Synopses & Reviews
Ever feel as though Windows XP was running YOU, instead of the other way around? Maybe it's time to show Windows who's boss. Make it run YOUR way. Get rid of the stuff that doesn't help you do what you want to do. Soup up security so you're better protected against spyware and other nasties. Find things faster with more efficient searches. Woody Leonhard shows you exactly how to do it in
Windows XP Hacks & Mods For Dummies.Don't let the word "hack" intimidate you. Woody walks you through every suggested adjustment step by step. He even provides plenty of explanation about what's involved and what tools you need. Windows XP Hacks & Mods For Dummies even gives you a convenient list of common hacks you should avoid because they don’t accomplish much. You'll discover how to:
- Eliminate the annoying features that came pre-installed on your PC
- Speed up your system performance
- Pin programs, folders, files, and Web pages so they appear on your Start menu
- Launch applications more quickly
- Boost the performance of your favorite games
- Get the most from your iPod and Windows Media Player
- Navigate peer-to-peer file sharing safely
- Find free virus protection
In the fun and friendly Dummies style, Woody Leonhard gives you tons of helpful advice to make your relationship with Windows XP a lot more rewarding.
Synopsis
What the book covers: This guide shows readers how to make changes to their Windows system to promote overall system efficiency. Main topics include: Controlling XP's Look: Tweaking the taskbar, embellishing the desktop, customizing a start menu. Controlling the Feel of XP: Changing security, pumping up IM power, adding desktop search. Behind the scenes tricks: Tricking out browser capabilities, making your PC game-friendly, real speed techniques. Protecting your PC: Dealing with virus and spyware problems. Keeping Windows alive: Rolling back to working set-ups, updating drivers, maintaining a hard drive. Multimedia: Working with music and video.
Synopsis
Make Windows XP look, feel, and act the way you want
Simplify searches, find free virus protection, and make Windows love your iPod®
Hacks? Mods? Don't be frightened this book walks you through each and every one, and even steers you clear of well-known hacks that don't really accomplish anything. See how some simple tools can help you take control and create settings you can actually use, shortcuts that simplify your life, security measures that really work, and lots more.
Discover how to
- Remove features you never use
- Speed up system performance
- Launch applications more quickly
- Fight spyware more effectively
- Get peak performance from your XP games
Synopsis
Windows guru Woody Leonhard gives people the power to fight back against unwanted shortcuts, system slowdowns, spyware infestations, and other perennial PC problems and annoyances in this much-needed book. Step-by-step instructions help even novice users go under the hood to modify their systems, whether they want to overhaul XP's look and feel, boost speed, beef up security, perform maintenance and updates, or enhance multimedia performance.
- The book covers simple and complex changes including tweaking the taskbar, adding desktop search, making a PC game-friendly, turbocharging browser performance, eradicating viruses and spyware, updating drivers, and augmenting music and video capabilities
- Includes special directions on dealing with software, shortcuts, and other unwanted features installed on new PCs that slow down computing time
About the Author
In the past fifteen years,
Woody Leonhard has written more than computer books, drawing an unprecedented six Computer Press Association awards and two American Business Press awards. Woody was one of the first Microsoft Consulting Partners and is a charter member of the Microsoft Solutions Provider organization. He’s widely quoted — and reviled — on the Redmond campus.
Woody’s Web site, askwoody.com, keeps an eye on the computer industry, covering the latest shenanigans from Microsoft, the best software for your computer, the worst pitfalls (and patches!) to avoid, updates to his books, and all the other information you need to keep your PC chugging away.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Part I: The Nuts & Bolts of Hacks & Mods.
Chapter 1: Windows XP: What’s Not to Love?
Chapter 2: Tools of the Hacking Trade.
Chapter 3: A Quick XP Makeover.
Part II: Controlling the Look and Feel of Windows XP.
Chapter 4: TweakUI, the Power User’s PowerToy.
Chapter 5: Pinning Down the Start Menu.
Chapter 6: Taking On the Taskbar.
Chapter 7: Decking Out the Desktop.
Part III: Adjusting Everyday Activities.
Chapter 8: Reining In Windows Explorer.
Chapter 9: Cool Keyboard Hacks and Menu Mods.
Chapter 10: Searching on the Desktop.
Chapter 11: Switching to Better Online Software.
Chapter 12: Pulling Off Pictures.
Part IV: Modding to Monitor and Manage.
Chapter 13: Seeing What’s Happening.
Chapter 14: Decoding IDs, Accounts, and Passwords.
Chapter 15: Using Remote Assistance.
Chapter 16: Retooling Disks.
Part V: Protecting Yourself (And Your PC).
Chapter 17: Changing (In)Security Settings.
Chapter 18: Taking the “Mal” out of Malware.
Chapter 19: Keeping Your Privates Private.
Part VI: Entertaining Yourself.
Chapter 20: Making the Most of Media Player.
Chapter 21: Buying Music and Videos.
Chapter 22: Trading Music and Videos.
Chapter 23: Getting Games to Work.
Part VII: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 24: Ten Steps to Mastering the Registry.
Chapter 25: Ten Speed-Up Hacks — Maybe.
Index.