Adding Themes to Windows 2000

Although there is no tool in Control Panel for configuring desktop themes in Windows 2000, you can use and configure desktop themes by using the Desktop Themes tool.

1. Click Start, and then click Run,
2. In the Open box, type themes, and then click OK,
3. Configure the theme you want, and then click OK.

Internet Explorer Tip - Opening Links in a New Window

Hold down Shift and point with the mouse on a link. A new IE opens automatically with the new page.
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Unwanted Startup Programs

"...the latest MSN Messenger installing something by the name of QManager on my system? I deleted "LOADQM.EXE" from my Startup options immediately. Everything's been running fine with their IM client for the past couple of days. In other words, I'm doing fine without it. I had a similar (hidden) module load itself ........ a few months ago. The WMDM PMSP Service (MSPMSPSV.EXE) was taking up memory and not giving me anything in return. Hit the road, Jack... and don't you come back no more. "
( (From Chris Prillo at Lockergnome))
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Reinstalling Windows XP

Doing so might mean that you have to re-activate the operating system, right? Nope. Not if you backup the license file first. Believe it or not, the entire hoopla about Windows Product Activation comes down to one little file. For whatever reason, one of my PCs just suddenly decided to freak out, and since it had been upgraded from Windows 2000 anyway, I figured it was time to start from scratch, but didn't want to have to place that call to Microsoft. No sweat. Just backup the c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl file, install Windows XP as you normally would, restart in Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Replace the wpa.dbl file with your backed up version, and you should be back in business. Mind you, the information in that file will be specific to the product ID entered during installation as well as being tied to the hardware in that machine only. If you try moving this file to another computer, it won't work, even if it's the same model, right down to the amount of RAM. This is because of unique information obtained from the network card, processor, hard drive, etc., so when it doesn't match up, it will gripe.
( (From Randy Nieland at Lockergnome))
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Display the contents of almost any desktop folder as a toolbar.

If you've always wondered how to turn a desktop folder into its very own toolbar, then look no further.

To turn a folder into a toolbar, follow these directions:

Before you start, make a shortcut of the folder you'd like to turn into a toolbar and place it on the desktop. If you don't know how to do this, read this Windows tip. If the folder you'd like to use is already stored on the desktop, then continue reading. Locate the folder shortcut you've placed on the desktop or select a folder that already resides on the desktop. Single-click on the folder and continue to hold the mouse button down. Drag the folder to the right edge of the screen and release the mouse button. You just made a toolbar out of a folder. To close the toolbar, find the line at the top, right-click on it, and choose "Close." Continue making toolbars out of other desktop folders and drag them to the top and left portions of the screen.

Disclaimer: This tip will work for all folders or shortcuts placed on the desktop -- including My Computer and Network Neighborhood -- but not on My Documents or the Recycle Bin.
(By Greg Melton)
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Set, change or turnoff your Windows logon password.

Protect Windows Using Passwords

If several people use your computer, you probably have your own user identity complete with individual Windows logon password. As with any password, you might want to change it periodically. Here's how:

Open the Start menu, click Settings, and select Control Panel. Double-click the Passwords icon. Open the Change Passwords tab, click on Change Windows Password, and click OK. Type your old password. If Windows doesn't usually ask you to log on, leave your old password blank. Type your new password in the "New password" and "Confirm new password" areas. Click OK.

The next time you boot up Windows, it will ask for your new password when you log on.
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Follow these steps if you want to bypass the logon process entirely
Never see the Windows password screen again.

Does your computer at home ask for your user identification every time you start it up? If you are the single user of a home computer, you probably don't need to see the logon screen every time you boot up.

1. Open the Network Control Panel.
2. Make sure the Windows logon is selected, not the Microsoft network logon.
3. Restart your computer.
4. When the logon window comes up, enter a name (it doesn't matter what name you pick), leave the password blank, and hit return.
5. When it asks you to confirm that blank password, hit return again.

Close Multiple Windows

Many of us compute with several applications open at the same time. Rather than minimizing each window individually, you can minimize them all at once.

To do this, simply hold Windows + M on the last window opened.
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Mouseless Start Menu

There are many ways to travel through Windows without using a mouse.

You can access the Start menu with the Windows key, but what if you're using a keyboard without the Windows key? No problem.

1. Press Ctrl+Esc to open the Start menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to move up, down, left, and right.
3. Press Enter to open an application.

The arrow keys can also open submenus. Use Esc to get out of any screen.
(By Michelle VonWald)
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A Link That Resizes Browser Windows

If you spend too much time resizing your browser windows to ensure your new web page design will look OK at that lower resolution; a link on your browser's link bar (both IE and NS) will solve your problem . Just cut and past following text in place of the URL:

javascript:;resizeTo(800,600);
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