Play With Windows XP Registry

Load Kernel Into RAM

2010-02-14T12:51:00.000+05:30

Programs in Windows 98 could be loaded and Kept in RAM as long as user want. Even the user could load a video clip into RAM and play it directly from there; Windows XP is much more restrictive due to security reasons. But Windows XP provides functionality to force kernel to run into RAM. By Default, only required components of XP kernel are loaded in RAM at boot time. Here, in this Tweak I will explain how to force Windows XP kernel run from RAM.

Navigate to:

HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session_Manager\Memory Management

Set the Value of the "DisablePagingExecutive" to 1 which will make the entire kernel be loaded in Memory (Reboot is required.)

Note: Use this hack only if you have sufficient memory (Recommended 512MB or more). Also this hack may affect some programs that use the Windows swap file directly, like Photoshop.

eITWebGuru – Our New Name

2009-12-01T04:43:00.000+05:30

Greetings and Thanks to all our readers and visitors for their support and visits. Using this blog we have tried to provide Windows XP Registry tweaks. I hope they were helpful to all.

Today, I feel proud to announce that now I have my own domain i.e. http://eitwebguru.com on which I am going to post all the Webhosting tips, tweaks and many things. Also I have inegrated the http://win-regedit.blogspot.com/ with my domain and the blog is available at http://win-regedit.eitwebguru.com/

So, I request every Visitor to give their Important visit to http://eitwebguru.com and http://win-regedit.eitwebguru.com/

Thank to all,

Admin
http://eitwebguru.com

Show Windows Version and build on Desktop

2009-10-26T12:56:00.000+05:30

This tweak will enable the feature which will allow to loacte the version of windows you are running. After enabling this feature you will able to see the version of Windows OS with build on the desktop of your System.

Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Modify the existing value called 'PaintDesktopVersion' set the value to equal '1' to enable and display the version.

NOTE: Reboot is required to make changes come in effect.

Empty Temporary Internet Files on Exit

2009-07-26T11:33:00.000+05:30

This setting controls whether Internet Explorer should delete all of the temporary Internet files stored during the session when the browser is closed.

This tweak will delete all the Temporary Interner Files which are stored during when browser is closed.

Navigate to:
User Key:
HCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache
System Key:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache

Create a new OR modify existing DWORD value, called "Persistent" and set it to "1" to enable this feature

Enable Quick Reboot

2009-05-26T18:22:00.000+05:30

This Hack will allows you to use quick reboot function to restart Windows immediately without shutting down. When its enabled, you can restart the Windows by press Shift + Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Navigate to:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Create a new or modify the existing String value called "EnableQuickReboot" and set it to "1" to enable it.

Note: USE this METHOD only when the system has stopped responding.

Enable Font Smoothing on Welcome Screen

2009-05-22T06:53:00.000+05:30

Windows XP have a new feature called "Clear Type" which is designed to make fonts readable on LCD and low resolution screens in a better way. This tweak allows you to enable font smoothing on Welcome screen (it is normally disabled).

Navigate to:
User Key: HCU\Control Panel\Desktop
System Key: HU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

Set the value of "FontSmoothing" to "2" and the value of "FontSmoothingType" to "2" to enable Font Smoothing.

Note: Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Show Detailed Information in Device Manager

2009-04-10T07:20:00.000+05:30

After doing this tweak/Hack Device Manager will show you detailed OR additional information about the devices which is not shown generally.

Navigate to:
HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment

Create a new String value / modify existing value, named "DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS" and set it "1" to enable details device information.

NOTE: restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Restrict Users from Running Specific Applications

2009-03-25T08:48:00.001+05:30

This tweak will allows you to specify applications and filenames that other users of the Computer will not able to execute or run.

Navigate to:
HCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value as "DisallowRun" set the value to "1" to enable application restrictions.

Then create a new sub-key called

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

Define the applications the are to be restricted by creating a new string value for each application and set the value to the file name to be restricted. (e.g. if you want to restrict the users to run Windows registry, just create a new string value named as "regedit.exe".

Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Allow Fast User Switching

2009-03-10T13:04:00.001+05:30

Fast user switching allows you to quickly switch to another user account without closing any programs of current session.

Navigate To:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Create a new or modify the existing DWORD value, called "AllowMultipleTSSessions" and set it '1' to enable Fast User Switching.

Note: Restart OR logout is required for the change to take effect.

Creating Program Aliases in Windows

2009-02-27T05:05:00.000+05:30

Windows registry allows you to create program aliases i.e when you type "spreadsheet.exe" in Run it will open Excel Sheet i.e. C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE

Navigate to
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

Create a sub-key, and call it the name of the alias you wish to create (e.g. "spreadsheet.exe") then Double Click on Default value of the sub-key and enter the complete path of the executable which you want to launch when you execute the alias (e.g. "C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE").

To test go to Start >> Run and type spreedsheet.exe and it will open Excel Sheet.

Remove Programs from the Add/Remove Programs List

2009-02-21T18:12:00.000+05:30

Windows compatible programs must include an uninstall program, sometimes though the program may get removed but the entry in Add/Remove programs does not. This tweak allows you to manually remove any orphaned entries.

Navigate To:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

To see which application each sub-key represents, open it and there should be at least two values 'DisplayName' and 'UninstallString'.

'DisplayName' is the name used in the Add/Remove programs list.
'UninstallString' is the program used to uninstall the application.

To remove a program from the list you can simply highlight and delete the sub-key representing that program.

Force Windows to Unload DLLs from Memory

2009-02-12T23:43:00.005+05:30

Windows Explorer caches DLLs (Dynamic-Link Libraries) in memory for a period of time after the application using them has been closed. This can be an inefficient use of memory on low memory systems, and may cause problems or delays for programmers developing with Windows DLL files.

Navigate to:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Create a new sub-key named 'AlwaysUnloadDLL' and set the default value to equal '1'.

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Set Response Time for Hung Applications

2009-02-08T19:22:00.004+05:30

This hack controls the amount of time to wait for a response from a hung application before the system task manager automatically terminates the task.

Navigate to:
User Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
System Key: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

Create or modify the String value called HungAppTimeout and set the value as per your requirement (1000 = 1 second). e.g. if you set the value to 1000 then the system task manager will terminate the application after waiting for 1 second.

NOTE: System need to restart for the change to take effect.

Changing the Default Location for .OST and .PST Files New Location

2009-02-01T23:34:00.010+05:30

By default, Outlook places each Offline Folders (.ost) file and Personal Folders (.pst) file that it creates in the %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder. This setting allows you to change the default behavior and store the files in any folder.

Navigate to:
Outlook 2003 - HCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook
Outlook XP - HCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook
Outlook 2000 - HCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook

Create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expandable String) value called 'ForcePSTPath' and set it to equal the full path of the required folder Path (f.g. d:\Outlook)

Skip the Open With web service prompt

2009-01-25T00:17:00.000+05:30

When you attempt to open an unknown file type a popup message is shown asking whether you would like to use the online web service to find the appropriate program to open the file. This setting allows you to disable this prompt, causing the Open With dialog to display immediately.

Navigate to:
HLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

create or modify the DWORD value called InternetOpenWith and set it to 1 to disable Web Service Prompt.

Stop the system automatically rebooting after Windows Updates

2009-01-17T21:21:00.004+05:30

Normally Windows Update will automatically reboot the system when you have your system configured to "Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them" and one or more of those updates requires a reboot. This settings changes the behavior so when users are logged in the system will not automatically reboot.

Navigate to:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

create or modify the DWORD value called NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers and set it to 1 to disable automatic reboot.

Disable Shutting Down

2008-12-02T16:18:00.001+05:30

You can prevent users from being able to shut down the computer. This might be useful in cases such as when you’re running a server and you don’t want anyone to shut it down inadvertently.

Navigate to:
HCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
And to:
HLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In these locations, create or modify the DWORD value called NoClose and set it to 1. Reset it to 0 to enable shutting down.

Log out and log back in, or restart Windows, for the change to take effect.

Disable Right-Click on the Start Button

2008-11-30T23:57:00.001+05:30

As part of securing the desktop, disable the ability to right-click on the start button and select the command options Open, Explore and Find.

Navigate to:
HCR\Directory\shell
And to:
HCR\Folder\Shell

For both these keys, rename "shell" to "shell.old". Exit the Registry editor and right click on the start button: the options will not be available. To re-enable them, simply remove the “.old” suffix.

Tweak The Network Redirector Buffers

2008-10-26T01:28:00.002+05:30

By increasing the number of these buffers, you may get a higher transfer rate for the data that travels though the network.

Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters

Using the procedure explained in the previous tweak, add two new DWORD values:
MaxCmds and MaxThreads
Give both the same value between 0 and 255. It is recommended to choose the value of 64.

Create Your Own Tips

2008-10-03T10:11:00.001+05:30

If you are getting bored of the Windows tutorial tips that appear when you log in to windows, use this hack to change and add your own tips.

Navigate to:

HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Tips

The tips are listed in alphabetical or numerical sequence. You can either replace the string values in the existing tips, or create your own tips, or increment the existing letters or numbers and enter a string value with your own tip. For example, if the last tip is designated “Y”, the next tip could be “Z” with your String Value

Hide The Username on the Start Menu

2008-09-28T08:12:00.003+05:30

Use this hack to hide the Username that is usually displayed in the XP start menu-not the Classic Start Menu, where the username is not displayed.

Navigate to:

HCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

And to:

HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Change the DWORD Value NoUserNameInStartMenu to 1 to hide the username display. The default is 0.

Remove or Change the Shortest Arrow Icon

2008-09-17T09:15:00.004+05:30

A tiny modification to XP. If you prefer not to see the short-cut arrow icon in the bottom corner of the short-cut, use this hack to change it-or even remove it.To delete the icon, remove the entry IsShortCut from the following keys:

HCR\Inkfile (in “Inkfile”, it’s a small “ell,” not an “I”)

HCR\piffile 

HCR\InternetShortcut

To change the icon, go to:

HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons

Change the String Value entries for the setting “29” to the path and filename of the new icon. Setting this value to blank has the same effect as deleting them, but without any side effects.

By deleting the icon, Windows no longer considers these short-cuts as shortcuts. There may be some side effect in using the short-cuts after this change: in some cases, deleting the arrow for .LNK files leads to duplicate items in the Explorer context menu. Ideally, rather than deleting the icon, just remove the file path to be on safe side.

Pop Up a Banner when Windows Boots

2008-08-29T11:38:00.005+05:30

You might want to have a banner pop up when a user is going to log on, a banner that contains any kind of message you want to display. This can be used to display the company’s policy, for example. Or a warning message to trespassers telling them to buzz off!

Navigate to:

HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon 

Create a new String Value here called LegalNoticeCaption. Enter whatever you want to see in the bar at the top. Now create another new String Value called LegalNoticeText. Modify it to the message you want to display each time Windows boots.

The message will be displayed at the next logon.

Use an Alternate Source Viewer with IE

2008-08-24T07:56:00.002+05:30

When you view source in Internet Explorer, Notepad is launched as the text editor. If you want to change this, here’s how.

Navigate to:
HLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\View Source Editor\Editor Name

If the “Editor Name” key does not exist, create it. Set the “(Default)” value to equal the full path and filename of the required text editor, for example, “D:\Program Files\MyEditor”.

Just restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect.

Native Processor Performance Control in XP

2008-08-12T04:37:00.002+05:30

The following tweak applies to processors with either Intel SpeedStep or AMD PowerNow! Processor performance control technologies. Windows includes inbuilt processor performance control to utilize it more efficiently. Some CPUs that support the aforementioned technologies have trouble with random hangs under XP. Even if you’ve installed an updated CPU driver, XP might not have enabled it. This hack is for such cases.

Navigate to:

HLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\P3\Parameters

Here, create a new DWORD value (or modify the existing value) called HackFlags, and edit its value according to the following.

0: Disables native XP support

1: Use settings inherited from Intel Software during your XP upgrade.

5: Allow XP to support all modes when on battery

You will need to restart for the change to take effect.