Windows XP Hacks

A smart collection of insider tips and tricks, Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition covers the XP operating system from start to finish. Among the multitude of topics addressed, this must-have resource includes extensive coverage of hot-button issues such as:
* security
* web browsing
* controlling the control panel
* removing uninstallable XP components
* pop-up ads
You'll also find timesaving hacks for file distribution; digital media, such as iTunes; and high-visibility web software, services, and exploits that have emerged since the book's last edition. Each hack in the book can be read easily in just a few minutes, saving countless hours of searching for the right answer.Now completely revised and updated to cover Service Pack 2 (SP2), the second edition of this bestseller carefully breaks down the new features that come with SP2, including IE pop-up blocker, Windows Firewall, and the new wireless client.Written by Preston Gralla, the compact and affordable Windows XP Hacks, Second Edition provides direct, hands-on solutions that can be applied to the challenges facing XP beginners, as well as the more experienced power user. Each year, Windows XP is pre-installed on 90 million PCs worldwide, making it the world's most popular operating system.

Credits;
About the Author;
Contributors;
Acknowledgments;
Preface;
How to Use This Book;
How This Book Is Organized;
Conventions Used in This Book;
Using Code Examples;
Safari Enabled;
How to Contact Us;
Got a Hack? ;
Chapter 1: Startup and Shutdown;
1. 1 Hacks 1-7;
1 Customize Multiboot Startup Options;
2 Change the Picture That Appears on the XP Startup Screen;
3 Speed Up Boot and Shutdown Times;
4 Halt Startup Programs and Services;
6 Create Multiple Startup Profiles with Advanced Startup Manager;
6 Miscellaneous Startup and Shutdown Hacks;
7 Control User Logins by Hacking the Registry;
Chapter 2: The User Interface;
2. 1 Hacks 8-20;
8 Customize the GUI with Tweak UI;
9 Control the Control Panel;
10 Hack the Start Menu and Taskbar;
11 Clean Up the Most Frequently Used Programs List;
12 Rename and Change "Unchangeable" Desktop Icons and System Objects;
13 Remove "Nonremovable" Desktop Icons;
14 Hack Your Way Through the Interface;
15 Remove "Uninstallable" XP Utilities;
16 Make Your PC Work Like a Mac;
17 Create Your Own XP Themes and Find Thousands Online;
18 Give XP a Makeover with WindowBlinds;
19 Make Your Own Cursors and Icons;
20 Instant Linux;
Chapter 3: Windows Explorer;
3. 1 Hacks 21-31;
21 Generate Folder and File Listings for Printing or Editing;
22 Control Windows Explorer with Command-Line Shortcuts;
23 Empower Windows Explorer with PowerDesk Pro;
24 Better File Rename;
25 Find Files Faster by Mastering the Indexing Service's Query Language;
26 Force Windows Explorer into True Usefulness;
27 Customize Folder Icons and Balloon Text;
28 A Power User's Hidden Weapon: Improve the Context Menu;
29 Take Your Work on the Go with Offline Files and the Briefcase;
30 Get More Hard-Disk Space by Using NTFS Compression;
31 Put a Command-Line Prompt on Your Desktop;
Chapter 4: The Web;
4. 1 Hacks 32-48;
32 Give Internet Explorer a Face-Lift;
33 Stop Pop Ups with SP2-and Without It;
34 Kill Spyware and Web Bugs;
35 Take a Bite Out of Cookies;
36 Surf Anonymously Without a Trace;
37 Don't Get Reeled In by Phishers;
38 Read Web Pages Offline;
39 Hack Internet Explorer with the Group Policy Editor;
40 Speed Up File Downloads;
41 Secrets of Web Site Hosting with Internet Information Services (IIS);
42 Surf the Internet Ad-Free;
43 Hack Firefox;
44 Build Your Own Firefox Search Engine;
45 Google Your Desktop;
46 Out-Google Google with MSN Desktop Search;
47 Better Internet Searching from Your Desktop;
48 Run Java Applets Without Crashes or Problems;
Chapter 5: Networking;
5. 1 Hacks 49-58;
49 Tweak DNS Settings for Faster Internet Access;
50 Optimize Your Home Router;
51 Troubleshoot Network Connections with ping, tracert, and pathping;
52 Troubleshoot Network Connections with netsh, netstat, and ipconfig;
53 Speed Up Network Browsing;
54 Control Another PC with Remote Access;
55 Make Servers Always Available by Mapping a Hostname to a Dynamic IP Address;
56 Renew Your DHCP-Assigned IP Address;
57 Repair a Broken TCP/IP Connection;
58 VoIP Hacks;
Chapter 6: Email;
6. 1 Hacks 59-64;
59 Slam That Spam;
60 Open Blocked File Attachments in Outlook and Outlook Express;
61 Back Up and Restore Outlook and Outlook Express Datafiles;
62 Retrieve Web-Based Email with Your Email Software;
63 Gmail Hacks;
64 Fire Outlook and Outlook Express;
Chapter 7: Wireless;
7. 1 Hacks 65-74;
65 Go War-Driving for WiFi Access;
66 Extend the Range of Your Wireless Network;
67 Check WiFi Network Performance with Qcheck to Help Improve Throughput;
68 Protect Your Home WiFi Network;
69 Enable WiFi Encryption;
70 Stop Moochers from Stealing Your WiFi Bandwidth;
71 Solve Hotspot Woes;
72 Set Up Bluetooth on XP;
73 Connect to the Internet with a Bluetooth Phone;
74 Set Up an Ad Hoc WiFi Network;
Chapter 8: Security;
8. 1 Hacks 75-82;
75 Hide Folders and Files with the Encrypting File System;
76 Test Your Security with Shields UP! ;
77 Protect Your Computer with the New Windows Firewall;
78 ZoneAlarm: The World's Best Free Firewall;
79 Use a Proxy Server to Protect Your PC;
80 Punch an Escape Hole Through Your Firewall;
81 Close Down Open Ports and Block Protocols;
82 Set Up a Virtual Private Network;
Chapter 9: The Registry;
9. 1 Hacks 83-87;
83 Don't Fear the Registry;
84 Hack Away at the Registry;
85 Safely Edit the Registry Using . reg Files;
86 Better Registry Backups;
87 Track and Restore Registry Changes with RegSpy;
Chapter 10: Applications;
10. 1 Hacks 88-98;
88 Remove Unruly Applications and Uninstall Entries;
89 Force XP-Incompatible Applications to Run;
90 Force Older Programs to Use XP Common Controls;
91 Launch Applications with Command-Line Shortcuts;
92 Open and Create Microsoft Documents Without Microsoft Office;
93 Stop Hidden Fields in Word from Stealing Your Files and Information;
94 Speed Up Your Hard Disk by Improving Defragging;
95 Extend Your Screen Real Estate with Virtual Desktops;
96 Build a Better Backup Strategy;
97 Go Beyond Messaging with Windows Messenger;
98 Universal Messaging: Trillian Unites AIM, MSN, Yahoo! , and ICQ;
Chapter 11: Graphics and Multimedia;
11. 1 Hacks 99-107;
99 Image Conversion in a Pinch;
100 Problem-Free CD Burning;
101 Save Streaming Music to Your PC;
102 Import Lyrics into iTunes and iPod;
103 Convert from Apple iTunes Format;
104 Use Ogg Vorbis for Digital Music;
105 Hack Windows Media Player with TweakMP;
106 Fix Windows Media Player's Privacy Problems;
107 Make Videos with Windows Movie Maker;
Chapter 12: System Performance;
12. 1 Hacks 108-114;
108 Track System Performance with the Performance Console;
109 Get the Most Out of Your RAM;
110 More Power: Registry Hacks to Speed Up XP;
111 Repair and Recover with the Recovery Console;
112 Speed Up System Performance with the Task Manager;
113 Hack Your Way to a Cleaner Hard Disk;
114 Fix SP2 Upgrade Woes;
Chapter 13: Hardware;
13. 1 Hacks 115-120;
115 Troubleshoot Hardware by Decoding Device Manager Error Messages;
116 Uncover Hidden Hardware with the Device Manager;
117 Check Your PC's Pulse and Tweak It for Better Performance;
118 Remap Your Keyboard;
119 Use ClearType for Better Laptop and LCD Resolution;
120 Networking on the Cheap: Set Up a Direct Cable Connection;
Colophon;