Windows Operating Systems Resources - refdesk.com -

WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS RESOURCES

MICROSOFT LINKS:

Microsoft's Home Page

Microsoft Advanced Technology division

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia

Microsoft Focus on K-12

Microsoft Internet Central - MSN, The Microsoft Network

Microsoft Knowledge Base

Microsoft MSDN OffRamp

WinInsider - News and information about Microsoft's latest .NET and Windows technologies, with daily updates, and other cool site features.

WINDOWS XP SITES:

Annoyances.org - This site has a wealth of information, focusing on solving problems and eliminating annoyances with all modern versions of Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows XP Home Page

TweakXP.com - Dedicated to improving and customizing XP. Tweaks are for the user interface, system performance, and the Internet.

WindowsXP Central

Windows XP Superguide - C|NET Software

Windows XP Tips - PC Buyer's Guide

ZDNet: Windows XP - News, features, guides, tours, and feedback.

Full list here: Windows Operating Systems Resources - refdesk.com -

Turning Off System Restore Improves Performance: FALSE

System Restore is a real aid when it comes to rolling back bad Windows patches and driver updates, but by its very nature, it is said to impact performance because it’s always creating restore points, thus robbing you of a little power.

The truth: System Restore lurks idle most of the time and rarely does anything at all, creating checkpoints only during app installs plus once every 24 hours by default. Even then it spends only a few seconds doing so and only during idle time.

It’s virtually unthinkable that you’d try to run a program at the exact same time that System Restore began creating a restore point, and even if you did, you probably wouldn’t notice.

The proof is in the benchmarks: We got nearly identical results on PCMark whether System Restore was on or off.

(Note, however, that System Restore can consume a fair amount of disk space—this is configurable—so if gigabytes are precious to you, consider throttling it back.)

From: 25 Most Popular Windows Tips: The Best Explained and Worst Debunked

Tech Support Guy - Free help for Windows Vista, XP, and more!

Since 1996, Tech Support Guy has been providing free technical support to computer users of all experience levels. In fact, over 350,000 users have joined Tech Support Guy -- now it's your turn! We're glad you've decided to visit us!

This online oasis of technical support is staffed completely by volunteers and paid for entirely by sponsors and donations from grateful members. That means it doesn't cost a thing for you to ask a question! So what are you waiting for?

Tech Support Guy - Free help for Windows Vista, XP, and more!

Reset Your Forgotten Password the Easy Way Using the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows :: the How-To Geek

We've written previously about how to create your own Ultimate Boot CD for Windows, which is based on XP but can still be of use for repairing Vista computers as well. Today we'll show you how to reset your password easily using that CD.

For you to be able to use this technique, you'll need to have created your own boot CD first. This isn't the only way to reset your password, so stay tuned as we cover even more ways to reset your passwords, and then we'll show you how to prevent somebody else from doing the same thing to you.
Resetting Your Password
Once you've started up the Ultimate Boot CD, you'll want to navigate through Start \ Programs \ Password Tools and find NTPWEdit in the menu.

Once the utility opens, you'll want to click the (Re)open button to open up the SAM file which contains your Windows password, which should show you the list of usernames.
Note that if it doesn't or you are using a dual-boot, you might have to browse to find the correct SAM file.

Once you've found your username in the list, you can simply use the Change password button. Note that if you are using Vista you probably shouldn't edit the Administrator password.

At this point you should be able to reboot the computer and login with your new password. It's just that simple.
Note: If you have previously encrypted files using the built-in Windows encryption features, changing the password will make them inaccessible. Instead you should try and crack the password, which we will cover in an upcoming post. (Thanks jd2066 for pointing this out).

Reset Your Forgotten Password the Easy Way Using the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows :: the How-To Geek

PC Hacks: Tweak Your Firefox for Super Fast Web Browsing

Fast loading web pages while surfing the Internet may have more to do with your web browser settings and preferences than your Internet connection speed.

Try these easy Firefox tweaks and you’ll see that you’re surfing the Internet from 3 to 30 times faster!

To get started, open your Firefox web browser. In the address/location bar type about:config and then press your Enter key.

In the Filter bar type network.http.pipelining. Then, double-click on this line under Preference Name in order to change the value from False to True.

In the Filter bar type network.http.pipelining.maxrequests. Then, double-click on this line under Preference Name and change the value from 4 to a higher number anywhere from 10 to 30. I set mine to 30.

In the Filter bar type network.http.proxy.pipelining. Then, double-click on this line under Preference Name in order to change the value from False to True.

In the Filter bar type network.dns.disableIPv6. Then, double-click on this line under Preference Name in order to change the value from False to True.

In the Filter bar type plugin.expose_full_path. Then, double-click on this line under Preference Name in order to change the value from False to True.

In the Filter bar type network.protocol-handler.external.ms-help. Now, you are going to create a new Preference Name with an Integer Value. To do this, right-click on this line under Preference Name and select New, then Integer. In the New Integer value box type in nglayout.initialpaint.delay and click OK. Then in the Enter Integer value box type 0 (that’s a zero) and click OK.

In the Filter bar again type network.protocol-handler.external.ms-help. Now, you are going to create another new Preference Name with an Integer Value. To do this, right-click on this line under Preference Name and select New, then Integer. In the New Integer value box type in content.notify.backoffcount and click OK. Then in the Enter Integer value box type 5 and click OK.

In the Filter bar again type network.protocol-handler.external.ms-help. Now, you are going to create another new Preference Name with an Integer Value. To do this, right-click on this line under Preference Name and select New, then Integer. In the New Integer value box type in ui.submenuDelay and click OK. Then in the Enter Integer value box type 0 (that’s a zero) and click OK.

Now, close your web browser and restart it. You’ll see how much faster web pages are loading. I sure did.

PC Hacks: Tweak Your Firefox for Super Fast Web Browsing

PC Hacks: SP2 Tweaks

ere some tweaks for your Windows XP-SP2:

Disable the SP antivirus and firewall functions - and keep XP from nagging about it:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center]
"AntiVirusDisableNotify"=dword:00000001
"FirewallDisableNotify"=dword:00000001
; don't monitor firewall and antivirus
"AntiVirusOverride"=dword:00000001
"FirewallOverride"=dword:00000001

Disable antivirus and firewall check at boot time

SP2 enables Auto Updates by default. This is good for you, but some folks disagree, so here is how to turn it off:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update]
"AUOptions"=dword:00000001
;disable Auto Update
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center]
"UpdatesDisableNotify"=dword:00000001
;Stop nagging about AU being turned off

How to turn off the SP2 firewall (if you must):

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile]
"EnableFirewall"=dword:00000000
; turn off firewall policy for domain profile
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProfile]
"EnableFirewall"=dword:00000000
;disable firewall policy for standard profile

Change some popup settings:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
;turn off IE popup blocker and return activeX handling to pre-SP2 setting for local system and current user
;1001 = 1 (prompt before download signed ActiveX)
;1004 = 1 (prompt before downloading unsigned ActiveX)
;1200 = 0 (prompt before download signed ActiveX)
;1809 = 3 (disable popup blocking)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4]
"1001"=dword:00000001
"1004"=dword:00000001
"1200"=dword:00000000
"1809"=dword:00000003

Or you can disable Security Center altogether by disabling the wscsvc service.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004
;Disable Security Center

PC Hacks: SP2 Tweaks

Foxy SEO Tool

A Firefox add-on that can assist you with different types of SEO. Foxy SEO Tool for assistance with search engine optimization (SEO), web traffic analysis, keywords research and popular topics monitoring for webmasters and marketing people.

Foxy SEO Tool

Lifehacker Faceoff: Battle of the Web-Based Personal Finance Apps

In the wake of Mint leaving beta and Quicken Online dropping its subscription fee, there's never been a better time to start using a web-based personal finance application.

What's more, the current financial turmoil probably means you're more motivated than ever to get your finances in order.

So with that in mind, we want to know: Which web-based personal finance application is your favorite? Cast your vote below.

Lifehacker Faceoff: Battle of the Web-Based Personal Finance Apps

Amazing - 7 Ways to Send Huge Files - Bigger than Gmail : Lifehack Magazine

Amazing - 7 Ways to Send Huge Files - Bigger than Gmail

September 20, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized

Gmail users have the ability to send up to 20MB of attachments. Sometimes you need more maybe even over 500MB at a time. Businesses especially often have the need to send very large file attachments. Freelance workers, advertisers, small and large companies are a few of those in need. Other people are just people like you and I who want to send the latest and greatest family pictures to our friends and family living further away. Now you have 7 ways to send huge files bigger than Gmail offers.

YouSendIt – Those familiar with sending large files may have heard of this free file sending company. Send up to 100MB files at a time without even registering. You upload the file; they get an email with a link and click to download it. It stays there for seven days. There is a premium service for those who need to send up to 2GB and need more bandwith.

MegaUpload – Send up to 500MB of files. Storage at this site is one of the largest. No need to register and premium service to rid it of ads and speed download time.

zUpload – Easy does it with this file sending site that allows you to send 500MB at a time. Each file has a unique URL and stays online for thirty days. No premium service available it is strictly advertiser supported.

DropSend – Send files up to 1GB with a $5 a month premium account or 250MB at a time for free accounts. Only 5 sends per month with the free service and no account registering necessary. Their desktop client is available in Mac and Windows operating systems.

MailBigFile – This way to send huge files is very similar to YouSendIt. No registering and 100MB file sending limit. There is a Pro account available to send up to 2GB at a time. The limit of downloads per month is 25 so the unlimited bandwith advertised is capped by that.

LeapFILE – This file sending service targets business and enterprise users. The customized branding and security of this company makes its Enterprise Exchange an asset to companies. Private labeled file exchange and a Basic Exchange are available to users for a fee.

Box.net – If you are seeking out ways to send huge files on the internet Box.net is a simple but powerful way to online sending and storage. Whether you are on your home computer, laptop or mobile phone you can take care of your Box.net files. After you upload files onto your storage through the 256-bit secure encryption you can work with them. Send anything from large documents, digital photos, zip files, videos, music to friends, family or business contacts. It is easy to access files on the internet that you use for your mobile telephone with 5GB of storage.
In today’s busy world that is linked online 24/7 make sure you have all the sending power you need to stay in touch with business contacts and those you hold dearest to you heart.

Amazing - 7 Ways to Send Huge Files - Bigger than Gmail : Lifehack Magazine

28 Free File Storage Hosting Websites - Something you need to Bookmark!

If you’re looking for a free File hosting service and can’t decide, I’ve compiled a list of 28 “working” Free file storage hosting websites. Each of these websites has it’s con’s and pro’s. Some are offering more file size limits, some aren’t. It’s for you to decide which one you want to go for :)

28 Free File Storage Hosting Websites - Something you need to Bookmark!