Tips and Tricks
(Pertaining to NT, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, 7, and Server 2008)

Home


023 » NUMLOCK at startup.

Edit:

HKEY_Current_User\ControlPanel\Keyboard\InitialKeyboardIndicators

Type REG_SZ: 

If set to 0, NumLock is disabled for that current user after logging on. If it is 2, NumLock is enabled and will retain the settings from the last shutdown.

----------------------------------------------------------

027 » Deleting device drivers and services.

If you have a service or device driver that you want to remove:

In Control Panel /Services or /Devices, located the object and STOP it (if it is started). If it won't STOP, configure StartUp as Disabled and reboot.

Edit: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Locate the object, highlight it, delete it. 
----------------------------------------------------------

044 » Want to move or recreate your mail PostOffice?

The PostOffice is in a directory called WGPO.

To move it:

Move it (and all the subdirectories) to a new location which is shared with "Full Control".
Edit: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Mail\Microsoft Mail
Double click ServerPath and change it to the new WGPO location.
If you have WFWG or W95 users, change the ServerPath= in their MSMAIL.INI.

To start over (delete it):

Delete the WGPO directory
Edit: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Mail
and delete the Microsoft Mail Sub Key.

----------------------------------------------------------

015 » Shutdown button on the Welcome dialog box.

To display a shutdown button at Login, edit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Value: ShutdownWithoutLogon REG_SZ 0 or 1

When this value is set to 1, you can select Shutdown from the Welcome dialog box. If the value is 0, the Shutdown button does not appear.

----------------------------------------------------------

004 » Bypassing the WinNT logon prompt.

If you want to autolog a user, both TweakUI and the Resource Kit utility AUTOLOG.EXE will do it for you. To configure this using the registry, edit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Set the DefaultDomainName, DefaultPassword (must be non-blank), and DefaultUserName. Set AutoAdminLogon to 1 (all are type REG_SZ). If you ever want to logon as a different user, hold down the shift key as you logoff.

----------------------------------------------------------

NTBackup - Open Files Countdown

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Ntbackup\User Interface\

Skip open files: this type REG_SZ has 3 possible settings:
0 = do not skip, wait
1 = skip files that are opened unreadable
2 = wait on open files for Wait time

Wait time: this type REG_SZ has a range from 0 to 65535 seconds with a default of 30 seconds.

----------------------------------------------------------

0900 » My mouse wheel is not detected.


If you have a PS/2 Wheel Mouse without special driver, and the wheel is not functional, it is probably not being detected. Browse to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters

Edit or Add Value name EnableWheelDetection, a type REG_DWORD, and set the data to 2.

(0 = Never detect wheel mouse, 1 = Auto-detect, 2 = Always detect)

Restart your computer.

----------------------------------------------------------
Preventing Mapped Drives from Popping Up at Logon (WinME)


HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints\_WantUI

Delete the drive letter(s) you don't want to popup.

----------------------------------------------------------
Slow Access of Mapped Drives (Win XP)

http://www.ss64.com/nt/slow_browsing.html
(Lots of good stuff)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Increase HTTP Downloads From the Default (2) 

To increase the number of files that you can download at one time to 10, follow these steps:

1) Start Registry Editor.

2) Locate the following key in the registry:

        HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings 

3) On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then add the following registry values: 
        Value name: MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server
        Value data: 10
        Base: Decimal

        Value Name: MaxConnectionsPerServer
        Value data: 10
        Base: Decimal

4) Exit Registry Editor.

5) Restart Windows

--------------------------------------------------------------

Manually Updating Malwarebytes

Yes, if you look under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware in XP and C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware in Vista the file you want is called rules.ref.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Vista and Windows 7 are DOG SLOW!  Here's what will fix it:

It's something called "AutoTune" and it spells death to good performance.

From a command prompt, enter the following:

netsh interface tcp set global rss=disabled
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

Or download a script to do it for you here (right-click the hyperlink and "Save target as...")

--------------------------------------------------------------

Time Servers

152.2.21.1
128.118.25.3

--------------------------------------------------------------

Winipcfg Utility for XP

WinIPcfg.  (It's part of TWEAKUI_XP)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Forgot Admin or User Password?

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Determining Which Services are Associated with SVCHOST

Since so many critical services are run with each svchost,
You can see which ones are being used by opening a cmd prompt and running:

tasklist /svc /fi "imagename eq svchost.exe"

Note: This is available only with XP Pro

--------------------------------------------------------------

Not Displaying Previous Network Share Shortcuts

By default, when you go to Network Places, it will scan and show shortcuts to previous network shares.
To turn this off and remove any current shortcuts
1. Open up the Windows Explorer 
2. Go to Tools / Folder Options / View 
3. The top section should be Files and Folders 
4. Uncheck Automatically search for network folders and printers 
5. Then go into Network Neighborhood Select all the previous netowork connections Delete them 
6. Next time you look at the Network Neighborhood, they should not repopulate

--------------------------------------------------------------

Running Network Diagnostics

Network Diagnostics scans your system to gather information about your hardware, software, and network connections. 

Start / Run / NETSH DIAG GUI

The following is the type of information that can be displayed:
o Ping
o Connect 
o Show 
o Verbose 
o Save to Desktop 
o Mail Service 
o News Service 
o Internet Proxy Server 
o Computer Information 
o Operating System 
o Windows Version 
o Modems 
o Network Clients 
o Network Adapters 
o Domain Name System (DNS) 
o Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 
o Default Gateways 
o Internet Protocol Address 
o Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)

--------------------------------------------------------------
Using the Classic Search in Explorer

If you prefer to use the classic search style in Explorer,

1. Start Regedit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState
3. Add a String Key called Use Search Asst
4. Give it a value of no

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Common Control Panel Applets

The follow are some common Control Panel Applets that are located in the \windows\system32 directory.
If you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can simply make shortcuts to them on your desktop.

appwiz.cpl

 Add/Remove Programs

desk.cpl

 Display Properties

firewall.cpl

 Firewall Settings

inetcpl.cpl

 Internet Options

mmsys.cpl

 Sound and Audio

ncpa.cpl

 Network Connections

nusrmgr.cpl

 User Accounts

powercfg.cpl

 Power Options

sysdm.cpl

 System Properties

wscui.cpl

 Security Center

wuaucpl.cpl

 Automatic Updates Configuration

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Restoring Desktop Icon to the Quicklaunch Bar

If you mistakenly deleted the icon for the Desktop on the Quicklaunch toolbar

Go to C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
(where user_name is replaced by your login name)

Create a Text file called ShowDesktop.SCF with the following contents:

[Shell]
Command=2
IconFile=explorer.exe,3
[Taskbar]
Command=ToggleDesktop

You can also DOWNLOAD a file, uncompress it, and copy to the toolbar or wherever you would like.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Cleaning the Prefetch Directory

WindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.
However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.

To clean this periodically go to:

  1. Start / Run / Prefetch
  2. Press Ctrl-A to highlight all the files
  3. Delete them

--------------------------------------------------------------

Hiding the Last User Logged On

If you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:

  1. Start the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
  2. Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options
  3. Scroll down to Interactive logon: Do not display last user name
  4. Set it to Enable

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Restoring Access to CD ROMs

If after you remove CD Burning software, you can no longer access your CD ROM's,
the following registry keys need to be deleted:

Locate and delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters values under the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Using the Internet Explorer Classic Search

If you want to use the classic search engine in the Internet Explorer

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
  3. If it is not there, create a String Value of Use Search Asst
  4. Give it a value of no

Download reg file

--------------------------------------------------------------

 Logging in as Administrator

If you want to log in as Administrator, but it is not show on the Welcome screen,

  1. Hold the Ctrl-Alt key and press Del twice.
  2. This will bring up the normal login and you can log on as Administrator

--------------------------------------------------------------

Opening a Command Prompt to a Particular Directory from Explorer

If you want to open a command prompt to a directory that is selected in the Explorer:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT  \ Directory \ shell
  3. Create a new key called Command Prompt Here
  4. Under this create another new key called command
  5. Give it the default value of cmd.exe /k "cd %L"
  6. Now when you are in the Explorer, right click on a folder, select Command Prompt Here, and a command prompt will open to  the selected directory.

Download reg file

--------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Update Error 0xC80003FE

  1. Click Start -> Run -> CMD
  2. Issue the following commands:
        net stop wuauserv
        cd %windir%\softwaredistribution\datastore
        del datastore.edb
        net start wuauserv

Download script file here

--------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Installer Cleanup (For Windows XP)

Uninstalls anything.

Install application here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows XP: For systems using 3GB of RAM or more

This gives the system greater than 2GB of work space.  If your system is not suffering, do not use this fix.

In the Boot.ini, specify this parameter on the boot line:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /3gb

--------------------------------------------------------------------

How to change the listening port for Remote Desktop

(Windows XP)

1.Start Registry Editor. (Start / Run / Regedit)
2.Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber

3.On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal.
4.Type the new port number, and then click OK. 
5.Quit Registry Editor.
6.Restart the computer.
Note When you try to connect to this computer by using the Remote Desktop connection, you must type the new port.
You have to set the firewall to allow the new port number before you connect to this computer by using the Remote Desktop connection.
To connect to a remote computer which is configured with the non-default TCP port:
1. Launch the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client
2. Type the network resolvable name or IP address in the "Computer:" field followed by ":<the_port_number>"
Example:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306759

--------------------------------------------------------------

Manually Remove Programs from the Add/Remove Programs List

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/247501

Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Each key under Uninstall represents a program that appears in Add/Remove Programs. To determine which program that each key represents, click the key, and then view the following values: 

DisplayName - the value data for the DisplayName key is the name that is listed in Add/Remove Programs

-and-

UninstallString - the value data for the UninstallString key is the program that is used to uninstall the program

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hyper-V: P2V Windows 2000 Server Fails (SCVMM Error 2910)

If your P2V attempt fails with Error 2910, I've used this method to get it to succeed.

Add the following registry key to the prospective guest server (i.e. the server to be P2V'd):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole

Add String Value (REG_SZ):
EnableDCOM
with Value Data: Y

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robocopy Exit Codes:

Text file contains the exit codes for robocopy.  Download text file here.
Download Robocopy here.  This 32-bit version requires Windows 2003 Server, XP, 2000, or NT 4.0 but will run under a 64-bit OS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Server 2008 NTP Settings (FSMO Server Only)

Synchronize your Windows Server 2008 computer with an Internet NTP time source AND make the server 
the NTP authority for your domain.  

First determine which domain controller is the FSMO server in your domain from a command prompt, use:
netdom /query fsmo

On the FSMO server, do the following:

net stop w32time
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:"0.pool.ntp.org, 1.pool.ntp.org, 2.pool.ntp.org"
w32tm /config /reliable:yes
net start w32time
w32tm /query /configuration

Or you can choose to run this script.  Fix it for me: here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hyper-V: How to Install Windows 2000 SP-4 as a VM
without it Blue Screening

Before installing ANY Windows Updates, perform the following steps:

If you've already installed Hyper-V Integration Services on the Windows 2000 install, please uninstall them.  Reboot.
(On the restart, click Cancel as many times as necessary (around 3) to display the Desktop

1) In the Hyper-V Manager, with the Win2000 VM shut down, remove the Network Adapter.
2) In the Hyper-V Manager, Add Hardware -> Legacy Network Adapter.  Click OK
3) Start and Connect to the Windows 2000 VM.  Logon as Administrator
4) Install IE6 SP-1.  Restart
5) Run Windows Updates.  Shut Down
6) In the Hyper-V Manager, right-click the Win2000 VM and choose Settings
7) Remove the Legacy Network Adapter and Add Hardware -> Network Adapter
8) Start and connect to the Win2000 VM.
9) Install the Hyper-V Integration Services.  Restart
10) Run Windows Updates to install all the rest of the updates that apply.  Restart (as many times as suggested).

If you install the Windows Updates as instructed in this article, you will avoid the BSOD.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Set NTP Time Service In Windows 2000 / 2003 Server

1. Stop the windows time service: open a command prompt and type "net stop
w32time".
2. Configure the machine to sync with an outside time source: type "net
time /setsntp: clock.isc.org "; this will set the machine to automatically
sync with one of the clock.isc.org's time servers. (You may specify any legal
network time protocol server on the Internet.)
3. To confirm this works type "w32tm -once -test -v" this will test
synchronization against the navy time server and display verbose output.
4. Sync with the clock time server: "w32tm -s"; check if you get a response
that looks something like "RPC to local server returned 0x6b5",
5. Start the w32time service: "net start w32time". Once you start the
service, check if the clock automatically sync with the clock time server.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Error number: 0x8024800C] running Windows update

***************Resolution***************
From a command line - net stop "Automatic Updates" 
del C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
net start "Automatic Updates"
After that I simply ran windowsupate again and it worked perfectly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------