Change the Internet Explorer title bar name to whatever you want

Just start Regedit and go to (all users):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

or to (if only one user):

HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

and/or to (currently logged on user):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Modify (or create if not present) the "Window Title" String Value in the right hand pane (don't type the quotes) to show the name of your choice: right-click in the right hand pane -> select New -> String Value -> name it "Window Title" (no quotes) -> double-click on it -> type your own, customized MS IE title bar name (for example I use IE6) -> click OK or press Enter.

Default is "Microsoft Internet Explorer". To revert to default, simply delete the "Window Title" String Value.

Quickest way to restart/exit windows without going throught the start menu

First of all create a shortcut with the following paths:

C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindowsexec

This Shortcut on clicking will restart Windows immediately without any Warning.

To create a Shortcut to Restarting Windows, type the following in the Command Line box:

c:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows

This Shortcut on clicking will shut down Windows immediately without any Warning.

How can I perform a bulk file rename in Windows XP?

XP lets you rename files in bulk by simply selecting multiple files within Windows Explorer and pressing the F2 key.

When you use this feature, the OS applies the name you enter to the first file and applies the same name with a number in parentheses to the other files you selected (the file extensions remain unchanged).

For example, if you select the following files,

* notes.doc

* figures.xls

* disney.jpg

* holiday.gif

and rename the first file (notes.doc) to file.doc, XP renames the remaining files as follows:

* file (1).xls

* file (2).jpg

* file (3).gif

Create your own Logon message

1 Click start, click run, type regedit, and then click ok!

2 In The registry editor drill down to the following key: hklm\software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current version\Winlogon

3 Right click LegalNoticeCaption, click modify, Type: My windows XP Machine, and then click ok!

4 Right click legalNoticeText, click modify, and then Close your message!

5 The message will appear every time you logon!

Shut down fast

Start -> Run -> regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\set WaitToKillServiceTimeOut to the time (ms) you want to wait for the kill service to timeout

Turn off System Restore to Save Space

By default, Windows XP keeps a backup of system files in the System Volume Information folder.

This can eat up valuable space on your hard drive. If you don't want Windows to back up your system files:

Open the Control Panel.

Double-click on System.

Click the System Restore tab.

Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives".

Hit Apply.

You may now delete the System Volume Information folder.

Speeding Up Your Old Shit Pentium by 50%

We all know that you really shouldn't try to run Windows XP on anything less that about a Pentium 3 of some sort if you are out for speedy operations and amazing reaction times, but for those of us with the good old Pentium 2's who want to see just how well we can run XP, we have to tweak as much as we can where-ever we can. A real killer to the system's performance is Windows Media Player. Although it may look desirable and fancy with it's rounded off edges and 3rd-Dimensional appearance, the truth is, it takes up a large amount of that precious processing power. All of these troubles however, lead to one thing in particular with this 'new-look' over-rated music and video player...the Visualizations. The look-great I'll admit but like a lot of software these days, it has no purpose. If you run the task manager, and click the Performance tab along the top, you'll see that when Windows Media Player is running and nothing else is active, it takes up around 50% of the processors power. Once these visualizations are turned off, it barely takes up 2-3% of the processors power, which leaves much more room for other applications to work efficiently.

Here's how to disable the feature:

Open Media Player.
Make sure the Now Playing tab on the left is selected.
Click the View menu along the top.
Go down to Now Playing Tools