Change display

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
   
   
2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   
   
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
   
   
4. Type ShowDriveLettersFirst, and then press ENTER.
   
   
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
   
   
6. Type 4, and then click OK.

Key: ShowDriveLettersFirst
Type: DWORD
Value: 1, 2, or 4
If the value is 1, the drive letter is displayed first for remote drives.
If the value is 2, drive letters are not displayed.
If the value is 4, the drive letter is displayed first for all drives.

Microsoft KB:

The computer description appears before the computer name in Windows XP

"In Windows Vista, you can also use the ShowDriveLettersFirst and the ToggleCommentPosition registry entries to set the display order. However, if you set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry only under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key, the setting will not take effect after you change folder options. You must set the ShowDriveLettersFirst entry under both the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key."

Labels: Customize, General, Tips

Plus or minus 32

Regedit.exe is the registration editor for 16-bit Windows. It is used to modify the Windows registration database.

Microsoft recommends that you use Regedit.exe only for its search capabilities on a Windows NT 4.0-based or Windows 2000-based computer.

Regedt32.exe is the configuration editor for Windows NT. It is used to modify the Windows NT configuration database, or the Windows NT registry. This editor allows you to view or modify the Windows NT registry.

The editor provides views of windows that represent sections of the registry, named hives. You must use extreme caution when you use it to change registry values.

Missing or incorrect values in the registry can make the Windows NT installation unusable.

Meryl.net:
An explanation with follow-up links.
A Tale of Two Regeds
By Meryl K. Evans

Also:
Editing the Vista Registry



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, General, Troubleshoot, Tutorials

Eat your heart out Dvorak

Ever wanted to quickly and easily define your own keyboard layout for a language Microsoft doesn't support? Or define your own keyboard layout so you can quickly and easily enter your favorite symbols with a simple keystroke? Well, want no more: the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator is here!

The Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) extends the international functionality of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista (MSKLC will not run on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME or Windows NT4) by allowing users to:

• Create new keyboard layouts from scratch
  
• Base a new layout on an existing one
  
• Modify an existing keyboard layout and build a new layout from it
  
• Multilingual input locales within edit control fields.
  
• Package the resulting keyboard layouts for subsequent delivery and installation.

Global Development and Computing Portal:
Windows Keyboard Layouts
(many different language keyboards)

Belarusian keyboard

Labels: Customize, General, Hardware, Tutorials

Storage area

Labels: Customize, General, IE, Troubleshoot

Painless branding

"When you open the System applet (in the Control Panel), you will see some specific information listed on the General tab such as who the type of computer and the registered owner. However, you can edit the information to also have your specific information displayed. For example, if you sell computers, you can have your company information displayed to remind your customers how to access your support information.

Once you perform the steps outlined below, not only will you have your own company information listed but a support information button will also be available from the System Properties window. Users can click the button to get specific support information about your company, such as the URL they should visit to find support. So here is what you have to do:

Open Notepad and create a text file called oeminfo.ini. If you are running Windows NT/2000, save the file in the c:\WINNT\System32 directory. If you are running Windows XP, save the file in the c:\Windows\System32 directory. Add the following information to the text file you just create:

[General]
Manufacturer=Your Company Name
Model=Model of Computer
SupportURL=http://supportWeb site
LocalFile=c:\localhelpfile\file.htm

[Support Information]
Line1=support information users should know
Line2=who users should contact for support
Line3=Phone number users should call
Line4=fourth line

You can create as many lines as you need by incrementing the number for each new line required.

To take this one step further, you can even have your company logo displayed by creating a 172x172 pixel bitmap image. Name the image oemlogo.bmp and save it in your system directory. Now when you open the System properties applet, your company information should appear."

Lockergnome

Also:
Microsoft KB:
How to Alter Logo Information on the System Tool's General Tab

Amset IT Solutions Ltd.:
Branding Your Machines

BeemerWorld.com:
Branding System Properties Panel

OEM in Vista



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize

Select checks

Add check boxes to file views to make it easier to select several files at once, which can be useful if it is difficult for you to hold the CTRL key while clicking to select multiple files.

Step 1: Go to Control Panel>Appearance and Personalization>Click Folder Options.
Step 2: Click View tab and under Advanced Settings, Select Use Check boxes to select items





Enable checkboxes in Vista

Change folder views and behavior



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, Files, Vista

Forgotten tricks

PC magazine has this article:
Assign Custom Icons to Windows Explorer Folders.

PC World:
Change Icon v1.2.1

Creating Icons

Also see:
The Iconolog, the art of virtual (desktop) litter.



See all Topics

windows

Labels: Customize, Desktop

More resources

Also Bob Cercelli:
Services You Can Disable

And Blackviper.com

Some possibilities are:

Alerter -

Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the server computer.

Clipbook -

ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.

Fast User Switching -

Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts, without requiring them to log off.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service -

You don't need this if you have other software to create CDs.

Messenger -

Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop.

Portable Media Serial Number -

Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer

Uninterruptible Power Supply Service -

Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.

Labels: Customize, OS, Troubleshoot

Change the default

1. Go to Control Panel >Power Options
   
   
2. Select Change Plan Settings >Change Advanced Power Settings
   
   
3. Find "Power buttons and lid"
   
   
4. Change the Start menu power button to either Shut Down Sleep, or Hibernate

The Power button action

Changes the hardware power button action.

The Start menu power button

Changes the power button on the Start Menu

Labels: Customize, Tips, Vista

Let the add-ins begin

Learn how to customize the Ribbon user interface (UI) in the 2007 Microsoft Office release. Also learn how new features in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the 2007 Microsoft Office System support RAD development of Ribbon customizations. (40 printed pages)

Labels: Customize

If you want less

Labels: Customize