Windows XP Timesaving Techniques for Dummies

Team DDU......Page 1
Table of Contents......Page 12
Introduction......Page 20
Part I: No-Bull Installation and Setup......Page 26
Technique 1: Getting the Latest Version of Windows......Page 28
Technique 2: Running the Activation Gauntlet......Page 44
Technique 3: Retrieving Your Product Key......Page 50
Technique 4: Installing a Legal Copy of Windows XP over a Bootleg......Page 55
Part II: Making Windows Lean and Clean......Page 60
Technique 5: Making Windows Work Faster......Page 62
Technique 6: Shut Down, Restart, and Switch Users Quickly......Page 76
Technique 7: Saving Time (And Your Eyes) On-Screen......Page 80
Technique 8: Stopping a Thief with Your Welcome Screen......Page 91
Technique 9: Rapid Power Passwords......Page 99
Technique 10: Windows Power Management......Page 108
Technique 11: Keeping Programs from Starting Automatically......Page 113
Technique 12: Removing and Reinstalling Programs......Page 121
Part III: Convincing Windows to Work Your Way......Page 130
Technique 13: Streamlining the Start Menu......Page 132
Technique 14: Building a Power Desktop......Page 145
Technique 15: Tricking Out the Taskbar......Page 159
Technique 16: Launching Your Most-Used Programs Quickly......Page 166
Technique 17: Making Programs Run Your Way......Page 172
Technique 18: Using Built-In Keyboard Shortcuts......Page 177
Technique 19: Making Your Own Keyboard Shortcuts......Page 182
Technique 20: Exploring Effectively......Page 194
Technique 21: Finding the Files You Want Fast......Page 208
Technique 22: Listing Files Quickly......Page 218
Part IV: Making the Most of Internet and E-Mail......Page 228
Technique 23: Customizing Internet Explorer......Page 230
Technique 24: Saving Time with Google......Page 248
Technique 25: Locating and Sharing Files on the Internet......Page 258
Technique 26: Keeping Messenger in Line......Page 265
Technique 27: Polyglot IMing with Trillian......Page 273
Technique 28: Streamlining Outlook Express......Page 277
Technique 29: Zapping Junk Mail......Page 287
Technique 30: Protecting Your Kids......Page 296
Part V: Optimizing Your Musical Entertainment......Page 300
Technique 31: Using Windows Media Player......Page 302
Technique 32: No-Nonsense Music Gathering......Page 308
Technique 33: Buying Music on the Web......Page 315
Technique 34: Tuning In the Radio......Page 318
Technique 35: Creating Your Own Music CDs......Page 321
Technique 36: Transferring Music to MP3 Players......Page 325
Part VI: Having Fun and Saving Time with Visual Media......Page 328
Technique 37: Taking Snapshots with a Webcam......Page 330
Technique 38: Recording Video with a Webcam......Page 334
Technique 39: Editing Your Home Movies......Page 338
Technique 40: Managing Pictures from a Digital Camera......Page 345
Technique 41: Doing More with Your Pics......Page 352
Technique 42: Decreasing Picture Download Times......Page 360
Technique 43: Printing and Posting Pictures......Page 364
Technique 44: Using a Scanner Effectively......Page 369
Part VII: Ensuring Peak Network Performance......Page 374
Technique 45: Installing a Small Network......Page 376
Technique 46: Securing Your Wireless Network......Page 386
Technique 47: Adding and Configuring a New User......Page 390
Technique 48: Sharing Drives and Folders......Page 402
Part VIII: Fast Security Techniques......Page 410
Technique 49: Protecting Your PC from Viruses While You Sleep......Page 412
Technique 50: Plugging and Unplugging Windows Firewall......Page 420
Technique 51: Building a Better Firewall......Page 428
Technique 52: Zapping Scumware......Page 436
Technique 53: Canning Adware and Obnoxious Cookies......Page 439
Technique 54: Checking Your Security Perimeter......Page 447
Part IX: Keeping Your PC Alive......Page 452
Technique 55: Updating Windows on Your Own Terms......Page 454
Technique 56: Running Disk Chores While You Sleep......Page 461
Technique 57: Keeping Your Hard Drive in Shape......Page 470
Technique 58: Updating Drivers Safely......Page 477
Technique 59: Running Periodic Maintenance......Page 485
Technique 60: Making Backups - Fast......Page 492
Technique 61: Requesting Remote Assistance......Page 501
Technique 62: Getting Help Fast......Page 506
Part X: Fast (Nearly Painless) Disaster Recovery......Page 512
Technique 63: Getting Your PC to Boot When It Doesn't Want To......Page 514
Technique 64: Restoring Your System after Calamitous Change......Page 524
Technique 65: Recovering a Lost Password......Page 529
Technique 66: Surviving the Blue Screen of Death......Page 535
Technique 67: Creating a Startup Disk......Page 540
Part XI: The Scary (Or Fun!) Stuff......Page 546
Technique 68: Changing the Registry without Getting Burned......Page 548
Technique 69: Updating Windows' Registered Owner......Page 555
Technique 70: Speeding Up Scanning for Squishable Files......Page 558
Technique 71: Using Program Compatibility Modes......Page 561
Technique 72: Fast, Easy, and Safe Online Shopping......Page 566
Index......Page 574