How to enable Windows Task Manager in Windows XP
There are several different ways to enable the windows task manager in Windows XP. Here are the ways that I know of.
1) In Windows XP Professional, hold Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Windows Security window, and click on the Task Manager button
2) In Windows XP Home Edition, hold Ctrl-Alt-Del the Task Manager
3) On any [...]
How to disable Open File Security warnings in Windows XP
If you’re getting those annoying “are you sure you want to run this exe file” warning on every executable you try to run, there is a fix for it.
You can disable this warning message from the Group Policy Editor. Click Start - Run and type gpedit.msc, then hit Ok.
This brings up the Group Policy Editor. [...]
Windows XP Easter Eggs & Tricks
There are a few easter eggs and hidden things in Windows XP. I’ve scoured the internet to document all of them into one large list, so here you go. Enjoy!
System Protected Folders
Ever notice that in the Program Files folder there are two folders that you can’t delete? Xerox and Microsoft Frontpage?
Reserved files and folders
You can’t [...]
How to view or change your Windows XP product cd key
Every now and then, you might need to change your product key in Windows XP, especially if you’re like a lot of people and purchased a bogus volume license from a website without realizing it.
There are complicated ways of doing this, but I found a pretty nifty application that does the trick much easier called [...]
Install Windows XP Themes with Windowblinds
Windows XP doesn’t have the greatest themes in the world. There a few decent ones, like the Windows Media Edition theme, or the Black Zune theme, but when it comes to real themes that totally change the way XP looks, it doesn’t get much better than Windowblinds.
Windowblinds is a great little application that allows you [...]
Memory Tweak - Defrag The PageFile in XP to Boost Performance
Your pagefile can really bog down your XP box if it’s heavily fragmented, and the normal hard drive defrag doesn’t do the job, but luckily I found an app that can fix that.
I found it over at Microsoft, it’s called PageDefrag. It’s one of the tools from the former SysInternals guys that Microsoft bought out [...]
Media Center Theme for XP (aka the Royale Theme)
If you like the theme that comes with Windows Media Center, you’ll digg this Royale Blue theme created for Windows XP that emulates Media Center.
I’ve been using this one for a pretty long time.. it’s simple, and nice looking. It doesn’t change much, just some basic colors and shades, but something about it just perks [...]
Microsoft’s official black zune desktop theme for XP
Microsoft released an official Windows XP desktop theme for the Zune launch a while back.
It’s a nice, black theme for XP.. and it actually matches my sites colors pretty nicely.
Not only that, but it’s free as well. And since it’s an official windows desktop theme, you don’t have to worry about it screwing up your [...]
Watch movies in Paint, Photoshop, even on your desktop background
Yeah, so here’s something strange I found out about the other day. You can watch movies in Paint, Photoshop.. you can even play a movie on your background. So what’s the trick?
Simple.. play a movie in just about any movie player, and take a screenshot while doing it. Now paste that screenshot into your favorite [...]
How to speed up Windows XP
Windows can start to get a little slow once you install a bunch of applications, and try to run multiple applications at once. So how do you speed it up?
Well, that’s kind of a complicated question.. that’s like asking “how do I speed up my car?”.. there are a lot of answers. Here are some [...]
How to change the Windows XP splash screen
Are you tired of the boring old image that comes up when you’re logging into Windows XP? Well luckily, you can change it with the following methods.
First off, my preferred method to do this is with a simple application called Bootskin by Stardock , so I would go that route if you aren’t an advanced [...]
How to setup a network of windows xp computers
So you have a couple windows xp computers in your house that are plugged into the same router or hub, but they can’t see each other? Well, there are some basic requirements that need to be setup first.
1) They have to be on the same Workgroup. A workgroup is just a name for your network. [...]
Window Key Shortcuts for Windows XP
Just about every keyboard made in the last thousand years (slight exageration) has a windows logo key on the bottom left that can be used for various shortcuts.
Yes, that’s right, it can be used for more than just bringing up the Start Menu. Here is a list of shortucts you can use with the Window [...]
Display an On Screen Keyboard
Ever wanted a second keyboard?
Well, you’re in luck.. Windows has a built in On Screen Keyboard, for your typing pleasure.
You might need it one day.. like if you’re remoted into another system, and want to quickly lock the computer when you’re done, since not all remote control software allows you to send ctrl-alt-delete to a [...]
Change priority of wireless networks
Any wireless network you’ve ever connected to is saved in windows, and they can sometimes fight for your connection.
If you’re tired of this, it’s pretty simple to change:
1) Either right click on the wireless network icon in the system tray and click View Available Wireless Network Connections, or right click your wireless connection in Control [...]