[Spooky]

An X-Mouse - Windows Follow Mouse, feature is something I miss in Windows. In WnXP we could enable this by using the Power Toys. The Power Toys don't seem to work to enable this feature in Vista, but you can still have this if you like by doing the below, but before proceeding remember to back up these registry entries first in case something goes wrong:

(This reg entry change not only makes the window active but makes it the forground window by bringing it foward on top of other windows when the mouse is over it.)

1. Open up Regedit and browse to [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]

2. Look for the REG_Binary key "UserPreferencesMask" in the right pane. You will see its value as a string of hex numbers. Mine was hex 98,12,03,80,10,00,00,00.

3. Next you need to add the hex value '41' to the first hex value on the left in the hex string found in step 2.
Using the hex string I have as an example: 98h + 41h = d9h. You can use the Calculator (in scientific mode) in Vista to do this simple addition. My new hex value, using my example, string now becomes d9,12,03,80,10,00,00,00

4. Next, Right click on the "UserPreferencesMask" key and choose 'Modify',then alter the original value of
"UserPreferencesMask" to your new value found in step 3.

5. Next, at the same [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] registry location right click in the right pane and choose to add a new DWORD (32-bit) value and name this value "ActiveWndTrkTimeout". Next right click on your new "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" DWORD and choose modify and put in the time (in milliseconds) that suits you for the mouse switching between windows.

6. Close Regedit and re-boot.

Now for multiple windows open on the desktop, the window the mouse pointer is on will become the active window and come to the foreground without having to click on it. You may need to play with the value for "ActiveWndTrkTimeout" a little to get it correct. These are the values (below) I used to test with and the time for the mouse to remain over a window before its bought forward is 3 seconds (3000 miliseconds). Experiment with your time and find something that suits you:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"UserPreferencesMask"=hex:d9,12,03,80,10,00,00,00
"ActiveWndTrkTimeout"=dword:00000bb8

[Spooky]

Enabling ClearType in Vista is easy, you can do it in the GUI, and besides its enabled by default anyway. However, tuning ClearType in Vista is not so easy as there is nothing exposed in the GUI for tuning. ClearType is integrated into Vista. There is , however, a way to adjust ClearType in the registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"FontSmoothing"="2"
"FontSmoothingType"=dword:00000002
"FontSmoothingGamma"=dword:000003e8
"FontSmoothingOrientation"=dword:00000001

These settings affect ClearType 'Globally' across the entire operating system. They may not, however, have much effect for HTML as seen in Internet Explorer. For Internet Explorer you may need to turn on ClearType in the settings for IE.

The "FontSmoothingType", "FontSmoothingGamma", "FontSmoothing", and "FontSmoothingOrientation" items already exist in the registry. The settings for each important item for ClearType activation and tuning are:

"FontSmoothingType" - a DWORD value: 1 = ClearType is not used for the font smoothing, standard font smoothing is used instead - 2 = ClearType is used for font smoothing. (setting to '2' also enables ClearType)

"FontSmoothing" - a DWORD value : 1 = use font smoothing, 2 = use ClearType font smoothing. This is a REG_SZ value, not a dword. This is different from "FontSmoothingType" and is not a switch to help turn on ClearType to begin with. This tells the font smoothing to use AFTER ClearType is enabled.

"FontSmoothingGamma" - a DWORD value: Perhaps the most important setting for ClearType. Range is 1000 to 2200 (integer). Setting to 1000 (the default) produces the most readable text for most people (its the darkest against a white background with a black font). 2200 gives the lighest text. You may be able to go below the 1000 value, I haven't tried that yet since the official lower limit is 1000.

"FontSmoothingOrientation" : This is a hard one to figure out. It seems basically to determine if the display will use RGB, BRG, or a flat pixel structure. Most LCD screens are RGB so play with this one a little if your using a LCD display. The values for this dword are 0, 1, or 2. These values for "FontSmoothingOrientation" and what each does is represented below:

Flat = 0 - The display device has no pixel structure. This means that light sources for each color are spread equally on the pixel area—this is referred to as gray scale rendering. This is how a standard display device works. ClearType is never applied to the rendered text.

RGB = 1 - The display device has pixels that consist of three stripes in the following order: red, green, and blue. ClearType is applied to the rendered text.

BGR = 2 - The display device has pixels that consist of three stripes in the following order: blue, green, and red. ClearType is applied to the rendered text.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 18 November 2006 - 05:54 PM

[MGadAllah]

System Related
Logging on as Local Administrator If you are having trouble logging on as the built-in Administrator account under 5308, you will need to make some registry modifications to display the Administrator account.

• Log in using the account you created during the Windows Vista setup process.
  
• From the Start menu, click All Programs and then expand Accessories.
  
• Right click on "Command Prompt" and click "Run as Administrator".
  
• Click on "Allow" from the Windows Security dialog.
  
• In the Command Prompt window, type "regedit" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
  
• In the Registry Editor, browse to

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  

  
  
• Add a new key called "SpecialAccounts" (without the quotes).
  
• In the "SpecialAccounts" key you just made, create a sub-key called "UserList" (without the quotes)
  
• Make sure you are navigated to

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList
  

  
  
• In the "UserList" key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) item and name it Administrator.
  
• Double click on the new DWORD item and set its value to 1.
  
• Close Registry Editor and the Command Prompt.

Increase Performance

The February CTP is quick right from installation, however there is one bug that causes a slow down with the user interface. This bug involves the sliding buttons on the taskbar; by disabling this, performance increases a bit. It's really up to you, but the bug can be very annoying at times. To disable it, just carry out the following actions:

• Press WinKey+R and type in "sysdm.cpl" (without the quotes).
  
• Click the Advanced tab, and then under "Performance" click "Settings".
  
• In the Visual Effects tab, uncheck "Slide taskbar buttons".
  
• Press OK and close the Performance Options dialog.

I have also compiled a registry file that changes a few key settings involving the timings for menus, hover events, etc, which makes the Windows interface more responsive. You can download that here. This was tested and is fully working without any issues, and have also been scanned for viruses.

Also, if you are running this build with an NVIDIA WDDM supported graphics card, you may want to install the latest drivers, this should fix some of the weird issues and lag with the Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and the Aero user interface enabled.

Disable DEP / NoExecute Protection to fix Random Windows Explorer crashes

Due to the way Windows Vista's boot editor has been created, it is now harder to disable DEP / No Execute Protection. However, after some amount of research, it would seem that some of the random Windows Explorer crashes that users are experiencing is caused by this technology. You will need to disable it and reboot, which should cure some of the crashes:

• Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, right click on "Command Prompt", and click "Run as administrator".
  
• If asked for permission to run Windows Command Processor, click on Allow.
  
• At the command prompt, type in "bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff" (without the quotes).
  
• You should receive a message saying "Operation Completed Successfully".
  
• Restart the computer, DEP / No Execute should now be disabled.

Prevent network flooding and connection drops

The new networking stack contained in Windows Vista February CTP, and as with anything new (and still in beta), it has some issues. This build seems to like dropping connections and in rare cases, blocking all traffic on wireless routers, requiring a restart of the router itself. To fix these problems, complete the following instructions:

WARNING: Please note that this will disable IPv6 connectivity as well as the Windows Firewall security, and is not recommended unless you are experiencing these issues. This will also invalidate any network related bug reports you file against Windows Vista.

• Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  
• LUnder "Network and Internet", click on "View network status and tasks".
  
• In the left hand pane, click on "Open connections".
  
• Right click on your network connection (for example: Local Area Connection 3), and then click "Configure".
  
• If asked for permission to open Network Connections, click on Allow.
  
• Highlight the following items and press the "Uninstall" button:
  Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver
  Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder
  
  
• Uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)"
  
• Next, click on the "Configure" button under the name of your network adapter.
  
• Click on the Power Management tab.
  
• Disable all power management items listed on the Power Management tab.
  
• Press OK.

To stop Windows Vista from flooding your network with traffic:

• Press WinKey+R.
  
• Type "services.msc" (without the quotes)
  
• If asked for permission to open "Microsoft Management Console", click Allow.
  
• Double click on each one of the following services and change its startup type to "Disabled".
  Base Filtering Engine
  IKE and AuthIP Keying Modules
  IP Helper Service
  IPSec
  Windows Firewall

Close the Services window and restart Windows.

Disable System Restore

In Build 5308, the System Restore service is one cause of performance issues. For some people, it doesn't even work. So to remedy this, we will need to shut down System Restore and stop it from running:

• Click on the "Start" button.
  
• Hover over "Computer", right click on it and then click "Properties".
  
• On the left hand side, click "Advanced Settings".
  
• If asked to permit the action, click on "Allow".
  
• Click on the "System Protection" tab.
  
• Uncheck any checkboxes listed for your hard drives.
  
• Press OK.

Forcing Glass on Non-WDDM Compatible Cards

WARNING: This tweak may cause a blue screen loop or constant flicker depending on your video card. Use with extreme caution, this tweak is really only here for documentary purposes only.

• From the Start menu, click All Programs and then expand Accessories.
  
• Right click on "Command Prompt" and click "Run as Administrator".
  
• Click on "Allow" from the Windows Security dialog.
  
• In the Command Prompt window, type "regedit" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
  
• Navigate to

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
  

  (if this key doesn't exist, create it)
  
• Create a new DWORD (32-bit value) of UseMachineCheck, and set its value to 0.

Disable User Account Protection (UAP)

Once you have installed the February CTP and set up an every day user account, one of the first things you will notice is that you have almost no rights to do anything administrator related on your system. Disabling this is purely up to you but if you find UAP is getting in your way, or some applications refuse to run because of it, you may want to take a look at this. Here are the instructions:
NOTE: You should be logged in as Administrator to do this, or you could run the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) elevated.

• Press WinKey (the flag key on your keyboard) + R and type "secpol.msc". (Without the quotes). If asked to permit Microsoft Management Console to run, allow it.
  
• In the Local Security Settings window, in the left hand pane, navigate to "Security Settings, Local Policies, Security Options".
  
• In the pane to the right, scroll all the way to the bottom.
  
• Set the first two User Account Protection items to "No Prompt", and "Disabled" on the remaining three items.
  
• Close the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), and if you are asked to save the settings for "Console1", press "No".
  
• Reboot or log off and log back in to enforce the new settings; or alternatively open an elevated Command Prompt and type "gpupdate /force" (without the quotes), and then press Enter.

Alternatively, you can also do this to disable UAP:

• Press WinKey+R on your keyboard.
  
• Paste the following into the Run box, including the quotation marks:

  "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k %windir%\System32\reg.exe ADD
  

  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v  EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f"
  

  
  
• Press Enter. If asked for permission to perform this action, click "Allow".
  
• Reboot the system.

To renable UAP after applying this method:

• Press WinKey+R on your keyboard.
  
• Paste the following into the Run box, including the quotation marks:

  "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k %windir%\System32\reg.exe ADD
  

  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v  EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f"
  

  
  
• Press Enter.
  
• Reboot the system.

Shell Related

Turn on the sidebar

The long awaited Windows Sidebar, which first debuted back in the Longhorn alpha builds but was removed and remade into a seperate project has finally made its way back into Windows Vista. However, it is tucked away in 5308. To start it:

• Click Start, and hover over All Programs.
  
• Navigate to the Accessories folder.
  
• Click "Sidebar".

Bring back "Run" on the Start menu

One of the most favorite functions in Windows, the "Run" function, has been moved off of the Start menu by default in Windows Vista. To access it, you could press WinKey+R on your keyboard to bring it up. Or you can use the Search functionality built into the Start menu, it also works as the run command. Or, last but not least, you could just put the Run command back on the Start menu where it has lived for years:

• Right click on the Start button, and click "Properties".
  
• In the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" dialog, click "Customize".
  
• Scroll down and in the list you shall find "Run command". Check the box next to it.
  
• Close any open dialogs by pressing OK.

Toggle DWM

If you find the Aero Glass user interface annoying, or if it is slow on your computer configuration, simply press Ctrl+Shift+F9 to turn it off. Press this key combination again to re-enable it.

Use the Search box in Windows Explorer to filter a file view

Did you know you can easily filter the list of documents and folders in a folder using the Search field in Windows Explorer? For instance if you have a folder containing a lot of folders and documents and you are specifically looking for "Vista", all you need to do is type "Vista", or even just part of the word, such as "Vis" to limit the list of files shown.

Use Flip3D
In build 5270, Microsoft had added a quick launch button to run "Flip3D", the cool new task switching mode in Windows Vista. In the February CTP however, this quick launch item has been removed. If you've forgotten the key combination to run Flip3D, it is currently WinKey+Tab. If you want to run Flip3D without it closing when you let go of the key combination, press Ctrl+WinKey+Tab.

Limit the number of windows shown in Flip3D

If Flip3D is too slow for you or if you have too many windows open, you can easily limit the number of windows displayed in Flip3D. As you tab or scroll through them, other windows will appear.

• Press WinKey+R on your keyboard.
  
• Type "regedit.exe" without the quotes.
  
• If asked for permission to launch the Registry Editor, click Allow.
  
• Navigate to

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
  

  
  
• Right click on the right hand side of the registry editor, and under New, click on "DWORD (32-bit)".
  
• Name the new DWORD value "Max3DWindows" (without the quotes)
  
• Double click on the DWORD value and set it to the maximum number of windows you want displayed in Flip3D. A good number is 5 for low-end cards and 10 for other cards.
  
• Click OK and exit the Registry Editor.
  
• Press Ctrl+Shift+F9 to shut down DWM, and then press the key combination again to restart it.
  
• Press WinKey+Tab to display Flip3D.

Workaround for the dissapearing start button after using Flip3D

If you use the Flip3D function in Windows Vista February CTP, you may notice that when you return from the Flip3D display screen that the blue start button in the left hand corner is missing. To fix this, simply restart DWM by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F9 twice.

Add another time zone to your clock

One nice addition to Windows Vista is the ability to display the time in other time zones.

• Click on the clock.
  
• Click "Date and Time Settings".
  
• Click on the "Additional Clocks" tab.
  
• Check the box labelled "Additional Clock #1″, and from the drop down menu choose a time zone.
  
• Give the clock a name, such as "Microsoft" or "Texas".
  
• Press OK.

You can repeat this for the second additional clock as well.




Windows Explorer

To prevent the Search box from searching sub-folders:

In the February CTP, the Search functionality has changed yet again. This time, when you type something into the search box, it will also search all sub-folders of the current folder. To disable this:

• Press WinKey+R on your keyboard.
  
• Type "control folders", and press OK.
  
• When asked for permission to run "Run a DLL as an App", press Allow.
  
• Click the "View" tab.
  
• Uncheck "Search subfolders when typing in the Search box".
  
• Press OK.

To add a location to the Places bar (left hand pane in Windows Explorer)

In Windows Vista, there is a new pane on the left hand side of Windows Explorer which contains links to items you wish to access quickly. It works a bit like the left hand pane in the Mac OS X 10.3+ Finder. In previous builds, you could not really customize the Places bar but now you can! Simply drag and drop a folder onto the plane, and voila!

Display Windows Explorer Classic Menus

If you are a frequent user of the menu in Windows Explorer, you may have a bit of a hard time adjusting to Windows Vista's new Windows Explorer window style, which doesn't include the menu.

There are two ways to bring it back, one is temporary and the other is more permenant:
If you want to view the menu but not have it always displayed, simply press the Alt key. The menu will fade into view.

If you want the menu to always be turned on, click the first button on Layout configuration button (first button on the top most bar in Windows Explorer). From the drop down list, check "Classic Menus".

Folders List Returns!
If you want to view a tree-view of your hard drive and navigational path, simply click on the arrow next to the "Folders" bar in Windows Explorer, located on the Places bar.

Windows Mail

Disable the Windows Mail Splash Screen

Using Windows Mail? If the splash screen is displayed too long for your liking or if you just want to get rid of it, this is the trick for you.

• Press WinKey+R.
  
• Type "regedit.exe" without the quotes.
  
• If you are asked for permission to run the Registry Editor, click on Allow.
  
• Navigate to

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail
  

  
  
• Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called "NoSplash".
  
• Double click on the "NoSplash" DWORD you just created and set its value to 1.
  
• Press OK and close the registry editor.

Bring back the Outlook Bar in Windows Mail

If you are an avid fan of the Outlook Bar in Microsoft Outlook and the previous Outlook Express, then this tweak is definately for you!

• Press WinKey+R.
  
• Type "regedit.exe" without the quotes.
  
• If you are asked for permission to run the Registry Editor, click on Allow.
  
• Navigate to

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail
  

  
  
• Look for the DWORD (32-bit) item with the name of "Show Legacy Outlook Bar", if it doesn't exist, create it.
  
• Double click on this value and set the value to 1.
  
• Press OK and close the registry editor.

Start Windows Mail. You should now see the Outlook Bar on the left-hand side.

<a name="ie7">Internet Explorer 7

User Agent String

If you are having issues with certain websites (especially banking and other secure websites), you might want to try this out. It fools the websites into thinking you are running Internet Explorer 6.0.
Copy and paste the following code into Notepad, and save it to your desktop as IE7UserAgent.REG.
Double-click the file to merge it into the Windows Registry, and then restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect. If UAP is turned on, permit the operation to take place.

If you are having issues with certain websites (especially banking and other secure websites), you might want to try this out. It fools the websites into thinking you are running Internet Explorer 6.0.Copy and paste the following code into Notepad, and save it to your desktop as IE7UserAgent.REG.Double-click the file to merge it into the Windows Registry, and then restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect. If UAP is turned on, permit the operation to take place.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent]
  "Version"="MSIE 6.0"
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\User Agent\Post Platform]
  "SV1″=-

You can easily undo this change by copying and pasting the following code into Notepad, and then saving it as IE7Undo.reg and merge it into the Windows Registry. If UAP is turned on, permit the operation to take place.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent]
  "Version"=-
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\User Agent\Post Platform]
  "SV1″=""

You can test these changes using a simple page that checks the User Agent. We recommend: http://www.fiddlerto.../useragent.aspx.

The Favorites Center

In Internet Explorer 7, the older style Explorer bars have been replaced and the menus have been hidden by default. "What happened to my favorites, then?" you may wonder. Simple. You will notice a round orange circle with a white star in the center of it. Click on it, and all of your favorites will appear. You will also find your subscribed feeds and history are available from the Favorites Center as well. To close the Favorites Center quickly just press Esc on your keyboard.

Zoom

In previous versions of Internet Explorer, you could use Ctrl+-, Ctrl++, or Ctrl+Scroll Wheel to change the zoom and text size of a page. In Internet Explorer 7, there is a new zoom function which not only allows you to zoom text, it also zooms everything else on the page; making pages, images, and items larger for those with sight problems. To use this feature, locate the little magnifying glass in the bottom right hand corner of the Internet Explorer status bar. Click on it, and select a zoom percentage.

Quick Tabs

Internet Explorer comes with a new feature known as Tabs. Other browsers have had this for a while, such as Mozilla Firefox, and now it is time for Internet Explorer to catch up. When you have multiple tabs open, instead of clicking through each tab to see what it contains, you can use Quick Tabs. To do this, you can either press the Quick Tabs button next to the Favorites Center & Add Favorite buttons, or you can press Ctrl+Q.

Printing from a USB Printer

In this build, there is a known issue that causes printing with Internet Explorer to fail when attempting to use a USB Printer. To resolve this, click Start, All Programs, right click on Internet Explorer, and then click "Run as administrator". When asked for permission to run Internet Explorer, click on Allow. Then print as you normally would.




from here
http://www.tweakvista.com/

Windows Vista: Customize the User Interface tweaks
Disable pop-up balloon tips
Enable New Boot screen in Vista Beta 2
Enable New Vista Aero Cursors
Enable Vista Glass look on Unsupported Video Cards
Fix Windows Vista Fonts
Force Vista Glass on Compatible Hardware
Kill Security Center Notifications
Show Run Command on Start Menu
Slow Motion Aero Animations on Demand
Tweak your glass window borders

Windows Vista: Usability Tips
Checkbox Select Alternative
Install Vista without product key
Launch Flip 3D Alt+Tab Replacement
Make NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices work in Vista
Missing the old File, Edit, View menu bar?
Run as administrator start menu keyboard trick
Stop autostart applications
Wireless Network Search Refresh

Windows Vista: Performance Tweaks
Disable Network Printer Search
Disable Welcome Center
Speed up Start Menu Search
Vista Beta 1 Service Guide: Part 1
Vista Beta 1 Service Guide: Part 2

Windows Vista: Software Tweaks
Add search providers to Internet Explorer 7
Create a Shortcut for Flip 3D
Enable Add-ins in Windows Live Messenger
Enable Vista Glass on Intel GMA 950 Graphics Cards
Internet Explorer 7 keyboard shortcuts
Internet Explorer 7 Privacy Tip
Internet Explorer 7 Quick reference Sheet
Internet Explorer 7 User Agent tweaking tool
Remove Windows Mail splash screen
Resize Partitions with Vista Disk Management

Windows Vista: Security Tweaks
Start Menu Privacy Tweaks
Tweak User Account Protection

Windows Vista: Links
Learn How To Add Glass to your Applications
Official Windows Vista website
Vista Blogs
Windows Vista Development Site
Windows Vista Logos
Windows Vista UX Guidelines

from here
http://www.tweakvista.com/ check for updates

===
EnJOY

[Spooky]

You can add the 'Move To Folder' and 'Copy To Folder' right click context menu items in Vista by creating the below registry entries:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;add 'Copy to Folder' to right click context
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}]

;add 'Move to Folder' to right click context
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}]

Open up Notepad and paste the above, save it as move_copy_folder.reg (or any name you choose), then right click on the file and choose Merge.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 18 November 2006 - 02:47 PM

[Spooky]

I use the heck out of Notepad. Sometimes its handy to have it open a file thats not normally associated with Notepad but can be read by Notepad. To make this more handy for me I add a right click context menu to Vista so that an 'Open with Notepad' context menu item appears if I right click on any file. I use the below reg entries to accomplish this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; add open with notepad to right context
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Notepad]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Notepad\command]
@="notepad.exe %1"

Open up Notepad and paste the above, save it as notepad_right_click.reg (or any name you choose), then right click on the file and choose Merge.

(CAUTION: This reg tweak may create a conflict with Office if its installed. This reg tweak may also increase the computer shutdown time on some systems. In case of conflict the wise thing to do, as with any tweak, is remove this tweak and not try to work around it)

This post has been edited by Spooky: 18 November 2006 - 07:10 PM

[Spooky]

I use Notepad a lot, I generally use a certain type of font or something as the default for Notepad. One thing I do like is being able to set the settings I want to have Notepad use, and having Notepad ready to go for me after I finish a customized un-attended install because I already know that NotePad doesn't normally save settings between use like I want it to. To do this I use the below reg key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Notepad]

In this key you can find a bunch of things that you can modify for defaults for Notepad, these are (defaults shown):

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Notepad]
"lfEscapement"=dword:00000000
"lfOrientation"=dword:00000000
"lfWeight"=dword:00000190
"lfItalic"=dword:00000000
"lfUnderline"=dword:00000000
"lfStrikeOut"=dword:00000000
"lfCharSet"=dword:00000000
"lfOutPrecision"=dword:00000003
"lfClipPrecision"=dword:00000002
"lfQuality"=dword:00000001
"lfPitchAndFamily"=dword:00000031
"iPointSize"=dword:00000064
"fWrap"=dword:00000001
"StatusBar"=dword:00000000
"fSaveWindowPositions"=dword:00000000
"lfFaceName"="Lucida Console"
"szHeader"="&f"
"szTrailer"="Page &p"
"iMarginTop"=dword:000003e8
"iMarginBottom"=dword:000003e8
"iMarginLeft"=dword:000002ee
"iMarginRight"=dword:000002ee
"fMLE_is_broken"=dword:00000000
"iWindowPosX"=dword:00000041
"iWindowPosY"=dword:00000097
"iWindowPosDX"=dword:000003bd
"iWindowPosDY"=dword:00000217

All of these can be modified to set the indicated attribute for NotePad. Sometimes you need to add an item that doesn't exist in the registry, lets say for example your working with a bunch of text files and you want Notepad to use the very last settings (font, etc...) you used when you open up the next file and you also want the next files to always open at the same position on your desktop, then do this by adding a DWORD called '"fSavePageSettings" and set its value to '1' to enable and enable the existing "fSaveWindowPositions" by making its value a '1' like the below:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Notepad]
"fSaveWindowPositions"=dword:00000001
"fSavePageSettings"=dword:00000001

There ya go...now go forth and tweak

This post has been edited by Spooky: 18 November 2006 - 05:58 PM

[Spooky]

I like having most of my own stuff set up correctly when my un-attended installs complete, with Vista its no different. One thing I do like is to have the command prompt text as another color instead of the default white color. yes, I know you can further customize the command prompt and make the text color anything you like from within Vista, but if you want it to be set up during your un-attended install you'll need to resort to using the below reg entry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor] 
"DefaultColor"=dword:0000000a

The above reg entry example uses the color green. You can make it any of several colors, where the value for the 'DefaultColor' is equal to one of the below:

Color codes to use(HEX)
0 = black
1 = blue
2 = green
3 = cyan
4 = red
5 = magenta
6 = yellow/brown
7 = white
8 = gray
9 = bright blue
A = bright green
B = bright cyan
C = bright red
D = bright magenta
E = bright yellow
F = bright white

[Spooky]

I normally don't recommend anyone bypass the logon procedure from a security standpoint, but there are times when an auto-logon makes people happy. Someone asked me for this so might as well share it, after all its not a secret and is becoming one of the most asked for items. Here is how to enable Auto-Logon for Vista:

1. Click the Start button, type 'netplwiz' and hit enter or click that name on the Start menu.

2. In the GUI window that comes up uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer' box, then click 'Apply'

3. In the new dialog box that opens type the name of the account you want to auto-logon by default. If the account is not normally passworded then leave the password blank, if the account is passworded then enter the password where indicated. Click OK your way out of both dialogs.

The account must already exist before you do this. I do not recommend that you create accounts without passwords. I do not recommend that you auto-logon your 'Administrator' account, use another account name with some admin privilages if you need to. Use this at your own risk, I do not accept any responsibility for anything that happens as a result of you using this.

If someone hacks your computer as a result of you following these instructions, I don't want to hear a word about "Spooky said to do this so its his fault"

[Spooky]

Exporting your email from Outlook Express in WinXP and then importing it into Windows Mail in Vista can be confusing and full of frustration. Sure, there is an Export feature in Outlook Express and an Import feature in Windows Mail, but some may not get the expected results at times. This method assumes a clean install of Vista. Here is a fail proof method for saving all your email from Outlook Express in WinXP and getting it back into Windows Mail in Vista for any reasonable sceinario.

(this is not the only method to migrate your email from Outlook Express to Windows Mail, but this method is fail safe all the time)

1. First, In WinXP open up Windows Explorer and browse to:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{*your identity number here*}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

2. Right click on the 'Outlook Express' folder and choose copy (DO NOT CHOOSE CUT AS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN IF SOMETHING DOESN'T GO RIGHT).

3. Now paste that folder some where else. Now after the paste you have a few options for saving this folder. If you have another drive that is not going to be the install drive then paste it there. If your not that lucky to have an additional drive and everything will be lost when you reformat the drive you have to remove XP from and install Vista on then burn the folder to a CD for use later.

4. After this folder is saved to a safe place go ahead and install Vista.

5. After the Vista install is complete, set up Windows Mail with your accounts and stuff.

6. After Windows Mail is prepared, start it up and click on the 'File' menu item and choose 'Import'. Then choose 'Outlook Express 6' messages, point the import wizard to the place where you stored the Outlook Express folder from steps 1 - 3 above and select the 'Oulook Express' folder, choose next and your messages will be imported into Windows Mail intact.

7. Then simply sort out the folders in Windows Mail and your all done.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 20 November 2006 - 10:42 AM

[Spooky]

If there is a file or folder in Vista that you can not take ownership of within Vista then try the Takeown utility in a command prompt. Simply open a command prompt and type Takeown/? for details

This post has been edited by Spooky: 19 November 2006 - 11:41 AM

[Spooky]

For un-attended installs If you want to change the default true type fonts used in Vista to ones you like its easy to do via the registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"MS Shell Dlg 2"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"MS Shell Dlg"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Helv"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"MS Sans Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"MS Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"MS Sans Serif"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"System"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Microsoft Sans Serif"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Tahoma"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"MS Serif"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Times New Roman"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Times"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Small Fonts"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Tms Rmn"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Arial"="*FONT NAME HERE*"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Arial (TrueType)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"
"Arial Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuii.ttf"
"Arial Bold (TrueType)"="segoeuib.ttf"
"Arial Bold Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuiz.ttf"
"Times New Roman (TrueType)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"
"Times New Roman Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuii.ttf"
"Times New Roman Bold (TrueType)"="segoeuib.ttf"
"Times New Roman Bold Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuiz.ttf"
"Tahoma (TrueType)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"
"Tahoma Bold (TrueType)"="segoeuib.ttf"
"Microsoft Sans Serif (TrueType)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"
"MS Sans Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24 (VGA res)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"
"MS Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24 (VGA res)"="*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache]
"@themeui.dll,-2037"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"
"@themeui.dll,-2038"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"
"@themeui.dll,-2039"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"
"@themeui.dll,-2040"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"
"@themeui.dll,-2041"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"
"@themeui.dll,-2042"="{*FONT NAME HERE*, 8 pt}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontMapper\FamilyDefaults]
"Swiss"="*FONT NAME HERE*"
"Roman"="*FONT NAME HERE*"

Where;

*FONT NAME HERE* = the name of the true type font
*FONT FILE NAME HERE.ttf* = the actual file name of the true type font.
8 pt = represents the default size you want the font to be.

Copy and paste the above code into a text file, modify it for the needed information, and save the file as change_fonts.reg (or any name you choose) then right click on the file and choose Merge.

As always, remember to back up the registry keys first before making any changes in case something goes wrong.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 21 November 2006 - 03:23 PM

[Spooky]

Regarding registration info for Vista; When you install Vista there really isn't a way to get your full name and organization into the OS. Some companies use this information to fill the fields on installing software that needs a name and organization to register with. You can set this information in the Registry if you need to at:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]

The keys you want to modify are the RegisteredOwner and RegisteredOrganization keys.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 20 November 2006 - 10:45 AM

[Spooky]

Folder views all messed up in Vista and folder view is stuck in Music View, or some other type of content, at the root of the Vista install drive? And of course since its at the root of the Vista drive you can't customize and resetting the folder doesn't work? Can be frustrating, but its a common issue with some systems. Fortunately, it may be pretty easy to fix with just a little registry 'magic'.

This happens because Vista modifies the registry key "SniffedFolderType" value located in the registry at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\XX\Shell

(where XX is some number). Vista sets this key because it "thinks" it knows what content type is in the folder. Just changing the key "SniffedFolderType" doesn't correct the problem.

To fix the problem; Close all occurances of Explorer (and the My Computer thing). Then open up Regedit and delete the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

Close regedit and open up explorer again, and there you have it - your no longer stuck in Music View.

The down side to this fix is you'll lose all folder customizations you've made so far also, but at least you'll get your drive back and you can always do the customizations again. Remember, back up that key first before you delete it.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 20 November 2006 - 05:29 PM

[Spooky]

This seems to be an issue with some people. Event ID 4226 does not mean there is a problem, its a built in limit (not really a limit but some view it that way) in the OS. Here is some information about this.

Event ID 4226: "TCP/IP has reached the security limit imposed on the number of concurrent TCP connect attempts."

In order to understand what this means, you have to first understand some basic TCP/IP. Not to go over how TCP/IP works in depth, all of its states and packet-types, but we need to start with the the most basic parts first to understand.

When a client initiates a TCP/IP connection to a server the protocol has to negotiate the connection information before any data is transferred. TCP, Transmission Control Protocol, helps ensure information gets to its destination reliably over an IP network. It does this with the TCP Handshake.

The TCP Handshake Process:

Step 1: Client sends a SYN packet to the server. This packet is more or less the absolute beginning of the TCP/IP communications process. This puts the client's port in a SYN_SENT state. This makes it await for an ACK packet.

Step 2: Server, if it is LISTENING, will respond to the client with a SYN/ACK packet. This will put its port into the SYN_RECVD (RECEIVED) state and make it wait for an ACK packet.

Step 3: Client receives SYN/ACK packet and puts its port into an ESTABLISHED state and responds with an ACK packet.

From here on data can be transferred between both of these devices. With this process explained lets move on to why and how Event 4226 works and is triggered.

Starting with Windows XP SP2, Microsoft limited the maximum amount of SYN_SENT states that you can have on your system to 10. There are only 2 ways that a port will come out of the SYN_SENT state, either the connection receives a response or the connection times out. With this in mind let's look at how it affects various internet protocols such as HTTP.

The client (your computer) requests a web page via a URL. A DNS server responds with the IP address. The client sends a SYN packet to the HTTP server. The HTTP server sends an SYN/ACK and the client sends an ACK, then server begins sending data. Client displays it on screen and the connection closes.

In this scenario the HTTP server was there and sent a response. Because of the way HTTP works it only needs one active connection at a time. So...even if an HTTP server is not there at maximum there will only be 1 connection in the SYN_SENT state (unless the client is set to retry over and over again).

Most of the internet uses just one connection, with the exception of P2P applications where many connections may be used.

On Windows operating systems prior to Vista, when a user runs a P2P application the client receives a list of hosts that are sharing the item the client wants, there can be many of these hosts. The client attempts to connect to all of these hosts. Let's choose an arbitrary number, say for example there are 50 "servers" that the client wants to connect to. The client sends a SYN packet to 50 servers, and simply waits for some to time out. If 40 of these connections time out they just time out. It still has 10 that responded and opened a connection.

This method of not limiting was a great way to increase the spread of worms on the internet. Your computer would get a worm and start hitting entire ranges of IPs. Regardless of if even a fraction of these hosts responds the worm just spreads itself to as many hosts as possible from your system.

Limiting the amount of "half open" (syn sent or syn recvd) connections that are happening at the same time DRASTICALLY reduces the spread of the worm while having minimal effect on "legitimate" user (legitimate meaning computers without worms) connections. Because the worm-infected PC now has to wait for connections to either timeout or receive a response the worm's spread is drastically reduced. When it's trying to hit 20,000 hosts, it greatly increases the amount of time a worm has to wait as it might have to wait for 15,000 connections to time out before it can continue to spread.

How does this affect P2P?

Let's get back to the P2P for a minute. Lets say your client sends SYN to 50 other machines "at once (or in a short period of time)". machines 1, 23, 40, and 45 respond, while everything else doesn't. You now have a near immediate 4 connections.

With the TCP/IP half open limitation, it would send SYN to the first 10 hosts. Host 1 responds, so it sends now to host 11. The other 9 time out, it now sends to hosts 12-21. 11 times out, it now sends to 23, which responds ,and then begins on 24.

So what happens is a slight delay in the connection process as it goes through the lists of hosts. This has no effect on the transfer speed between Hosts 1, 23, 40, and 45. Once that connection is established that's pretty much it for the TCP/IP limiter. If all 50 responded, you could connect to all 50 hosts without any limitation at all.

So the real issue on P2P networks with regards to this "problem" are the people who don't understand how to configure their internet connections, or the people who configure them with the intent of not allowing incoming connections.

Q: Does this affect my regular internet habits (Chatting, web surfing, e-mail)?

A: Not at all.

Q: Will this slow down my P2P use?

A: Minimally. It will slow the rate in which you connect to other hosts, but it has no affect on any speed you receive from any host you connect to. This is simply a limit to how many hosts in the list of hosts that you make attempts to connect to.

Q: Does this mean I can only have 10 connections at a time?

A: No, you can have 10, 20, 30, 40 connections to any host you want provided they are configured to allow it. This simply limits the number of attempted connections. In the end, you will connect to as many hosts as are available for a connection, just connecting to them at a slower pace.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 21 November 2006 - 06:03 PM

[Spooky]

A lot of people seem to not like the default locations of folders in Vista, things like the personal folders, Documents, Favorites, Contacts, Music, Public Documents, Public Videos, etc.....Most don't like the default locations simply because they are used to using a different drive or location to store their stuff that suits there way of operation. Symlinks might be an answer for you.

Instead of going into the long explaination, the easy way to become aquanted with the Symlink feature in Vista is to open up a command prompt and type 'Mklink /?' ,you will be presented with the necessary information for creating your own symlinks in Vista. So lets create one then...

Say for example we want to call the 'Music' folder in Vista "My Personal Music Collection" but we want that folder to appear at another location other that the default Vista location and we have some problems moving the 'Music' folder and we really don't mind if the actual folder stays at its default location, we just want a folder called "My Personal Music Collection" because we don't like the default Vista 'Music' name. Ok here is how we would do that. Additionally, lets say that our user name is 'Mickeymouse' (just for the heck of it).

(Open up a command prompt and type Mklink/?. That will give you information and the syntax of the command to create a symlink.)

1. Open command prompt in the place where you want to create the symlink, were going to use the root of the C:\ drive in this example but it can be anywhere you want..

2. type mklink /? for information. So if we want to create a symlink directory at the root of C:\;

mklink /J <the name of our link directory> <the target of our link>

so lets create a link directory named "My Personal Music Collection" at the root of C:\ with a target of the default C:\Users\Mickeymouse

mklink /J "My Personal Music Collection" "C:\Users\Mickeymouse"

If you now look in the root of the C:\ drive you will see what looks like a folder but really isn't, its not a shortcut either but we won't go into that in this post. You will be able to copy, save, paste, and do all the normal things you would do with an actual folder with your "My Personal Music Collection" symlink, but remember, the actual activity is taking place in the original "C:\Users\Mickeymouse"

To enable Local to remote symlinks:

1. Both the client and server must be using Vista.

2. As admin, you need to enable 'Local to Remote' policy using gpedit.msc and go to:

Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/NTFS Filesystem/ then right click on the 'Selectively Allow the evaluation of symbolic link' - choose 'Properties', then 'Settings' tab.

Another use of symlinks, that might not be of much use to your right now but will in the future, if you transfer a lot of files using seperate clients (FTP, P2P, etc..); How about a symlink that you simply copy files into and they are transfered to a remote server for example. If the server uses symlinks (or junctions in older windows versions) then simply create a symlink with a folder on the server as a target, works great! and lets you use the remote server location like you would any folder on your hard drive just like you were on a LAN somewhere.

OK, thats it. Now granted, this doesn't move the actual folder so if your still focused on moving the actual folder its self then you'll need to do something else. But for those that just want the simplicity offered by symlinks, simple name changes and stuff like that without messing with the actual folder then symlinks might help you out.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 21 November 2006 - 05:02 PM

[ElAguila]

Another thing you can do is this. If you open a folder you see the list of links on the left side. Don't like what is there? What to change them or add something else? Easy, go to the C:\user\your_username\links folder. Put in any shortcut there you want or change any existing ones. These links are what show up on the left side.

[LeveL]

gunsmokingman, on Mar 17 2006, 10:07 AM, said:

Change the size of the desktop icons
Hold the Ctrl down and use your mouse scroll wheel to adjust the size.

Good tip - this also works in Explorer folders too but is there any
registry tweak to set the icons on the Desktop to Windows
old standard 32 x 32 instead of 6400 x 6400?

Or maybe disable the ability to even change the size and revert
back to "old" sizes with a tweak?

Dunno why M$ has done this, they are miles too big. When you change
them (Ctrl + mouse wheel) it messes up the layout.

Sorry I haven't posted a tweak myself, heres one to stop the "Welcome Center"
popping up every time you reboot...

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Stops the "Welcome Center" loading (for current user) when Windows starts

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"WindowsWelcomeCenter"=-

Looking more into the registry I noticed this only appears for 5 reboots anyway
but hey I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT, EVER!!

This post has been edited by LeveL: 23 November 2006 - 03:29 AM

[Spooky]

You can also turn off the welcome center in the GUI after on the second reboot after the install is complete, and from then on after, by just unchecking the box in the lower left corner about not showing it when Vista starts. The reg tweak, however, does come in handy for an un-attended install set-up.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 27 November 2006 - 05:10 AM

[Spooky]

Some people don't like the default size and BPP for the icons used in Vista. This is easy to change via a registry entry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]
"Shell Icon BPP"="50"
"Shell Icon Size"="32"

These are REG_SZ values, the defaults are shown - change to the values you want.

The Shell Icon Size already exists at that location and the default is 32 - the value is in pixels.

The Shell Icon BPP does not already exist and needs to be added. The valid values range 50% to 100% - the default is 50.

There are also a few more items at that location which can be adjusted concerning icons. As you change the size of the icons of course the spacing between the icons changes also, if you need to adjust the spacing, alter the 'IconSpacing' and 'IconVerticalspacing' REG_SZ values to your liking.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 25 November 2006 - 05:08 PM

[Spooky]

This is more of a survival and money saving tip then a tweak or normal tip, and might answer a few questions for people. It involves making an image of your Vista install. There are many image software products on the market and you can use one of those to do this, there are probably a bunch of ways to image your OS install. I personally use Acronis 10 which works well with Vista. However, if you want to not spend any money you can get excellent basic imaging capabilitites with a windows PE 2.0 boot CD, and its free! Heres what you do:

(you need a second hard drive to save the resulting image to)

1. Download the Windows Automated Install Kit (WAIK) from microsoft. Burn the downloaded image file to a DVD. The downloaded image files will have an .img extension so if you don't have anything that can burn a .img file then rename the extension to .iso and burn it with something that will handle .iso files. There are lots of free burning utilities on the net you can do this with.

2. Next visit this post where I have already posted some simple ready made batch files and instructions for creating your own WinPE 2.0 bootable CD. Following the post information and using the batch files, after you have installed the WAIK, it takes about 5 minutes to produce your WinPE CD. The post is located at:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST...=83722&st=0

3. After creating your WinPE 2.0 CD, put it in your CD drive and boot from it.

4. After booting on your WinPE 2.0 CD and when at the command prompt type ImageX/? for all the commands you will need to create your own backup image of the Vista install you spent hours on getting set up properly. For example, If I wanted to capture an image of my Vista install on the C:\ drive the basic command in the WinPE 2.0 command prompt would look like this:

imagex /capture c: d:\imaging\vistainst.wim "Drive C"

This command tells imagex to create an image of my C:\ drive, write and save that image on my D:\ drive in the imaging folder and name this image vistainst.wim and further give a little text description ("Drive C") of what the image is for, most of the times I do a time and date for the image here.

If you need to restore the image in the WinPE 2.0 command prompt type "imagex /Apply /?" for more information.

Many people don't realize this option exists, so if this posted tip helps even one person its worth it.

This post has been edited by Spooky: 26 November 2006 - 03:58 PM