit Shift-F10 during setup to get a console window.  This can be great to see what's hanging up an install or look up info left in a text file, but it has obvious limited usefulness - it's too darned
hard to do some operations from a console window!

What you can do, however, is use "Winfile" from the very moment that setup starts.  It needs to be the NT version - either NT 4 or 3.51 will work, and presumably earlier versions also.  The WfW3.11 or Win9x version *will not* work
on 2000/XP.

Since Winfile is only 244 K, it can be carried around comfortably on a tech floppy or burned onto a tools CD.  Not an everyday need, but when you do need file browse ability during an XP setup, you really need it.

Setup and Installation

Triple Boot Win9x/Win2K/Win XP
Step-by-Step Guide to Migrating Files and Settings

Setupp.ini - (Reference)

How to verify XP software you bought is OEM/UPGRADE/RETAIL?

I am sure we all have noticed Microsoft product marketing strategy. Whenever they launch any new product line, there are various flavors of it available right from day one. Some are given adjectives like UPGRADE version or FULL, others RETAIL v/s OEM and then of-course we have various categories of the product like HOME, PRO , SERVER , ADVANCED SERVER etc etc.

Well ever wondered what you bought is same as what was advertised ? How to tell the difference. Here comes the help. Look for a file called Setupp.ini that is present on your Windows XP CD and double click on it and browse its content. There is a field called PID=. This PID is what would tell us exactly what we have got.First 5 bytes of PID decide whether (it is OEM or RETAIL or is an UPGRADE ) and last three digits determine what kind of CD KEY will it accept. Here are some of the typical PID values:

Retail = 51882 335
Volume License = 51883 270
OEM = 82503 OEM

Shared Documents - Remove

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\My Computer\NameSpace\ DelegateFolders

Delete this key {59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}. The Shared Documents folders (which are normally under the group called "Other Files Stored on This Computer") will be gone.

Shell Icon Cache - Clear/Delete

In Case you are having problems with the ShellIconCache file and deleting it does not help, a quick method for fixing these problems is to right-click on the desktop and choose Properties. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab. From the Item drop-down list, choose Icon. Click the up arrow in the Size box to increase it by one pixel. Click Apply, click the down arrow in the Size box to return the icons to their previous dimensions, and click OK.

Add Icon Cache Size to Folder Options/View (Line 166)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Shell32 Icons:  %SystemRoot%\System32\shell32.dll  (IT Library)

SFC - System File Checker - (SFC /Scannow)

/SCANNOW
Scans all protected system files immediately.
/SCANONCE
Scans all protected system files at the next boot.
/SCANBOOT
Scans all protected system files at every boot.
/REVERT
Windows XP: Return to default settings.

     Tip:  SFC sets the following registry value:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
              NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SFCScan
     Tip:  SFC Creates a log - Start/Run/Msinfo32/Tools/File Signature Verification Ulitity

Shortcut to....-  Remove the 'Shortcut to...' Prefix on Shortcuts

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

Per User
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
Per System
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]

Create a new BINARY value name 'link', modify the existing value, to equal '00 00 00 00' to have the Shortcut text disabled (00 00 00 00 = No Shortcut Text).  Restart Windows before creating any new shortcuts.

Note: This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Short Cuts - Add Shortcuts To Start Menu

When you click Start to display Windows XP's new Start menu, you'll see a list of six most-frequently-used programs on the left side of the menu (below Internet and Email). Want to squeeze a couple more in there?

Right click the Start button (or a blank area of the Start menu) and select Properties. On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button next to Start Menu. Under Programs, use the up and down arrows to adjust the number of programs in the list--the max is 30, although you'll only be able to see up to eight with the default large icon size--then click OK twice.

Short Cuts - Broken (Reference)

Have You seen those annoying searches for broken shortcuts/links? 

Well there is are couple of ways to solve this problem. If You are comfortable with Registry manipulation, Open registry editor by going to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

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

Add a new key by the name "NoResolveTrack" (without quotes) and sets its value to 1.

This can be achieved by group policy editor as well. Open group policy editor by opening START-RUN and entering gpedit.msc. Navigate to User Configuration\AdministrativeTemplates\Start Menu and Taskbar group policy and selecting "Do not use the tracking-based method when resolving shell shortcuts". 

Short Cut - Links Not Working

EXE Fix for Windows XP - Line 12 (Restores EXE association)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore lnk association: (Line 12) Link File Fix for Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use the Regedits: 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.
 
Show Desktop Icon is Missing

Copy and paste the five lines below into Notepad.

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

Then save it as Show Desktop.scf and drag it to your quick launch bar.

Restore/Add Show Desktop to Quick Launch (Line 61)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

How to Re-create the Show Desktop Icon on Quick Launch Toolbar

Show Hidden Files and Folders is Missing from Folder Options

Go to: Start/Run/Regedit  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Folder\Hidden. 
Modify the string value "Type" and enter "group" as value data.  After the edit is complete hit F5 to refresh.

Shutdown

Power the Computer Off or Reboot After Shutdown

This edit controls whether Windows should automatically power down or reboot your computer once it has finished the shutdown process.

Power Off or Reboot After Shutdown (Line 76)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

This edit automatically ends tasks and timeouts that prevent programs from shutting down and clears the Paging File on Exit.

Auto End Tasks and Wait to Kill Timeout for Shutdown (Line 76)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

This edit allows you to configure Windows so that you receive verbose startup, shutdown, logon, and logoff status messages. This may be helpful to in troubleshooting slow startup, shutdown, logon, or logoff behavior.

Startup/Shutdown/Logon/Logoff Status Messages (Line 69)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

View Log Events by Code or List or Clear (Line 126)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Windows XP Restarts Unexpectedly or Restarts When You Shut Down
the Computer http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q320299

Windows XP Restarts When You Try to Shut Down Your Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q311806

See if anything listed here helps/applies:

Windows XP Boot Problems & Edits
Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooter
Computer Does Not Shut Down Properly if Selective Suspend Is Enabled
Gizmo

Shutdown Command - Disable

Start/Run/GPEDIT.MSC

Computer Configurations/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/User Rights Assignment/Shut Down the System/Users/Remove.

There may be certain machines that you do not want to be shut down; for instance, a workgroup print server, or a machine in
a kiosk. With this Registry edit, you can take away that option:  Start/Run/Regedit

Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Name: NoClose
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Shutdown Shortcuts

Shutdown.exe for Windows XP

Copy the line below to Notepad:  Name it and save with a JS extension.

(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows();

Shutdown Tracker

The Shutdown Event Tracker provides a simple and standard mechanism you can use to consistently document the reasons for shutting down or restarting your computer. The information provided is recorded in the system log in Event Viewer.

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Reliability

Create a new DWORD value or modify the existing value named "ShutdownReasonUI" and set it to "1" to enable shutdown event tracking. When enabled an additional drop-down option box will be displayed with various planned and unplanned shutdown reasons. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Shutdown Troubleshooters

Windows XP Boot Problems & Edits
Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooter
Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown While Saving Your Settings

SlideShow Timing - Change

Increase SlideShow Timeout to 10 Seconds (Row 81)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

The value of the number is represented in milliseconds between image changes:
1000 = 1 second, 5000 = 5 seconds, 10000=10 seconds, etc. To modify my script change the time accordingly.

In order to change the slideshow timing, open regedit and go to the following key.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellImageView]

Create a DWORD named "Timeout", with the value the number of millseconds between image changes (1000 (Dec) = 1 second, 5000 = 5 seconds)

Note that the time of actually changing the image is not included, so 1000 = 1 second + time to decode the image.

Slingo2.Exe

Slingo2.exe May Cause an Error Message

Snap-in Creation Failed when trying to open gpedit.msc  (Pete H)

If you receive the "Snap-in creation failed" message when starting GPEDIT.MSC or a "Snap-in could not initialize" message: For Pro

Go to Start/Run/Msconfig/Expand File

File to Restore: framedyn.dl_
Restore From: i386 folder on your XP CD
Save File In: C:\Windows\System32

Software

Software Compatibility Site for Windows XP

The IT Resource Directory of Software Related Sites

Sort Order - Incorrect

Change the Sort Order Back to W2K Style (Line 107)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Sort Order - Reversed A-Z is Z-A

This behavior can occur if the sort order in Windows Explorer is changed from the default order.
Right-click Start, click Explore, and then click drive C. On the View menu, click Details.

Click the Name column to sort items by name, press and hold down the CTRL key, and then quit Windows Explorer by clicking Close in the upper-right corner of the screen. Release the CTRL key. Restart your computer.

Note: You must perform these steps exactly as they are listed. For example, do not quit Windows Explorer by clicking Exit
on the File menu.

Sort Start Menu and Favorites in Alphabetical Order

Start/Run/Regedit - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder]

To sort the Favorites menu hightlight the "Favorites" sub-key and delete it. To sort the Start Menu hightlight the "Start Menu" sub-key and delete it. Changes will take effect after you restart Windows and Internet Explorer.

Sort Start Menu Programs

To sort the Programs menu, the Documents menu, or the Favorites menu, right-click any item on the menu, and then click Sort by Name.

To use your keyboard to sort the menu items by name: Use the arrow keys to select the item on the menu that you want to sort. Press SHIFT+F10 to view the shortcut menu. Use either the DOWN ARROW key or the UP ARROW key to click Sort By Name, and then press ENTER.   Start Menu and Favorites Menu Not Listed in Alphabetical Order

Sound

Startup Sounds are missing:

TweakUI/General/Beep on errors (verify that the box is checked).
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

System Sounds are missing:

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key: HKEY_USERS. If it doesn't have a Data entry in the right pane that reads: (value not set), double click (Default) and delete it. If it does, check your HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21 keys for the same.

Restore System Default Sounds (Line 6)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

This edit corrects many Sound issues:

Fix the Ding.wav File (Line 6)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Sound Troubleshooters

Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP
List of Sound and Gameport Drivers in Windows XP
Troubleshooting Games and Multimedia in Windows XP
Startup Sound Plays Irregularly After Upgrade to Windows XP
USB Speakers Make a "Pop" Sound When You Play Audio
Troubleshooting Playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP

Sound Blaster Live - Speaker Problem Fix

1) Locate the file called ctsurmix.exe in your Creative SoundBlaster folder.
2) Right click it and select properties and then compatibility.
3) Select win2000 compatible mode and it should work again.

Source Path

Copy the contents of the I386 folder from your XP CD to your hard drive. Then go to Start/Run/Regedit.  Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

In the right pane, change SourcePath to reflect your settings. NOTE:  Do not include I386 in the path.

SP1 for Windows XP (more information under SP1 - Troubleshooting and Information)

How to Obtain the Latest Windows XP Service Pack
Order the Windows XP Service Pack 1 CD
Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 1
Service Pack 1 Changes to Product Activation
Categorized List of Fixes in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)

SP1 - "Access is Denied" at the end of the XP Service Pack 1 setup.

If the installation logs points to the  following key :

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{5B9169C0-DB65-42AA-A38A-0726846AAEB3}

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

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate \Auto Update\ResetAU
Make sure Administrators group and System account have access to that registry key and all keys under it.

For an NTFS drive:  Check the permissions on this folder: c:\1adb29f45d19253874d9e26de0e056cb\update

Other options:

Check the svcpack.log file.  You may have to locate tools on the web like Filemon to monitor files and Regmon to monitor the registry to track down what is causing the issue. Usually this error occurs when a file or a reg key has the permissions changed so it cannot be accessed properly. It could be a number of different files or registry entries so there isn't any one easy answer.

Using the two tools listed above you can track down when the files and registry entries are accessed by the service
pack install so that when the error occurs you can see what is being touched and access is then being denied. After
you locate the file or registry entry you need to change the permissions so the service pack can complete.

Darrell Gorter [MS]
Microsoft Beta Support Team

SP1 - Add or Remove Error after Installing SP1 ("Parser Message: Value creation failed" at line 472" error)

If you are using Style XP: Right click the Desktop/Properties/Desktop/choose Windows XP and try again.

Style XP also has an update available for SP1

If you have renamed the uxtheme.dll (patch) you could try running SFC /Scannow to restore the original MS version. Or
check in the root directory for "UxTheme.dll.tqtbak" and rename it to UxTheme.dll and replace the copy in: "C:\windows\system32" with the new renamed copy.  The original MS Version - 6.0.2800.1045 (1.98 kb)

The patch can be downloaded here: http://www.tgtsoft.com/downloads/uxthemepatcher.zip

Another workaround posted by:  MVP Mark Salloway

To get rid of this error you can switch back to a Microsoft Theme or go to
/WINDOWS/Resources/Themes/<Name of theme in use> and rename the shell folder to the name of the visual style shown in the appearance tab. If you have a theme with multiple variations you must make this change for each subfolder containing a differing styleshell.dll file.

SP1 - AutoDial is Disabled or You Can't Add a Dialup Connection after installing SP1

This is a very noted problem for users after installing SP1. I have some suggestions, however none of them are the well needed fix. We are still waiting for the proper workaround from MS.

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RasMan\PPP\EAP
Delete the subkeys listed except 13 and 4.

Go to Start/Administrative Tools/Services. Set these three to "Automatic":
Remote Access Connection Manager, Remote Acc