Synopses & Reviews
Accept no limits! Tweak Windows XP for ultimate performance with the undocumented secrets and hidden gems of the experts who work with the technology every day. Three Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS) professionals have teamed with well-known Windows book author Paul McFedries to reveal their best from-the-field techniques, practices, hacks, tricks, and workarounds for putting all of your PC’s muscle to work. Smart, straightforward, and uncompromisingly practical, this book is the ultimate insider’s guide to pushing Windows XP as far as it can go!
Put professional-level practices to work for you:
- Tweak registry settings without getting burned
- Employ lethal techniques to help fight viruses, intruders, and spam
- Customize startup and shutdown—get work done behind the scenes
- Install devices and drivers—painlessly
- Learn 10 ways to help give your system rock-solid stability
- Write your own scripts—or run the ones inside
- Share your PC using group policies, account lock-outs, and other management tools
- Optimize memory, performance, and usability
- Easily synchronize files between your mobile and desktop PCs
- Troubleshoot problems the way the experts do
Synopsis
Amp up your Windows XP knowledge with the little-known, undocumented insider techniques from professional consultants who work with customers and the technology every day. INSIDER POWER TECHNIQUES FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP delivers from-the-field insights and secrets of three Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS) consultants who've been deploying and supporting the operating system since its release. Well-known Windows book author Paul McFedries has teamed with these experts to provide power users with a wealth of unique, real-world techniques, tweaks, tricks, and workarounds-all focused on doing more and getting more from Windows. Topics include customizing the interface, resource management, the registry, Microsoft Internet Explorer, networking, scripting, digital media, Windows XP PowerToys, everyday maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Synopsis
Delivering from-the-field insights and secrets of three Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS) consultants who've been deploying and supporting the operating system since its release, this resource provides power users with a wealth of unique, real-world techniques, tweaks, tricks, and workarounds--all focused on doing more and getting more from Windows. (Computer Books)
About the Author
Paul McFedries is the author of numerous books on Windows, including Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows XP, Unauthorized Guide to Windows Me, Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows Me, Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 2000, Unauthorized Guide to Windows 98, Complete Idiot's Guide to Windows 98, Windows 98 Unleashed, and Windows 95 Unleashed.
Geoff Winslow has been in the consulting field for more than 10 years, with just over five years with Microsoft, first as a consultant and then as a senior consultant. His experience with Windows has been infrastructure engagements, from Microsoft Windows NT 3.51 OS deployments and domain designs all the way through to current day Windows 2000 and XP deployments and Active Directory® designs and deployments.
Scott Andersen is an MCS consultant and MCP with 12 years of IT and consulting experience. He works with customers designing, building and deploying Windows XP desktop solutions.
Austin Wilson has been with Microsoft since 1994 as a systems engineer, an architectural engineer, a principal consultant, and a service line architect. Most recently he has been involved in corporate Windows XP deployments.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments; Introduction; Some Notes Before We Begin; Part I: Mastering Essential Insider Techniques; Chapter 1: Mastering Control Panel, Policies, and PowerToys; Operating Control Panel; Implementing Group Policies with Windows XP; Enhancing Your System with the Windows XP PowerToys; Chapter 2: Getting the Most Out of the Registry; Understanding the Registry; Taking a Tour of the Registry; Keeping the Registry Safe; Working with Registry Keys and Settings; Finding Registry Entries; Chapter 3: Programming Windows XP with Scripts; Understanding Scripts and Script Execution; Programming Objects; Displaying Text Using the WScript Object; Scripting and Automation; Programming the VBScript FileSystemObject; Displaying More Detailed Information to the User; Running Applications; Working with Registry Entries; Scripting Example: Programming Internet Explorer; Part II: Getting the Most Out of Your Everyday Tasks; Chapter 4: Starting Up and Shutting Down; Launching Applications and Scripts at Startup; Controlling Startup Using Boot.ini; Controlling Startup with the Advanced Options Menu; Getting the Most Out of the Shutdown Procedure; Chapter 5: Managing Logons and Users; Useful Windows XP Logon Strategies; Getting the Most Out of User Accounts; Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords; Sharing Your Computer Securely; Chapter 6: Installing and Running Programs; Tips and Techniques for Installing Applications; Launching Applications; Understanding Application Compatibility; Chapter 7: Getting the Most Out of Files and Folders; A Dozen Little-Known Windows Explorer Techniques; Getting Familiar with File Types; Customizing the Windows XP New Menu; Customizing Windows XPs Open With List; Chapter 8: Playing, Copying, and Storing Digital Media; Tips for Working with Windows Media Player; Working with Digital Media Files; Customizing Media Folders; Investigating the Windows Media Bonus Pack; Chapter 9: Installing and Troubleshooting Devices; Tips and Techniques for Installing Devices; Managing Your Hardware with Device Manager; Managing Hardware Profiles; Working with Device Security Policies; Troubleshooting Device Problems; Part III: Customizing and Optimizing; Chapter 10: Customizing the Interface; Customizing the Start Menu for Easier Program and Document Launching; Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching; Controlling Taskbar Grouping; Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies; Using Screen Space Efficiently; Chapter 11: Optimizing Performance; Monitoring Performance; Fine-Tuning Performance; Chapter 12: Maintaining Your System in 10 Easy Steps; Step 1Check Your Hard Disk for Errors; Running the Check Disk GUI; Step 2Check Free Disk Space; Step 3Delete Unnecessary Files; Step 4Defragment Your Hard Disk; Step 5Set System Restore Points; Step 6Back Up Your Files; Step 7Run the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard; Step 8Check For Updates and Security Patches; Step 9Verify Digitally Signed Files; Step 10Review Event Viewer Logs; Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule; Chapter 13: Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems; Determining the Source of the Problem; General Troubleshooting Tips; Troubleshooting Using Online Resources; Recovering from a Problem; Part IV: Mastering Internet and Networking Features; Chapter 14: Implementing Internet Security and Privacy; Working with E-mail Safely and Securely; Keeping Intruders Out of Your System; Surfing the Web Securely; Chapter 15: Getting the Most Out of Internet Explorer; Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing; Searching the Web; Understanding Internet Explorers Advanced Options; Chapter 16: Setting Up and Administering a Small Network; Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network; Administering Your Network; Sharing Resources with the Network; Appendix : About the Authors;