
Publisher: O''''ReillyPub Date: August 2003ISBN: 0-596-00511-3Pages: 412













Chapter 1.
Startup and Shutdown

Section 1.1.
Hacks #1-7

Customize Multiboot Startup Options

Change the Picture that Appears on the XP Startup Screen

Speed Up Boot and Shutdown Times

Halt Startup Programs and Services

Create Multiple Startup Profiles with Advanced Startup Manager

Miscellaneous Startup and Shutdown Hacks

Control User Logins by Hacking the Registry


Chapter 2.
The User Interface

Section 2.1.
Hacks #8-20

Customize the GUI with TweakUI

Control the Control Panel

Hack the Start Menu and Taskbar

Clean Up the Most Frequently Used Programs List

Rename and Change "Unchangeable" Desktop Icons and System Objects

Remove "Unremovable" Desktop Icons

Create Your Own XP Themes and Find Thousands Online

Give XP a Makeover with WindowBlinds

Hacking Your Way Through the Interface

Remove "Uninstallable" XP Utilities

Create Transparent Windows

Make Your Own Cursors and Icons

Windows XP to Windows 2000: Retro is Cool


Chapter 3.
Windows Explorer

Section 3.1.
Hacks #21-32

Generating Folder and File Listingsfor Printing or Editing

Control Windows Explorer with Command-Line Shortcuts

Empower Windows Explorer with PowerDesk

Better File Rename

Find Files Faster by Mastering the Indexing Service''''s Query Language

Hiding Folders and Files with the Encrypting File System

Forcing Windows Explorer Into True Usefulness

Customize Folder Icons and Balloon Text

A Power User''''s Hidden Weapon: Improve the Context Menu

Take Your Work on the Go with Offline Files and the Briefcase

Get More Hard Disk Space by Using NTFS Compression

Put a Command-Line Prompt on Your Desktop


Chapter 4.
The Web

Section 4.1.
Hacks #33-41

Stop Pop Ups, Spyware, and Web Bugs

Take a Bite Out of Cookies

Read Web Pages Offline

Better Internet Searching from Your Desktop

Hack Internet Explorer with the Group Policy Editor

Speed Up File Downloads

Surf Anonymously Without a Trace

Secrets of Web Site Hosting with Internet Information Services (IIS)

Run Java Applets Without Crashes or Problems


Chapter 5.
Networking

Section 5.1.
Hacks #42-62

War Driving for WiFi Access

Test Your Security with Shields Up!

Tweak DNS Settings for Faster Internet Access

Fix Windows Media Player''''s Privacy Problems

Protect Your Computer with the Internet Connection Firewall

Use a Proxy Server to Protect Your PC

ZoneAlarm: The World''''s Best Free Firewall

Optimize Your Residential Gateway

Punch an Escape Hole Through Your Firewall

Close Down Open Ports and Block Protocols

Troubleshooting Network Connections with ping, tracert, and pathping

Troubleshooting Network Connections with netsh, netstat, and ipconfig

Speed Up Network Browsing

Extend the Range of Your Wireless Network

Install NetBEUI for Better Peer-to-Peer Networking

Check WiFi Network Performance with QCheck to Help Improve Throughput

Control Another PC with Remote Access

Make Servers Always Available by Mapping a Hostname to a Dynamic IP Address

Renewing Your DHCP-Assigned IP Address

Repair a Broken TCP/IP Connection

Set Up a Virtual Private Network


Chapter 6.

Section 6.1.
Hacks #63-67

Slam That Spam

Open Blocked File Attachments in Outlook and Outlook Express

Back Up and Restore Outlook and Outlook Express Data Files

Fire Outlook and Outlook Express

Retrieve Web-Based Email with Your Email Software


Chapter 7.
The Registry

Section 7.1.
Hacks #68-72

Don''''t Fear the Registry

Hacking Away at the Registry

Safely Edit the Registry Using .reg Files

Better Registry Backups

Track and Restore Registry Changes with RegSpy


Chapter 8.
Basic Utilities

Section 8.1.
Hacks #73-79

Store Multiple Clips and Boilerplate Text with a Better Clipboard

Speed Up Your Hard Disk by Improving Defragging

Build a Better Backup Strategy

Extending Your Screen Real Estate with Virtual Desktops

Top Screenshot Tips

Going Beyond Messaging with Windows Messenger

Universal Messaging: Trillian Unites AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, and ICQ


Chapter 9.
Applications

Section 9.1.
Hacks #80-85

Remove Unruly Applications and Uninstall Entries

Force XP-Incompatible Applications to Run

Force Older Programs to Use XP Common Controls

Launch Applications with Command-Line Shortcuts

Open and Create Microsoft Documents without Microsoft Office

Stop Hidden Fields in Word from Stealing Your Files and Information


Chapter 10.
Graphics and Multimedia

Section 10.1.
Hacks #86-90

Image Conversion in a Pinch

Problem-Free CD Burning

Save Streaming Music to Your PC

File Sharing without the Spyware

Tips for Making Videos with Windows Movie Maker


Chapter 11.
System Performance

Section 11.1.
Hacks #91-94

Track System Performance with the Performance Console

Getting the Most Out of Your RAM

More Power: Registry Hacks to Speed Up XP

Repair and Recovery with the Recovery Console


Chapter 12.
Hardware

Section 12.1.
Hacks #95-100

Troubleshoot Hardware by Decoding Device Manager Error Messages

Uncover Hidden Hardware with the Device Manager

Check Your PC''''s Pulse and Tweak It for Better Performance

Remap Your Keyboard

Use ClearType for Better Laptop and LCD Resolution

Networking on the Cheap: Set Up a Direct Cable Connection


