Upgrade to Windows 10?

I've been asked for months now about upgrading to Windows 10. Should you upgrade? That's not a simple question to answer. Personally, I'm continuing to use Windows 7 on any computers I consider "critical". I have updated one of my laptops to Windows 10, used it for the last six months or so, and it works well. Looks a lot like Windows 8, but performs much better. Since that laptop originally came installed with Windows 8.1 I consider it a real upgrade in the sense that I can use my laptop with fewer issues now.
Many of the new features of Windows 10 hold no interest for me though. And I'm not a fan of how Windows 10 doesn't give you a choice in updating the system and how certain applications are integrated directly in the operating system. Comparing Windows 10 to Windows 7 with respect to what I use my computers for on a daily basis, I don't feel much benefit to upgrading my other computers (even for free). Overall, Windows 10 is very usable and stable and would be a great choice over an older OS such as Windows XP.

Considering Windows 10 upgrades will only remain free for another couple months (free upgrade offer from Microsoft is set to expire on July 29th, 2016) now is probably the time to seriously consider it if you want to upgrade.


Information on upgrading to Windows 10:

Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ
Windows 10 upgrade: How-to information on scheduling and notifications

Preventing Programs from Stealing Focus

Here's a tip on how to prevent other applications in Windows XP from stealing the focus and popping up in front of other applications.

- Open Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop

- Change the value of the 'ForegroundLockTimeout' key to 00030d40.

Automatically Logon to Windows XP

Are you tired of having to click your user name and type a password to login to Windows XP? Here are a couple of ways you can login automatically.

- Open the Start menu, click 'Run', and type "control userpasswords2".

- Uncheck the checkbox labaled "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer."

OR

You can use Tweak UI, which comes as part of Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP.

Disable Shared Documents

Windows XP has a built-in folder which allows other users to share files. Here's how you can disable that Shared Documents folder.

- Open Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer

- Right click on the 'Explorer' key and choose New, DWORD Value. Name the new DWORD "NoSharedDocuments".

- Double click "NoSharedDocuments" and enter the value 1.

Network Diagnostic Utility

Here's a simple way to analyze your Windows XP computer. The Network Diagnostics utility will scan your system to gather information about your hardware, software, and network connections.

- Open the Start menu and click 'Run'.

- Type "netsh diag gui"

Hiding Your Computer in Network Neighborhood

Want to share files, but don't want anyone to see your Windows XP computer in Network Neighborhood?

- Open the Start menu and click 'Run'.

- Type "net config server /hidden:yes"

Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Here's how to prevent the Desktop Cleanup Wizard in Windows XP from popping up every 60 days on your desktop.

- Right-click on the desktop and choose 'Properties'.
- Click on the Desktop tab.
- Click on the "Customize Desktop..." button.
- Under "Desktop cleanup", uncheck "Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days".
- Click Ok.

Rename the Recycle Bin

Tired of the name "Recycle Bin" in Windows XP? Want to change it to "Waste Basket", or something unique? This will help.

- Open Regedit and navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

- Click on the 'Default' key, and change "Recycle Bin" to whatever name you want.

Command Line Utilities

Here are some command line utilities in Windows XP that you may find useful. Use the Command Prompt to access them.

bootcfg - Configures, queries, or changes Boot.ini file settings.

driverquery - Displays a list of all installed device drivers and their properties.

getmac - Returns the media access control (MAC) address and list of network protocols associated with each address for all network cards in each computer.

gpresult - Displays Group Policy settings and Resultant Set of Policy (RSOP) for a user or a computer.

netsh - You can use commands in the Netsh Interface IP context to configure the TCP/IP protocol.

schtasks - Schedules commands and programs to run periodically or at a specific time.

systeminfo - Displays detailed configuration information about a computer and its operating system.

Viewing Shared Folders Info

Here's how to view details about your shared folders in Windows XP, including who's connected and what files they are accessing.

- Open the Start menu, click 'Run', and type "fsmgmt.msc". A windows titled "Shared Folders" opens which lists the shared folders and their details.
   - Shares lists the currently shared folders.
   - Sessions lists the currently connected users.
   - Open Files lists the files being accessed by connected users.

Sharing Multiple Folders

Want an easy way to setup a shared folder in Windows XP? Try this:

- Click on the Start menu, click 'Run', and type "shrpubw". A dialog called "Create Shared Folder" will open.

- Choose the folder you want to share, enter a share name and description, and click next.

- Choose the permissions you want to apply to the folder and click Finish.

*If you want to share another folder, choose Yes to "Do you want to create another shared folder?" after clicking Finish.

Creating a Password Recovery Disk

What can you do if you forget your password for your Windows XP user login? Well, if you read the following tip beforehand, you'll have no trouble at all!

- Click the Start menu,open the Control Panel, and choose User Accounts.

- Click the user account you want to create the Recovery Disk for.

- Under 'Related Tasks', click on Prevent forgotten password.

- Follow the prompts and make sure you have a blank disk to use.

If you forget your password, click on the green arrow at the login and you will be prompted to insert the password recover disk.

Renaming Multiple Files

Have you wanted to be able to rename multiple files all at once in Windows XP? Try this:

- In Windows Explorer, select all the files you want to rename.

- Right-click and select 'Rename'.

- Enter the name you want to use for the files (The files will be renamed with the name you typed, followed by (1), (2), (3), etc. Eg. Newname (1).txt, Newname (2).txt, etc.)

Common Command Console Utilities

Windows XP comes with quite a few console utilities that are spread throughout the operating system. Here's a few:

Computer Management - compmgmt.msc
Disk Managment - diskmgmt.msc
Device Manager - devmgmt.msc
Disk Defrag - dfrg.msc
Services - services.msc
Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc
Shared Folders - fsmgmt.msc
Group Policies - gpedit.msc
Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc
Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc
Resultant Set of Policies - rsop.msc
Local Security Settings - secpol.msc
Component Services - comexp.msc
System Configuration Utility - msconfig

IP Address Information

Need to know your IP address in Windows XP? Use one of the following methods to get the details.

1. Click 'Run' on the Start menu and type "cmd" to open 'Command Prompt', then type "ipconfig".

OR

2. Go to the 'Control Panel' and open 'Network Connections'. Right-click the active connection and choose 'Status'. Under the 'Support' tab you will find the IP address information (Click the 'Details' button to find more details, such as your physical address).