Windows Client OS Tips & Tricks

This page contains a collection of tweaking tips & tricks, articles and how-to guides, all related to Windows operating systems.

Further Reading:

• Windows 7

  • A Guide to Windows 7 Network and Sharing Center
  • Changes to the Security Center in Windows 7
  • Choosing the Best Storage Desination for your Windows 7 Backup
  • Creating a Virtual Machine in Virtual PC on Windows 7
  • Disabling User Account Control (UAC) in Windows 7
  • Drag and Drop to Command Prompt - It's Back in Windows 7!
  • Dual Booting Windows Vista with Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Fine Tuning Service's Startup for Speed on Windows 7
  • Get Back the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7
  • Getting Familiar with the Windows 7 Start Menu
  • Getting Started with the Windows 7 Desktop
  • How to Enable More Simultaneous Downloads in IE 8
  • How to Partition Your Hard Drive
  • How to Remove Old Device Drivers from Vista & Windows 7
  • Image-based Installations with Windows Imaging Format
  • Inside Windows 7 Security: BitLocker Drive Encryption
  • Install Virtual PC on Windows 7
  • Installing Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 7
  • Installing Windows 7 Beta
  • Installing Windows 7 in VMware Server 2.0
  • It's Official: Windows 7 Drops October 22nd!
  • Managing Multiple Remote Connections mRemote (Open-Source) Connection Manager
  • Managing Multiple Remote Desktop Connections with Windows 7 and MuRD
  • New Taskbar Features in Windows 7
  • Private Browsing with Internet Explorer 8 and Windows 7
  • Quick Guide to the New Aero Features in Windows 7
  • Quick Tip: How to Create a Network Connections Shortcut in Windows 7, Server 2008 and Vista Too!
  • Quickly Change Screen Resolution in Windows 7
  • Restoring Files with Backup and Restore in Windows 7
  • Restoring Windows 7 from a Backup System Image
  • Security Overview of Encrypting File System (EFS) in Windows 7
  • Setting up Windows Vista to multi-boot Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Speeding Up Internet Explorer 8 with Accelerators
  • Uninstalling Windows XP Mode (XPM) Beta from Windows 7
  • Upgrading Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Upgrading Windows XP Professional SP3 to Windows 7 Ultimate (beta build 7000)
  • Virtual Disk Options in Windows 7 Virtual PC
  • Windows 7 Backup & Restore - What it should have been in Vista!
  • Windows 7 Cool Feature - Problem Steps Recorder
  • Windows 7 Editions Comparison
  • Windows 7 Performance Tweaks
  • Windows 7 Release Candidate (Build 7100) - Early Details
  • Windows 7 Upgrade Paths
  • Windows Virtual PC and Win XP Mode Release Candidate
  • Working with System Image Backups in Windows 7

• Windows Vista

  • How to Hide Updates in Vista
  • Keyboard Accelerators in Windows Vista
  • Missing Drag and Drop in Vista Command Prompt
  • Tweaking Windows Vista so it can run a bit faster
  • Using Backup Status and Configuration in Vista
  • Using System Restore in Windows Vista
  • Working with the Favorite Items in Vista Explorer
  • Activate Vista Aero Interface on Windows Vista Basic Edition
  • Add "Remove Temporary Files" and "Run Disk Cleanup" to right-click menu
  • Add "Take Ownership" to right-click menu in Vista
  • Add Context Menu Search Back to Vista SP1
  • Add Desktop Icons in Windows Vista
  • Add Logo and Support Information to Vista
  • Add Missing User Properties Tabs in Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows Vista
  • Adding the Administrator's Account to the Vista Welcome Screen
  • Advanced Drag-and-Drop Techniques in Vista
  • Aero Theme is Bad, Disable It
  • An Introduction to Windows Vista Sync Center - Sync files between your laptop and desktop
  • Artificially Raise Your Windows Experience Index
  • Assigning Custom Tasks to Events in Vista
  • Automatically back up your hard drive, delete temp files, and backup a Web site using batch scripting
  • Browsing Websites and Downloading Files is Painfully Slow with Windows Vista
  • Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Tools for Vista
  • Bypass UAC using a Desktop Shortcut
  • Can I disable the Windows Mail splash screen in Windows Vista?
  • Can I hide the Security Center icon in Windows Vista?
  • Cannot Install Update for Windows Vista KB929777
  • Change a Windows XP computer name when the computer cannot boot
  • Change the Amount of Disk Space Used by System Restore in Windows Vista
  • Change the Default Boot Partition in Windows Vista
  • Change the Registered User and Company Name in Windows XP / Vista
  • Change Windows Vista Boot Screen
  • Changes in Vista Service Pack 1
  • Control Usage of Portable Devices with GFI EndPointSecurity
  • Correcting Multiple Monitor Configuration Issues in Vista
  • Create Executable Wrappers with IExpress in Windows Vista and Windows XP
  • Create Quick Launch Shortcuts to Lock, Restart, and Shutdown Computer
  • Customize Windows Vista in Two Clicks
  • Daniel Petri's MCSE and System Administrator Job Interview Questions - Part 4 - PC Technician
  • Determine the System Uptime in Windows Vista
  • Enable BitLocker Encryption on Vista
  • Enabling Telnet Client in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista
  • Error When Opening a .xnk Link with Outlook 2007
  • Error While Installing Applications in Vista (like Adobe Acrobat Reader)
  • Exclude VMware Virtual Adapters from Vista/2008 Network Awareness and Windows Firewall
  • Extend the Windows Vista Activation Period Up To 120 Days Using SLMGR.VBS
  • Free Packet Sniffers for Windows 2003/Vista/2008
  • Get the Windows Experience Index (WEI) score of a Vista Network Computer
  • Get Your Desktop Icons Back in Vista
  • Hide your Vista Computer on the Network
  • How can I add the Internet Explorer icon back to the Windows Vista desktop?
  • How can I disable the User Account Control (UAC) feature on my Windows Vista computer?
  • How can I install Windows Vista without supplying the product key?
  • How can I install Windows Vista?
  • How can I open a Command Prompt (CMD) window during the Windows Vista installation process?
  • How can I quickly add icons to the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows Vista?
  • How can I quickly copy a file or a folder's path in Windows Vista?
  • How can I quickly edit the items in the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows Vista?
  • How can I quickly open a Command Prompt on a folder in Windows Vista?
  • How can I quickly open Command Prompt (cmd) with elevated credentials in Windows Vista?
  • How can I quickly zoom on file and folder details in Windows Vista?
  • How can I run the Windows Server 2003 SP1 Adminpak.msi on Windows Vista RTM?
  • How to configure Multiple Local GPOs in Windows Vista?
  • How to disable Local GPO processing in Windows Vista?
  • How To Enable Windows Vista Aero Graphics
  • How to Partition Your Hard Drive
  • How to Quickly Analyze your Windows Server 2008 Performance Monitor Logs
  • Increase your Windows Vista Performance with the Performance & Reliability Improvements Pack
  • Install Hebrew on Windows Vista
  • Install VM Additions on Windows Vista Beta and Virtual Server R2
  • Install WAMP on Windows Vista
  • Installing Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) on Windows XP
  • Installing Remote Server Administrative Tools on Windows Vista
  • Installing Windows XP Ntbackup on Windows Vista
  • Introduction to the Windows Vista Reliability and Performance Monitor - Generate a System Health Report
  • It's Official: Windows 7 Drops October 22nd!
  • Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows Vista
  • Microsoft Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool
  • Mount ISO Files in Windows Vista
  • Mounting Vista Backups
  • MSG.EXE replaces Net Send in Windows Vista
  • Open in Regedit in IE
  • Quick Tip: How to Create a Network Connections Shortcut in Windows 7, Server 2008 and Vista Too!
  • Quickly Access your Folders in Vista
  • Quickly Turn On/Off the Aero Theme in Vista
  • Remote to a Windows Vista Machine using VNC on Windows XP
  • Restore Ntbackup Backups from Windows XP to Windows Vista
  • Setup an SSH Server in Vista
  • Understanding Multiple Local GPOs in Windows Vista
  • Using the Reliability Monitor in Windows Vista
  • Vista Blocked File Protection Control
  • Vista Command Prompt
  • What are the editions of Windows Vista?
  • What's User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista?
  • Why you should Upgrade to Windows Vista SP1
  • Windows Mobile Device Center 6 for Windows Vista
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is RTM
  • Windows Vista Windows Remote Assistance
  • Work with Vista Hibernation - Quickly  Enable Hibernation & Quickly Disable Hibernation
  • Working with Filtering and Custom Views in the Vista Event Viewer
  • Working with Vista's new Event Viewer

• Windows XP

  • Activate Windows XP
  • Change Office XP CD Key
  • Configure Recovery Console Auto Logon
  • Delete the Recovery Console
  • Deploy Windows XP through GPO
  • Disable Balloon Messages
  • Download Windows XP SP1 Deploy Tools
  • Download Windows' Missing or Corrupt Legacy DLLs
  • How can I change the volume licensing product key on a Windows XP SP1-Based Computer?
  • How can I install Windows XP Pro on my computer?
  • How to Partition Your Hard Drive
  • Install Hebrew on Windows XP
  • Install Windows 2000/XP/2003 Recovery Console
  • Install Windows XP on Large FAT32 Partitions
  • Install Windows XP Pro
  • Recovery and Troubleshooting Options in Windows XP
  • Recovery Console Access to Other Partitions
  • Safe Mode in Windows 2000/XP/2003
  • Uninstall Windows XP
  • Use OEM Version to Upgrade XP
  • What's ASR in Windows XP/2003?
  • What's System Restore in Windows XP?
  • Windows Product Activation after System Repair
• "Fix It" with Microsoft's Automated Knowledge Base Solutions
• Activate Windows XP
• Activate XP with Sysprep Installations
• Activate XP with Unattended Installations
• Add Command Prompt Here Shortcut to Windows Explorer
• Add Desktop Icons in Windows Vista
• Add Printers and Fax Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Scanners and Cameras Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Scheduled Tasks Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Spell Checking to Internet Explorer
• Add the Administrator's Account to the Welcome Screen in XP Pro
• Add Volume Control in Windows XP
• Allow More than 2 Simultaneous Downloads in IE 6
• Alternative Command Shells for Windows
• Automatic Completion with a Command Prompt
• Bypass the Welcome Screen in Windows XP Pro
• Can I quickly view other computer's Event Logs?
• Change a Windows XP computer name when the computer cannot boot
• Change BSOD Color to a Different Color
• Change Default Location of the i386 Folder
• Change Mouse Wheel Scroll Rate
• Change Office XP CD Key
• Change or Add OEM Logo and Information
• Change the Timeout for Hanged Applications
• Change to "No Sounds" Sounds Scheme by default
• Change your Microsoft Passport Password
• Changes in Default Behavior in Windows Server 2003
• Changing the Default NumLock Key State
• Close Many Applications At Once
• Configure Auto-Starting Applications
• Configure Recovery Console Auto Logon
• Configure USB Disks to be Read-Only in Windows XP SP2
• Configuring Auto Logon
• Copy User Profiles in Windows XP
• Create Local Users in Windows XP
• Create Setup Boot Disks for Windows XP
• Creating a Virtual Machine in Virtual PC on Windows 7
• Customize a New XP Installation
• Customize Command Prompt in Windows XP/2000/2003
• Customize the Places Bar in Office XP/2003
• Delay Services in Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Delete Internet Explorer Address Bar History
• Delete Temporary Internet Files
• Delete the Recycle Bin Icon from the Desktop in XP/2003
• Deploy Windows XP through GPO
• Difference between Activation and Registration
• Disable Administrative Shares
• Disable Automatic Image Resizing in IE 6
• Disable Automatic Update in Windows XP/2003
• Disable Balloon Messages
• Disable Balloon Tips in Windows XP
• Disable CD Recording Feature in Windows XP
• Disable Desktop Cleanup Wizard
• Disable Error Reporting in Windows XP/2003
• Disable Fast User Switching in XP Pro
• Disable Native Zip Support in Windows XP
• Disable Program Highlighting in Windows XP
• Disable Shared Documents Folder in Windows XP
• Disable Shutdown Event Tracker in Windows 2003
• Disable System Restore in Windows XP
• Disable the Guest account in Windows 2000
• Disable the Guest account in Windows XP
• Disable the RunAs Command
• Disable the Welcome Screen in XP Pro
• Disable Windows Messenger in Windows XP
• Disable Windows XP MSN Passport Registration Nagging
• Display Phantom Drivers in Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Download Office 2003 SP3
• Download Windows 2000 SP4 Deploy Tools
• Download Windows 2000 Sysprep
• Download Windows 2003 Deployment Kit
• Download Windows 2003 SP1 Sysprep
• Download Windows XP SP1 Deploy Tools
• Download Windows XP SP2 and Windows 2003 SP1 Deploy Tools
• Edit Registry Settings for Users Other Than Myself
• Enable CD Burning in Windows Server 2003
• Enable Compressed Folder in Windows 2000
• Enable Graphic Acceleration in Windows Server 2003
• Enable MP3 File Transfer in Windows Live Messenger
• Enable Remote Assistance in XP/2003
• Enable Remote Assistance Offering in XP/2003
• Enable Remote Desktop in XP/2003
• Enable Shutdown Event Tracker in Windows XP
• Enable Simple File Sharing in Windows XP
• Enable Sound in Windows Server 2003
• Enable Theme Support in Windows Server 2003
• Enabling More than One Remote Desktop Session on Windows XP SP3
• Error When Opening a .xnk Link with Outlook 2007
• Extract Specific Tools from Adminpak.msi
• Find your Microsoft Passport Password
• Free Notepad Replacements
• Free Tweaking Tools
• Get Back the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7
• Hardware Requirements for Windows Server 2003
• Hide a User from the Welcome Screen in Windows XP
• Hide Entries in the Boot.ini
• Hide the Windows Messenger Icon in Windows XP
• How can I change the volume licensing product key on a Windows XP SP1-Based Computer?
• How can I disable the caching of failed DNS lookups in Windows 2000/XP/2003?
• How can I disable the User Account Control (UAC) feature on my Windows Vista computer?
• How can I install Windows Vista without supplying the product key?
• How can I install Windows Vista?
• How can I install Windows XP Pro on my computer?
• How can I optimize the Windows 2000/XP/2003 virtual memory (Pagefile)?
• How can I quickly add icons to the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows Vista?
• How can I quickly copy a file or a folder's path in Windows Vista?
• How can I quickly edit the items in the Quick Launch toolbar in Windows Vista?
• How can I quickly open a Command Prompt on a folder in Windows Vista?
• How can I quickly zoom on file and folder details in Windows Vista?
• How can I retrieve my Windows 2000/XP/2003 or Office 2000/XP CD Key?
• How to Partition Your Hard Drive
• How to Slipstream Updates for Office 2007
• Image-based Installations with Windows Imaging Format
• Immediately Delete Files in Windows XP/2003
• Improve Performance on a Windows Server 2003 File Server
• Increase Broadband Connection Speed in Windows XP/2003
• Increase Hard Disk Speed in Windows XP/2003
• Increase Internet Connection Speed in Windows XP
• Info Collected by Windows Update
• Install DD_WRT Router Firmware
• Install Hebrew on Windows Vista
• Install Hebrew on Windows XP
• Install VM Additions on Windows Vista Beta and Virtual Server R2
• Install Windows 2000 after Windows XP
• Install Windows 2000/XP/2003 Recovery Console
• Install Windows 98 after Windows XP
• Install Windows XP on Large FAT32 Partitions
• Install Windows XP Pro
• Installing WSUS 3.0 on SBS 2003 SP1 or SBS R2
• It's Official: Windows 7 Drops October 22nd!
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Language Switching Tool
• Language Versions of MS Products - Hebrew
• Last Known Good in Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Make Windows XP Boot Faster
• Manage your Network with ManageNet
• Microsoft Powertoys Suit
• Minimize Outlook XP to the Tray Area
• Open E-mail Links in New IE Window
• Open Explorer in C Instead of the My Computer
• Open in Regedit in IE
• Overview of Windows Server 2003 - Data Center Edition
• Overview of Windows Server 2003 - Web Edition
• Preventing Automatic Update to IE8 with Internet Explorer 8 Blocker Toolkit
• Quick Guide to the New Aero Features in Windows 7
• Quickly Abort Shut Down Commands on Windows XP/2003
• Quickly Change Font Size in Internet Explorer
• Quickly Change the Default Logon Screen Saver in XP
• Quickly Copy Error and Display Messages
• Quickly Copy File and Folder Path in Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Quickly Copy the Title and URL of a Website
• Quickly Edit Quick Launch Icons in Windows XP/2003
• Quickly Encrypt Files by Right Clicking Them
• Quickly Reach MS Knowledge Base Articles
• Quickly Search Active Directory from the Desktop
• Quickly Search the Web
• Quickly Share Folders from Desktop
• Quickly Shut Down Computers on Network
• Recover Lost Product Keys for Windows 2000, XP, 2003 - CD-Key Recovery for Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Windows XP
• Recovery Console and Software RAID1 (Mirroring)
• REG Command in Windows XP
• Reinstall Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP
• Remove Orphaned Apps from the Add/Remove Applet in Control Panel
• Remove the Manage My Computer Context Menu from My Computer in 2000/XP/2003
• Remove Windows 2000/XP/2003 but Keep Windows 98
• Remove Windows 98 but Keep Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Rename Multiple Files At Once
• Replace Windows/MSN Messenger
• Reset Folder Views in Windows XP
• Restore Classic Search in Windows XP
• Run Active Directory Management Tools as Another User
• Run Control Panel Applets as Another User
• Run Windows Explorer as Another User
• Runas Command Failure
• Safe Mode in Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Save Settings to Administrative Tools
• SBS 2000 Installation Tips
• Send To MAPI Recipient Shortcut
• Send To Notepad Shortcut
• Server Performance Advisor (SPA) for Windows Server 2003
• Set Local User Logon Hours in Windows XP
• Shell Enhancements and other Tweaks for Windows XP/2000/2003
• Speed Up Start Menu in Windows XP
• STOP Error Message after deploying Sysprep Images
• Stop File Transfer Manager from Restarting Completed Downloads
• Summer clock in Israel for 2005
• Summer clock in Israel for 2006
• The Ultimate Guide to Hard Drive Partitioning
• Unhide Recycle Bin when Dragging and Dropping Files
• Uninstall Windows Messenger in Windows XP
• Uninstall Windows XP
• Update the Time on Windows XP
• Update Windows Messenger
• Use OEM Version to Upgrade XP
• Using ImageX for File-Based Image Deployments
• Using the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) in an Image-Based Installation
• Welcome Screen Does Not Appear in XP
• What's ASR in Windows XP/2003?
• What's Shutdown Event Tracker on Windows Server 2003?
• What's the HCL?
• What's the Recovery Console?
• What's User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista?
• What's Windows ClearType Fonts?
• What's Windows Product Activation?
• Windows 2000/XP SP Slipstreaming
• Windows Update Problems
• Windows XP Right-Click Bug
• Windows XP Search Bug
• Windows XP SP1/SP1a Deployment Info
• Windows XP Supported Upgrade Paths

Other articles might fit into the Tweaking, Installation and Security sections, so make sure you look there too.