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How to rename the Recycle Bin in Windows XP
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published December 13, 2007
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This article tells you how to rename the Recycle Bin in Windows XP.
Adding the "Add to Quick Launch" context menu option in Windows XP
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published June 16, 2007
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As you may have known, Windows Vista includes the Add to Quick Launch option (seen when you right-click on a file), which adds a shortcut of the file to the Quick Launch folder automatically. This article describes how to implement the Add to Quick Launch feature in Windows XP.
You're not prompted to add a picture viewer when burning image files to a CD in Windows XP
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published February 9, 2007
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I have downloaded and used the CD Slide Show Generator PowerToy for years. Recently, whenever I try to write pictures to a CD, I am no longer asked to add the Picture Viewer to the CD. I have already uninstalled and reinstalled the CD Slide Show Generator PowerToy several times, but in vain.
Prevent accidental deletion of Office Setup Files when using the Disk Cleanup utility
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published February 3, 2007
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I had huge problems with Office applications on my last computer, after accidentally deleting the Office Setup Files, while using the Disk Cleanup Utility. Is there a way to permanently remove Office Setup Files as an option, on the list of things to be cleaned, so this can't happen in the future?
Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work for HTML files
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published January 25, 2007
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When I search for a specific text inside .html files, the Search Results shows only 2 files. I enter *.html for Search for files or folders named, and I typed src= for Containing text field. "Look in" shows the folder I originally selected.
Restore missing "Desktop (create shortcut)" entry to the Send To menu in Windows XP
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published January 24, 2007
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When you right click on a file system object and choose Send To, the entry Desktop (create shortcut) may be missing.
Adding a "Run as" context menu option for .CMD and .BAT files in Windows XP
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published December 13, 2006
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I am trying to use Run as... on a .CMD file using the context menu in Explorer, but I can only do that on .exe files. It was possible in Windows 2000, but since I upgraded to Windows XP that option is not available. It is possible though to do it in a Command Prompt window so the service is enabled and started. Does anyone know how to enable that in the context menu?
How to replace Windows XP Start menu Search with a third-party search tool
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published December 4, 2006
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This article tells you how to reroute the Windows XP Start menu Search link to a third-party search utility of your choice.
How to copy Mouse settings to the Logon Desktop
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published November 21, 2006
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I have changed the mouse settings for my profile to left handed, but I notice that the login screen after the machine initially boots still thinks that the mouse is right handed. Is it possible to change settings so that the initial login screen also uses left handed settings. I had a look in gpedit.msc but couldn't see anything under computer configuration that could be set. I'm using Windows XP Professional SP2.
How to remove Taskbar and Start Menu icon from My Computer
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published November 7, 2006
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I would like to remove the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties button which is displayed there along with my drives which I would like to keep. Here is a screenshot of the My Computer window.
The Copy items and the Move items dialogs open partially off the screen
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published October 27, 2006
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When you use the Copy this file or Move this file options from the Common Tasks pane, the Copy items / Move items dialog may open partially off the screen.
"Open Containing Folder" in Search for Files and Folders does not work
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published October 12, 2006
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When you perform a file search, and then click the Open Containing Folder in the context menu of the Search Results window, instead of opening the parent folder of the selected file, the Open With dialog may pop up, asking you to choose a program.
How to schedule a defrag so that it runs only when needed
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published September 10, 2006
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The command-line Defrag program (defrag.exe) supports /a switch, which can analyze the specified volume, and notifies you if defragmentation for that volume is necessary or not.
How to automate Disk Defragmenter using Task Scheduler
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published September 4, 2006
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Windows XP includes the Disk Defragmenter MMC, which helps you maintain the disk performance by defragmenting volumes that use the FAT, FAT32, or NTFS file system. However, the Defragmenter MMC, a GUI tool, cannot be used with Task Scheduler.
How to associate Notepad to open files with no extension
- By Ramesh Srinivasan
- Published August 19, 2006
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When you double click a file containing no extension, the Open With dialog opens. In the Open With dialog box, you can click the program where you want the file to open, or click Browse to locate the program that you want.

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