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Registry Tips

Automatic Shutdown with Windows NT
Kill Hung Processes When Logging Off in Windows NT
NT Crash Log File
Changing the Location of Outlook Express Data Files
Disabling the Blinking Cursor
Re-Enabling DHCP Error Messages
Getting Rid of Schemes
Hiding Any Combination of Drives
Creating a Legal Text Notice Before Logon
Removing the Hand Icon from Shared Resources
Enabling the Middle Mouse Button on Logitech Mouse
Easily Opening a File with Notepad
Displaying Hi-Color Icons without the Plus Pack
Backing Up the Registry
Removing Unwanted Items from the RUN Menu
Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer
Compacting the Registry
Changing Exchange's Mailbox Location
Removing Sound Events from Control Panel / Sounds
Changing the Registered Owner
Adding an Application to Every Folder
Adding Explore From Here to Every Folder
Saving Desktop Settings
Getting Rid of Tips
Changing the Location of Windows95's Installation Files
Creating a Network Logon Banner
Creating a Default File Opener
Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line
Restrictions without running Poledit
Automatic Screen Refresh
Disable Password Caching
Changing the MaxMTU and other Network Settings
Adding Items to the Start Button
Removing Open, Explore & Find from Start Button
Removing the InBox Icon and Recycle Bin Icons from the Desktop
Removing Items from NEW on the Desktop
Changing the Telnet Scroll-Back Buffer Size
Changing the Tips of the Day
Disabling Drives in My Computer
Not Saving Settings on Exit
Not Displaying the Network Neighborhood
Disabling Run or Find from the Start Menu
Hiding All Icons from the Desktop
Get Your Folders to Open the Way You Want Every Time
Modifying Default Desktop Icons
Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button
Disabling My Computer
Clearing the Documents Menu Automatically
Opening Explorer from My Computer
Fixing a Corrupt Registry
Recycle Bin Edits
Not Displaying the Last User Logged on
Setting the Minimum Password Length
Disabling File and Print Sharing
Removing the Shortcut Arrows
Turn Off Window Animation
To speed up the Start Menu
Changing your Modem's Initialization String
Increasing the Modem Timeout
Removing Programs listed from the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs Section
Specifying programs to run every time Windows95 starts

Automatic Shutdown with Windows NT

 

Most laptops allow the operating system to turn off the hardware after shutdown, instead of displaying the message telling you it's now safe to turn off your system.
You can take advantage of this capability by enabling the Power Down After Shutdown feature.

To enable this feature, simply add a REG_SZ value named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\PowerdownAfterShutDown and set it to 1.

Next, tell NT to shut down and see if the machine turns itself off after shutting down. If it doesn't, change the value back to 0 to restore normal operation.

Kill Hung Processes When Logging Off in Windows NT

When you tell NT to shut down, it first sends shutdown requests to any running processes.
Most 32-bit applications honor these requests and shut down, but older 16-bit apps running in the Virtual DOS Machine often won't.
When this occurs, the operating system prompts you with a dialog box asking if you want to kill the task, wait for the task to die on its own, or cancel the shutdown.
By modifying the Registry, you can automate this process.

You can force NT to kill all running processes on shutdown by adding a REG_SZ value named HKEY_USER\\ControlPanel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks and set the value to 1. You can also add this value to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT so that all new accounts will shut down the same way.

NT Crash Log File

In addition to the crash log file, you can also enable two other methods of crash notification and logging.

You can enable an administrative alert by changing the value of

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\CrashControl\SendAlert to 1. The next time the system crashes, an administrative alert will be sent that may provide the first sign of the crash.

You can also make NT log the crash in the event log by changing the value of

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\CrashControl\LogEvent to 1 instead of its default 0. Now, the exact time of the crash will be permanently recorded.

Changing the Location of Outlook Express Data Files

Normally Outlook Express keeps its data files in the C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express directory.

To change this:

  1. First copy those files to the new location
  2. Start RegEdit
  3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Outlook Express
  4. Change the Store Root key to the directory where you moved the files

Disabling the Blinking Cursor

To stop the cursor from blinking in applications such as Word:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  3. Add a String Value
  4. Name it CursorBlinkRate
  5. Give it a value of -1
  6. Reboot the computer

Re-Enabling DHCP Error Messages

If you got a DHCP error message, selected to not see DHCP errors, and now want to see them again;

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ VxD \ DHCP
  3. Change the value of PopupFlag from 00 to 01

Getting Rid of Schemes

  1. A safer way would be is to go to the Control Panel / Display / Appearance tab
  2. Go to the Scheme drop down box
  3. Select the one you don't want and click on the delete button

When you right click on your desktop and pick properties your Display Properties screen appears.
Under Appearance tab / Schemes, determine if you want all those wild schemes.
If not they can be deleted and clear approximately 45K.
Before you delete them, choose or create at least 1 Scheme and "Save As" (in my case Bud 1).

  1. Open Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Appearance \ Schemes
  3. Highlight every String and Value on the right side and delete. DO NOT DELETE "Default"

 

Hiding Any Combination of Drives

 

If you want to stop a drive or any combination of drives appearing in Explorer/My Computer

Add the Binary Value of 'NoDrives' in the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Give it a value from a combination of the table below:

A: 01 00 00 00
B: 02 00 00 00
C: 04 00 00 00
D: 08 00 00 00
E: 10 00 00 00
F: 20 00 00 00
G: 40 00 00 00
H: 80 00 00 00
I: 00 01 00 00
J: 00 02 00 00
K: 00 04 00 00
L: 00 08 00 00
M: 00 10 00 00
N: 00 20 00 00
O: 00 40 00 00
P: 00 80 00 00
Q: 00 00 01 00
R: 00 00 02 00
S: 00 00 04 00
T: 00 00 08 00
U: 00 00 10 00
V: 00 00 20 00
W: 00 00 40 00
X: 00 00 80 00
Y: 00 00 00 01
Z: 00 00 00 02

Where (for eg) you want to hide Drives {C,E,J,O,R,U,Y,Z} you would give 'NoDrives' the value 14 42 12 03
Where C+E = 14, J+O = 42, R+U=12 and Y+Z = 03
Please NOTE: The Numbers are to be added in HEXadecimal ie: ABCD = 0F, not 15 All Drives Visible is 00 00 00 00 All Drives Hidden is FF FF FF 03

 

Creating a Legal Text Notice Before Logon

 

You can create a banner that will come up just before you logon to the computer:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKeyLocalMachine \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ WinLogon
  3. Create a new string value called LegalNoticeCaption and give it a value you want to see in the menu bar
  4. Create a new string value called LegalNoticeText and give it a value you want to see in the in the dialog box

Now before anyone logs into that computer, this banner will come up on the screen.
This can be useful for any legal warnings you want to give regarding the use of the computer.

Removing the Hand Icon from Shared Resources

 

When you share a local resource, Windows95 normally puts a hand in from of that resources icon.
To remove hand icon from your shared resources:

  1. Start Regedit.
  2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / Network
  3. Open SharingHandler.
  4. Clear it's default value
  5. Restart Windows.
  6. To restore set Default value "msshrui.dll".

 

Enabling the Middle Mouse Button on Logitech Mouse

To enable the middle mouse button on Logitech Mouses to act as a double-click button by only pressing it once:

Run Regedit

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LOGITECH\MOUSEWARE\CURRENTVERSION\SERIALV\0000

Change DoubleClick to equal 001

 

Easily Opening a File with Notepad

 

This will enable you to right click on any file and have the option to open it with notepad.
Also if a file has no association and you try to open it it will open with notepad

  1. Run 'regedit.exe'
  2. Expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
  3. Inside "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT", expand "*"
  4. Inside "*", create a key called "shell"
  5. Inside "shell" create a key called "open"
  6. Inside "open" edit the string "(default)" to say "open (notepad)"
  7. Inside "open" create a key called "command"
  8. Inside "command" edit the string "(default)" to say "C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1"

 

Displaying Hi-Color Icons without the Plus Pack

 

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ desktop \ WindowMetrics
  3. Add or edit Shell Icon BPP=16 where the number is the color depth.
  4. The default is 8 (bit or 256 colors). 

 

Backing Up the Registry

 

There are many backup programs for the registry but if the computer goes down and you can't fire off Win95 because of the registry problem.

Backup to a directory the following files:

These files can be copied to the windows directory from Win95 or DOS to help correct problems.

 

Removing Unwanted Items from the RUN Menu

 

  1. Start the REGEDIT program
  2. Search for the word RUNMRU
  3. Delete the ones you don't want
  4. Rename so they are all in alphabetical order again
  5. Close and restart windows

 

Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer

 

Add or Edit the following Registry Keys

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that Directory"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com /k cd %1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that Drive"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com /k cd %1"

These will allow you to right click on either the drive or the directory and the option of starting the dos prompt there will pop up

 

Compacting the Registry

 

How to compact the registry?

  1. Got to true DOS, not a DOS window
  2. Run Regedit and then export the entire Registry to COMPACT.REG.
  3. Then exit regedit and run it again with the following switch. REGEDIT /C COMPACT.REG

 

Changing Exchange's Mailbox Location

 

When you create a mailbox in Exchange for e-mail, you specify the file where you want to mail to go.
You cannot change this in Exchange afterwards.

If you want to change the file name or location::

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ WindowsMessaging Subsystem \ Profiles
  3. Go to the profile you want to change
  4. Go to the section that has the file location for your mailbox (*.PST) file in the right hand panel
  5. Make the change to file location or name
  6. Restart Exchange

Removing Sound Events from Control Panel / Sounds

 

When you view what events you can assign sounds to from Control Panel / Sounds,
you cannot delete the events themselves. In order to do that:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / AppEvents / Schemes / Apps
  3. From here you can delete any items you don't want to show or no longer need.

Changing the Registered Owner

 

  1. Starting Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion
  3. From there you can edit the name in the Registered Owner key

Adding an Application to the Right Click on Every Folder

 

Here is how to add any application to the menu when you right click on any Folder.
This could be useful if there is an app you always want available and don't want to go through the Start menu

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
  3. Add a key Name_of_Your_App
  4. This can really be any label, just use one that makes sense to you
  5. Give it a default value of Name_of_Your_App
  6. Putting a & in front of a character will allow you to use the keyboard
  7. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ Name_of_Your_App
  8. Add a key command
  9. Give it a default value of the application you want to run
  10. For example: c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
  11. Include the full path

Now when you right click on any folder, you can have access to that application
This will work for both Windows95 and NT 4.0

Adding Explore From Here to Every Folder

 

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
  3. Add a key rootexplore
  4. Give it a default value of E&xplore From Here
  5. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ rootexplore
  6. Add a key command
  7. Give it a default value of Explorer.exe /e,/root,/idlist,%i

Now when you right click on any folder, you can open up an Explorer window of that folder.
This will work for both Windows95 and NT 4.0

Saving Desktop Settings

 

When I would go to Control Panel or Start Menu Programs, or any other Desktop window setting; meaning size, position, icon arrangement, they would never be as I set them. I found an answer:

At [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
There is a "NoSaveSettings" key. I deleted it and now my all my stuff stays where I tell it.
The same key shows up at:
[HKEY_USERS\bwil\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer](where bwil is your password profile) Just thought I'd share this with you all.

 

Getting Rid of Tips

Remember those "Tips of the day" that appeared when you first install Win95?
If you don't want them any longer and want to clear yet more Clutter, approximately 5K, you can delete them at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Tips

 

Changing the Location of Windows95's Installation Files

 

If you need to change the drive and or path where Windows95 will look for it's installation files:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Setup \ SourcePath
  3. Change the location from there

Creating a Network Logon Banner

 

If you want to create a Network Logon Banner:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go To HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  3. Create a new String called LegalNoticeCaption
  4. Enter the text for your banner

 

Creating a Default File Opener


If you have a un-registered file type and want to view it with Explorer's Right-click
you can add your program to the right-click options by:

  1. Starting Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_CLASS_ROOT / Unknown
  3. Highlight the Shell Folder below it
  4. Right click on Shell and create a New Key
  5. Name it anything you want (For example NOTEPAD)
  6. Create a New Key under that named command
  7. Highlight the Command key
  8. Double click on the Default value in the right hand panel
  9. In Value Data, enter the path and filename of the program you want to use to open the file type
  10. For example: C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
  11. Click on OK

In this example, when you right click on a file in Explorer, NOTEPAD will show up as an option.

Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line

 

With the OEM Version of Windows95, a new switch, /D, is added to Regedit.
This enables you to delete items from Registry.

The syntax is: REGEDIT /L:system.dat_location /R:user.dat_location /D Reg_Key
where Reg_Key is the key you want to delete

There are two requirements:
1. That you have to boot to the same OEM version of Windows95 as the REGEDIT.EXE file.
2. You cannot be in Win95 at the time you use this switch.

Restrictions without running Poledit

 

If you want to make restrictions to what users can do without having to running Poledit,
changes can be made directly to the Registry.

This will allow you to make a REG file with the specific restrictions you want
and importing them all at once.

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
  3. There should already be at least a Explorer
  4. Additional keys that can be created under Policies are System, Network and WinOldApp
  5. You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
  6. In the Explorer key you can add:
  7. In the System key you can enter:
  8. In the Network key you can enter:
  9. In the WinOldApp key you can enter:

Automatic Screen Refresh

 

When you make changes to your hard drive and use Explorer, the changes are not usually displayed until you press the F5 key
To make the updates automatic:

  1. Start Regedit
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Control / UpdateMode
  3. Edit the DWORD value to be between 1 and 7
  4. Restart Windows

Disable Password Caching

 

As in Windows for Workgroups, when logging on to an NT Domain, it is preferable to disable password caching.
This allows for the single NT Domain login and eliminates the secondary Windows logon screen.
It also eliminates the possibility of the respective passwords to get out of sync.

To disable password caching on the workstation, a one-line addition to the registry needs to be made.
To make the change, create a ASCII text file called DISABLE.REG with the following lines:

  • REGEDIT4

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network]
    "DisablePwdCaching"=dword:00000001

    •

    Open up a DOS box and type REGEDIT DISABLE.REG

    You can also download the DISABLE.REG file.

    If you need to re-enable password caching, download ENABLE.REG and repeat the process just with the different file name

    Changing the MaxMTU and other Network Settings

     

    There are four network settings that can be configured so when dialing to an ISP, you should get somewhat greater throughput.
    They are the MaxMTU, MaxMSS and DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL

    MaxMTU and MaxMSS

    1. Start REGEDIT
    2. Go to Hkey_Local_Machine / System / CurrentControlset / Services / Class / netTrans / 000n
      (where n is your particular network adapter binding.)
    3. Right click on the right panel
    4. Select New / String Value
    5. Type in MaxMTU
    6. Double click on it and enter then the number you want. The usual change is to 576
    7. Similarly, you can add MaxMSS and give it a value of 536

    DefaultRcvWindows and DefaultTTL

    1. Start REGEDIT
    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ VxD \ MSTCP
    3. Add a new string DefaultRcvWindow and give it a value of 2144
    4. Add a new string DefaultTTL and give it a value of 60-64

    Adding Items to the Start Button

     

    To add items when you right-click on the Start Button:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Classes_Root / Directory / Shell
    3. Right-click on Shell and select New / Key
    4. Type in the name of the key and press the Enter key
    5. In the Default name that shows in the right hand panel, you can add a title with a & character in front of the letter for a shortcut
    6. Right-click on the key you just created and create another key under it called command
    7. For the value of this command, enter the full path and program you want to execute
    8. Now when you right click on the Start Button, your new program will show up. You do not need to reboot first.
    9. For example, if you wanted WinWord, you would add that as the first key, the default in the right panel would be &WinWord so when you right click on the Start Button, the W would be underlined and you could just press that key. The command would be something like C:\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\WINWORD.EXE

    Removing Open, Explore & Find from Start Button

     

    When you right click on the Start Button, you can select Open, Explore or Find.
    Open shows your Programs folder. Explore starts the Explorer and allows access to all drives.
    Find allows you to search and then run programs. In certain situations you might want to disable this feature.
    To remove them:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for Directory
    3. This should bring you to Hkey_Classes_Root \ Directory
    4. Expand this section by clicking on the "+"
    5. Under shell is Find
    6. Delete Find
    7. Scroll down below Directory to Folder
    8. Expand this section under shell
    9. Delete Explore and Open

    Note: - When you remove Open, you cannot open any folders.

    Removing Items from NEW

     

    When you right-click on the desktop and select New, a list of default templates you can open up are listed.
    To remove items from that list:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for the string ShellNew
    3. This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root
    4. For the items you want to remove, simply rename the ShellNew command
    5. Renaming is safer that deleting it
    6. Continue searching for the items you want to remove
    7. You do not need to reboot for the change to take effect

    Changing the Telnet Scroll-Back Buffer Size

     

    By default, the Telnet session has a window size of 25 lines. To increase this so you can scroll back
    and look at a larger number on lines:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Telnet
    3. Double-click on the entry Rows in the right hand panel
    4. Increase the decimal value to one that suits your needs.

    Changing the Tips of the Day

     

    You can edit the Tips of the day in the Registry by going to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Tips

     

    Disabling Drives in My Computer

     

    To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
    3. Add a New DWORD item and name it NoDrives
    4. Give it a value of 3FFFFFF
    5. Now when you click on My Computer, none of your drives will show

    Not Saving Setting on Exit


    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
    3. Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
    4. Name it NoSaveSettings
    5. Give it a value of 1
    6. Logoff or Reboot the computer

    Not Displaying the Network Neighborhood


    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
    3. Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
    4. Name it NoNetHood
    5. Give it a value of 1
    6. Logoff or Reboot the computer

    Disabling Run or Find from the Start Menu

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
    3. Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
    4. Name it NoFile or NoRun
    5. Give it a value of 1
    6. Logoff or Reboot the computer

    Hiding All Icons from the Desktop

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
    3. Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
    4. Name it NoDesktop
    5. Give it a value of 1
    6. Logoff or Reboot the computer
    7. Now all icons are hidden on the desktop.

    Get Your Folders to Open the Way You Want Every Time

    To get your folders to open the way you want every time:

    1. Set up all your folders the way you want (auto arrange, view, etc.),
    2. Start RegEdit
    3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
    4. Go to NoSaveSettings
    5. Modify and change Value to 1

     

    Modifying Default Desktop Icons

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell Icons
    3. The default icons are numbered in the right panel from 0-40
    4. Double click on the number of the particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.
    5. Enter the name of the icon file you want to use followed by the number of the icon in that file.
      Note: The numbering starts with zero.
    6. If you use a single .ICO file, it should be followed by a 0.
    7. e.g. - filename.dll,4 - This would actually be the 5th icon since it starts with 0.
    8. Make sure you delete the hidden file C:\WINDOWS\SHELLICONCACHE

    Below is a reference for the icons I've been able to figure out:

    0 - Default Icon
    1 - Default Document
    2 - Application
    3 - Closed Folder
    4 - Open Folder
    5 - 5 1/4 Drive
    6 - 3 1/4 Drive
    7 - Removable Drive
    8 - Hard Drive
    9 - Network Folder
    10 - Network Offline
    11 - CD
    12 - RAM Drive
    13 - Entire Nertwork
    15 - My Computer
    16 - Printer
    17 - Network Neighborhood
    18 - Network Workgroup
    19-27 are the Start Menu icons
    19 - Programs
    20 - Desktop
    21 - Settings
    22 - Find
    23 - Help
    24 - Run
    25 - Suspend
    27 - Shutdown

    28 - Share
    29 - Shortcut
    31 - Recycle Bin (Empty)
    32 - Recycle Bin (Full)
    33 - Folder, Dial-Up Networking
    34 - Desktop
    36 - Program Group
    40 - Audio Card

    In addition, you can change:

    Clearing the Documents Menu Automatically

    The Documents Menu displays the last file and programs you used. You can clear item manually but only through editing
    the Registry can you turn this off automatically. This can be useful on computers that are used by multiple people.
    The same settings can be also used in NT 4.0

    1. Set the properties on the Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.
    2. Start Regedit
    3. Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ User Shell Folders
    4. Right click on the right panel
    5. Select New / String Value
    6. Rename it to Recent - Only if it is not already there
    7. Give it the value of C:\RECYCLED
    8. Set your Recycle bin to Automatically delete files
    9. Log off and back on again.

    Your Documents Menu should now be blank. This will be for all subsequent users who logon as well.

    Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button

    Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows you to open your programs folder, the Explorer and run Find.
    In situations where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure your computer.

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for Desktop
    3. This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root \ Directory
    4. Expand this section
    5. Under Shell is Find
    6. Delete Find
    7. Move down a little in the Registry to Folder
    8. Expand this section and remove Explore and Open

    Now when you right click on the Start button, nothing should happen.
    You can delete only those items that you need.
    Note: - On Microsoft keyboards, this also disables the Window-E (for Explorer) and Window-F (for Find) keys.
    See the section on Installation to see how to do this automatically during an install.

    Disabling My Computer

    In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the computer, it might be beneficial to disable the ability to click on My Computer and have access to the drives, control panel etc.
    To disable this:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
    3. This should bring you to the HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID section
    4. Delete the entire section.

    Now when you click on My Computer, nothing will happen.
    You might want to export this section to a registry file before deleting it just in case you want to enable it again..

    See the section on Installation to see how to do this automatically during an install.

    Changing Desktop Icons

    You can change many of the icons that are located on your desktop.

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for My Computer or 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
    3. Expand that key
    4. Highlight Default Icon
    5. Double click on the Default in the right panel
    6. Enter the name of the program with the icon you want to use followed by and command and then the number of the icon (starting with 0)

    Some of the additional items that can be searched for are:

    Additional icons can be found in:

    Opening Explorer from My Computer

    By default, when you click on the My Computer icon, you get a display of all your drives, the Control Panel etc. If you would like to have this open the Explorer:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Search for My Computer or 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
    3. This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID
    4. Expand the key {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
    5. Right click on Shell
    6. Select New / Key and type Open and press the Enter key
    7. Right click on Open
    8. Select New / Key and type Command and press the Enter key
    9. Double click on the Default for Command and type Explorer.exe for the value
    10. Now when you click on My Computer, the Explorer will start
    11. If you want to return to normal, simply delete the Open key

    Fixing Corrupt Registry

    If your registry has gotten corrupted, and re-installing Windows95 over your existing version does not fix the problem,
    there is a hidden, read-only, system file on the root of your boot drive called SYSTEM.1ST.
    This is the initial system registry created when you first installed Windows95.

    To use this file:

    1. Go to your Windows directory
    2. Un-Attrib your current SYSTEM.DAT file (attrib -r -s -h system.dat)
    3. Copy your current SYSTEM.DAT to something like SYSTEM.BAD file (just in case)
    4. Move to your root directory
    5. Un-Attrib the SYSTEM.1ST file
    6. Copy SYSTEM.1ST to \WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
    7. Re-start your system

    You will need to install your 32-bit apps and any other programs or changes that modified your system registry
    but you will not need to go through a new again. Your 16-bit apps should not need to be re-installed since they do
    not modify the registry. You will also retain your current desktop configuration.

    Recycle Bin Edits

    Fooling with the recycle bin. Why not make the icon context menu act like other icon context menu's.

    Add rename to the menu:
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
    "Attributes"=hex:50,01,00,20

    Add delete to the menu:
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
    "Attributes"=hex:60,01,00,20

    Add rename and delete to the menu:
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
    "Attributes"=hex:70,01,00,20

    Restore the recycle bin to win 95 defaults including un-deleting the icon after deletion:
    ... Restore the icon.
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]
    @="Recycle Bin"
    ... reset win 95 defaults
    . [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
    "Attributes"=hex:40,01,00,20

    Other edits to the recycle bin icon:
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
    "Attributes"=hex:40,01,01,20 ... standard shortcut arrow
    "Attributes"=hex:40,01,02,20 ... another shortcut arrow
    "Attributes"=hex:40,01,04,20 ... and another shortcut arrow
    "Attributes"=hex:40,01,08,20 ... make it look disabled (like it's been cut)

    I added the above edits for fun. But it gets you thinking.
    Note: Adding rename and delete to the context menu takes effect instantly. To restore the icon after deletion requires screen refresh (F5).
    Have fun.... Tom

     

    Setting the Minimum Password Length

     

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
    3. Add a new Binary Value
    4. Rename it to MinPwdLen
    5. Assign it a value equal to your minimum password length

    Also see the Installation Section on doing this automatically during installation.

    Disabling File and Print Sharing

     

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
    3. Add a new DWord Value
    4. Rename it to NoPrintSharing or NoFileSharing
    5. Assign it a value of 1

    Also see the Installation Section on doing this automatically during installation.

    Specifying programs to run every time Windows95 starts

     

    If you want to start programs every time Windows95 runs, but would like to hide them from users
    by not having the listed in the Startup folder or the WIN.INI file, you can have them load through the registry.

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run or RunOnce
    3. Right click on the right panel
    4. Select New / String Value
    5. Type in any name
    6. For the value, enter the path and executable for the program you want to run.

    Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows

     

    1. Open REGEDIT.EXE
    2. Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
    3. Open the Key LNKFILE
    4. Delete the value IsShortcut
    5. Open the next Key PIFFILE
    6. Delete the value IsShortcut
    7. Restart the Win95

    Turn Off Window Animation

    You can shut off the animation displayed when you minimize and maximize windows.

    1. Open Regedit
    2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    3. Control panel
    4. Desktop
    5. WindowMetrics
    6. Right Mouse Click an empty space in the right pane.
    7. Select new/string value.
    8. Name the new value MinAnimate.
    9. Doubleclick on the new string value (MinAnimate) and click on "Modify"
    10. Enter a value of 0 for Off or 1 for On then hit Enter
    11. Close Regedit and all programs then reboot.

    To speed up the Start Menu

     

    1. Start the REGEDIT program
    2. Search for the word desktop
    3. This should be in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / CLSID / {00021400...
    4. Right Click on the right panel
    5. Pick NEW / String Value.
    6. Name it MenuShowDelay, all one word.
    7. Select a value from 1-10, 1 being the fastest.
    8. Exit REGEDIT
    9. Restart Windows

    Changing your Modem's Initialization String

     

    1. Start REGEDIT
    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ Class \ Modem \ 0000 \ Init
    3. Change the settings to the new values

    Increasing the Modem Timeout

    If your modem it timing out during file transfers or loading Web Pages,
    you might try increasing the timeout period.

    To change it:

    1. Start Regedit
    2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Services / Class / Modem / XXXX / Settings
      Where XXXX is the number of your modem
    3. Move to the right panel and double click on Inactivity Timeout
    4. The number of minutes for a timeout should be entered between the brackets.
    5. For example, a US Robotics Sportster could have S19=<30> to set it to 30 minutes.

    Removing Programs listed from the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs Section

    If you remove an installed program and its files by deleting the files,
    it may still show up in the Add/Remove programs list through the control panel.
    In order to remove it from the list (so you don't need to re-install in order to just remove it again).

    1. Start the Registry Editor
    2. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Uninstall
    3. Delete any programs here.

    This will only delete them from the list, not delete the actual programs.
    Only programs designed for Windows95 will show up here in the first place.