Tools & Utilities
When Did You Last Install Windows XP?
Who knows, right? Well you never know, someday you might just want to know. There is a hidden utility in Windows XP Pro called Systeminfo and it will also tell you a lot more about your system, including how long it has been running, what patches and updates have been installed and probably more than you want to know about your computer’s motherboard and memory.
Here's how to access it.
Crash And Freeze Avoidance In Windows XP
Windows XP has a high tolerance and is very forgiving. However, you can test its limits if you regularly have a lot of folder windows open you may find that Windows crashes or freezes when you switch between folders.
Here's the fix
WinTasks 5 Utility Review
Most of us Windows XP users are familiar with with Task Manager. It's the resident utility in XP that gives some details about processes that running. Most peoples problem with Task Manager is that is lacks explanations on what the process are, how they got started or if they are really supposed to be there.
WinTasks 5 is Task Manager on steroids. It shows the information available in the Task Manager and then takes it much further; giving you the information you need to determine if a process should be running on your computer.
Find Your Windows XP Product Key (cd key)
What happens if you need to reinstall Windows XP and you can't find your product key? Here's a simple utility that solves the problem.
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
Having Music and Video Problems? - Codec Checker Utility
Sherlock - The Codec Detective
Here is a FREE utility that will allow you to verify what audio codec's you have on your system, what they're versions are and if they are busted or working.
WinPatrol identifies startup programs
WinPatrol is one of the handiest programs we've ever encountered. This program is not a diamond in the rough - it can only be classified as a rare gem.
Windows XP PowerToys - ClearType Tuner
ClearType manages and enhances font smoothing, to make letters and numbers appear crisper and more distinct, particularly on notebook computers and flat-panel LCD monitors.
Your computer screen can cause significant eyestrain if it is not adjusted properly. This free Microsoft PowerToy lets you use ClearType technology to make it easier to read text on your screen, and installs in the Control Panel for easy access.
SiSoftware Sandra - Windows System Analyzer - Find Out What's REALLY Going On Under the Hood Of Your XP System!
If you want to find out absolutely EVERYTHING about your windows system here is the software that will do it. Many of the top PC Magazines and technicians use it to run diagnostic and compare system performance.
You'll find out EXACTLY what to do to improve your Windows XP system! I simply would not run a Windows XP or for that matter ANY Windows system without this software!
SiSoftware Sandra - Windows System Analyzer - Screen Shots
Before you download and install Sandra here are several screen shots and a couple of helpful hints about the software.
Creating System Restore Points with XP
Actually, a better name for this article would be, Hindus Protectus. It is ALWAYS better to take this basic precaution to lock your system before you apply any XP tweaks! That way if things go south you can always unlock and go back to where you were before the tweak!
To make sure tweaks you apply don't turn into Nightmare on Elm Street for your system please follow these simple precautions.
Safely Tweak Your XP Registry Using Magic Tweak
Magic Tweak Has A Very Impressive Resume!
Have you ever wanted to have a hand-to-throat conversation with your Windows XP system because it did not act the way you wanted it to? Then someone warned you that to make the kind of changes you wanted it would be necessary to wonder into the forbidden land of the Registry.
Easy Internet Video - Part 1
I created this video clip (In the article) in under ten minutes using just photos - no camcorder and no editing. In minutes you can create a production that will astound you and your friends. Read this rest of this article to see how you can do the same.
Easy Internet Video - Part 2
Using the right software to create videos to view on the Internet can make you look like a video genius. Using the right software to compress those videos will prove you're a video genius! In this article I'll show you how to make sure everyone watching your videos online does not need Windows Media Player, RealPlayer or any other player.
Plus people on modems AND broadband will be able to watch your videos.
Now how impressive is that?
Restoring the Windows XP Registry
Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. Before making changes to the registry, you should back up any valued data on your computer.
Using Microsoft Regedit
The Microsoft Registry Editor (regedit.exe) enables you to view, search for, and change settings in your system registry, which contains information about how your computer runs.
Boost performance through My Computer
Pretty easy tweak, if, you know where to look. Truth is, most people never find this on their own.
So here it is:
Protecting your computer from other users...
Did you ever need to let someone use I your computer, but you weren't quite sure if you could trust his/her common sense? Will he/she clobber something on the system or install spyware by answering a question the wrong way? Will you have to spend hours trying to clean up his/her mess?
Speed up XP's menu display
When using the start menu you'll notice a delay between different tiers of the menu hierarchy. For the fastest computer experience possible we recommend...
XP file command speed boost
Would you like to speed up normal file commands like open, close, etc.? After all every bit of speed increase helps, right?
Here's how.
Making folder content unavailable - Encrypting Folders
Many Windows XP systems are used by multiple users, whether it's different members of the same family, or different employees sharing a desk.
Microsoft Photo Story 3 - For WinXP - Free!
Creating Instant Videos - The Process Plus Photo Story 3 is probably the easiest video creation tool I've ever tested. You can realistically have your first video product completed in under 10 minutes. It's all just point and click. REALLY!
Once you see what it can do and how easy it is to use, you'll want it.
Plus! Photo Story 2 LE - Add Music and VoiceOver to Photos
Just For Fun.
Plus! Photo Story 2 LE is a free program from Microsoft. It gives you an easy way to share images stored on your PC.
Microsoft Powertoys Add Functionality To XP - And It's Free!
Microsoft Powertoys are a small group of programs that add more functionality to Windows XP. they can all be downloaded from Windows XP Powertoys at no cost!
Enhance XP with Themes, Screensavers, and Games with Microsoft Plus
The Plus! for Windows XP set of extras builds on existing features and extends the functionality of Windows XP even further. For more details see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/PlusHome.asp.
WinXP - Movie Maker
Windows XP includes some very powerful and completely free applications as part of the operating system - you're probably already familiar with Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, but XP also includes its own digital video application called Movie Maker.
