You don’t have to keep an open and updated list of recent documentsif you don’t want to.As with other Start menu options, right-clicking the Start button and selecting Properties allows you to configure the My Recent Documents item that appears on the Start menu. You can choose to show all your recent documents or show none at all, or to manually clear the list yourself. If you want the list to be cleared automatically when you log off, you have to open the Group Policy Editor, locate the appropriate setting, and enable the option to clear the My Recent Documents history on exit. Here’s how:
1. Click Start | Run and type gpedit.msc. Click OK.
2. Under Local Computer Policy, expand User Configuration | Administrative Templates and select Start Menu And Taskbar.
3. Scroll down about halfway through the list and double-click ClearHistory Of Recently Opened Documents On Exit.
4. Select Enabled, and click OK.
You can also turn off the My Recent Documents feature permanently, which may be a better solution. If you prefer not to use the Group Policy Editor, just right-click Start, choose Properties | Customized | Advanced, and uncheck List My Most Recently Opened Documents.
Windows XP Tips:Clear My Recent Documents List on Exit
Category : Windows XP
Windows XP Tips:Get Rid of the Welcome Screen
Microsoft added the Welcome screen to make it easier for people to begin using the computer or to switch to other users. The Welcome screen lists the names of all the people who hold accounts on Windows XP. A user clicks his name, enters a password (if necessary), and starts working.
Some people want more security, though, and don’t want the account names listed on the Welcome screen. Turning off the screen is easy — if you’re the computer’s owner or hold an administrator account.
1. Click the Start button, choose Control Panel, and select User Accounts.
2. Select Change the Way Users Log on and Off.
3. Remove the check mark by Use the Welcome Screen.
The pros: Because there’s no Welcome screen with names, nobody knows who uses the computer. If lots of people are using the computer, there’s no need to crowd the Welcome screen with a bunch of names. When someone logs off,Windows XP automatically saves any work that was done, as well as the customized settings, leaving the computer ready for the next person.
The cons: Some people prefer the friendly Welcome screen and the con- venience of not having to type their name. Doing away with the Wel- come screen also does away with the possibility of a fast user switch — where one user can quickly log off so somebody else can borrow the computer for a quick e-mail check.
When waking up from the screen saver, Windows XP normally brings up the Welcome screen, forcing users to log on again. To disable this, right- click on your desktop, choose Properties, and click the Screen Saver tab. Then remove the check mark next to the words, On Resume, Dis- play Welcome Screen.
Category : Windows XP
Windows XP Tips:Set a Trap with Changed Settings
Change the keyboard layout to suit your needs and preferences, or just to play a trick on friends and family.Perhaps this doesn’t belong here, or even in this book, but if you want to have a little fun with your friends and family, especially those that use your computer without your permission, consider changing the keyboard and mouse setup to something only you understand and prefer. Here’s how. If your keyboard comes with command keys, like Favorites, Cut, Copy, Paste, Media, or other options:
1. Open TweakUI.
2. Expand Explorer.
3. Select Command Keys.
You’ll see options here for personalizing those keys. Change the Favorites button to open Solitaire, change the Lower Microphone button to open Windows Media Player, or use Mute Volume to turn up the volume instead. Chances are these little changes will help you catch that midnight snooper who has been using your computer without your authorization!
Category : Windows XP
Windows XP Tips (2)
Running Applications in Compatibility Mode
With Windows XP, you can run programs as if though they were being run under a different operating system. (This is known as "emulation".) Simply right-click a shortcut, select "Properties" and then check "Run in compatibility mode" and select the operating system you wish to make the program believe it is being run under.This fools or tricks the program into thinking you are really using a previous version of Windows, such as NT, 2000, 98, or 95. This is especially useful for certain games that won't run properly. Be careful *not* to use this with certain system utilities, such as antivirus, defrag, registry, and disk tool applications.
Lock Computer vs. Welcome Login Screen
You must go into Control Panel and open the "User Accounts" applet to change this setting. Click "Change the way users log on or off". For maximum security, uncheck the "Use the Welcome screen" option. This re-enables the use of the "Lock Computer" option from the ALT CTRL DELETE menu, but prevents multiple users from being logged on locally at a single time. This also returns to the Windows 2000 style login screen.
If you'd rather have the ability to *not* be able to use "Lock Computer" and would rather allow multiple users to logon to the computer at a single time locally, leave this setting checked and also check "Use Fast User Switching".
Looking for a Windows XP Compatible Driver?
If you can't find a driver for a hardware device under Windows XP, you can try to use a Windows 2000 compatible driver for the same hardware. Usually this tends to work, and in my experience so far, it always has. However, if you can find a driver specifically designed for use with Windows XP that is usually the best and safest option. You can also e-mail the hardware manufacturer and ask them about Windows XP compatibility and drivers.
Category : Windows XP
Windows XP Tips(1)
Customizing the Start Menu
Right click on the "Start" button and left click "Properties". From here, you can select the new Windows XP style Start Menu, or return to the Windows 2000/Millennium style one. You can also customize the two possible choices using their corresponding "Customize" buttons. This also allows you to turn on or disable cascading menus and other options that are useful, such as large or small icons and more.
Bring Back Those Desktop Icons
After you install Windows XP, you probably noticed that some of your icons from previous versions of Windows you've used are missing. Microsoft did this intentionally to help simply and reduce clutter. Of course, for some people, this isn't the best choice or the user preference. So, if you want those icons like "My Computer" and "My Network Places" back, just open Display Properties (right click Desktop Wallpaper, left click "Properties") and click the "Desktop" tab. Click the "Customize Desktop" button and on the "General" tab check the items you want.
You can also change the icons used by these desktop items in the same screen. One final tip related to this screen is the "Clean Desktop Now" button, which notifies you of unused icons on the desktop and offers to remove them if you choose.
Give Me My ClearType
Windows XP includes a great new visual technology, called "ClearType" which increases horizontal legibility by approximately 300% and it looks great. Go back into "Display Properties" [see tip: "Bring Back Those Desktop Icons" for instructions] and this time, go to the "Appearance" tab. Click "Effects" and for the second drop down box, labeled "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts", select "ClearType". Click OK twice and you're all set.
Category : Windows XP
