Book description
While what you create using your computer is a unique expression of who you are, how you use your computer probably isn't. Nearly every Windows XP user follows the same Start menu path to launch programs, uses the same standard techniques in programs like Windows Explorer and Outlook Express, and performs the same customizations that don't go much beyond changing the wallpaper. However, there are those of us who qualify as the "post-novice" user, who think that doing things the "official" way is too slow, less efficient and less powerful than there is potential for with Windows XP. Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed will take you beyond the standard-issue default settings and program wizards to shortcuts, new customization techniques, workarounds for common problems, and warnings on how to avoid the pitfalls of Windows XP, including those associated with Service Pack 2. Along the way, you'll learn about all kinds of insider details, undocumented features, powerful tools, and background facts that help put everything about Windows XP into perspective.
Table of contents
- Copyright
- About the Author
- Acknowledgments, Kudos, Plaudits, and Assorted Pats on the Back
- We Want to Hear from You!
-
Introduction
- Who Should Read This Book
-
How This Book Is Organized
- Part I: Unleashing Day-to-Day Windows XP
- Part II: Unleashing Essential Windows XP Power Tools
- Part III: Unleashing Windows XP Customization and Optimization
- Part IV: Unleashing Windows XP Modem Communications
- Part V: Unleashing Windows XP for the Internet
- Part VI: Unleashing Windows XP Networking
- Part VII: Appendixes
- Conventions Used in This Book
-
I. Unleashing Day-to-Day Windows XP
- 1. Customizing and Troubleshooting the Windows XP Startup
-
2. Exploring Expert File and Folder Techniques
-
Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros
- Selecting Files and Folders
- Making Sense of Windows XP’s Rules for Moving and Copying
- Choosing “No to All” When Copying or Moving
- Expert Drag-and-Drop Techniques
- Taking Advantage of the Send To Command
- The Recycle Bin: Deleting and Recovering Files and Folders
- File Maintenance Using the Open and Save As Dialog Boxes
- Powerful Search Techniques for Finding Files
- Customizing Windows Explorer
- From Here
-
Basic File and Folder Chores: The Techniques Used by the Pros
- 3. Mastering File Types
-
4. Working with Digital Media
- Understanding Digital Audio
- Understanding Digital Video
- Tips for Working with Windows Media Player
- Dealing with Digital Media Files
- Customizing Media Folders
- From Here
-
5. Installing and Running Applications
- Practicing Safe Setups
- Applications and the Registry
- Launching Applications
- Understanding Application Compatibility
- From Here
-
6. Getting the Most Out of User Accounts
- Understanding Security Groups
- Working with the User Accounts Window
- Working with the User Accounts Dialog Box
- Working with the Local Users and Groups Snap-In
- Setting Account Policies
- Working with Users and Groups from the Command Line
- Creating and Enforcing Bulletproof Passwords
- Sharing Your Computer Securely
- From Here
-
II. Unleashing Essential Windows XP Power Tools
- 7. Using Control Panel, Group Policies, and Tweak UI
- 8. Getting to Know the Windows XP Registry
-
9. Programming the Windows Script Host
- WSH: Your Host for Today’s Script
- Scripts and Script Execution
- Programming Objects
- Programming the WScript Object
- Programming the WshShell Object
- Programming the WshNetwork Object
- Example: Scripting Internet Explorer
- From Here
-
III. Unleashing Windows XP Customization and Optimization
-
10. Customizing the Windows XP Interface
- Customizing the Start Menu for Easier Program and Document Launching
- Customizing the Taskbar for Easier Program and Document Launching
- Controlling Taskbar Grouping
- Modifying the Start Menu and Taskbar with Group Policies
- Using Screen Space Efficiently
- From Here
- 11. Tuning Windows XP’s Performance
-
12. Maintaining Your Windows XP System
- Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors
- Checking Free Disk Space
- Deleting Unnecessary Files
- Defragmenting Your Hard Disk
- Setting System Restore Points
- Backing Up Your Files
- Running the Automated System Recovery Preparation Wizard
- Checking for Updates and Security Patches
- Verifying Digitally Signed Files
- Reviewing Event Viewer Logs
- Setting Up a 10-Step Maintenance Schedule
- From Here
-
13. Troubleshooting and Recovering from Problems
-
Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem
- Did You Get an Error Message?
- Does an Error or Warning Appear in the Event Viewer Logs?
- Does an Error Appear in System Information?
- Did the Error Begin with a Past Hardware or Software Change?
- Did You Recently Edit the Registry?
- Did You Recently Change Any Windows Settings?
- Did Windows XP “Spontaneously” Reboot?
- Did You Recently Change Any Application Settings?
- Did You Recently Install a New Program?
- Did You Recently Install a New Device?
- Did You Recently Install an Incompatible Device Driver?
- Did You Recently Apply an Update from Windows Update?
- Did You Recently Install a Windows XP Hotfix or Service Pack?
- General Troubleshooting Tips
- Troubleshooting Using Online Resources
- Recovering from a Problem
- From Here
-
Troubleshooting Strategies: Determining the Source of a Problem
- 14. Getting the Most Out of Device Manager
-
10. Customizing the Windows XP Interface
-
IV. Unleashing Windows XP Modem Communications
-
15. Getting Started with Modem Communications
- A Modem Communications Primer
- Modem-to-Modem Communications
- Configuring Serial Ports
- Installing and Configuring a Modem
- From Here
-
16. Putting Your Modem to Work
- Getting Your Modem to Dial Voice Calls for You
- Using HyperTerminal for Modem-to-Modem Connections
- Sending and Receiving Faxes
- Remote Collaboration with Microsoft NetMeeting
- From Here
-
15. Getting Started with Modem Communications
-
V. Unleashing Windows XP for the Internet
- 17. Implementing TCP/IP for Internet Connections
-
18. Exploring the Web with Internet Explorer
- Understanding Web Page Addresses
- Tips and Techniques for Better Web Surfing
- Searching the Web
- The Favorites Folder: Sites to Remember
- Reading Pages Offline
-
Customizing Internet Explorer
- Customizing the Links Bar for One-Click Surfing
- Controlling the Web Page Cache
- Setting Internet Explorer Options
- Changing the Home Page
- Configuring the Page History
- Setting More General Options
- Using the Content Advisor
- Specifying Internet Explorer Programs
- Understanding Internet Explorer’s Advanced Options
- From Here
- 19. Communicating with Internet Email
- 20. Participating in Internet Newsgroups
-
21. Implementing Windows XP’s Internet Security and Privacy Features
- Working with Email Safely and Securely
- Keeping Intruders Out of Your System
- Surfing the Web Securely
- Blocking Pop-Up Windows
- Understanding Internet Explorer’s Advanced Security Options
- Security and Privacy Options for Windows Media Player
- From Here
-
VI. Unleashing Windows XP Networking
-
22. Setting Up and Accessing a Small Network
- Understanding Networking
- Hardware: NICs and Other Network Knickknacks
- Walking the Walk: Topology and the Lay of the LAN
- Talking the Talk: Networking Protocols
- Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network
- Connecting to a Wireless Network
- Accessing Network Resources
- Sharing Resources with the Network
- Working with Network Files Offline
- Administering Your Network
- From Here
-
23. Making Remote Network Connections
- Creating a Dial-Up Connection
- Connecting to a Remote Desktop
- Using Virtual Private Network Connections
- From Here
-
24. Troubleshooting Network Problems
- The First Step: Rerun the Network Connection Wizard
- Checking Connection Status
- Checking Network Utilization
- Repairing a Network Connection
- Working with Network Diagnostics
- Some Group Policy “Problems”
- Troubleshooting General Network Nuisances
- Cable Conundrums
- Troubleshooting Adapter Afflictions
- More Sophisticated Tools
- From Here
-
22. Setting Up and Accessing a Small Network
-
VII. Appendices
- A. Windows XP Keyboard Shortcuts
-
B. Using the Windows XP Command Prompt
- Getting to Command Prompt
- Working with Command Prompt
- Customizing the Command-Line Window
-
C. Automating Windows XP with Batch Files
- Batch Files: Some Background
- Creating Batch Files
- Making a Home for Your Batch Files
- REM: The Simplest Batch File Command
- ECHO: A Voice for Your Batch Files
- The PAUSE Command
- Using Parameters for Batch File Flexibility
- SHIFT: A Different Approach to Parameters
- Looping with the FOR Command
- GOTO: Telling Your Batch Files Where to Go
- IF: Handling Batch File Conditions
- Redirecting Windows XP
- Piping Commands
- D. Glossary
Product information
- Title: Microsoft Windows XP Unleashed
- Author(s):
- Release date: September 2005
- Publisher(s): Sams
- ISBN: 9780768683738
You might also like
book
Microsoft® Windows® XP Unleashed
Windows XP Unleashed guides the advanced reader through nearly every Windows XP topic imaginable giving ideas …
book
Microsoft Windows Vista On Demand
A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0789737868 ISBN-13: 9780789737861 • Master the Windows …
book
Windows 7 Portable Command Guide: MCTS 70-680, and MCITP 70-685 and 70-686
With hundreds of Windows 7 OS commands, options, and command arguments to remember, a MCTS 70-680, …
book
Windows XP Cookbook
Each year, Windows XP is pre-installed on 30 million PCs sold inthe U.S.--and 90 million worldwide--making …