XP BEST IDEAS ZONE

Finding Encrypted Files

2008-08-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Get Fast Access to System Settings Finding Encrypted Files Unless you use a command-line utility like Cipher.exe, it's difficult to see at a glance which files are encrypted and which is not. Right-clicking each file and then choosing Properties, General, Advanced (followed by Cancel, Cancel) is tedious. • Open a folder containing the encrypted files......... • On the View menu, choose Details,

Customize the Taskbar

2008-08-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

Customize the TaskbarWith Windows XP, you can customize your taskbar so you can do everything from one place, including start programs, view documents, and surf the Web. Simply right-click the background of the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click the toolbar you want to add: an Address bar, a Links bar, a toolbar containing all items on your desktop, or the Quick Launch bar.You can also

Add Favorites

2008-08-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Add Favorites with One KeystrokeYou can quickly add a Web page to your Favorites folder with a single keystroke. The page is automatically added to your Favorites list without any further input from you.• Press Ctrl+D.Set Your Browser to Open to a Page of Your ChoiceIs there a site you always visit first when you browse the Web? Would you like it to be the first site you see when you start

Turn on ToggleKeys

2008-08-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Turn on ToggleKeysToggleKeys is designed for people who have vision impairment or cognitive disabilities. When ToggleKeys is turned on, your computer provides sound cues when the locking keys (CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK) are pressed. A high sound plays when the keys are switched on and a low sound plays when they are switched off.• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click

Repair Installation

2008-08-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

Perform a Repair InstallationHow do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?• Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.• Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.• When the Press any key to boot

Disk Errors in Windows XP

2008-08-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

Check for Disk Errors in Windows XPThe Scan Disk utility is not available in Windows XP. However, you can use the Error-Checking tool in Windows XP to check the integrity of your hard disk.• Double-click My Computer, and then right-click the local disk that you want to check.• Click Properties, and then click Tools.• Under Error-checking, click Check Now.• Under Check disk options, select the

Speed up Menu Display

2008-08-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Speed up Menu DisplayYou can use this tip to speed up the way menus display in Windows XP.• Click Start, click Control Panel, and click Performance and Maintenance, and the click System.• Click the Advanced tab, and under Performance, click the Settings button.• Clear the Fade or slide menus into view check box, and then click OK.• Now when you bring up a collapsed menu, it will expand without

Modify Boot.ini

2008-08-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Modify Boot.iniWindows XP uses the Boot.ini file to determine the operating system options to display during the startup (boot) process. Boot.ini is set with the hidden and system file attributes and flagged as read-only by default.Have you been changing Boot.ini lately? Are you tired of opening Folder Options, and clicking Show hidden files and folders on the View menu, so you can see Boot.ini

Recovery Console on Your Computer

2008-08-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Install the Recovery Console on Your ComputerYou can install the Recovery Console as an option on your startup menu and use it to recover your system in the event that safe mode and other startup options don't work. This tool is for advanced users.• With Windows XP running, insert your Windows XP CD in the drive, and click Exit when the installation options are displayed.• Click Start, click Run,

Show Encrypted Files in Color

2008-08-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Show Encrypted Files in ColorYou can encrypt files and folders on NTFS volumes to hide their content from other users. To quickly identify encrypted files and folders in your system, follow this tip to display the name of the encrypted file or folder in color.• Double-click My Computer, and then click Folder Options on the Tools menu.• Click the View tab.• Select the Show encrypted or compressed

Computer Clock through a Firewall

2008-08-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Update Computer Clock through a FirewallIf your computer is a member of a domain, your computer clock is probably synchronized automatically by a network time server. If your computer is not a member of a domain, you can synchronize your computer clock with an Internet time server.However, the Internet Time service in its default state does not work with Internet Connection Firewall enabled on a

Lock Your Computer

2008-08-14T05:09:00.000-07:00

Create a Desktop Shortcut to Lock Your ComputerYou secure your computer by locking it whenever you're away from your desk. If you're on a domain, by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and then clicking Lock Computer, you can prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer. Only you and members of the Administrators group on your computer can unlock it. (You unlock it by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del,

Change Drive Letters

2008-08-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

Change Drive Letters in Windows XPWhen you add drives to your computer, such as an extra hard drive, a CD drive, or a storage device that corresponds to a drive, Windows automatically assigns letters to the drives. However, this assignment might not suit your system; for example, you might have mapped a network drive to the same letter that Windows assigns to a new drive.• Right-click My Computer

Quick Search Tips

2008-08-14T04:52:00.000-07:00

Quick Search Tips New!• Using capitalization can result in better performance when using Search Companion.For instance, Mary Smith may produce better results than mary smith.• If you didn't find what you wanted on the first search engine, choose automatically send your search to other search engines to submit your search to other engines that are appropriate for your query.• If you like having an

Administrative Tools

2008-08-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Add Administrative Tools to Your Start MenuIf you are an administrator to your Windows XP Professional machine, you might want to be able to perform administrative functions. Yet, it is sort of a hassle to navigate to the Control Panel and select the Administrative Tools from there.• Right-click the Start menu, and then click Properties.• On the Start Menu tab, click Customize.• Click the

Activate NetMeeting

2008-08-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Activate NetMeetingUsing NetMeeting, you can participate in virtual meetings, work in shared applications, and share data over the Internet or your company intranet. NetMeeting is actually already installed after you perform a full install of Windows XP, but it won't appear on the Start menu until it's activated.• Click Start, then Run, and enter Conf.• Click OK.• In the NetMeeting Wizard, supply

Customize the IE 6

2008-08-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

Customize the Internet Explorer 6 ToolbarYou can choose which features you want on the Internet Explorer 6 toolbar. If you want to simplify the toolbar, you can remove icons, change to smaller icons, or remove the text labels displayed next to the icons. • Right-click the Standard toolbar, and then click Customize.• In the Text options list, click No text labels to remove them.• In the Icon

Renew and Release IP

2008-08-09T03:01:00.000-07:00

Renew and Release IP AddressesYou can use the command-line tool IPCONFIG to get network information such as your IP address and to perform other tasks for troubleshooting network issues.However, if you prefer a graphical user interface over command lines, you can download a GUI tool that will run on Windows XP and Windows 2000. The tool that's installed is Wntipcfg.exe.The tool identifies your IP

Add Familiar Icons

2008-08-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

Add Familiar Icons Back to Your DesktopIt's the case of the missing icons. Many of you may be wondering where all the icons from your desktop are in Windows XP? You can place at least My Computer, My Network Places, and My Documents on the desktop.• Right-click on the desktop, and then click Properties.• Click the Desktop tab and then click on Customize Desktop.• Put a check mark in the box next

Picture on the Welcome Screen

2008-08-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

Change the Picture on the Welcome ScreenIf your computer is a member of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer, you can replace the picture on the Welcome screen with another picture. First, store a head shot that you've scanned or taken with a digital camera in the My Pictures folder. The picture will be automatically resized to fit the picture box, so don't worry too much about getting an

Manually Install Backup

2008-08-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

Manually Install Backup in Windows XP Home EditionThe Backup utility is not included in the default installation of Windows XP Home Edition. The Backup icon is not present on the Start menu in Windows XP Home Edition, nor is Backup listed in Add/Remove Programs for Windows XP Home Edition. The backup program is found on the Windows XP Home Edition CD in the Value add folder.• Double-click the

Recycle Bin Confirmation

2008-08-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

WiSkip the Recycle Bin Confirmation MessageWhen you delete items by moving them to the Recycle Bin, Windows displays a message confirming the deletion: "Are you sure you want to send FILENAME to the Recycle Bin?" If you're tired of clicking an answer to that question, you can configure Windows XP to skip the confirmation message whether or not you're using the Recycle Bin.• Right-click the

Windows Logo Key

2008-08-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Windows Logo KeyDon't Ignore the Windows Logo Key the Windows logo key, located in the bottom row of most computer keyboards is a little-used treasure. Don't ignore it. It is the shortcut anchor for the following commands:Windows: Display the Start menu.Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows.Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer.Windows + F: Display Search for files.Windows + Ctrl + F:

Personal Screen Saver

2008-08-06T02:10:00.000-07:00

Create a Personal Screen SaverFor a great way to put your digital photos to work, try creating a slide show presentation for use as a screen saver.• Right-click an empty spot on your desktop and then click Properties.• Click the Screen Saver tab.• In the Screen saver list, click My Pictures Slideshow.• Click Settings to make any adjustments, such as how often the pictures should change, what size

Details View of Folders

2008-08-06T02:07:00.000-07:00

Add Fields to the Details View of FoldersYou can add other columns to the Details view of the files contained in Windows XP folders, such as Comments, Description, Category, and many others. To add new columns:• Right-click the column header of the files list, and then click one of the fields listed, or click more.• In the Choose Details dialog box, you can reorganize the order of column headers,