Mar/100
How to improve Windows XP Performance
Good old Windows XP never dies! If you’re suffering of poor performance on your Windows XP Computer, you might want to try some of the following settings.
Machine Tweaks (Require Admin Rights)
Disable Startup Programs
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type “regedit”
- Navigate to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
- Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”
- Export the key to a safe location
- Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys
- Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type “services.msc”
- Disable the following Services
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support (You will not be able to use Remote Desktop Help after disabling this)
Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type “CMD”
- In the command windows type the following:
del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows
- Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options
- Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$
Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”
Defragment the System Drive
- Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type “CMD”
- Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”
- Hit Enter
Use a resource friendly Virus Scanner
Many Virus Scanners are even worse the a Viruses they want to protect you from. I found Microsoft Security Essentials is a very efficient and resource friendly Virus Scanner, and it’s free! :) Refer to this post to get more information: http://www.microtom.net/?p=493
User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders
- Logon with the User Account
- Open Windows Explorer
- Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”
- In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”
- Click “OK”
Remove Startup Programs
- Logon with the User Account
- Click Start
- Click Run
- Type %userprofile% and click “OK”
- Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop
- Logon with the User Account
- Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.
Compress /Split PST Files
- Logon with the User Account
- Start Outlook
- For each Personal Folder File:a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”
b. Click “Advanced”
c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish
d. Click “OK”
e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”
f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s
Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)
- Open Microsoft Outlook 2003
- Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”
- Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”
- Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”
- Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”
- Click “OK” on the Dialog
- Click “Finish”
- Restart Outlook
Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp
- Right click somewhere on your Desktop
- Select Properties
- In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)
- In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”
Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme
- Right click somewhere on your Desktop
- Select Properties
- In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)
- In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”
- Click “OK”
- Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme->Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run
4. Type “regedit”
5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”
7. Export the key to a safe location
8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys
9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “services.msc”
5. Disable the following Services
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support
Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. In the command windows type the following:
del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows
3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options
4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$
Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”
Defragment the System Drive
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”
6. Hit Enter
Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Open Windows Explorer
3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”
4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”
5. Click “OK”
Remove Startup Programs
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”
5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.
Compress /Split PST Files
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Start Outlook
3. For each Personal Folder File:
a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”
b. Click “Advanced”
c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish
d. Click “OK”
e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”
f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s
Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)
1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003
2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”
3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”
4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”
5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”
6. Click “OK” on the Dialog
7. Click “Finish”
8. Restart Outlook
Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)
4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”
Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)
4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”
5. Click “OK”
6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme
*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run
4. Type “regedit”
5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”
7. Export the key to a safe location
8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys
9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “services.msc”
5. Disable the following Services
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support
Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. In the command windows type the following:
del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows
3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options
4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$
Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”
Defragment the System Drive
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”
6. Hit Enter
Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Open Windows Explorer
3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”
4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”
5. Click “OK”
Remove Startup Programs
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”
5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.
Compress /Split PST Files
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Start Outlook
3. For each Personal Folder File:
a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”
b. Click “Advanced”
c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish
d. Click “OK”
e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”
f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s
Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)
1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003
2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”
3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”
4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”
5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”
6. Click “OK” on the Dialog
7. Click “Finish”
8. Restart Outlook
Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)
4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”
Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)
4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”
5. Click “OK”
6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme
*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service
Disable Startup Programs1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group2. Click Start3. Click Run
4. Type “regedit”
5. Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run
6. Right Click on the “Run” key and select “Export”
7. Export the key to a safe location
8. Delete all Values within the Run Key except CA DSM and McAfee related keys
9. Repeat step 5 to 8 for the HKCU Hive but also exclude the value ctfmon.exe from deletion
Disable unnecessary Services
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “services.msc”
5. Disable the following Services
Error Reporting Service
Help and Support
Machine Debug Manager
Clear Temp Folder and recreate Prefetcher
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. In the command windows type the following:
del %temp%\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Temp\*.* /Q
del %windir%\Prefetch\*.* /Q
Remove Temporary Installation Files (Hotfixes)
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows
3. Make sure “Show hidden Files and Folders” is enabled in the Windows Explorer Options
4. Remove Files that are compressed and start with a “$” sign EXCEPT the “$hf_mig$” folder!
Examples:
$NtUninstallKB898461$
$NtUninstallKB898463$
Empty Recycle Bin after previous steps
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Right Click the Recycle Bin and select “Empty Recycle Bin”
Defragment the System Drive
1. Logon with a User that is a member of the local Administrator Group
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type “CMD”
5. Type “defrag %SYSTEMDRIVE%”
6. Hit Enter
Per User Tweaks
Disable Search for Network Folders
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Open Windows Explorer
3. Click “Tools” – “Folder Options”
4. In the “View” Tab uncheck “Automatically check for network folders and printers”
5. Click “OK”
Remove Startup Programs
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Click Start
3. Click Run
4. Type %userprofile% and click “OK”
5. Further navigate to “Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete every item in it (except if you really really REALLY(!) need one of them to start with Windows)
Cleanup Desktop
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Move Shortcuts (especially the ones that point to network locations) from the desktop to another location. You can also create a Folder (e.g. called “Shortcuts”) on the Desktop and move them in it.
Compress /Split PST Files
1. Logon with the User Account
2. Start Outlook
3. For each Personal Folder File:
a. Right click the Folder and select “Properties for Personal Folder…”
b. Click “Advanced”
c. Click “Compact Now” and wait for the process to finish
d. Click “OK”
e. In the Personal Folders Properties window click “Folder Size”
f. If the Total Size exceeds 1GB, split the PST file into additional PST’s
Enable “Cached Exchange Mode” in Outlook (Exchange Users Only)
1. Open Microsoft Outlook 2003
2. Click “Tools” – “E-mail Accounts…”
3. Select “View or change existing e-mail accounts” (Selected by default) and click “Next >”
4. Select the “Microsoft Exchange Server” Account and click “Change…”
5. Check the check box “Use Cached Exchange Mode” (if not already checked) and click “Next >”
6. Click “OK” on the Dialog
7. Click “Finish”
8. Restart Outlook
Remove the Desktop Wallpaper or use a .jpg image rather than .bmp
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Desktop” Tab (Second Tab)
4. In the “Background” Selection Field select [None] and click “OK”
Use the Windows 2000 Theme instead of the Windows XP default theme
1. Right click somewhere on your Desktop
2. Select Properties
3. In the “Display Properties” Window select the “Themes” Tab (First Tab)
4. In the “Theme” Drop Down list, select “Windows Classic”
5. Click “OK”
6. Select “No” when asked to save your current Theme
*Additionally you can also disable the “Windows Themes” Service
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Dec/090
Disable Legal Notice Text forced by Policy
If you have a Group Policy forcing client computers to display a legal notice text before logging on to Windows, you can set the following key to disable it:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\GPExtensions\{827D319E-6EAC-11D2-A4EA-00C04F79F83A}”
New REG_DWORD Value Name: NoMachinePolicy
Data: 1
Alternatively you can copy paste the following line in a command line:
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\GPExtensions\{827D319E-6EAC-11D2-A4EA-00C04F79F83A}" /v NoMachinePolicy /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Oct/090
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
*Your PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials
Download: www.microsoft.com
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...Jul/092
Renew expired Exchange 2007 Certificate
If your Exchange Certificate expires after 1 year of duty, you’ll probably notice many unhappy faces trying to rip you apart every morning. Users will receive Certificate Warnings when opening Outlook or using Outlook Web Access.
In addition, you get the following events on the Exchange 2007 Server:
Log Name: Application
Source: MSExchangeTransport
Date: 4/14/2009 2:10:22 PM
Event ID: 12015
Task Category: TransportService
Level: Warning
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: MSX2K7
Description:
An internal transport certificate expired. Thumbprint:A0F32351EC29C1451B43CF7438AA1A4E147EA54D
Here’s what you need to do (Step by step):
Open the Exchange 2007 Management Shell and type:
Get-ExchangeCertificate | List
To receive a List of Certificates installed
New-ExchangeCertificate
To create a new Exchange Certificate
Enable-ExchangeCertificate -Thumbprint 57540C16F16C941CCB761079A5FC3402F34A3F69 -Service IIS
To Enable the new Certificate on the IIS Service (You can see the Thumbprint of your newly created certificate after you execute the “New-ExchangeCertificate” command. Replace this Thumbprint above with your own)
Remove-ExchangeCertificate -Thumbprint A0F32351EC29C1451B43CF7438AA1A4E147EA54D
And finally remove the old Certificate from the store
(10 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5) Loading ...