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Windows XP Tips

Keystoke commands using the Windows key (Ctrl-Esc).
Create a shortcut to lock the computer
  1. Right-click the desktop
  2. Point to New, and then click Shortcut.
  3. For location, type:
    rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation
  4. Click "Next".
  5. Click "Finish".
  6. Rename, change icon, and relocate, as needed.
Change a drive letter (useful for CD-ROMs).
  1. Right-click My Computer.
  2. Click Manage.
  3. From Computer Management list, select Disk Management.
  4. Right-click on target drive.
  5. Click Change Drive Letter and Paths...
  6. Click "Change" button.
  7. Use pull-down menu to choose new drive letter.
Modify default path statement.
  1. From Start Menu, select Contol Panel
  2. Double-click System.
  3. Click Advanced tab.
  4. Click "Environment Variables" button.
  5. Under System variables, scroll to, and highlight Path.
  6. Click "Edit" button.
  7. Change as needed.
Change temporary paths for applications .
  1. From Start Menu, select Contol Panel
  2. Double-click System.
  3. Click Advanced tab.
  4. Click "Environment Variables" button.
  5. Under User variables, scroll to, and highlight Temp.
  6. Click "Edit" button.
  7. Change as needed.
  8. Repeat for Tmp.
*** The paths specifed must exist: Windows will not create them. ***
Relocate contents of My Documents.
  1. Double-click My Computer
  2. Within Other Places, right-click My Documents.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Modify the path specified in Target folder location.
  5. Click "OK".
  6. Follow additional instructions, as needed.
Assign a keyboard shortcut.
  1. Click Start, All Programs.
  2. Navigate to target program, but do not launch it.
  3. Right-click on target program.
  4. Select Properties.
  5. Click in Shortcut key field.
  6. Press <Crtl>-<Alt> and the target key.
  7. Click "OK".
  8. Program should launch whenever three key combo is pressed.
Clear My Recent Documents.
  1. Right click Start menu.
  2. Select Proporties.
  3. Click "Customize" button.
  4. Click Advanced tab.
  5. Under Recent Documents, click "Clear List" button.
View system devices.
  1. Right click My Computer.
  2. Select Manage.
  3. Within the left pane, click Device Manager.
    *** Alternately ***
  1. Click Start menu.
  2. Select Run.
  3. For open, type:
    devmgmt.msc
  4. Click "OK".
View IP configuration information.
  1. Click Start menu.
  2. Select Run.
  3. For open, type:
    command
  4. Click "OK".
  5. At DOS command line, type:
    ipconfig /all
  6. To close DOS window, type:
    exit
View IP routing table.
  1. Click Start menu.
  2. Select Run.
  3. For open, type:
    command
  4. Click "OK".
  5. At DOS command line, type:
    route print
  6. To close DOS window, type:
    exit
High CPU usage, though Task Manager shows System Idle Process to be over 90%.
(This often happens after making a hardware change, and is the result of the system looking for a previously connected serial device that is not available).
  1. Shutdown Windows.
  2. Power off the machine.
  3. Ensure the serial device (modem, Palm computer, printer) is connected and powered on.
  4. Power on the machine.
  5. Log on, and allow desktop to boot.
  6. CPU usage should be back to normal.
    *** If the goal was to get rid of the device ***
  1. Deinstall the software and drivers.
  2. Press Windows+R.
  3. For open, type:
    devmgmt.msc
  4. Click "OK".
  5. If the device is still listed, right click, and select Uninstall.
  6. Shutdown Windows.
  7. Power off the machine.
  8. Remove the hardware.