Customize Multiboot Startup Options
Edit or create a startup menu that lets you choose which operating system to boot into in multiboot systems, or create a menu that lets you choose different startup options for your single operating system if you have only XP installed
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Change the Picture That Appears on the XP Startup Screen
You're not stuck with XP's default splash logo on the startup screen; use any picture or logo of your choosing
[Discuss (7) | Link to this hack]

Speed Up Boot and Shutdown Times
Shorten the time it takes for your desktop to appear when you turn on your PC, and make XP shut down faster as well
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

Halt Startup Programs and Services
Increase your PC's performance and speed up startup times by shutting off applications and services that you don't need
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Create Multiple Startup Profiles with Advanced Startup Manager
If you need to start different programs on startup, depending on what you need to do on your PC, create different startup profiles with this startup utility
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

Miscellaneous Startup and Shutdown Hacks
Here's a grab bag of ways to customize the way you start up and shut down your system
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Control User Logins by Hacking the Registry
Make better use of the XP login screen
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

Customize the GUI with Tweak UI
Want to bend XP's interface to your will without getting your hands into the Registry or having to excavate through menus three levels deep? Then get this supremely useful freebie from Microsoft and create your own customized version of XP
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Control the Control Panel
Whether you're a fan of the new Control Panel or not, there's a lot you can do to make it more palatable—like hiding applets you never use, recategorizing the ones you do use, and displaying all applets in a simple-to-use cascading menu
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack the Start Menu and Taskbar
XP Professional's Group Policy Editor gives you instant access to changing more than three dozen interface settings. Here's how to use it to create your own personalized Start menu and taskbar
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Clean Up the Most Frequently Used Programs List
Make this infrequently used tool useful. Ban programs from the Most Frequently Used Programs List, change the number of programs on the list, or do away with it altogether to make more room for the Pinned Programs List
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Rename and Change "Unchangeable" Desktop Icons and System Objects
To create the perfect XP interface, you want to be able to give every desktop icon and system object the name and icon of your choice. Here's how to do it—even to objects that appear to be unchangeable
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Remove "Nonremovable" Desktop Icons
To create your own customized XP interface, you need to be able to remove certain desktop icons. A Registry hack lets you remove any you want, including those apparently protected by XP
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack Your Way Through the Interface
Use Registry hacks to make a grab bag of great interface changes
[Discuss (3) | Link to this hack]

Remove "Uninstallable" XP Utilities
Think you can't uninstall Windows Messenger, WordPad, and similar components? Think again. This hack shows you how
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Make Your PC Work Like a Mac
Feeling jealous about some of the Mac's nifty features? Envy it no more. Use these tools to make your PC look and work more like a Mac
[Discuss (12) | Link to this hack]

Create Your Own XP Themes and Find Thousands Online
Customize the way XP looks and sounds, and dress it up with themes from the best sites on the Internet
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Give XP a Makeover with WindowBlinds
Control freaks, rejoice. With the powerful WindowBlinds utility, you no longer need to suffer with plain, common GUI elements such as the standard toolbars and scrollbars. You can modify and skin Windows to your heart's content
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Make Your Own Cursors and Icons
Don't settle for the icons and cursors that Microsoft built for you. Roll your own with downloadable software
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Instant Linux
Want to know what all the fuss is about when it comes to Linux? Here's an easy way to try it out and use it, without installing software on your PC; it runs straight from a CD
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Generate Folder and File Listings for Printing or Editing
Longtime PC users and former Mac users alike are often shocked when they realize there's no easy, built-in option to print a list of files in a folder. This hack creates a context-menu right-click option to create such a list, which you can then edit, copy, paste, and—most usefully—print
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Control Windows Explorer with Command-Line Shortcuts
Create customized Explorer views from the command line, and save your favorite views in desktop shortcuts
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Empower Windows Explorer with PowerDesk Pro
Supplanted by this most powerful utility, Windows Explorer will no longer draw curses or contribute to increased Macintosh sales
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Better File Rename
Rename multiple files quickly and easily
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Find Files Faster by Mastering the Indexing Service's Query Language
Got a hard disk filled with many files, and no easy way to find what you want quickly? Use the Indexing Service and its query language to get what you want—fast
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Force Windows Explorer into True Usefulness
Here's a grab bag of ways to make better use of Explorer
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Customize Folder Icons and Balloon Text
Make it easier to recognize specific folders and remember their contents by giving them their own pictures and identifying text
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

A Power User's Hidden Weapon: Improve the Context Menu
The context menu is an often-underused tool. But with these four additions and edits to the menu, it'll turn into a powerhouse that you'll use every day
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Take Your Work on the Go with Offline Files and the Briefcase
Here are two ways road warriors can more easily take files with them when they leave home or the office, and then synchronize files back to their desktop PCs when they return
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Get More Hard-Disk Space by Using NTFS Compression
The quickest and easiest way to give your system more room is to use XP's built-in compression scheme for NTFS disks. Here's how to use it—and how to convert your existing disk to NTFS if it doesn't already use it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Put a Command-Line Prompt on Your Desktop
Command-line junkies always want the command prompt within easy reach. Here's how to put a command prompt directly on your desktop, so it's there whenever you need it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Give Internet Explorer a Face-Lift
Don't like the way Internet Explorer looks? A better-looking browser is just a Registry edit away
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Stop Pop Ups with SP2—and Without It
You don't have to be victimized by obnoxious pop-up ads and web sites on the Internet. Fight back with these tips and tools
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Kill Spyware and Web Bugs
You don't have to be victimized by obnoxious applications that spy on you, hijack your browser, or worse. Fight back with these tips and tools
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Take a Bite Out of Cookies
Protect your privacy and keep your surfing habits to yourself with proper cookie-handling
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Surf Anonymously Without a Trace
Feel like people are watching you? On the Web, they probably are. Protect your privacy by using anonymous proxy servers
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Don't Get Reeled In by Phishers
Watch out the next time your bank, eBay, or PayPal sends you an email asking for account information; it might be a scammer on a "phishing" expedition that will send you to a web site to steal your account information. Here's what you can do to make sure you don't become the catch of the day
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Read Web Pages Offline
Take the Web with you wherever you go, and put it into an easily searchable database on your PC
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack Internet Explorer with the Group Policy Editor
XP Professional's Group Policy Editor lets you tweak Internet Explorer in countless ways—from changing its logo and background, to changing its titlebar text, and beyond
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Speed Up File Downloads
Don't wait any longer for slow file downloads. Use this free program to accelerate them, regardless of your connection speed
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Secrets of Web Site Hosting with Internet Information Services (IIS)
XP Professional includes a free, built-in web server. If you're planning on using it, check out these tips to improve your site's performance, cut down on bandwidth, deliver pages faster, and reduce Page Not Found errors
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Surf the Internet Ad-Free
Cruising the Internet these days feels like a trip down the Las Vegas strip. Here's how you can turn off the ads and surf in peace
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack Firefox
The free browser Firefox has gained millions of adherents since its release because of its security features, customizability, and features that Internet Explorer lacks, such as tabbed browsing. Here's a grab bag of hacks for powering it up
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Build Your Own Firefox Search Engine
Firefox's built-in search box lets you search Google from wherever you are. You don't have to settle for that built-in searching, though, because you can build your own Firefox search engine plug-in to search through any site from the Google search box
[Discuss (12) | Link to this hack]

Google Your Desktop
Google your desktop and the rest of your filesystem, mailbox, and instant messenger conversations—even your browser cache
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Out-Google Google with MSN Desktop Search
Think the Google Desktop is nifty? MSN Desktop Search leaves it in the dust and lets you fine-tune your PC searches to an amazing degree
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Better Internet Searching from Your Desktop
Internet Explorer's default search features are anemic at best. Do better Internet searching by installing a Google Toolbar and other specialized search toolbars and powering up the default search
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Run Java Applets Without Crashes or Problems
To get the most out of surfing the Web, you need the most recent version of Java. That can be harder to get than you think, but this hack will show you how
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Tweak DNS Settings for Faster Internet Access
Here's a handful of DNS hacks for speeding up access to web sites
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Optimize Your Home Router
Home routers let you share broadband Internet access and build a home network. Here's how to get the most out of your router
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Troubleshoot Network Connections with ping, tracert, and pathping
When you need help tracking down network connection problems, the command line is the place to go
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Troubleshoot Network Connections with netsh, netstat, and ipconfig
Here are a few more command-line tools for tracking down problems with your network connection
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Speed Up Network Browsing
Speed up your network browsing by tweaking your Registry
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Control Another PC with Remote Access
You can control a computer—virtually moving its mouse and typing on its keyboard—over the Internet, using either Windows XP's built-in features or a third-party program
[Discuss (2) | Link to this hack]

Make Servers Always Available by Mapping a Hostname to a Dynamic IP Address
Make sure the web site or other kind of Internet server you run at home is always available to the world
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Renew Your DHCP-Assigned IP Address
Sometimes, while assigned an IP address by a DHCP server, your PC doesn't appear to be on the network and you can't get Internet or network access. Renewing your IP address often solves the problem
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Repair a Broken TCP/IP Connection
Get back onto the Internet fast if you have TCP/IP woes
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

VoIP Hacks
The Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lets you make phone calls over the Internet for less money than the normal phone system. But VoIP services can sometimes be flaky. Here's a grab bag of hacks for getting more out of your VoIP service
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Slam That Spam
You don't have to be bedeviled by unwanted mail. Use this hack to kill as much as 90% (or much more, in my case) of your spam
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Open Blocked File Attachments in Outlook and Outlook Express
Force Outlook and Outlook Express to let you open a wide variety of file attachments that they normally block
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Back Up and Restore Outlook and Outlook Express Datafiles
If email and contact lists are your lifeblood, you need to back them up regularly, but there's no easy way to do that using Outlook or Outlook Express. This hack tells you how to do it in each program
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Retrieve Web-Based Email with Your Email Software
There's no longer a need for Hotmail and Yahoo! mail users to be forced to abandon their desktop email software when checking their email. This hack lets you use your email client to gather web-based email from them
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Gmail Hacks
The best search engine on the planet now has the best web-based email on the planet. Here's how to get more out of it
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Fire Outlook and Outlook Express
Contrary to popular belief, Microsoft doesn't make the only two email programs on the planet. Eudora, Thunderbird, and Pegasus are great, free alternatives
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Go War-Driving for WiFi Access
WiFi networks are everywhere, it seems; you can get free Internet access on wireless community FreeNets armed with your laptop, a car, and software called Network Stumbler
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Extend the Range of Your Wireless Network
The efficiency and throughput of WiFi networks can vary dramatically. Make sure you get maximum throughput from your wireless network
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Check WiFi Network Performance with Qcheck to Help Improve Throughput
XP can't tell you the true throughput on your wired or wireless network. For that, you'll need free, third-party software that can help you improve throughput
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Protect Your Home WiFi Network
The bad guys don't just target corporate networks. If you have a WiFi network at home, intruders are after you as well. Here's how to keep your network and all your PCs safe
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Enable WiFi Encryption
Using an unencrypted WiFi network is like putting a big sign on your front door saying, "Burglars: the door's open and no one's home. Come in and help yourself." Here's how to put a virtual lock on your WiFi network to stop snoopers from coming in
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Stop Moochers from Stealing Your WiFi Bandwidth
Everyone these days seems to have a WiFi-equipped laptop or PDA. If you have a WiFi network at home or at work and you are worried that passersby might be connecting to it and stealing your bandwidth, here's what you can do
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Solve Hotspot Woes
Send mail at a hotspot, even if your ISP won't normally let you do it, and make sure your hotspot connection doesn't get interrupted by "stuttering.
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Set Up Bluetooth on XP
The Bluetooth wireless standard is a great way to get computers and gadgets to talk to each other. Here's how to set it up on XP
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Connect to the Internet with a Bluetooth Phone
Don't worry about normal phone dial-in connections, hotspots, or WiFi. No matter where you are, the Internet is with you, as long as you have a Bluetooth-enabled phone
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Set Up an Ad Hoc WiFi Network
Don't have a WiFi router handy, but want to set up a network among multiple PCs? It's easy to do using the ad hoc networking built into XP
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Hide Folders and Files with the Encrypting File System
Protect all the information on your PC from prying eyes using XP Professional's built-in encryption scheme
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Test Your Security with Shields UP!
Head to this web site for a thorough, free check of your PC's vulnerabilities
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Protect Your Computer with the New Windows Firewall
XP SP2 turns on the Windows Firewall by default, so you're automatically protected from incoming attacks. Here's how to configure the Windows Firewall for maximum protection and flexibility and use it to log potential attacks and send information about the intruders to your ISP
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

ZoneAlarm: The World's Best Free Firewall
For the best protection, get this firewall, which is far superior to XP's Windows Firewall and keeps you safe from Trojan horses and other dangers
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Use a Proxy Server to Protect Your PC
Many private businesses protect their networks with proxy servers. But you can get the same kind of protection at home—for free—without buying any new hardware
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Punch an Escape Hole Through Your Firewall
Sometimes, firewalls offer too much protection; they block unsolicited incoming traffic that you want to receive, such as if you're hosting a web site. Here's how to open a hole in your firewall to let only specific incoming traffic through
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Close Down Open Ports and Block Protocols
You don't need a firewall to protect your PC; you can manually close down ports and block certain protocols
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Set Up a Virtual Private Network
Sometimes you would like to connect to your home machine from work or while traveling. Making your home machine a virtual private network (VPN) server is a secure way to accomplish this
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Don't Fear the Registry
The Registry is the single best tool available for hacking XP. Here's an introduction to how it's organized and how to use it
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Hack Away at the Registry
Here are eight great hacks that use the Registry to do their magic
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Safely Edit the Registry Using .reg Files
Forgo the dangers and inconvenience of editing the Registry directly. Instead, use plain-text .reg files
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Better Registry Backups
Avert disaster by backing up the Registry so that you'll always be able to revert to a clean copy
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Track and Restore Registry Changes with RegSpy
Protect your Registry and track changes to it made by programs with this downloadable goodie
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Remove Unruly Applications and Uninstall Entries
Uninstalling programs is sometimes tougher than you expect; even when you use built-in uninstallers, programs leave bits of themselves all over your hard disk and Registry. Here's how to remove them
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Force XP-Incompatible Applications to Run
Don't throw away your old programs that can't run under XP. Use these hacks to force them to work
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Force Older Programs to Use XP Common Controls
Older Windows programs look ancient and outdated in XP because they don't use the newer-style buttons and checkboxes. Here's how to make them use XP common controls
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Launch Applications with Command-Line Shortcuts
Launch applications quickly and customize what they do when they run, by using command-line shortcuts, parameters, and switches
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Open and Create Microsoft Documents Without Microsoft Office
When it comes to word processing and spreadsheets, it's an all-Microsoft world. But you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars for Office to create and read Microsoft files; instead you can download a free office suite
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Stop Hidden Fields in Word from Stealing Your Files and Information
Hidden fields in your Word documents can be used to peer into your PC and even grab your files. Here's how to prevent that from happening
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Speed Up Your Hard Disk by Improving Defragging
One of the simplest ways to speed up your PC is by defragmenting your hard disk. Here's how to get the most out of XP's built-in defragmenter and a third-party program that should speed up your hard disk even more
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Extend Your Screen Real Estate with Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops allow you to stretch your screen real estate well beyond its normal size, as well as to organize different views of your workspace
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Build a Better Backup Strategy
Don't be blindsided by disk crashes and other disasters. Here's how to have a backup ready at any time for any reason
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Go Beyond Messaging with Windows Messenger
Share a common whiteboard, where you can collaborate on work in real time over the Internet, and get alerts delivered to your desktop with Microsoft's instant messaging tool
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Universal Messaging: Trillian Unites AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, and ICQ
It's the Esperanto of the instant messaging world; Trillian lets you communicate with all the major messaging programs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Image Conversion in a Pinch
When you need to convert images from one format to another or shrink the size of existing images, try these two graphics tools
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Problem-Free CD Burning
XP lets you easily record digital music to your PC and burn music CDs. Here's how to make sure your digital music doesn't skip, pop, crackle, or hiss, as well as other advice on CD burning
[Discuss (3) | Link to this hack]

Save Streaming Music to Your PC
Build up a digital music collection by saving files in MP3 format when you listen to Internet radio stations
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Import Lyrics into iTunes and iPod
For all you karaoke-obsessed individuals, there are a number of ways to incorporate song lyrics into an iPod and iTunes workflow
[Discuss (3) | Link to this hack]

Convert from Apple iTunes Format
Apple iTunes doesn't allow you to freely copy your music to devices other than your iPod. This hack shows you how to strip iTunes digital rights management so that you can use your files however you'd like
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Use Ogg Vorbis for Digital Music
Ogg Vorbis is the most compact digital music format, with the highest quality at the lowest file size. You can rip and burn with Ogg Vorbis, convert existing music files to Ogg Vorbis, and convert Ogg Vorbis to other file formats
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack Windows Media Player with TweakMP
Windows Media Player isn't the most convenient media player, CD ripper, or CD burner around. But the TweakMP PowerToy gives it extra features and convenience
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Fix Windows Media Player's Privacy Problems
Lurking beneath Windows Media Player's slick exterior are potential invasions of your privacy. Here's how to fix them
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Make Videos with Windows Movie Maker
You can make better home movies and other videos with XP's built-in video maker
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Track System Performance with the Performance Console
Before you can hack away at things to speed up your computer, you should know how to monitor system performance in the first place. As a power user, you'll like knowing what's causing those slowdowns and blips in performance. The Performance Console is a great hacker's tool for monitoring and tracking resources of all kinds
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Get the Most Out of Your RAM
The best way to improve system performance is to make better use of your RAM. Here are several hacks to show you how to try this before you buy more
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

More Power: Registry Hacks to Speed Up XP
Put your Registry-hacking knowledge to good use: hack your way to running Windows XP at top speed
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Repair and Recover with the Recovery Console
If Windows won't start, use the DOS-like Recovery Console to make repairs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Speed Up System Performance with the Task Manager
This humble tool does more than show you what applications are running; it can help you juice up your PC's performance as well
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Hack Your Way to a Cleaner Hard Disk
Cut through the clutter, clean up your hard disk, and reclaim space you never knew you had with these hacks, techniques, and downloads
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Fix SP2 Upgrade Woes
The Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a boon for those looking for better security and wireless access. But it can also block automatic updates, kill applications, and worse. Here's what you can do to solve these problems
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Troubleshoot Hardware by Decoding Device Manager Error Messages
The Device Manager is a great hardware troubleshooting tool, but you'll need this hack to make sense of the error messages it relays to you. Here's how to decode the cryptic messages and how to use the messages to solve hardware woes
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Uncover Hidden Hardware with the Device Manager
Hardware ghosts and other hidden devices can cause system conflicts, and the Device Manager won't report on them. This hack forces the Device Manager to uncover all your hidden hardware so that you can resolve any conflicts
[Discuss (1) | Link to this hack]

Check Your PC's Pulse and Tweak It for Better Performance
Find out how well your PC performs, peer under the hood to get diagnostic information, and get advice on tuning it with Sandra
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Remap Your Keyboard
Create your own personalized, ultimate keyboard by remapping its keys to the way you want them to work
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Use ClearType for Better Laptop and LCD Resolution
Stop squinting at your laptop or LCD screen. Make any laptop or LCD screen easy to read
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]

Networking on the Cheap: Set Up a Direct Cable Connection
You don't need a full-fledged network to connect two PCs using XP. Here's how to create a fast, cheap connection that's great for sharing files and other network needs
[Discuss (0) | Link to this hack]