Tweaks for Windows XP

Windows^® XP - Remote Desktop Web Connection - How to use [MVP-Doug Knox]

Host Machine:

On the server machine, go to Control Panel, System, Remote. Check Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.

On the server, you need to install Internet Information Services from Add/Remove, Windows Components. Specifically you need to install the Remote Desktop Web Connection. This will make your computer accessible via the web. The URL to use would be

http://<youripaddress>/tsweb You can also use the hostname if one is available for your connection.

Guest machine:

You will be presented with a login screen. When asked for the server name, use the IP address or host name of the server.
Check Send Login information
Enter the user name (this must be a valid user account on the server)
Domain name (on my setup) is left blank

Click continue

You'll get a new screen, and a login prompt. Enter your password and you're all set to go.

To enable Autologon in Windows^® XP Professional

1. Click Start, Run and enter "control userpasswords2" to open the Windows 2000-style User Accounts application.

2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer.

Set Numlock State on Startup

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY CURRENT USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators

0 = numberlock off
2 = numberlock on

If you want the numlock on at the welcome screen you also need to change:

HKEY USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators same number values as above.

Registry keys and values to fix XP's Help and Support after running Toni Arts EasyCleaner

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9E00-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\0\win32
Default Value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\2

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\TypeLib\{FC7D9000-3F9E-11D3-93C0-00C04F72DAF7}\1.0\HELPDIR
Default value: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe\

Unread Mail Notification on the Welcome Screen

Use TweakUI/Logon/Unread Mail or Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail\[Your E-Mail Address]. In the right pane modify: Message Count, Change it to 0.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail. In the right pane modify: MessageExpiryDays Change it to 0.

Overview of Mail Notification Display on WinXP Welcome Screen

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win XP

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK.

To change the name of the registered owner, do the following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.

Restore the Welcome Screen

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\WinLogon.
In the right pane, remove the entry for Gina.DLL.

Fix Windows® XP Logon/Restore Welcome Screen

Disable the Windows Key

This tweak disables the Windows key that is found between the Ctrl and Alt keys on a Windows enhanced keyboard.

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout

Value Name: Scancode Map
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Value Data: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00

Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'Scancode Map' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Balloon Tips

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. Modify or create, "EnableBalloonTips" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value to 1.

Disable Registry Editing Tools

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Value Name: DisableRegistryTools
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = allow regedit, 1 = disable regedit)

Create a new DWORD value named 'DisableRegistryTools' and set the value to '1' to disable registry editing functions.
Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Uninstall/Reinstall NetMeeting in Windows XP [MVP Doug Knox]

To Uninstall: Start/Run: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\WINDOWS\inf\msnetmtg.inf,NetMtg.Remove

To reinstall: open the Windows\Inf folder (this is a hidden folder, so you may need to adjust your Folder Options to show hidden files and folders. Or you can click Start, Run and enter %systemroot%\Inf).

Locate the msnetmtg.inf file in the Inf folder. Right click and select Install.

Disable CD Burning

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Disable Media Player Update Message

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Search Assistant

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the value to: no

Disable native CD burning in XP

Right click the CD in My Computer, click Properties/Recording. Uncheck "Enable CD recording on this drive."

Disable CD Burning - Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoCDBurning Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Allow CDR, 1 = Disable CDR) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoCDBurning' and edit the value according to the settings above.

Allow limited users access to CD Burning:

To allow Limited User's to burn CD's, click Start/Run/Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look in the right pane for AllocateDASD and double click the entry. Set the value to 2.

On PRO, this is exposed in Local Security Policy under Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options.

"Devices: Allowed to format and eject removable media"

For XP Pro, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and entering SECPOL.MSC

Go to Local Policies, Security Options, look in the right pane for Devices: Allowed to Format and eject removable media. Set this option to Administrators and Interactive Users

Clear Search History in Search

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Search Assistant\ACMru

Delete the key. To prevent keeping a history altogether, right click ACMru/Permissions/Deny all users and groups listed.

Clear Recent File Lists

Display Tab in the Device Manager

Open a command prompt window and enter: SET DEVMGR_SHOW_DETAILS=1. Then enter START DEVMGMT.MSC. When you look at a device's properties in Device Manager you'll see a new Details tab.

TweakUI

Remove TweakUI v1.33 Manually

To remove TweakUI v1.33 manually, perform the following steps: (Written by MVP Doug Knox)

Do a Find for TWEAKUI.CPL, TWEAKUI.HLP and TWEAKUI.GID. When each of these files has been located, delete it. Note: TWEAKUI.GID may not exist on your system.

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT.

This step is only necessary if you wish to remove the Shortcut Icon customization. Go to the Registry branches indicated and modify or delete the values as instructed.
a) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons\29
In the right pane, locate the value named "29". Right click on this value and select Delete.
b) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
In the right pane, locate the value called "Shell Icon Size". Double click on this entry and set the value to 32.

Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the right pane, locate the value called "Tweak UI". Right click on this value and select Delete.

Close Regedit.

Or download the script here.

Clear Entries from Tools

Go to Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions

Select each subkey and look at its MenuText value in the right-hand pane. When you locate the menu item, delete the entire subkey.

If you don't find the item, do the same search here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions.

Remove Added IE Toolbar Entries (Line 174)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Add XP Google Group Search to IE Toolbar (Line 176)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Add MS Knowledge Base to the IE Toolbar (Line 176)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Add Trillian to the Tools Menu and Toolbar in IE (Line 117)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Remove Hotbar (Line 195)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Remove Buttons from Tool Bar

Go to Start/Run/Regedit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions

Select each subkey and look at its ButtonText value in the right-hand pane. When you locate the menu item, delete the entire subkey.

If you don't find the item, do the same search here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions.