All Categories »
Windows
» Windows Configuration
Can I adjust some master NTFS table size to handle large number of files better?
The Master File Table is used by the NTFS file system to track how files are
laid out on disk. The layout of the MFT itself can impact performance. (Continue reading...)
Can I install programs on an external drive?
An external drive is just another drive to Windows. Setting up programs on a drive that can be removed, however, warrants some care. (Continue reading...)
How can I delay programs that start automatically?
Lots of software starts when you login to Windows, but you have very little control over timing and order. There are free solutions available. (Continue reading...)
How can I disable my "Windows" key? Or for that matter, remap my entire keyboard?
Outside of a few standard layouts, truly customizing the layout of your keyboard is typically harder than you might expect. (Continue reading...)
How can I disable the games that come with Windows?
Disabling games that come with Windows is an easy task that doesn't involve any adjustments to Windows' registry. (Continue reading...)
How can I force a computer to sign out automatically?
If you leave something sensitive on your display and then walk away, anyone can see it. There are steps you should take if that's a potential problem. (Continue reading...)
How can I install hardware if I no longer have my Windows XP CD?
There are some steps to try if you need to install hardware and do not have your Windows XP CD. (Continue reading...)
How can I keep my laptop running with the lid closed?
The default configuration for most Windows laptops is to go into standby when the lid is closed. We'll look at how to change that. (Continue reading...)
How can I make the text on my screen larger?
It is very possible to make the text on your screen larger with a couple of adjustments. (Continue reading...)
How can I tell when an application was installed?
Windows has a feature that might give you a clue as to when an application was installed on your computer. (Continue reading...)
How can I uninstall Directx 9?
A re-install of the operating system may be needed if you need to uninstall Directx 9. (Continue reading...)
How do I *really* disable auto-play in Windows XP?
Auto-play can be a convenient feature but if it's not what you want it can be difficult to turn off and keep off. The TweakUI utility can fix that. (Continue reading...)
How do I backup my Scheduled Tasks?
As long as your backup program is backing your Scheduled Tasks to the proper folder, you should be fine. (Continue reading...)
How do I change the font that Windows uses?
Windows is highly customizable. The fonts that it uses are one of the items that you're actually given a fair amount of control over. (Continue reading...)
How do I change the location of Windows temporary files?
Windows maintains a location where programs can put temporary files. Sometimes you might want to change that location, and it's fairly easy to do so. (Continue reading...)
How do I change the location of the My Documents folder?
The My Documents folder is typically in a very specific place for each user in Windows XP. The good news is you can move it, and it's easy to do. (Continue reading...)
How do I delete the default screensavers in Windows XP?
Screen savers are easy to locate and delete, unless they're one of the default set included in Windows. Then extra steps are needed. (Continue reading...)
How do I determine what I absolutely need to load at startup?
Windows startup is a complex process further complicated by the number of software packages that add themselves to the list. Paring it down takes work. (Continue reading...)
How do I find out what's installed on my machine?
Programs can be installed in many ways and many places. There's no single authoritative list of what's installed, but we can get close. (Continue reading...)
How do I get a .reg file to install?
Normally double clicking on a .reg file will add its contents to the registry. If not, there are other ways, including re-enabling that functionality. (Continue reading...)
How do I get rid of the Quicktime Icon in the Windows System Tray?
Every time you update Quicktime, it reinstalls the Quicktime Icon in the System Tray. Annoying. And apparently unavoidable. (Continue reading...)
How do I get something to open automatically when I log in to Windows?
It's often convenient to have something start automatically when you login. There are two places you can specify this that are pretty easy to use. (Continue reading...)
How do I know which program is used to open a particular type of file?
It's not always obvious what program should be used to open certain types of files. There are clues if you know where to look and what to look for. (Continue reading...)
How do I make something other than "Picture and FAX Viewer" the default for viewing pictures?
Windows Picture and FAX Viewer is the default application for viewing images under Windows. But there are many other programs out there as well. (Continue reading...)
How do I make sure that Windows is up-to-date?
You can make sure that Windows is up-to-date by either enabling Automatic Updates or by visiting the Windows Update web site. (Continue reading...)
How do I make sure that my deleted data is really gone?
There are approaches to data recovery that can sometimes retrieve deleted data. To ensure that your data is really gone requires a few extra steps. (Continue reading...)
How do I turn off Data Execution Prevention errors?
Data Execution Prevention, or DEP, can prevent certain types of malware exploits. Unfortunately not all programs are compatible with DEP. (Continue reading...)
How do I turn off User Access Control (UAC) in Windows Vista?
User Access Control, or UAC, is new in Windows Vista and prompts you each time an application requires administrative access. Annoyance, or feature? (Continue reading...)
How do I turn off the Sidebar in Windows Vista?
The Windows Vista Sidebar contains small applications that many find handy any, and others just annoying. Turning Windows Vista's Sidebar off is easy. (Continue reading...)
How does windows maintain the sort order in my menus?
Menu sort order is a bit of a Windows mystery. It's easy to set the sort order, but as it changes it's kept in an obscure registry location. (Continue reading...)
How should I configure my swap file / virtual memory settings?
The default setting for virtual memory are typically good enough for most. Tweaking virtual memory settings depends on your computer and what you do. (Continue reading...)
How should I maintain my Documents and Settings folder?
Documents and Settings contains a lot of information placed there by Windows and many applications. There's no simple maintenance strategy. (Continue reading...)
I have an emachines restore XP disk. How can I put XP on my old computer which runs 98se?
An emachine's or any manufacturer's restore disk isn't enough to install
Windows from scratch, especially on another manufacturer's machine. (Continue reading...)
Is C: sacred?
C: is the most common designation for the hard drive from which you boot and which contains Windows. It doesn't have to be C: but it's safer if it is. (Continue reading...)
Is a 1 gigahertz 256 megabyte Windows XP Home machine good enough for on-line use?
As machines get older and older the latest software upgrades demand more and more. There are ways to maximize an older computers abilities. (Continue reading...)
Is remote printing secure?
Several computers often share a printer that's connected to one. Printing activity can be logged, an in rare cases even documents exposed. (Continue reading...)
Is there a way to make the cursor disappear while I type?
The mouse pointer can typically be hidden via a setting in the mouse settings in control panel. The actual text cursor or 'caret' cannot be hidden. (Continue reading...)
So do I need SP2's Windows Firewall or not?
If you aren't behind a NAT router, it may be a good idea to use SP2's Windows Firewall. (Continue reading...)
The images on my screen seem to shimmer or flicker and give me a headache - is there anything I can do?
The default settings for many computer monitors can cause headaches, but there's often a simple change that might resolve the problem. (Continue reading...)
What do I do when Microsoft Bulletin MS03-043 pops up?
Windows Messenger Service can cause popup messages, and can be abused to display popup ads. The easiest solution is to turn it off. (Continue reading...)
What is thumbs.db, and can I delete it?
Thumbs.db is a thumbnail cache used by Windows Explorer to speed up some types of folder displays. You can delete it and prevent more from appearing. (Continue reading...)
What programs should be running on my machine in the background?
When you run Windows a large number of processes run. Some are optional, some not. Unfortunately there's no clear way to tell which should be which. (Continue reading...)
What should I do about low 'memory' on my recovery drive?
Many manufacturers create a recovery drive or partition on your hard disk. Windows may warn you about low disk space on it. I'll look at wWhat to do? (Continue reading...)
What's all this stuff running after I boot Windows?
When you start Windows many programs start automatically as well. It can be difficult to identify everything and whether or not they're all neccessary. (Continue reading...)
Why can't I enable the Run command?
The option to display the Run command on your Start menu is controlled by options that themselves can be hidden. We'll look at restoring those options. (Continue reading...)
Why can't my machine hibernate? And how's that different than Stand-by?
Hibernate and standby are ways to save power when you're not using your computer. Each has pros and cons. Hibernation, at least, must be enabled. (Continue reading...)
Why do different registry cleaners give different results?
Registry cleaning is a bit of a black art. There's no real consensus on cleanliness, and different programs will often return different results. (Continue reading...)
Why does Task Manager suddenly have no Menu or Tabs?
If Windows Task Manager doesn't have Menu or Tabs, then it is probably running in what's called "Tiny Footprint Mode". (Continue reading...)
Why does Windows have a registry?
There are many potential ways to store program and system settings. Windows uses the registry. It's very complex, but its intentions were good. (Continue reading...)
Why does my machine take forever to shut down?
Booting your machine can take time but sometimes so does shutting it down. There are various issues that can contribute to a slow shutdown. (Continue reading...)
Why is there a long delay after I login to Windows?
Sometimes logging into Windows can take a while. There are many reasons why this might happen, and often there are steps you can take to speed it up. (Continue reading...)
Windows Firewall is restricting access to something I want ... what do I do?
If Windows Firewall is restricting access to a program you want, there are a few steps to take to allow them access to the internet once more. (Continue reading...)
Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) - Should I Install it?
