U Page - Windows XP from A to Z

~U~

Underlines - Remove

Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Disable Simple Folder View in Explorer's Folder List.

Uninstall Unwanted Components

Open the Sysoc.inf file. Each line of text in the file represents a component that can be displayed in the Add/Remove Windows Components dialog. Delete the only word HIDE for any component that you want to see in the dialog (do not erase the commas). Save the Sysoc.inf file, then close it, and reboot your computer.

Uninstall Unwanted Programs - Add or Remove and from Msconfig

Uninstall XP

Manually Remove Win2K/Win XP and Restore Win9x
How to Start Windows XP Uninstallation from a Command Prompt
Uninstall Windows XP and Revert to a Previous Operating System
"How to Edit the BOOT.INI File in Windows XP"

Suggestion: How to uninstall Windows XP to 98

Boot to DOS. From there go to your XP Drive and do a format -u. This will delete any XP-Files. Add to format -u an r and it restores the overwritten files from the last OS (you won't see the RESTORED_OS Folder since it is implemented in the Partition.

Unmountable Boot Volume

"STOP 0x000000ED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME" Error Message

Comment from: Mike Truitt [MS]

It comes down to an inconsistency on how the IDE specification handles caching. What most likely has happened is that the NTFS transaction logfile ($logfile) has become out of sync with the drive. This happens when the OS performs write
through caching and the drive instead holds the data on its hardware cache and then tries to write it out in a non-deterministic method. This becomes a problem when there is a surprise shutdown and the hardware cache is flushed before it is written to the drive.

To work-around the issue, you should be able to boot to a Recovery Console, log into it (see Q308402 if you have problems with this) and then run a chkdsk /r. This will reset the $logfile and allow you to enter the system. I would suggest getting the patch off of Windows Update for Q315403 when the system is up and running again.

Unread Mail - Notification

Use TweakUI/Logon/Unread Mail or ...

Use TweakUI/Logon/Unread Mail and Repair/Unread Mail Count
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Disable Unread Mail on the Welcome Screen (Line 100)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To change it manually - 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.

Go to Start/Run and type in: control userpasswords2. Advanced/Manage Passwords/Remove.

Add Control Userpasswords2 to the Control Panel (Line 1)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Outlook mail counter for Windows XP Welcome Screen (Line 273)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Overview of Mail Notification Display on WinXP Welcome Screen

Universal Plug and Play

How to Install Universal Plug and Play

Unsigned Drivers - System Information

Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information. Go to the Tools menu and select File Signature Verification Utility.

Unmountable_Boot_Volume

When you use volumes that use the NTFS file system on integrated device electronics (IDE) drives with caching enabled, you may receive the following error message during startup: Download the fix here.

Stop 0x000000ED
Unmountable_Boot_Volume

Stop 0x000000ED Error Message When Volume on IDE Drive with Caching Enabled Is Mounted

Unsigned Drivers - Use Sigverif.exe:

1. Click Start, click Run, type "sigverif" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.
2. Click Advanced, click "Look for other files that are not digitally signed", navigate to the Winnt\System32\Drivers folder,
and then click OK.
3. Click Start.

After Sigverif.exe is finished, a list of all unsigned drivers installed on your computer are displayed.

The list of all signed and unsigned drivers found by Sigverif.exe can be found in the Sigverif.txt file in the %Windir% folder, typically the Winnt or Windows folder. All unsigned drivers are noted as "Unsigned".

When you determine what drivers are unsigned, create a folder in which to place the unsigned drivers. Typically, SysDriversBak is an easy folder name to remember.

Restart your computer without presence the unsigned drivers in the Winnt\System32\Drivers folder and test your program or other functionality to see if the same error messages or issues occur.

More Information: Open Help and Support and enter "file signature verification" in the Search box for more information on the File Signature Verification Tool.

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting

Updates

How to stop the nag screen to reboot after installing Windows Updates:

Start/Run/CMD - sc stop wuauserv

and/or:

Start/Run: gpedit.msc

Navigate to: Local Computer Policy/Computer Configuration/Administrative
Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update/Re-prompt for restart with
scheduled installations

Yet another tidbit: gpupdate.exe /force
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc739112.aspx

All workarounds and edits here: Why can't I download updates?

When you use the Windows Update scan feature, the scan quickly reaches 100%, and then displays the "There are no updates available at this time" message. The log file contains error 0x800c0008 or 0x80072EE4.

The error is caused by SSL (Secure Socket Layer). The scan process requires SSL and if the date and time on your computer varies too much from the valid date and time of the SSL certificates on Windows Update, the process will fail.

Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that the Internet Explorer language option is not empty.

To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:

1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the "Languages" button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog

Updates - Won't Install

At the command prompt (Start/Run/CMD), type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each line:

net stop cryptsvc
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 oldcatroot2
net start cryptsvc

Another issue: When you use the Windows Update scan feature, the scan quickly reaches 100%, and then displays the "There are no updates available at this time" message. To correct this:

Verify that your computer's date and time are accurate and that the Internet Explorer language option is not empty.

To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:

1. Click "Tools" and then choose "Internet Options"
2. Click the "Languages" button
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options" dialog.

If the above hasn't helped: Go to Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/Connections/Lan Settings and uncheck: Automatically detect settings.

Windows Update Site Lists Updates That You Already Installed
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q319109

Tips:

Windows Update Greyed Out - Restore (Line 179)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Windows Update Restriction Error (Network) Line 28
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Troubleshooting Windows Update Issues
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

Windows Update Microsoft Newsgroup
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

"Administrators Only" Error Message When You Attempt to Use the Windows Update Site
Problems When Viewing or Downloading From Windows Update
Third-Party Products That Conflict with Windows Update

Update Downloads

Download updates to install later. Connect from an XP machine http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp.
Select "Personalize Windows Update". Place a check in "Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under See Also."
Select Windows Update Catalog under See Also.

     Tip: To Save Windows Update Files: Connect to the Windows Update Catalog:
              http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true. Click on the link for your Download
              Basket. Review/Remove updates/Browse (Pick Folder)/Download Now.

You Cannot Obtain Windows XP Updates for Installation on Multiple Computers

Update - Error Message: Access Denied

Automated Edit:

Windows Update Restriction Error (Network) Line 28
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Network policy settings prevent you from using Windows Update to download and install updates on your computer. If you believe you have received this message in error, please check with your system administrator. Solution:

For Windows XP Pro:

Start/Run/gpedit.msc. User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update. In the right pane, double click, Remove access to all Windows Update Features and set it to disabled.

For Windows XP Home Edition:

Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WindowsUpdate. Locate the value in the right pane called DisableWindowsUpdateAccess. Double click this entry and change the value to 0 (zero) or right click it and select Delete.

Update - Issues

There are various solutions being put forth for the failed update result.

Option 1) Click Start, Run and enter SERVICES.MSC Go to Cryptographic Services and double click it. It should be set to Automatic and should be Started. If you were required to change this, try the Windows Update site again.

Option 2) Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies\WindowsUpdate

If the key WindowsUpdate does not exist, create it by right clicking on the Policies sub-key and selecting New, Key and giving the new key the name WindowsUpdate.

Within this key, you may see one or both of the following DWORD entries:

NoWindowsUpdate and/or DisableWindowsUpdateAccess

If either of these entries appear, change their values to zero by double clicking on them and setting the value to 0 (zero). If they do not appear, add them as DWORD entries with their values at zero. To create a new value, right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value and name it as indicated.

Next, go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

you may see the entry NoWindowsUpdate. If it exists, it may be set to 1. To change this, double click the NoWindowsUpdate value and set it to 0 (zero). If it does not exist, right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Give it the name NoWindowsUpdate and leave the value at 0.

Next, go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows \CurrentVersion \WindowsUpdate

Right-click on the WindowsUpdate folder, click on Permissions. Give Admin (and/or System) Full Control and Read permissions by checking the allow boxes. Close Regedit and reboot. Try the Windows Update site again.

Update - Error Message

WINUP - Error "Software update incomplete, this Windows Update software did not update successfully."

~~~~

Update MS06-015: Problems in Windows Explorer or the Windows shell after you install security update MS06-015
More info here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918165

Direct Download of the fix here: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/hp.vbs
or here: on line 383 (right hand side): http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

~~~

Updates - Remind Me

System control panel, Automatic Updates tab, click "Restore Declined Updates" to have Auto Update present you with those updates again.

Upgrade Paths

Microsoft Windows 3. x
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows 95
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows 98\Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition\Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Windows XP Home Edition Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade Version
Windows XP Professional Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Version

Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 Workstation
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
Windows XP Professional Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Version

Microsoft Windows 2000 Trial Edition
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Windows XP Professional Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Version

Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 Server
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 Server with Citrix
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server
No supported upgrade paths

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Professional Retail (Full) Version
Windows XP Professional Upgrade Version

NOTE: All Versions of Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation, Server, Enterprise and Terminal Server) require Service Pack 5 to be installed prior to upgrading to Windows XP. To obtain Service Pack 5, go to the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows. Windows XP Supported Upgrade Paths

Uptime

Displays how long time your system has been up as well as the exact time of boot. Ability to log all events to a log file and display statistics over computer usage. Windows Uptime can also check uptime for remote computers and batch-query machines in a network through commandline switches. More information here.

URL - HTTP, FTP and other prefixes

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes

In the right pane, you will see values named www, ftp, gopher, mosaic and others. This is where Windows interprets addresses such as www.msn.com, ftp.microsoft.com and adds the appropriate http:// or ftp:// portion of the URL. You can add your own definitions. An example would be your personal web site. Say the URL is http://johnsmith.freewebsites.com. You wouldn't be able to type in johnsmith.freewebsites.com in the address bar of IE, as IE wouldn't know how to translate johnsmith. Add a new String value to the above key, named johnsmith and set the value to http:// Now, IE will be able to translate johnsmith.freewebsites.com and add the http:// portion automatically.

URL - MSN

When you type an URL that doesn't exist, it reverts back to the MSN Page. To correct:
Boot into Safe Mode, navigate to: C:\Documents and Settings\"User"\Application Data and delete ple_ie0.zip.
Note: Application Data is a hidden folder.

URL - Typed URL Editor

It reads all typed pages from registry and adds it to the list box. From there you can edit: Show All, Rename, Add New, Delete All and Delete Selected. Screenshot and Download here.

URL Encode Code Chart
URL Encoding

USB

Interface devices (in Devices by type view). If the controller does not appear in Device Manager, then USB may not be enabled in BIOS or EFI. When you are prompted as you start your computer, enter BIOS or EFI setup, and enable USB.

If USB is enabled in BIOS or EFI but the USB host controller does not appear in Device Manager (under Universal Serial Bus controllers), or a yellow warning icon appears next to the host controller name, then the version of BIOS or EFI may be outdated.

Contact the maker or vendor for your computer and obtain the current version of BIOS or EFI.
If the controller appears in Device Manager, right-click the controller name and then click Properties. Problems and suggested actions are displayed under Device status. For more information, click Related Topics.

USB ports have a separate entry in Device Manager. To check the device status, click Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click USB Root Hub, and then click Properties. If you do not see USB Root Hub, you might not have a USB port installed on your computer. You can also use the Hardware troubleshooter to diagnose and solve problems with hardware devices such as USB game controllers. Start the Hardware troubleshooter.

User Accounts

HOW TO: Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
How to Copy User Profiles
"Copy To" Button in System Properties Dialog Box Is Unavailable
Overview of All Groups

User Accounts - Can't Remove

When trying to remove a user account via Control Panel/User Accounts either via Safe Mode or Normal mode and it just freezes.....here is the quick fix: In normal mode go to Start/Run and type in control userpasswords2. Once there, left click the user to be removed and simply remove. Apply/Ok your way out. Done deal.

Tip: Add ControlUserPasswords2 To Control Panel

User - Restrict Logon Hours - For Pro Only

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_restrict_users.htm

Click Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC Go to Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, Local Policies, Security Options. In the right pane, locate the entry for Network Security: Force logoff when logon hours expire

More information on setting logon hours can be found in Help and Support. Type "logon hours" without the quotes in the Search box. Go to Full text matches and click on the Net user entry.

Examples of setting the logon hours would be:

net user kelly /time:M-F,08:00-17:00
net user kelly /time:M-F,8am-5pm
net user kelly /time:M,4am-5pm;T,1pm-3pm;W-F,8:00-17:00

To cancel and/or clear: Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: (Use as an example) net user Kelly /time:all

User Account - Remove User Account Password

Open the Control Panel, select User Accounts, select your account, select 'Create a password,' type your password twice (and a password hint, if desired), then click Create Password. Change your mind? Follow the steps above to open User Accounts and select your account. Click 'Remove my password,' type your password once, then click Remove Password.

User Name

Remove User Name from the Start Menu - For Pro: Start/Run/gpedit.msc

User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Start Menu and Taskbar/Remove User Name from the Start Menu.

Remove User Name from the Start Menu (Line 207)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Err Msg: The User Name May Not Be the Same as the Computer...
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/8/45.asp

Duplicate name appears on the network http://tinyurl.com/2c6w

User Name - Hide (Reverse for Show User on the Welcome Screen)

Click Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList
(note there is a space between Windows and NT).

Add the username you wish to hide as a DWORD value. Set the value to 0 (zero). This will prevent the user from showing up on the welcome screen. You will need to press CTRL-ALT-DEL twice at the logon screen to get the old Win2K logon, to be able to logon to the account you've hidden.

User Name - Show Last User Name - Disable

Clear Last User on W2K Style Boot Screen in XP (Line 150) Right Hand Side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\System Value Name: dontdisplaylastusername Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (1 = remove username) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'dontdisplaylastusername' 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.

User Pictures

Default Pictures are stored here: Windows Explorer\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures

Restore User Default Pictures (Line 58)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

HOW TO: Add or Change a User's Picture in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q292434

How to Add a Specific Picture

Find a picture you are interested in using and use Save As to download and/or move the picture in question to your My Pictures Folder. Then go to User Account/Change my picture/Browse for more pictures/My Pictures Folder/Choose the picture you want to use, then click Open.

Summary of an image is 48x48/71 dpi, depth 24.

Note: If you have disabled Picture and Fax Viewer by using regsvr32 /u shimgvw.dll, you will not be able to change the picture. To restore, go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 shimgvw.dll

User Picture is Missing on Start Menu: It's only there if you are using XP themes. If using classic there is no picture. Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 shimgvw

HOW TO: Add or Change a User's Picture in Windows XP

User Profiles

Copy a User Profile
Windows XP User Profiles
How to Check User Profiles on a Windows XP-Based Computer

User State Migration Tool

Two Outlook Inbox Icons Are Present After You Use the User State Migration Tool to Migrate User Settings
Cookies, Network Printers, or Drive Mappings Are Not Migrated If You Use the User State Migration Tool
How to Troubleshoot Issues with the User State Migration Tool and the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Outlook 97 Signatures Are Not Migrated If You Use the User State Migration Tool

User Tracking - Disable

This setting stops Windows from recording user tracking information including which applications a user runs and which files and documents are being accessed.
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/641/

Users - How to Configure the Winexit.scr Screen Saver

Use Windows Explorer to locate the Winexit.scr file in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit folder on your hard disk. Right-click the Winexit.scr file, and then click Install.

The Display Properties dialog box appears with the Screen Saver tab active. The Logoff Screen Saver entry is automatically selected. Click Settings. Select the Force application termination check box to force programs to quit.

In the Countdown for n seconds box, type the number of seconds for which the logoff dialog box appears before the user is logged off. In the Logoff Message box, type the message that appears during the logoff countdown. Click OK.

In the Display Properties dialog box, click Preview. You see the Auto Logoff dialog box. It displays the logoff message and the countdown timer. Click Cancel. Click OK.

The Force application termination option forces programs to quit even if the programs contain unsaved data. If you do not use this option, programs that contain unsaved data do not quit and the user is not logged off. It is a good idea to set your corporate policy to automatically save user documents if you use the Force application termination option.

HOW TO: Force Users to Quit Programs and Log Off After a Period of Inactivity in Windows XP

Users - Copy

Create a new account using the name that you want to appear in the user profile, for example, C:\Documents and Settings\newuser. Then logon to newuser and logoff. Now the newuser account and profile folder
(C:\Documents and Settings\newuser) exist. Logon to an admin account that is NOT the admin account you want to copy from. If you have to, create a third account to do this.

Then open the system control panel to the user profiles tab and copy the profile from COMPUTERNAME/Administrator to COMPUTERNAME/newuser. Now logon to newuser and check your files and settings.

Once you are sure that newuser is as you like it, you can delete the old account (unless it is the Administrator account, then you should leave it alone for emergency use). You can also rename newuser to whatever you want to appear on the Welcome Screen.

Utilities

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
Windows XP Startup Programs Tracker	Windows XP Product Key Modifier
Windows XP Security Console	Clear Recent Files List
Toolbars missing in Windows Explorer or IE	Change Registered Owner and Organization
Set Quick Launch as Default for New Users, etc.	Change Internet Time Update Interval

Spyware Removers

SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!

File Research Center - Free File and Process Information

NOTE: All other Tweaks, Tips, Regedits and Scripts can be found here.

Kelly's Tweaks and Fixes

Doug's Tweaks and Tips

Windows XP Tips and Tricks

Kelly's Korner Donations

Copy a User Profile Windows XP User Profiles How to Check User Profiles on a Windows XP-Based Computer

Copy a User Profile
Windows XP User Profiles
How to Check User Profiles on a Windows XP-Based Computer