Windows XP Tips & Tricks

Start Menu Shortcut Open Behavior: There's Two Different Types of Shortcuts to a Folder

Place a shortcut to a folder in the start menu it will open the folder 1 of 2 ways

1. As an explorer window
2. As a start menu expanding list

You can control this behavior by how you create the shortcut. To make the shortcut open an explorer window right click on the START button and choose OPEN from the shell menu. Once the explorer window for the start menu opens right click on white space within the window and choose NEW, SHORTCUT from the shell menu. Enter the path to the folder you want a shortcut. This creates a shortcut type that will not expand to the right like the programs menu in the start menu, but rather just opens an explorer window to the path.

To create a folder shortcut that opens an expanding menu drag the directory you want a shortcut to over the START button while holding down the CONTROL & SHIFT keys. Keep holding the keys and dragging until the start menu opens, then make sure you deposit the new shortcut above the divider line on the start menu above "Programs." This type of shortcut creates an expanding menu instead of opening a window when clicked.

Resizing Pictures Via Right Click

In Windows XP you can right click on an image or group of images and select "Resize Pictures" from the shell menu IF you have Microsoft PowerToys Utilities installed.

Changing Thumbnail Size in Explorer

In the XP file explorer you can elect to view thumbnail representations of images of common graphic types as opposed to icons. The default size can be changed with a simple registry edit.

regedit

navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Create a new DWORD value

ThumbnailSize

Smallest:

• Hex – 20
• Decimal – 32

Windows Default:

• Hex – 64
• Decimal – 100

Largest:

• Hex – 100
• Decimal – 256

File Name Not Visible in Thumbnail View

Changing the file view in Windows Explorer to Thumbnail results in the text file name being hidden although the image thumbnail is visible. This is actually a toggle, so that when viewing file thumbnails you can control whether or not you want the text filename below the image thumbnail.

In the 'Choose Details' window of the folder the 'Name' option is selected (it's not even possible to deselect it). Hold down the shift key when switching to thumbnail view to hide the file names. Do it again to bring them back.

Another way to enable or disable filename visibility in the thumbnail icon view is to open the folder while holding down the shift key. Hold down the Shift Key, Right-click while keeping the Shift key depressed, Choose Open while still keeping the Shift key depressed.

Control Panel Applet commands

In Windows XP you click START and then RUN to access the Run dialog. This can be accessed by a right click on the Windows logo (where the start menu was in XP) in the Windows desktop (not the Metro screen.) Windows Key + R also launches the Run program dialog box.

Common Windows components can be accessed directly by executing them from the run program dialog, such as the Control Panel. Enter "control" and click OK to open the control panel. See below for other common applets:

You can use "control" + the applet name below, or, depending on your version of Windows, simply use the applet name alone.

• sysdm.cpl - system properties (Advanced System Settings) contains System Protection (Microsoft System Restore), and Computer Name, Workgroup, & Domain
• ncpa.cpl - network connections (configure NICs and other connections)
• firewall.cpl - windows firewall
• appwiz.cpl - programs and features (add/remove programs)
• hdwwiz.cpl - add hardware wizard
• desk.cpl - display screen res
• inetcpl.cpl - msie properties
• powercfg.cpl - power mgr
• mmsys.cpl - sound
• timedate.cpl - date and time
• nusrmgr.cpl - user accounts and passwords (Windows 7) 7-10 use netplwiz.exe

Special control panel applets (you must type "control" before the applet name.

• control - open windows control panel
• control folders - folder options (where you can do things like show hidden files and show file extensions)
• control mouse - mouse device properties
• control userpasswords - user accounts and passwords
• control fonts - opens the fonts folder in an explorer window
• control printers - opens printers folder
• control system - opens system properties (Vista, 7 and 8x)
• control desk.cpl,screensaver,@screensaver - Screensaver
• control /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate - Windows Update (legacy: wuapp.exe)

Microsoft Management Console applets

• devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
• diskmgmt.msc - Disk Management
• fsmgmt.msc - File Share Mgmt
• services.msc - Services Management, start / stop / disable services

note: These (some or all) Windows Applet commands work in Windows versions including 2000, XP, 7, and 8.

This is not a comprehensive list, it is a list of the common more common/useful commands. See our discussion page for additional commands.

Windows System Information Tools

SystemInfo

command line:

systeminfo.exe

You can echo the output to a text file to view in notepad

systeminfo.exe > "%userprofile%/documents/systeminfo.txt"

Systeminfo.exe is a great tool console based tool. Systeminfo.exe is a command-line utility that displays information about your Windows version, BIOS, processor, memory, network configuration, and so on. The output is DOS text.

System Information / MSInfo Utility

If you prefer something with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) you can use msinfo32.

command line:

msinfo32.exe

Use this tool to gather information about your computer, to diagnose issues with your computer, or to access other tools. This command opens a GUI applet. It can be run directly from START, RUN. It provides mostly the same information as systeminfo.

Keep Getting Windows XP Security Updates Until 2019

Microsoft stopped security updates for Windows XP. Windows XP launched on August 24, 2001 and on April 8, 2014 Microsoft officially ended support of the operating system. There shall be no more security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system, according to Microsoft. However, a hack makes it possible for users to continue getting security updates. The hack fools Microsoft into thinking the system is running Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, a variant of XP that's used by ATMs and cash registers.

A registry entry needs to be added to accomplish this.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\PosReady]
"Installed"=dword:00000001

Add to a text file with the file extension .reg then click to add to the Windows registry.

Determine Windows version on a system that wont boot

If you are working on a computer with Microsoft Windows, and it won't boot, but you can access the harddrive data by booting to another operating system, and you need to determine the exact version of Windows by examining the drive contents, there are a few things to look for to help you pin it down.

Look in the ../Windows/System32 folder for a file called "ntoskrnl.exe". If this file exists, it is at least an NT based system.

Now do a properties and examine the details for a product version.

• 4.x: NT 4.x
• 5.0: Windows 2000
• 5.1: Windows XP
• 5.2: Windows 2003 Server or Windows XP-64-bit
• 6.0: Windows Vista
• 6.1: Windows 7
• 6.2; Windows 8
• 6.3: Windows 8.1

This does not tell you which license type (Pro, Home, etc). To determine that For that look for "%windir%\system32\prodspec.ini"

• c:\windows\system32\prodspec.ini

You can try looking for license.rtf which is not present all to often

• c:\Windows\System32\license.rtf

Windows XP Repair Feature

The system repair function is used to fix and existing Windows XP installation without a complete reinstallation. Key components of Windows are replaced by the originals from the XP Installation CD. This function will remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD. Drivers will also be reverted to their original XP versions, as well as some settings.

• Different from System Restore, and not a Reinstall.
• Personal Data, installed programs and settings are preserved.

Unplug the Internet connection or turn off WiFi.

Boot from Windows XP CD. Insert the Windows XP CD into CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and restart. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start from Windows XP CD.

When completed loading files, on the Windows Setup screen choose "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER". DO NOT select Recovery Console.

Press F8 to accept the license agreement by signing your life and first born child to Microsoft.

Windows Setup will find the existing Windows XP installation. Here you need to choose "repair an existing XP installation."

XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all data and settings. Follow prompts, and have the CD license KEY for Windows XP ready if needed.

You will need to remain offline until base security patches are installed from removable media. Connecting to the Internet on an unpatched Windows XP can result in infection from a worm.

Hide the "Windows XP 30 days left for activation" Message

After installing Windows XP you notice a message in the bottom right, "30 days left for activation" in the icon tray. This indicates that you must activate your windows XP because the Windows key you used is not a match with the CD installer product.

Remove Windows Activation

1. Disable Internet access
2. START -> RUN -> Type: regedit.exe and click RUN
3. Navigate the registry to the following hive and key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents
4. On the right panel, find "OOBETimer" and double click it.
5. Delete and replace the values with the following: FF D5 71 D6 8B 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD
6. Click "OK"
7. Next, on the left panel, right-click "WPAEvents"
8. Click on "permissions"
9. Click "SYSTEM"
10. Click the box "Deny Full Control"
11. Click "OK"
12. Click "YES" and exit Registry Editor.
13. Reboot

Testing: Try to activate windows by clicking "Activate Windows" wither under the START menu or under ALL PROGRAMS.

The procedure does not guarantee that your Windows installation will cease to fully function after 30 days. It will remove the warning. In some cases it will allow Windows to continue running fully after the 30 day trial period. Results vary.

Troubleshooting: In some cases after 30 days the user is presented with the message, "This copy of Windows must be activated with microsoft before you can log on. Do you want to activate Windows now?" when first booting windows, then after selecting "yes" presented with another message, "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit." This can happen when the registry hack failed to work. User is prevented from using Windows. A workaround is presented below under the heading, "Another 30-days to try Windows."

Remove Windows Activation with Dummy Key

If the above procedure fails you may need to supply a bogus key along with the activation patch.

1. Disable Internet access
2. Click "ACTIVATE ON THE PHONE" and then "CHANGE Product Key"
3. Enter a Dummy Key such as: THMPV – 77D6F – 94376 – 8HGKG – VRDRQ
4. Click "UPDATE"
5. Click "REMIND ME LATER"
6. Restart the computer
7. Log in to Windows and click START -> RUN and type "%system"
8. Click "OK"

See all Microsoft Windows Installation Keys for further information.

Another 30-days to try Windows

How about if you could have another 30 days in your trial period?

In this process we will load Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, which is an option that can be made available when you turn on the computer by pressing the F8 key. You may have to press the F8 key more than once. Typically you will be able to enter the Windows boot selection menu by pressing F8 right after the initial logo and bios information is posted to the monitor.

1. Reboot or turn on computer
2. Press F8 on boot to goto boot options, Boot into Safe Mode With Command Prompt.
3. Type: "rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk"
4. Now reboot by pressing Control-Alt-Delete which opens the Task Manager, select Shut Down from the toolbar menu, and choose reboot.

This process can be repeated every 30 days indefinitely.