Windows XP Secrets

Here is a collection of tips, and secrets I found regarding your copy of
Windows XP. When I say 'your' copy, I mean all general distro's of XP
from Home edition to Pro.

Level Easy to Intermediate

1) Newbie but nice tips

Stop CD's from auto playing - Hold down the Shift key for a few seconds after inserting CD.

Did you know you can open a explorer window of XP folders by simply typing it's name in the run box.

Try this:

• Start ---> Run
• Then in the Run box type " Desktop" (without the quotes)
• Click ENTER
• Your desktop contents opens up in an explorer window

Try it out on others, I've tried " Desktop" and " Control Panel ", they work... nice eh?

Here's an interesting one for you.

• In the Run box enter a " ." (period or full stop whatever you call it) only.
• Click ENTER

If you know DOS you'll understand what's happening here (hint try " .." too)

2) System Properties > I Can't access it with out my Mouse !

To access the System Properties window when your mouse won't work, hold
down the Windows key (usually between Ctrl and Alt) then hit
Pause/Break (near Scroll Lock ) and presto! One System Properties
windows coming right up!

Did you know that you can password protect your PC without 3rd party software? Yup... it's easy.

Lockdown is a very effective way to secure your machine **IF** you have
a password on your acount and don't use "auto-logon" software/settings.
No more wiating for the screen saver password to come on! Instant and
easy:

1. Click on Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> User Accounts
2. Click on "Change the way users logon on and off"
3. Uncheck "Use Fast User Switching"
4. Uncheck "Use Welcome Screen"
5. Close that window (optional)
6. Hold down the Windows key then hit the letter "L"
7. Your workstation is now locked

**There's another way to put the workstation into lockdown...

1. Go through steps 1-5 of the previous list
2. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Del
3. Hit Enter

3) clsid Codes - and what they are for..

My Computer
::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

Network Neighborhood
::{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}

Recycle Bin
::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Task Scheduler
::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}

Printers
::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

Control Panel
::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}

Web Folders
::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\::{BDEADF00-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}

4) Windows XP shortcut keys

• Windows: Display the Start menu
• Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows
• Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer
• Windows + F: Display Search for files
• Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer
• Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Centre
• Windows + R: Display Run dialog box
• Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box
• Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows
• Windows + L: Lock the workstation
• Windows + U: Open Utility Manager
• Windows + Q: Quick switching of users (Powertoys only)
• Windows + Q: Hold Windows Key, then tap Q to scroll thru the different users on your pc

Sometimes a file just won't allow itself to be deleted. The most common reason for this is that Explorer has a grip on this file and won't let go!

The following method should allow us