Posts Tagged ‘XP’

Fix Windows XP Search Companion Displaying a Blank Window

Have you come across a situation where the Windows XP Search Companion window is completely blank, except for the search dog showing up at the bottom of the search pane? You can fix this problem by registering a couple of system DLLs. (more…)

Add Enhanced Shutdown Button to the Windows XP Start Menu

We saw how to add the Lock Workstation command to the Start menu using the OEM link area in the Windows XP Start menu. Here is another registry tweak that adds an enhanced Shutdown button to the Windows XP Start menu, with additional options in the context menu. (more…)

Contact Groups Not Transferred When You Export the Address Book to a CSV File

When you export the Address Book to a .CSV file using Outlook Express, the Contact Groups data is not exported. To transfer the Contacts along with Contact Groups to another computer, use the instructions in this article. (more…)

Add “Lock Workstation” Command to the Windows XP Start Menu

To lock a Windows 2000/XP/Vista workstation, most people use the popular WinKey + L keystroke. Whereas some (mouse users) prefer a shortcut which locks the workstation using the "rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation" command. Using the registry hack in this article, you can add the Lock Workstation command to the Windows XP Start menu, just below the Run command. (more…)

Prevent Desktop Background (Wallpaper) Change When Applying a Desktop Theme

When you change the desktop theme, it changes the wallpaper, cursors other visual elements as defined in the theme file. If you want to retain the existing desktop background (wallpaper) when changing themes in Windows XP or Windows Vista, here is a registry edit. This can be useful if you want to test different themes without affecting the existing desktop background. (more…)

Restore Missing Pin to Start Menu Context Menu Option in Windows XP

The Pin to Start menu command in your right-click menu is used to add a program or its shortcut to the "Pinned Items" list in Windows XP Start menu. If this context menu option goes missing in your system, here is a simple command-line fix to restore it. (more…)

How to Extract Files From FAST Store Using Windows Easy Transfer in Vista

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (F.A.S.T) in Windows XP helps you migrate files and settings from one Windows-based computer to another Windows XP computer. In Windows Vista, there is a new tool to migrate files and settings, known as Windows Easy Transfer. Unfortunately, Windows Easy Transfer is incompatible with Files and Settings Transfer Wizard as it stores data in a different format. (more…)

How to Determine the Last Shutdown Date and Time in Windows XP/2003/Vista

The easiest way to determine the last shutdown date/time is to check the event logs. When you shutdown a computer Event ID 6006 is written to the Event log which denotes a clean shutdown. Here is a sample event. (more…)

Folder Options Missing From Tools Menu in Windows Explorer

NoFolderOptions Policy hides Folder Options from Control Panel, and the Folder Options… command under Tools menu in Windows Explorer. The Folder and Search Options command in the Organize menu (in Windows Vista) is grayed out as well. (more…)

Fix: Windows Live Photo Gallery Update 955359 Breaks Image File Associations

After installing the Update for Windows Live Photo Gallery (KB955359) to fix Quick Time Thumbnail issue in a Windows XP computer, you may be unable to open image files by double-clicking on them. However, you’re able to open/preview images in Windows Live Photo Gallery via the Open With dialog. (more…)