Increasing page file size (Virtual Memory)

You can increase the size of your virtual memory to improve performance by using a Page file. A page file is a certain amount of allocated space on the hard disk, that acts as additional memory. To change the amount of disk space allocated to page files, go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Options > Change. Now you will see the drives in your computer and the current disk space allocated for page file on each drive. To change the size, select the drive and, in the blank field below, specify the initial and maximum size in MB. Finally click on Set. Click on OK and restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Unable to uninstall MSN Messenger

To remove MSN Messenger in Windows XP, you have to locate the SYSOC.INF file, located in the \Windows\INF folder-this is a hidden file and folder. Open it in Notepad and locate the line 'msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7'. Remove the word 'hide' from the line and save the file. After making the necessary changes, you'll be able to see MSN Messenger in the Add/Remove Windows components list. You can then remove it for good.

Using OnScreen Keyboard

An onscreen keyboard is in-built in Windows XP. It can be useful if you are using a tablet PC or if your keyboard goes on the blink. To access the keyboard, go to Start > Run, type OK and press [Enter]. The keyboard opens up on your computer screen, featuring three typing modes that you can use to type data:
Clicking mode: you click the on-screen keys.
Scanning mode: you press a hot key, or use a switch-input device, to type highlighted characters.
Hovering mode: you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key, which is then typed.

Speeding up network browsing

A bug in Windows 2000, causes the scheduled tasks folder to be searched, whenever the user browses network drives. While Microsoft has developed a fix for this bug, the fix slows down the browsing of Microsoft networks. In order to fix this problem, go to Start > Run,type in regedit and press [Enter]. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace. Then find a key named {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}. Right-click on it and delete it. Restart the computer. Now you will be able to browse the network a lot faster.

Switching users

Windows XP allows you to switch users, without actually quitting programs and logging off. To make use of this, go to Start > Log off. You will be greeted with an option of 'switching user' wherein another user can log on without you having to quit your programs.

Speedup the Start menu

The Start menu takes quite a while to display the list of programs installed. In order to get Windows XP to display the list faster, you will have to edit the registry settings. To speed up your Start menu, go to Start > Run and type regedit. This will open the registry window. Then navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Scroll down in the right panel and double-click on 'menushowdelay'. In the Value Data box, change the default value for the menu speed from 400 to a lesser number, such as 1 or even 0. Click OK. You should now find a significant increase in the Start menu speed.Note: Remember to back up your registry before making any changes.

Clearing Document list

The Start menu, in Windows XP, has been completely revamped and made extremely customisable. If you want the Start menu to display only certain applications, right click in an empty section of the Start menu's left column and select Properties > Start menu > Customise. Then, go to the General tab, click on Clear List, and set the counter to zero. Now no one can keep track of the programs or applications you've recently used.

Disabling error reporting

Windows XP, like Windows 2000, provides a report of errors that are generated during a session. In order to disable it, right-click on the My Computer icon, go to Properties, and click on the Advanced tab. At the bottom of this tab, you will find the 'Error reporting' option. Click it and you will get an option to enable or disable it. Click Disable and you are done.

Bridging connections

If you'd like to connect two or more computers via a LAN, then you should utilise the Network Bridge option, provided in Windows XP. There is no configuration required, and you do not need to purchase additional hardware, such as routers or bridges. IP addressing, address allocation, and name resolution, are highly simplified in a single subnet IP network. To use this feature you will have to open Network Connections. Under LAN or High-Speed Internet, select each of the private network connections that you want to be part of the bridge. Right-click one of the highlighted private network connections and click Bridge Connections.

Modifying visual settings

If you have only 128 MB RAM, your machine might be a bit sluggish after installing Windows XP. So to achieve optimal performance without buying additional RAM, disable certain visual settings and free up some precious memory.
Go to the Control Panel > system > Advanced, and click on the Settings button under Performance. Change various graphical effects, and ensure that the animation and shadow options are unchecked, as they tend to consume a lot of memory. You should get a better response from your operating system, without spending any money on RAM.

Group Policy Editor

In Windows XP Professional, there is a utility that allows you to change almost every setting of the OS, without having to manually edit the registry.
In order to access the program, go to Start > Run and type gpedit.msc and press [Enter]. Now you can navigate and change the options as you wish. We have some examples here, but you can also try changing other settings.

How To Enable HibernationUnder in XP

In Windows 98, Me, or 2000 there was an option in the shutdown dialog box to enter the computer into hibernation (where all the content of the RAM is copied to the hard disk). The shutdown dialog box of Windows XP doesn't offer any longer the hibernation button. Some users may get confused about how to enable the hibernation mode. If this mode is supported by your motherboard (ACPI) you have to do the following:
Click Start and Shut Down,
Point the standby button and maintain the shift key pressed
A new hibernation button appears: click it while still holding the shift key: Now your PC will hibernate.

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

This article explains how to take a file or folder ownership in a Windows XP PC.

Visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421