elwood_

Thanks for the very simple guide. Still, I need answers to my questions. Have you looked here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...n/xpusrdat.mspx ? and here: http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?m...mp;q=ntuser.dat ?

I've searched the forums and the only addon that i found was the one in the sticky addon list but it's link isnt working. Thanks

Install a fresh copy of XP with SP2 and all your hotfixes slipstreamed. Do not run any reg tweaks or nlite tweaks that alter the UI (Desktop, taskbar, explorer, some IE) in any way. Once installed configured your desktop with the icons you want and the way you want to arrange them. Set all the settings on the taskbar (this is the only way i've found to save auto-hide), set all your settings in explorer (it will remember each folders view setting), setup the way you want your start menu, it will remember default shortcuts that you delete. Start explorer and customize it like you want it, toolbar, settings, homepage, etc.. This will also save the theme that you set. I've only tried this with the "WinXP Silver" theme, i havent tried custom ones. After setting everything exactly the way you want it create a new account and completely log off of the current one you're on and on to the one you just created. Make sure you completely log out of the account you just customized or you wont be able to copy the file. After logging into the account you just created and navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\*username and copy the NTUSER.DAT file from there, i usually install on vmware player so i normally save my NTUSER.DAT on my flash drive but you can save it anywhere, as long as you can get it to your "xpcd" folder. (* the name of this folder is the name of the account that you customized the UI on) After saving the NTUSER.DAT place it in $OEM$\$Docs\Default User\ and it will copy it to your XP installation and will set all these settings for every and any account you ever create. I find this alot easier and reliable than trying to set everything with reg keys. The only problems i've had is with the Quick Launch folder being empty and not showing any shortcuts on it. To solve this, i copied my quick launch folder from a current install on my working system from "C:\Documents and Settings\*username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" then i put it in $OEM$\$Docs\Default User\ and that will copy it to your install and get quick launch going right. My Documents also reverts back on top of My Computer no matter what but you can circumvent this with this registry tweak: ;my computer first [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}] "SortOrderIndex"=dword:00000054 I believe that is it, if i forgot anything i'll edit with corrections. I hope i've explained it thoroughly enough that anyone can do this. If you have any questions, i'd be glad to try and answer them. Just remember that i'm pretty new to this and i've only been working on my uXP CD for a few days now Here's some info from MS http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...n/xpusrdat.mspx

Thanks for the reply, Pauls tweak actually worked after all since it was a formatting error at first. I found a better way to save desktop settings. I set my desktop and folder options and then saved the NTUSER.DAT as described per a post on this forum that i cannot find at the moment. Saving the NTUSER.DAT is such a better option than trying to set everything through the registry. It actually saves "auto-hide" setting on the taskbar and simple themes (XP silver), icon view, global folder settings, arrange icons by *, everything! Using this method will also apply to new users also.

This isnt working. Anyone have another key to set icon view on all explorer windows?

Thanks alot, Paul! Now anyone know if there is one to arrange icons by type?

I've searched on the forums and on google for these two and i've came up with almost nothing.. Things i am looking for is a registry key that will set explorer and all folders to "Icons View" and also another one that will arrange all icons by "Type". Dont bash me if these have been posted before, as i said, i've searched thoroughly before posting this