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Basic Windows XP Registry Tweaks
Basic information for backing up the Windows XP registry and Windows XP registry tweaks
WARNING: Do not attempt any of these tweaks unless you are comfortable with computers. Before making any changes to your registry, make sure you back it up. One mistake can render you computer unbootable. These tweaks are presented for informational purposes only. I will not be held responsible if they are applied incorrectly.
The tips and tweaks below are for Windows XP. They may or may not work on earlier versions of Windows. For all of the tweaks listed below, you must be logged into Windows XP as the administrator.
One of the best way to back up your computer is with a disk imaging program that copies the entire hard drive. However, there are a few different ways for you to make basic back ups;
1: Using System Restore. This method is usually less effective than the others. System Restore will return your computer to a previous state without losing recent information. Most of the time, when you install new software, a new restore point is automatically created for you. Using System Restore is great if you’re making an immediate change, and need to roll the computer back right away. System restore points can take up a lot of room on your disk drive and they get purged over time, so they’re not available in the long run.
To create a System Restore point, do the following:
Click on the ‘start’ button on the lower left corner of your task bar.
Click ‘all programs’ (it should automatically open after you hover your mouse over it for a couple seconds.)
Click ‘accessories’
Click ‘system tools’
Click ‘system restore’
Here you have the option to either create a restore point, or to roll back the computer to a previous restore point. Follow the directions for the system restore wizard to create a restore point.
2: Backing up a selected root key or the registry, or the whole registry. This method is one of the best if you’re only making changes to one key.
Click on the ‘start’ button on the lower left corner of your task bar.
Click on ‘run’ - the run dialog box appears.
In the run dialog box, type "regedit" (without the quotes) and click to ‘OK’ button. The registry editor appears.
Navigate to the branch that you want to save. Click the branch once, and then click the ‘file’ menu and click on ‘export’. To export the complete registry, make sure you have ‘my computer’ highlighted. For Windows XP, make sure you have the ‘registration files (.reg) highlighted in the ‘save as file type’ dialog box. Find the location you want to save it to, and name it with a name you’ll remember in case you need to go back to correct it. Most people like to save it to their ‘my documents’ folder or on their desktop.
3: Backing up the whole “system state” and the registry. To back up the system state and the registry, you can use the NTBackup utility that comes with Windows XP Professional. The system state includes the registry, the COM+ Class registration database, and your boot files. Windows XP Home edition doesn’t install the back up utility automatically. You’ll need your installation disk for that, or if you have an OEM version of Windows XP Home, the NTBackup utility is available at www.winxptutor.com/ntbackup.htm. The file is named NTBackup.MSI. There are detailed instructions for using the back up utility at the link above, or you can see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302894.
By default, windows explorer will not display files that have hidden or system attributes. To view hidden files, click 'Tools', click 'file options'. The file options dialog box appears. At the top of the dialog box, there are 4 tabs: General, View, File types and Offline files. Click the 'View' tab on top…click the box next to ‘show hidden files and folders’…clear (click on it to add or remove the checkmark) the checkmark in the ‘hide protected operating system files (recommended)’ check box' if present, and click the 'Apply' button. A dialog box will pop up warning you that if you choose that option, critical system files could accidentally be deleted, and asking if you're sure you want to do it. Click 'Yes' or 'OK'. IMPORTANT: Remember to reverse the above file options when you finish whatever you're backing up to prevent accidental deletion. You must be logged in with administrator privileges in Windows XP to perform these functions.
If you’re backing up your system files manually, create a folder on your desktop or in your my documents folder, and copy the following files from your %systemRoot%\System32\config folder to it: appevent.evt, default, default.log, default.sav, Sam, Sam.log, Secevent.evt, Security, Security.log, Software, Software.log, Software.sav, Sysevent.evt, System, System.log, System.sav and userdiff.
For more information on backing up the registry see:
How to backup the Windows XP Registry - http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/registry.htm
How to Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=322756
How To Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows 2000 - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=322755
How To Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Win95/98/Me - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;322754
More info for Win98 - http://www.google.com/search?&q=windows+98+registry+backup
More info for WinME - http://www.google.com/search?&q=windows+me+millennium+registry+backup
General Info - http://www.google.com/search?&q=windows+registry+backup
If you make a mistake, you can go back and double click the .reg file you saved to reinstall it. CAUTION: Do not double click .reg files unless you’re sure of what you’re doing. It will import them back into the registry and automatically reinstall the old file if you accidentally double click it, so be careful. If you’ve made changes to your registry, it will overwrite them. To view the contents of .reg files, right click them and open them with notepad.
If you want to edit the boot.ini file, (in the root directory) without using notepad, do the following: Open the control panel applet (start, control panel). Double click the System icon: the system properties window will open. Click the advanced tab and click the startup and recovery button. The startup and recovery window will open. Under the system startup options you’ll see an option that says ‘to edit the boot options file manually, click edit’.
To uninstall unwanted windows components: open the %SystemRoot%\inf (on most computers, it's C:\WINDOWS\inf, but it won't appear unless all hidden files are showing) folder and locate the sysoc.inf file. Make a backup of it before proceeding. Double click it - it should open in notepad. Delete the word ‘hide’ for any component but DO NOT remove the commas. Save the sysoc.inf file, close it and reboot the system. Then start the add/remove programs applet in the control panel and uninstall it.
Locations for startup programs that run when Windows XP starts loading:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\%username%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
(There are spaces between documents and settings, all users and start menu)
The locations of the folders that Windows treats as the Startup folder (including individual user profile’s Startup folder) are stored in the Startup key of
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellFolders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserShellFolders
and the Common Startup key of
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\UserShellFolders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\ShellFolders
To prevent Windows messenger from auto starting delete the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MSMSGS
To remove the shortcut arrows from Windows shortcuts without Microsoft PowerToys: run the registry editor and maneuver to the following keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile (l as in link file) and delete the lsshortcut value
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile and delete the lsshortcut value
Close the registry editor and reboot your computer.
To clear the paging file at shutdown: open the registry editor. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\MemoryManagement. Find the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value (REG_DWORD datatype) and set its value to 1. If the value doesn’t exist, create it. Restart the computer.
To remove uninstalled items from the list displayed in the Add/Remove Programs applet: You can try reinstalling the program and uninstalling it (if the program was deleted rather than uninstalled) or: open the registry editor and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
and find the sub-key created by the application you need to remove. When you find it delete it. DO NOT TRY TO DELETE THE UNINSTALL KEY. Close the registry editor, go back to the Add/Remove Programs applet. It should be gone.
To disable Notification area balloon tips: open the registry editor, Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Create a new REG_DWORD value. Name it EnableBalloonTips. Set the value to 0 (zero). Close the registry editor and restart your computer.
or
To turn off balloon tips without editing the registry in Windows XP: Open windows explorer or any folder window. Select (click) tools - select folder - select options - select view - select advanced - scroll to the bottom of the advanced settings list - uncheck ‘show pop-up description for folder and desktop icons - click ok.
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