---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preventing Changes to File
Associations
You can prevent users from changing associations via Windows Explorer's Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explore
Create REG_DWORD data type
NoFileAssociate
Give it a value of 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Locking File Associations
If you have your file associations the way you want for a particular file type, you can remove it from the list that gets displayed in the Folder Options / File Types screen
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Scroll to the file
association you want to lock.
In the right panel, create a new Binary value
Call it EditFlags
Give it a value of 01 00 00 00
Now when you go to
the Folder Options / File Types screen, you won't see that file type listed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turning off System Beeps
If you want to turn off all system beeps (like the ones that go through your computers' internal speaker):
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound
Edit the key Beep and give it a value of No
Download reg
file
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Location Of Special Folders
You can modify the registry to change the location of special folders like:
My Documents
Favorites
My Pictures
Personal
Start
Regedit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
Folders
Double click on any locations you want to change and alter the path
Logoff or restart for the changes to go into effect
Note: TweakUI from
Microsoft will allow you to make these changes from a dialog box as
well
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deleting Specific Registry Value
In a previous tip, Automatically Deleting a Registry Key, it was
mentioned how to remove an entire registry key.
If you want to simply remove
a specific value within a key, use the syntax below:
[Registry Key]
"value"=-
For example:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MSConfig"=-
would delete the value
MSCONFIG.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting the Recycle Bin to Always Delete
You can set the recycle bin to always delete items (like holding down the shift key when dragging files to the recycle bin)
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ BitBucket
Set the key NukeOnDelete to
1
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting the Internet Explorer Home Page
If you want to set the home page used by Internet Explorer through the registry
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \
Internet Explorer \ Main
Give the Start Page key the string value you wish
set as homepage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparing to Move Hard Drive to Another Computer
To remove the devices from device manager when taking a HD from one
computer to another,
simply:
Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ and delete the Enum section
This removes all of the hardware specific settings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparing Registries
While working with changes to your system, you might want to see what
is changing in your Registry.
Since you can export it to a text file, the
steps are fairly easy
Start Regedit
With the very top level select - My Computer, on
the Toolbar select Registry / Export Registry File
I usually save it to the
root of the C: drive with the name before (you don't need to add an extension)
Make the change to your system
Go back to Regedit
Press F5 to update
it
Export the Registry like step 2
Name the file after and have it go in
the same directory
Open up a DOS window
Go to the directory where the
two exported files are
Enter FC before.reg after.reg > diff.txt
Then
you can edit diff.txt with your favorite text editor.
Note: I do the last
steps so often I have a simple batch file already set
up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting Excel 2000 High-Contrast Cell Selection
If you want to increase the contrast in selected cells:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ Options
Add a DWORD value call Options6
Give it a
value of 16
Now when you select cells, they will be white on black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing Common Icons
You can change many of the common Windows icons.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell Icons
The default icons are
numbered in the right panel from 0-40
Double click on the number of the
particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.
Enter the name of
the icon file you want to use followed by the number of the icon in that
file.
Note: The numbering starts with zero.
If you use a single .ICO
file, it should be followed by a 0.
e.g. - filename.dll,4 - This would
actually be the 5th icon since it starts with 0.
Make sure you delete the
hidden file C:\WINDOWS\SHELLICONCACHE
0-13 Are the Drive and Application
Icons
0 - To change the Unknown Application Icon
2 - To change the Default
Application Icon
3 - To change the Closed Folder Icon
4 - To change the
Open Folder Icon
5 - To change the 5 1/4" Floppy Icon
6 - To change the 3
1/2" Floppy Icon
7 - To change the Removable Disk Icon
8 - To change the
Hard Drive Icon
9 - To change the Network Drive Online Icon
10 - To change
the Network Drive Offline Icon
11 - To change the CD Drive Icon
12 - To
change the Ramdrive Icon
13 - To change the Entire Network Icon
19-27 Are the Start Menu Icons
19 - To change the Programs
Icon
20 - To change the Documents Icon
21 - To change the Settings
Icon
22 - To change the Find Icon
23 - To change the Help Icon
24 - To
change the Run Icon
27 - To change the Shutdown Icon
Other Icons
33 - To change the DUN Folder Icon
34 - To change
the Desktop Icon
35 - To change the Control Panel Icon
37 - To change the
Printer Folder Icon
40 - To change the Audio CD Icon
43 - To change the
Favorites Icon
44 - To change the Logoff
Icon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prevent Changes to the Start Menu
To prevent any changes to the Start Menu, even a right click:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD called
NoChangeStartMenu
Give it a value of 1
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOS Restrictions
There are restrictions you can make to the ability to execute DOS programs
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft /
Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
Create a new key under Policies called
WinOldApp
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0
Disabled
- Disable MS-DOS Prompt
NoRealModee - Disables Single-Mode MS-DOS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Networking Restrictions
There are general restrictions you can make in Networking
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft /
Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
Create a new key under Policies called
Network
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0
DisablePwdCaching = Password Caching
HideSharePwds [hex] =Shared
Passwords
NoEntireNetwork =Entire Network
NoNetSetup =Network applet
NoNetSetupIDPage =Network Identification tab
NoNetSetupSecurityPage
=Network Access tab
NoFileSharing =Network File Sharing button
MinPwdLen
= set Minimum Password Length (integer number: 0 - 99)
NoPrintSharing
=Network Print Sharing button
NoWorkgroupContents =Network Workgroup
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Control Panel Restrictions
There are many general restrictions you can make to the Control Panel
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft /
Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
Create a new keys under Policies called
System
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To
re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0
NoDispCPL -
Disable Display Control Panel
NoDispBackgroundPage - Hide Background Page
NoDispScrSavPage - Hide Screen Saver Page
NoDispAppearancePage - Hide
Appearance Page
NoDispSettingsPage - Hide Settings Page
NoSecCPL -
Disable Password Control Panel
NoPwdPage - Hide Password Change Page
NoAdminPage - Hide Remote Administration Page
NoProfilePage - Hide User
Profiles Page
NoDevMgrPage - Hide Device Manager Page
NoConfigPage -
Hide Hardware Profiles Page
NoFileSysPage - Hide File System Button
NoVirtMemPage - Hide Virtual Memory Button
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricting the Start Menu, Explorer and the Desktop
There are many general restrictions you can make to the Start Menu, the Explorer and to the Desktop itself.
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft /
Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
There should already be at least a
Explorer section there already
Additional keys that can be created under
Policies are WinOldApp
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the
appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value
to 0
ClearRecentDocsOnExit = Clear of Recent Documents on Exit
NoAddPrinter = Adding new printers
NoClose = Computer Shutdown
NoDeletePrinter = Delete Installed Printers
NoDesktop = Doesn't show
Desktop items as well as and Desktop right-click menu
NoDevMgrUpdate =
Windows 98/ME web Update Manager
NoDrives [hex] = Hides Drives in my
computer
NoFind = Find command
NoInternetIcon = Internet Icon on Desktop
NoNetHood = Network Neighborhood
NoRecentDocsHistory = Recent Documents
in Start Menu
NoRun = Run command
NoSaveSettings = Save Settings on exit
NoSetFolders = Folders in Start Menu -> Settings
NoSetTaskbar =
Taskbar in Start Menu -> Settings
NoSMMyDocs = My Documents folder in
Start Menu
NoSMMyPictures = My Pictures folder in Start Menu
NoWindowsUpdate = Windows web Update
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing Office 2000's Excel Undo History
By default, Excel has only approximately 16 undo's you can perform.
To increase that number:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ Options
Add a dword called UndoHistory
Give it
the value you want for the amount you want.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Title on Windows Media Player
You can change the title bar for the Windows Media Player
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Policies \
Microsoft \ WindowsMediaPlayer
Create a string value of TitleBar
Give it
a value of whatever you want to appear in the title bar
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eliminating the Right Click on the Taskbar
To eliminate the right click on the taskbar:
Start Regedit
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD and give it a
name of NoTrayContextMenu
Give it a value of 1
Reboot
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eliminating the Right Click on the Desktop
To eliminate the right click on the desktop:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD and give it a
name of NoViewContextMenu
Give it a value of 1
Reboot
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turning Off the Help on Min, Max, Close Icons
When the mouse goes over the minimize, maximize and close icons on
the upper right hand side of a window, you normally get a display telling you
want those are for.
To disable that display:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop
Create a String Value called MinMaxClose
Give it a value of 1
Reboot
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adding Open With to the Right Click in the Explorer
To add the option Open With when you right click on a file in the Explorer:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ CLASSES \* \
shell \ openas \ command
If this key isn't there then just create it
Give it the value of C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatically Deleting a Registry Key
Normally you cannot automatically delete registry keys from reg file. But there is a way...
Simply include a minus sign inside the left bracket before the main key.
For example.
If you want to delete the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \
Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 8.0 \ Common \ Assistants, your regfile would
simply look like:
REGEDIT4
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common\Assistants]
This would delete that key and any below
it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixing no AutoRun for CDs
If your CDs have stop starting automatically, and you have checked everything else:
Go to
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
The value for NoDriveTypeAutoRun should be set to 95 00 00 00
Download
reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renaming the File System Profiles
In the Control Panel / System / Performance / File System, you can
select either Desktop Computer, Mobile or docking system, or Network
Server.
You can change these labels to something more
descriptive:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft /
Windows / Current Version / FS Templates
You can change the text that
appears under each key
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sticky Menus
Normally when you move the mouse over the Start Menu / Programs, it
will automatically cascade and show the submenus.
If you want them to open
only when you actually click on them:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop
If if it not already there, create a string called MenuShowDelay
Give it
a value of 65534
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic Shutdown with Windows NT
Most laptops allow the operating system to turn off the hardware
after shutdown, instead of displaying the message telling you it's now safe to
turn off your system.
You can take advantage of this capability by enabling
the Power Down After Shutdown feature.
To enable this feature, simply add a REG_SZ value named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\PowerdownAfterShutDown and set it to 1.
Next, tell NT to shut down and see if the machine turns itself off after shutting down. If it doesn't, change the value back to 0 to restore normal operation.
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kill Hung Processes When Logging Off in Windows NT
When you tell NT to shut down, it first sends shutdown requests to
any running processes.
Most 32-bit applications honor these requests and shut
down, but older 16-bit apps running in the Virtual DOS Machine often
won't.
When this occurs, the operating system prompts you with a dialog box
asking if you want to kill the task, wait for the task to die on its own, or
cancel the shutdown.
By modifying the Registry, you can automate this
process.
You can force NT to kill all running processes on shutdown by adding a REG_SZ value named HKEY_USER\\ControlPanel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks and set the value to 1. You can also add this value to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT so that all new accounts will shut down the same way
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling the Blinking Cursor
To stop the cursor from blinking in applications such as Word:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Add a String Value
Name it CursorBlinkRate
Give it a value of -1
Reboot the computer
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating a Legal Text Notice Before Logon
You can create a banner that will come up just before you logon to the computer:
Start Regedit
Go to HKeyLocalMachine \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ WinLogon
Create a new string value called
LegalNoticeCaption and give it a value you want to see in the menu bar
Create a new string value called LegalNoticeText and give it a value you
want to see in the dialog box
Now before anyone logs into that computer,
this banner will come up on the screen.
This can be useful for any legal
warnings you want to give regarding the use of the
computer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removing the Hand Icon from Shared Resources
When you share a local resource, Windows95 normally puts a hand in
from of that resources icon.
To remove hand icon from your shared
resources:
Start Regedit.
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / Network
Open
SharingHandler.
Clear it's default value
Restart Windows.
To restore
set Default value "msshrui.dll".
Submitted by Guntars
Revelins
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enabling the Middle Mouse Button on Logitech Mouse
To enable the
middle mouse button on Logitech Mouses to act as a double-click button by only
pressing it once:
Run Regedit
Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LOGITECH\MOUSEWARE\CURRENTVERSION\SERIALV\0000
Change DoubleClick to equal 001
Submitted by Jason
Maruniak
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Easily Opening a File with Notepad
This will enable you to right click on any file and have the option
to open it with notepad.
Also if a file has no association and you try to
open it it will open with notepad
Run 'regedit.exe'
Expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
Inside
"HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT", expand "*"
Inside "*", create a key called "shell"
Inside "shell" create a key called "open"
Inside "open" edit the string
"(default)" to say "open (notepad)"
Inside "open" create a key called
"command"
Inside "command" edit the string "(default)" to say
C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE "%1"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Displaying Hi-Color Icons without the Plus Pack
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ desktop \
WindowMetrics
Add or edit Shell Icon BPP=16 where the number is the color
depth.
The default is 8 (bit or 256 colors).
Submitted by Frank
Lolli
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Backing Up the Registry
There are many backup programs for the registry but if the computer goes down and you can't fire off Win95 because of the registry problem.
Backup to a directory the following files:
SYSTEM.DATA
SYSTEM.DA0 (Yes seem to be the same size)
USER.DAT
USER.DA0 (Same size likely)
WIN.INI
CONTROL.INI
SYSTEM.INI
These files can be copied to the windows directory from Win95
or DOS to help correct problems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removing Unwanted Items from the RUN Menu
Start the REGEDIT program
Search for the word RUNMRU
Delete
the ones you don't want
Rename so they are all in alphabetical order again
Close and restart windows
Submitted by Graham
Orchard
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer
Add or Edit the following Registry Keys
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that
Directory"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com
/k cd %1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that
Drive"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com /k
cd %1"
These will allow you to right click on either the drive or the
directory and the option of starting the dos prompt there will pop
up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compacting the Registry
How to compact the registry?
Got to true DOS, not a DOS window
Run Regedit and then export the
entire Registry to COMPACT.REG.
Then exit regedit and run it again with the
following switch. REGEDIT /C COMPACT.REG
Submitted by Ian
Buda
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removing Sound Events from Control Panel / Sounds
When you view what events you can assign sounds to from Control Panel
/ Sounds,
you cannot delete the events themselves. In order to do
that:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / AppEvents / Schemes /
Apps
From here you can delete any items you don't want to show or no longer
need.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Registered Owner
Starting Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft
/ Windows / CurrentVersion
From there you can edit the name in the
Registered Owner key
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adding an Application to the Right Click on Every
Folder
Here is how to add any application to the menu when you right click
on any Folder.
This could be useful if there is an app you always want
available and don't want to go through the Start menu
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
Add a
key Name_of_Your_App
This can really be any label, just use one that makes
sense to you
Give it a default value of Name_of_Your_App
Putting a &
in front of a character will allow you to use the keyboard
Go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ Name_of_Your_App
Add a key command
Give it a default value of the application you want to run
For example:
c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
Include the full path
Now when you right click on any folder, you can have access to that
application
This will work for both Windows95 and NT
4.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adding Explore From Here to Every
Folder
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
Add a
key rootexplore
Give it a default value of E&xplore From Here
Go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ rootexplore
Add a key command
Give
it a default value of Explorer.exe /e,/root,/idlist,%i
Now when you right
click on any folder, you can open up an Explorer window of that folder.
This
will work for both Windows95 and NT
4.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saving Desktop Settings
When I would go to Control Panel or Start Menu Programs, or any other Desktop window setting; meaning size, position, icon arrangement, they would never be as I set them. I found an answer:
At
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
There
is a "NoSaveSettings" key. I deleted it and now my all my stuff stays where I
tell it.
The same key shows up
at:
[HKEY_USERS\bwil\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer](where
bwil is your password profile) Just thought I'd share this with you
all.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting Rid of Tips
Remember
those "Tips of the day" that appeared when you first install Win95?
If you
don't want them any longer and want to clear yet more Clutter, approximately 5K,
you can delete them at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \
CurrentVersion \ explorer \
Tips
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Location of Windows95's Installation
Files
If you need to change the drive and or path where Windows95 will look for it's installation files:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Setup \ SourcePath
Change the location from there
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating a Network Logon Banner
If you want to create a Network Logon Banner:
Start Regedit
Go To
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Create
a new String called LegalNoticeCaption
Enter the text for your banner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating a Default File Opener
If you
have a un-registered file type and want to view it with Explorer's
Right-click
you can add your program to the right-click options
by:
Starting Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASS_ROOT / Unknown
Highlight
the Shell Folder below it
Right click on Shell and create a New Key
Name
it anything you want (For example NOTEPAD)
Create a New Key under that named
command
Highlight the Command key
Double click on the Default value in
the right hand panel
In Value Data, enter the path and filename of the
program you want to use to open the file type
For example:
C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
Click on OK
In this example, when you right
click on a file in Explorer, NOTEPAD will show up as an
option.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line
With the OEM Version of Windows95, a new switch, /D, is added to
Regedit.
This enables you to delete items from Registry.
The syntax is: REGEDIT /L:system.dat_location /R:user.dat_location /D
Reg_Key
where Reg_Key is the key you want to delete
There are two requirements:
1. That you have to boot to the same
OEM version of Windows95 as the REGEDIT.EXE file.
2. You cannot be in Win95
at the time you use this
switch.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic Screen Refresh
When you make changes to your hard drive and use Explorer, the
changes are not usually displayed until you press the F5 key
To make the
updates automatic:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System /
CurrentControlSet / Control / UpdateMode
Edit the DWORD value to be between
1 and 7
Restart Windows
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disable Password Caching
As in Windows for Workgroups, when logging on to an NT Domain, it is
preferable to disable password caching.
This allows for the single NT Domain
login and eliminates the secondary Windows logon screen.
It also eliminates
the possibility of the respective passwords to get out of sync.
To disable password caching on the workstation, a one-line addition
to the registry needs to be made.
To make the change, create a ASCII text
file called DISABLE.REG with the following lines:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network]
"DisablePwdCaching"=dword:00000001
Open up a DOS box and type REGEDIT DISABLE.REG
You can also download the DISABLE.REG file.
If you need to re-enable password caching, download ENABLE.REG and
repeat the process just with the different file
name
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adding Items to the Start Button
To add items when you right-click on the Start Button:
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Classes_Root / Directory / Shell
Right-click on Shell and select New / Key
Type in the name of the key
and press the Enter key
In the Default name that shows in the right hand
panel, you can add a title with a & character in front of the letter for a
shortcut
Right-click on the key you just created and create another key
under it called command
For the value of this command, enter the full path
and program you want to execute
Now when you right click on the Start
Button, your new program will show up. You do not need to reboot first.
For
example, if you wanted WinWord, you would add that as the first key, the default
in the right panel would be &WinWord so when you right click on the Start
Button, the W would be underlined and you could just press that key. The command
would be something like C:\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\WINWORD.EXE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removing Open, Explore & Find from
Start Button
When you right click on the Start Button, you can select Open,
Explore or Find.
Open shows your Programs folder. Explore starts the Explorer
and allows access to all drives.
Find allows you to search and then run
programs. In certain situations you might want to disable this feature.
To
remove them:
Start Regedit
Search for Directory
This should bring you to
Hkey_Classes_Root \ Directory
Expand this section by clicking on the "+"
Under shell is Find
Delete Find
Scroll down below Directory to
Folder
Expand this section under shell
Delete Explore and Open
Note:
- When you remove Open, you cannot opeenn any folders.
If you need to undo any
of the changes, you can download the registry settings before the
changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Telnet Scroll-Back
Buffer Size
By default, the Telnet session has a window size of 25 lines. To
increase this so you can scroll back
and look at a larger number on
lines:
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \
Telnet
Double-click on the entry Rows in the right hand panel
Increase
the decimal value to one that suits your needs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing the Tips of the
Day
You can edit the Tips of the day in the Registry by going
to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \
explorer \ Tips
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling Drives in My
Computer
To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer:
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \
Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a New DWORD item and
name it NoDrives
Give it a value of 3FFFFFF
Now when you click on My
Computer, none of your drives will show
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Displaying the Network
Neighborhood
Start Regedit
Go to
HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \
Explorer
Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
Name it
NoNetHood
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling Run or Find from the Start
Menu
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft
\Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right
panel and add a New / DWORD
Name it NoFile or NoRun
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer
Download reg for no_file
Download reg for
no_run
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiding All Icons from the Desktop
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft
\Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right
panel and add a New / DWORD
Name it NoDesktop
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer
Now all icons are hidden on the desktop.
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get Your Folders to Open the Way You Want Every
Time
To get your folders to open the way you want every time:
Set up all your folders the way you want (auto arrange, view, etc.),
Start RegEdit
Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
Go to NoSaveSettings
Modify and change Value to
1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modifying Default Desktop Icons
Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \
Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell Icons
The default icons are
numbered in the right panel from 0-40
Double click on the number of the
particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.
Enter the name of
the icon file you want to use followed by the number of the icon in that
file.
Note: The numbering starts with zero.
If you use a single .ICO
file, it should be followed by a 0.
e.g. - filename.dll,4 - This would
actually be the 5th icon since it starts with 0.
Make sure you delete the
hidden file C:\WINDOWS\SHELLICONCACHE
Below is a reference for the icons
I've been able to figure out:
0 - Default Icon
1 - Default Document
2 - Application
3 -
Closed Folder
4 - Open Folder
5 - 5 1/4 Drive
6 - 3 1/4 Drive
7 -
Removable Drive
8 - Hard Drive
9 - Network Folder
10 - Network
Offline
11 - CD
12 - RAM Drive
13 - Entire Nertwork
15 - My
Computer
16 - Printer
17 - Network Neighborhood
18 - Network
Workgroup
19-27 are the Start Menu icons
19 - Programs
20 -
Desktop
21 - Settings
22 - Find
23 - Help
24 - Run
25 -
Suspend
27 - Shutdown
28 - Share
29 - Shortcut
31 - Recycle Bin (Empty)
32 -
Recycle Bin (Full)
33 - Folder, Dial-Up Networking
34 - Desktop
36 -
Program Group
40 - Audio Card
In addition, you can change:
My Computer - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\
CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
Network Neighborhood -
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
InBox -
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
Recycle Bin
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{645FF040-550081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearing the Documents Menu
Automatically
The Documents Menu displays the last file and programs you used. You
can clear item manually but only through editing
the Registry can you turn
this off automatically. This can be useful on computers that are used by
multiple people.
The same settings can be also used in NT 4.0
Set the properties on the Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \
CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ User Shell Folders
Right click on the right
panel
Select New / String Value
Rename it to Recent - Only if it is not
already there
Give it the value of C:\RECYCLED
Set your Recycle bin to
Automatically delete files
Log off and back on again.
Your Documents
Menu should now be blank. This will be for all subsequent users who logon as
well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button
Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows
you to open your programs folder, the Explorer and run Find.
In situations
where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure
your computer.
Start Regedit
Search for Desktop
This should bring you to
HKey_Classes_Root \ Directory
Expand this section
Under Shell is Find
Delete Find
Move down a little in the Registry to Folder
Expand this
section and remove Explore and Open
Now when you right click on the Start
button, nothing should happen.
You can delete only those items that you
need.
Note: - On Microsoft keyboards, this also disables the Window-E (for
Explorer) and Window-F (for Find) keys.
See the section on Installation to
see how to do this automatically during an
install.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling My Computer
In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the
computer, it might be beneficial to disable the ability to click on My Computer
and have access to the drives, control panel etc.
To disable
this:
Start Regedit
Search for 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
This should bring you to the HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID section
Delete
the entire section.
Now when you click on My Computer, nothing will
happen.
You might want to export this section to a registry file before
deleting it just in case you want to enable it again..
See the section on Installation to see how to do this automatically
during an
install.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changing Desktop Icons
You can change many of the icons that are located on your desktop.
Start Regedit
Search for My Computer or
20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
Expand that key
Highlight Default
Icon
Double click on the Default in the right panel
Enter the name of
the program with the icon you want to use followed by and command and then the
number of the icon (starting with 0)
Some of the additional items that can
be searched for are:
Network Neighborhood - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\
CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
InBox - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\
CLSID\{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
Recycle Bin -
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Additional
icons can be found in:
\WINDOWS\MORICONS.DLL
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PIFMGR.DLL
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening Explorer from My Computer
By default, when you click on the My Computer icon, you get a display of all your drives, the Control Panel etc. If you would like to have this open the Explorer:
Start Regedit
Search for My Computer or
20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
This should bring you to
HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID
Expand the key
{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
Right click on Shell
Select New /
Key and type Open and press the Enter key
Right click on Open
Select New
/ Key and type Command and press the Enter key
Double click on the Default
for Command and type Explorer.exe for the value
Now when you click on My
Computer, the Explorer will start
If you want to return to normal, simply
delete the Open key
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixing Corrupt Registry
If your registry has gotten corrupted, and re-installing Windows95
over your existing version does not fix the problem,
there is a hidden,
read-only, system file on the root of your boot drive called SYSTEM.1ST.
This
is the initial system registry created when you first installed
Windows95.
To use this file:
Go to your Windows directory
Un-Attrib your current
SYSTEM.DAT file (attrib -r -s -h system.dat)
Copy your current SYSTEM.DAT to
something like SYSTEM.BAD file (just in case)
Move to your root directory
Un-Attrib the SYSTEM.1ST file
Copy SYSTEM.1ST to \WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
Re-start your system
You will need to install your 32-bit apps and any
other programs or changes that modified your system registry
but you will not
need to go through a new again. Your 16-bit apps should not need to be
re-installed since they do
not modify the registry. You will also retain your
current desktop
configuration.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recycle Bin Edits
Fooling with the recycle bin. Why not make the icon context menu act like other icon context menu's.
Add rename to the
menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:50,01,00,20
Add delete to the
menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:60,01,00,20
Add rename and delete to the
menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:70,01,00,20
Restore the recycle bin to win 95 defaults including un-deleting the
icon after deletion:
... Restore the
icon.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]
@="Recycle
Bin"
... reset win 95 defaults
.
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,00,20
Other edits to the recycle bin
icon:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,01,20
... standard shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,02,20 ... another shortcut
arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,04,20 ... and another shortcut
arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,08,20 ... make it look disabled (like it's been
cut)
I added the above edits for fun. But it gets you thinking.
Note:
Adding rename and delete to the context menu takes effect instantly. To restore
the icon after deletion requires screen refresh (F5).
Have fun....
Tom
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting the Minimum Password Length
Start Regedit
Go to
HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
Add a new
Binary Value
Rename it to MinPwdLen
Assign it a value equal to your
minimum password length
Also see the Installation Section on doing this
automatically during
installation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disabling File and Print Sharing
Start Regedit
Go to
HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
Add a new
DWord Value
Rename it to NoPrintSharing or NoFileSharing
Assign it a
value of 1
Also see the Installation Section on doing this automatically
during
installation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows
Open REGEDIT.EXE
Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Open the Key
LNKFILE
Delete the value IsShortcut
Open the next Key PIFFILE
Delete
the value IsShortcut
Restart the Win98
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turn Off Window Animation
You
can shut off the animation displayed when you minimize and maximize
windows.
Open Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Control panel
Desktop
WindowMetrics
Right Mouse Click an empty space in the right pane.
Select new string value.
Name the new value MinAnimate.
Doubleclick
on the new string value (MinAnimate) and click on "Modify"
Enter a value of
0 for Off or 1 for On then hit Enter
Close Regedit and all programs then
reboot.
Download reg
file
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To speed up the Start Menu
Start the REGEDIT program
Search for the word desktop
This
should be in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / CLSID / {00021400...
Right Click on the
right panel
Pick NEW / String Value.
Name it MenuShowDelay, all one
word.
Select a value from 1-10, 1 being the fastest.
Exit REGEDIT
Restart Windows
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
