Remote Tech Support

Sometimes you find that your system menu item called Folder Options under the Tools menu is missing in My Computer or in Windows Explorer and you want to get it back but you dont know how to . Here are some tips you can try to get it back.

Edit the registry to get the folder options back.

Go to Start, Run then type in regedit and click Ok.

Browse to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Find the NoFolderOptions key and change the vaule to 0 assuming you have this registry key.

Restart your computer.

Check your computer's policy to make sure its not disabled.

Click on Start, Run and type in gpedit.msc and navigate to the following location:

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Explorer.

On the right side, set Remove the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu to Not Configured by double clicking it and setting the appropriate option.

Import a registry tweak\edit.

Download and import this registry tweak that will change settings in your registry.

Download the file.

Double click it and then click Run and then Yes when it asks if you want to import the file into the registry.

In Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, “regsvr32” is a command-line utility used for registering and un-registering OLE controls like DLLs and ActiveX controls in the Windows Registry. For example – a DDL, to be used with regsvr32, must export the functions DllRegisterServer and DllUnregisterServer. This tool may require troubleshooting some problems in Windows, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or other programs.

Regsvr32.exe is incorporated in Microsoft IE 3.0 or later, Windows 95 OSR2 or later and Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5. Regsvr32.exe is either installed in System folder of (Windows Me / Windows 98/Windows 95) or System32 (Windows NT/Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7) folder.

Regsvr32.exe Usage:

1. RegSvr32.exe command-line options:

Regsvr32 [/ u] [/ n] [/ i [: cmdline]] dllname

2. Parameters:

/u : It will unregister the file.
/s : Runs regsvr32 silently and does not display any message boxes.
/n : doesn’t call DllRegisterServer. This option should be used with /i.
/i :cmdline : It calls DllInstall passing it an optional [cmdline]. When used with /u, it calls dll uninstall.
dllname: Specifies the name of the dll file that will be registered.

For example, to manually register and unregister a DLL file shm.dll, we can do the following in CMD:

regsvr32 shm.dll for registering a file.
regsvr32 /u shm.dll for uninstalling a file.

problem in copying files on their USB portable devices like pen drives, memory card and iPod etc.

§ Cannot copy files and folders, drive is write protected

§ Cannot format the drive, drive is write protected

§ The disk is write protected

§ Remove write protection or use another disk

§ Media is write protected

Some times people say that suddenly their drive become write protected and they are not able to delete any files and folder on the drive and also not able to copy new files and folder to USB portable drive.

Let’s see how can you remove write protection on your portable devices like pen drives, memory cards, iPod and other USB mass storage devices.

Fix:

Write Protection on any portable USB Device can be applied by the physical lock provided on the card adjuster or some times provided on the pen drives, so make sure to make your drive not write protected by moving the lock in right direction.

But even after moving the physical lock for write protection the problem can happen due to some virus action. This happens when some virus or script which applies the registry hack to make any drive write protect when connected to the computer, In that case follow the procedure below to remove write protection from your pen drive.

1. Open Start Menu >> Run, type regedit and press Enter, this will open the registry editor.

2. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Note: If the registry key StorageDevicePolicies key does not exist, you will need to create it

Download this batch file called add.bat from here, and double click after download the key will beautomatically added to registry.

3. Double click the key WriteProtect in the right pane and set the value to 0 in the Value Data Box and press OK button

(value 1 to Write protect the USB Pendrive)

4.Exit Registry, restart your computer and then again re-connect your USB pen drive on your computer

In normal condition its not possible to login with multiple ID's in Yahoo Messenger from the same computer. But friends I had a trick for multiple login in yahoo messenger. Now, you can login with multiple ID's on the same yahoo messenger by a simple registry manipulation. You can fool your friends and girl friends by chatting simultaneously with them from two different Yahoo ID's.

Steps for multiple login :

First of all close Yahoo Messenger, if it's open.
Go to Start > Run > Type regedit > Click OK
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Yahoo > pager > Test
On the right pane, right-click and choose new Dword value
Rename it as Plural
Double click and assign a decimal value of 1
Now close registry
Start Yahoo Messenger and login with Yahoo ID.
For signing in with another Yahoo ID, open another messenger and login

You can directly download this file multiple yahoo login.reg , just double click it and click Yes. But before this close Yahoo Messenger. All your work is done. Now, start Yahoo Messenger as many time as you can and login with different Yahoo ID's.

Download Link: multiple_yahoo_login.reg

As a result, you’re unable to create System Restore Points or configure System Restore.

Resolution

This happens if the Turn off Configuration Policy is enabled in your system, either using Group Policy or through registry edit. For standalone Windows Vista systems, use these steps:
Using the Group Policy Editor
If your edition of Windows Vista includes the Group Policy Editor snap-in (gpedit.msc), follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type gpedit.msc and press ENTER
2. Go to the following branch:

Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | System | System Restore

3. Double-click Turn off Configuration and set it to Not configured.
Note: If the above setting is already set to Not configured, set it to Enabled and click Apply. Then revert back the setting to Not configured, and click Apply, OK.
4. Exit the Group Policy Editor.
Using the Registry Editor
1. Click Start, type regedit.exe and press ENTER
2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ SystemRestore

3. In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableConfig
4. Exit the Registry Editor.
Registry Fix
To automate the above setting, download srpol-clear.reg and save to Desktop. Right-click on the file and choose Merge.

More Information

If you set the Turn of configuration option to Enabled, the option to configure System Restore on the Configuration Interface disappears. If the Turn off Configuration setting is disabled, the configuration interface is still visible, but all System Restore configuration defaults are enforced, and the Create button is grayed out. If you set it to Not configured, the configuration interface for System Restore remains, and the user has the ability to configure System Restore

Step 1: Start the computer in safe mode
1. Start the computer.
2. After the computer runs the Power On Self Test (POST), press F8 repeatedly to open the Windows Advanced Options menu.
3. On the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
4. Use the arrow keys to select the Windows operating system that you want to start, and then press ENTER.
5. When the computer is running in safe mode, log on by using an account that has administrator rights and permissions. Then, click Yes in the message that states that Windows is running in safe mode.

Step 2: Start Registry Editor
Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Step 3: Remove the RESETS registry subkey
1. In Registry Editor, expand My Computer, and then expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
2. Expand SOFTWARE, and then expand Microsoft.
3. Expand Windows NT, and then expand CurrentVersion.
4. Expand Winlogon, and then expand Notify.
5. Under Notify, right-click RESETS, and then click Delete.
6. Click Yes to confirm the removal of the RESETS subkey.
Note Do not exit Registry Editor. You must use Registry Editor in "Step 4: Modify the registry to deactivate Windows."
Step 4: Modify the registry to deactivate Windows
1. In Registry Editor, expand My Computer, and then expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
2. Expand SOFTWARE, and then expand Microsoft.
3. Expand Windows NT, and then expand CurrentVersion.
4. Under CurrentVersion, click WPAEvents.
5. In the right pane (topic area) of Registry Editor, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
6. Click to put the pointer in the Value data box. Then, modify any character that appears in the Value data box.
7. Click OK.
Note This step deactivates Windows.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
Step 5: Rename the corrupted Windows activation file
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
ren %windir%\system32\WPA.dbl wpa.old
This command renames the WPA.dbl file to WPA.old.
Step 6: Determine the CD or DVD drive letter
1. Insert the Windows CD.
2. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
3. Note the CD drive letter or the DVD drive letter that appears under Drives with Removable Storage. You have to use this drive letter in the next step.
Step 7: Replace the corrupted Windows activation file
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
expand F:\i386\wpa.db_ %windir%\system32\wpa.dbl
In this command, replace F: with the letter of the drive that contains the Windows CD.
expand d:\i386\wpa.db_ %windir%\system32\wpa.dbl
This command extracts a copy of the Wpa.dbl file from the Windows CD. Then, it puts this file in the System32 folder of the Windows installation.
3. Examine the output that appears at the command prompt. If the command runs successfully, information that resembles the following appears:
Microsoft (R) File Expansion Utility Version 5.1.2600.0 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp 1990-1999. All rights reserved. Expanding d:\i386\wpa.db_ to c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl. d:\i386\wpa.db_: 2222 bytes expanded to 2126 bytes, -5% increase.
4. Type exit, and then press ENTER to exit the command prompt.
Step 8: Remove the files that are associated with the script
1. Click Start, and then click Search.
2. Under What do you want to search for, click All files and folders.
3. In the All or part of the file name box, type the following, and then click Search:
reset5.exe; reset5.dll; reset5.dat; reset5.dt*; srvany.exe
This action performs a search for all the following files:
* Reset5.exe
* Reset5.dll
* Reset5.dat
* Reset5.dt*
* Srvany.exe
Note If you use a different search tool such as Windows Desktop Search, use this tool to search for each of these individual files.
4. In the results pane of the Search Results dialog box, right-click each file, and then click Delete.
5. Click Yes to confirm the removal of the file.
6. When you have finished removing these files, exit the Search Results dialog box.
7. Restart the computer and let Windows restart in normal mode.
Step 9: Reactivate Windows
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Activate Windows.
2. If the Windows Product Activation Wizard prompts you to activate Windows, follow the instructions in the wizard to activate Windows.
3. Restart the computer, and then repeat step 1 of "Step 9: Reactivate Windows" to start the Windows Product Activation Wizard again. You take this step to verify that the wizard does not prompt you to activate Windows again.
4. If the Windows Product Activation Wizard displays a "Windows is already activated" message, click OK to exit the wizard.
or

Use Activation Tools

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If you want to make restrictions to what users can do or use on their computer, you can edit the Registry. You can add and delete Windows features in this Key shown below.Zero is Off and the value 1 is On. Example: to Save Windows settings add or modify the value name NoSaveSettings to 0, if set to1 Windows will not save settings. And NoDeletePrinter set to 1 will prevent the user from deleting a printer.

The same key shows up at:
HKEY_USERS\(yourprofilename)\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer so change it there also if you are using different profiles.

1.Open RegEdit

2.Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Policies

3.Go to the Explorer Key (Additional keys that can be created under Policies are System, Explorer, Network and WinOldApp )

4.You can then add DWORD or binary values set to 1 in the appropriate keys for ON and 0 for off.

NoDeletePrinter - Disables Deletion of Printers
NoAddPrinter - Disables Addition of Printers
NoRun - Disables Run Command
NoSetFolders - Removes Folders from Settings on Start Menu
NoSetTaskbar - Removes Taskbar from Settings on Start Menu
NoFind - Removes the Find Command
NoDrives - Hides Drives in My Computers
NoNetHood - Hides the Network Neighborhood
NoDesktop - Hides all icons on the Desktop
NoClose - Disables Shutdown
NoSaveSettings - Don't save settings on exit
DisableRegistryTools - Disable Registry Editing Tools
NoRecentDocsMenu - Hides the Documents shortcut at the Start button
NoRecentDocsHistory- Clears history of Documents
NoFileMenu _ Hides the Files Menu in Explorer
NoActiveDesktop - No Active Desktop
NoActiveDesktopChanges- No changes allowed
NoInternetIcon - No Internet Explorer Icon on the Desktop
NoFavoritesMenu - Hides the Favorites menu
NoChangeStartMenu _ Disables changes to the Start Menu
NoFolderOptions _ Hides the Folder Options in the Explorer
ClearRecentDocsOnExit - Empty the recent Docs folder on reboot
NoLogoff - Hides the Log Off .... in the Start Menu.

And here are a few more you can play with
ShowInfoTip
NoTrayContextMenu
NoStartMenuSubFolders
NoWindowsUpdate
NoViewContextMenu
EnforceShellExtensionSecurity
LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo
NoDriveTypeAutoRun
NoStartBanner
NoSetActiveDesktop
EditLevel
NoNetConnectDisconnect
RestrictRun - Disables all exe programs except those listed in the RestrictRun subkey

This key has many other available keys, there is one to even hide the taskbar, one to hide the control panel and more. I'm not telling you how, as someone may want to play a trick on you. The policies key has a great deal of control over how and what program can run and how one can access what feature.

In the System key you can enter:
NoDispCPL - Disable Display Control Panel
NoDispBackgroundPage - Hide Background Page
NoDispScrSavPage - Hide Screen Saver Page
NoDispAppearancePage - Hide Appearance Page
NoDispSettingsPage - Hide Settings Page
NoSecCPL - Disable Password Control Panel
NoPwdPage - Hide Password Change Page
NoAdminPage - Hide Remote Administration Page
NoProfilePage - Hide User Profiles Page
NoDevMgrPage - Hide Device Manager Page
NoConfigPage - Hide Hardware Profiles Page
NoFileSysPage - Hide File System Button
NoVirtMemPage - Hide Virtual Memory Button

In the Network key you can enter:
NoNetSetup - Disable the Network Control Panel
NoNetSetupIDPage - Hide Identification Page
NoNetSetupSecurityPage - Hide Access Control Page
NoFileSharingControl - Disable File Sharing Controls
NoPrintSharing - Disable Print Sharing Controls

In the WinOldApp key you can enter:
Disabled - Disable MS-DOS Prompt
NoRealMode - Disables Single-Mode MS-DOS

To add or remove programs in the Registry
1.Open RegEdit

2.Go to the desired Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

3. Add a new String Value and name it anything you like
4. For the value data, enter the path and executable for the program you want to run.

By adding the value to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive instead allows the program to start only when that user is logged on.

If you add the value to the RunOnce key the program will run once and be removed from the key by Windows.

Useful List Of Registry Tips and Tricks

TIPS TECH TRICKS brings the Registry tips and tricks collection which is very helpful and easy to use but please try it at your risk because you might be in little trouble if made a little mistake.

1. Disable the Autorun Option in your CD Rom Drive:
Open your Registry and navigate to "HK_L_M\system\currentcontrolset\services\cdro m"
Change the value of 'Autorun', or create a new DWORD value if it doesn't already exist, and set the value as '0' for Autorun disabled.

2. Disable the Harddisk Lowdiskspace warning in Windows Xp
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
System Key: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
create a new DWORD 'NoLowDiskSpaceChecks' and change its value to '1'.

3. Disable the Windows Key
"HK_L_M\system\currentcontrolset\control\keybo ard layout"
Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value called 'Scancode Map' as shown below.
Value: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00

4. View System BIOS Information
Open Registry and navigate to
"HK_L_M\hardware\description\system"

5. Change the Title of WindowsMedia Player
"HK_C_USER\software\policies\microsoft\windows medi aplayer\"
Create a new string value called ' TitleBar' and change text as your wish.

6. Disable Internet access in Network
Open Registry and make the following changes
"KH_C_User\software\microsoft\windows\currentversi on\internetsettings\"
Change the value of "Proxyenabled" to 1 and change the value of "proxyserver" and set it to an ip address. Change the value of the ip address and port to "10.0.0.1:5555"

7. Disable the ability to Right click on the desktop
"HK_C_User\software\microsoft\windows\currentv ersi on\policies\explorer\"
Create a DWORD "NoViewContextMenu" and change its value to "0" for disabling and "1" for enabling.

8. Hide all items on desktop
"HK_C_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentv ersi on\policies\explorer\"
and
"HK_L_M\software\microsoft\windows\currentvers ion\ policies\explorer\"
create a new DWORD "NoDesktop" and change its value to "1"
You can show all the items in the desktop by chaning the value to "0"

9. Disable the "Change Password" button in windows
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\System"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersi on\Policies\System"
Create a new DWORD "DisableChangePassword" and change its value to "0" for disabling and "1" for enabling.

10. Disable the "cancel" button or pressing the "Esc" key while logging on to Windows"
"HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Window s\Cu rrentVersion\Run"
Create a new string value "NoLogon" and change its value to "RUNDLL32 shell32,SHExitWindowsEx 0"

Visit : http://sapost.blogspot.com/  for more Tips

11. Remove "Log off" from start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
Create a new DWORD "NoLogOff" and change its value to "1" for disabling and "0" for enabling.

12. Clear the Recent playlist in Media Player
Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPla yer\ Player"
And clear the "RecentFileList" subkey.

13. Empty temporary Internet files on exit (in Internet Explorer)
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Internet Settings\Cache"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache"
Create a new DWORD "Persistent" and change the value to "0" for emptying and "1" to remove this option.

14. Clear the Internet Explorere typed addresses history
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TypedURLs"
And delete the subkeys.

15. Remove recent documents from start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
Create a new DWORD "NoRecentDocsMenu" and change its value to "1".

16. Remove Network connections from start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
Create a new DWORD "NoNetworkConnections" and change its value to "1".

17. Remove My documents from start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
Create a new DWORD "NoSMMyDocs" and change its value to "1".

18. Remove My pictures from start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer "
Create a new DWORD "NoSMMyPictures" ad change its value to "1".

19. Remove My music fro start menu
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer"
and
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\Explorer"
Create a new DWORD "NoStartMenuMyMusic" and change its value to "1".

20. Reboot windows after crash
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\C ontr ol\CrashControl"
Create a new DWORD "AutoReboot" and change its value to "1".Restart the machine for the effect to take place.

Visit : http://sapost.blogspot.com/  for more Tips

21. Disable the use of MSDos
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\WinOldApp"
and
System Key: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\WinOldApp"
Create a new DWORD "Disabled" and set its value to "1". Change it to "0" for enabling.

22. Enable Directory completion in MSDos prompt
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
and
System Key: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor"
Create a new DWORD "PathCompletionChar " and set it to equal the hex value of the required control character.

23. Quick edit the command prompt
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console"
and
System Key: "HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Console"
Create a new DWORD "QuickEdit" and set its value to "1" for enabling and "0" for disabling.

24. Disable Registry editing
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\System"
Create a new DWORD "DisableRegistryTools" and change its value to "0" for allowing Regeditand "1" for disabling it.

25. Disable task scheduler
" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\RunServices"
Delete the value from "SchedulingAgent". Usually its value is set to "'mstask.exe".

26. Remove My computer from desktop and start menu
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Policies\NonEnum"
and
System Key: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows \Cur rentVersion\Policies\NonEnum"
Create "{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" and change its value to "1" for removing. Change its value to "0" for showing.

27. Show Windows version on desktop
User Key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop"
Create a new DWORD " PaintDesktopVersion" and change its value to "1" for showing and "0" for removing.

28. Remove My documenst from desktop
Windows 95, 98 and Me
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{450 D8FB A-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder"
Windows NT, 2000 and XP
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Curr entVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder"
Modify the value called "Attributes" as "0xf0500174" to hide or "0xf0400174" to show.

29. Disable Scan disk after improper shutdown
" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\FileSystem"
create a new DWORD "DisableScandiskOnBoot" and change its value to "01" for disablng and "00" for enabling.

30. Automatically end Hung programs.
" HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop"
and
"System Key: [HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop"
Modify the value of "AutoEndTasks" to "1".

Visit : http://sapost.blogspot.com/  for more Tips

Windows has many possible configuration settings and most of these can be changed by editing the Registry. This article describes ten popular Registry edits. They use the Registry Editor, regedit.exe. These edits have all been tested and should cause no trouble but the user assumes all responsibility for any results. Remember to always back up before editing the Registry. Apply only one edit at a time. First see if the results of a given edit are satisfactory before applying another edit. Generally, a system reboot is necessary before system-wide changes take place. Changes for a particular user require a logoff.

Configure timing of System Restore

Normally, Windows XP System Restore creates a restore point every 24 hours and saves the restore points for 90 days. These default settings can be changed with a Registry tweak. Open regedit.exe and go to the key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestoreThe value named "RPGlobalInterval" determines how often System Restore runs. Note that the data value is in seconds and is normally 86400 (in decimal). The value named "RPLifeInterval" determines how long restore points are retained. The data value is normally 7776000 (seconds). Modify the settings to your choice. (Windows XP only)

Close down hung applications more quickly

Sometimes an application will hang or freeze up. Although the Windows Task Manager can be used to close a hung application, the default setting is to wait at least 20 seconds, which can be irritating. The time delay can be configured by going to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\DesktopFind the string value HungAppTimeout and modify the data to something like 3000 instead of the default 20000. (These values are time in milliseconds.) Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP)

Shut down applications and services more quickly

Related to the previous tip are modifications that can be made to two other Registry settings to speed up the closing of applications and services. Go to the same Registry key as previouslyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\DesktopFind the string value WaitToKillAppTimeout and modify the setting from 20000 to something like 5000. This setting is per user. A second setting in a different Registry key involves Windows services and is for the whole system. Go to the Registry keyHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ControlFind the string value WaitToKillServiceTimeout and change it to something like 5000. (Windows XP)

Launch programs automatically at startup

Do you have one or more programs that you want to run every time you turn on your computer? There are several ways to do this but one way is with a Registry entry. Open regedit.exe and go to the keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunCreate a new string value (that will be type REG_SZ) named after the desired program with a value containing the full path to your program. For example, to have Notepad always run at startup the data value would be "C:\WINDOWS\notepad.exe". Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP, Vista)

Specify the default download directory for Internet Explorer

Do you want Internet Explorer to always download to a folder of your choice? You can specify the download location by going to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet ExplorerFind the string value named Download Directory and change the value to the full path of the folder where you want to keep downloads. If the value does not already exist. create a new string value and name it Download Directory. Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP, Vista)

Alphabetize Internet Explorer Favorites

An annoying aspect of Internet Explorer favorites is that new additions are tacked on leading to an unsorted list. A Registry edit will keep the list of favorites alphabetized. Using regedit.exe, navigate to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\FavoritesRight-click the key and choose "Delete". Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP, Vista)

Disable Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Microsoft likes a clean desktop and every 60 days a so-called wizard will pop up offering to clean unused icons off the desktop. Many people find this annoying and the wizard can be disabled by going to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\CleanupWizModify or create a DWORD value named "NoRun" (without quotes). Assign a value of "1" (no quotes) to disable the cleanup wizard. A value of 0 (zero) will enable the wizard. Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP)

Disable Tool Tips

Tool Tips (also called InfoTips) are the little popup windows that appear when the mouse cursor hovers over certain icons or objects. Some people find them annoying and they can be turned off by going to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedModify the value named "ShowInfoTip". Set the value to 0 to disable. A value of 1 will enable. Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP, Vista)

Speed up Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer can resolve sites faster if you increase the number of connections to a given site. Go to the Registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet SettingsYou will need to create two new DWORD values. Name one "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server" and name the other "MaxConnectionsPerServer". Give each a decimal value of 10. Applies to a specific user. (Windows XP, Vista)

Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Vista

A lot of Windows Vista users find the security measure called UAC to be very annoying and like to disable it. Personally, I think it is worth putting up with the constant security alerts but here is the procedure to disable UAC. Go to the Registry keyHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\SystemFind the DWORD named EnableLUA and set the value to 0. This is a system-wide change and requires a reboot. (Vista only)

Go to Start->Run, type regedit and press ENTER

go to the following key in the registry

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion
\policies\system

On the right side pane look for “legalnoticecaption“, double click on it and enter the desired Caption(This is the Heading of the Notice).

Next below this look for “legalnoticetext” and enter the desired Text. The l text can be up to a page in it’s size so that it can include a set of do’s and dont’s for your computer.

After this just restart the computer and in the next startup onwards you can see the notice information for your computer.

As per the Microsoft knowledge base article 823732 which contains instructions on how to disable USB storage access for a certain group of users this diabling and re-enablement of USB ports is based on a simple registry entry.

To disable the access to USB port, in windows XP and 2000, follow the steps below
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 4, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

To re-enable a disabled port, follow these steps below
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 3, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

How to Restrict Internet usage in office?

Here is the solution:

You can restrict users in office to use Internet explorer for browsing...

To block using Internet Explorer ...

Go to Internet options > connection > local settings> enable proxy to any no. for e.g. 127.0.0.1

Then....

Click "Start" > "Run" then type:

gpedit.msc

Click Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Internet Control Panel > Disable the Connections page, and click Enabled, click Apply then OK.

This is easily reversible.

Thanks to : Satish B Neeralakatti, System Administrator, Karnataka