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Windows Tweaks & Hacks

Want to speed up Windows? Maybe change the way Windows Explorer works? Well this is a page worthy of your attention!

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Note: When these sections instruct you to "run", "type" or execute command lines, they mean typing the commands/instruction into Start->Run. Any reference to HKLM (HKey Local Machine) is a location within the Windows Registry (Start->Regedit). These tips & tricks assume you have sufficient knowledge to carry out the instructions and Guru Guy is not responsible for any consequences of implementing them.


Windows Tweaks
  • When running the Windows Recovery Console, allow it to start in full admin mode (allows file copy which is disabled by default): 
    Run gpedit.msc go to:
    Computer Config->Windows Settings->Security Settings->Local Policies ->Security Options
    Enable the "Recovery console: Allow floppy copy and and access to all drives and folders".
  • Do you want to close Windows Explorer so only your command window or program is visible? Perhaps you want to close all windows and start menu so a user can't mess around whilst your program is running? If so, download the "CloseExplorer.exe" file. This is a program that will do exactly as it implies - all explorer windows will close. It is better than taskill as it closes everything!
  • Make a shortcut to "Offer Remote Assistance" (on your home network or corporate IT Network, this will open up the wizard to offer somone else your support, instead of the other-way around whereby you request for help): (Windows XP only)
       Create a shortcut on your desktop/quick launch and in the location, type (all one line below):
       "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" hcp://CN=Microsoft%20Corporation,L=Redmond,S=Washington,C=US/Remote%20Assistance/Escalation/Unsolicited/Unsolicitedrcui.htm
  • Make a standard Windows Explorer folder into a System Folder (e.g. My Pictures):
       Start->Run
       Type attrib +s
       Drag folder over the run command and let go. Now you can add backgrounds etc.
  • Change the Windows Start Menu speed:
        Hkey_Current_User\Control Panel\Desktop
        MenuShowDelay     Icon and change 'value data' (default 400) in milliseconds.
  • Lock the Windows Taskbar via the registry:
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
        Value Name: LockTaskbar
        Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
        Value Data: (0 = Unlocked, 1 = Locked)
  • Registry Tip: If you would like to save the whole registry type:
        regedit /e c:\wholeregistry.reg
  • If you want to see the changes an application does to the registry, export the whole registry before you install. Then, install application and re-export the registry to a new file. Then type:
        "fc.exe /u original.reg new.reg > changes.txt"
  • You can save entire trees or subtrees of the registry by typing:
        reg save hkcu c:\hkcu.hiv

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