Description:
The premise of Windows Annoyances is that Windows 95 and Windows NT are pretty dreadful until you've performed a healthy amount of customization work. If you are a long-time supporter of this premise, you'll appreciate this eclectic grab bag of techniques for fixing major weaknesses, curing minor annoyances, and boosting overall performance. The book begins with a basic introduction to the Windows shell customization, then immediately delves deeper. You'll be introduced to the registry and registry editing, including how to use patches, search for entries, and--if you're feeling bold--compact the registry database. The next chapter, on advanced shell configuration, is particularly rich with unusual tricks. These include ways to get rid of standard icons, such as My Computer, remove the Documents menu, protect your file types (Associations), and even edit the text on the Start button. While some of these tips are simply tweaking for tweaking's sake, others can offer real improvements in security. A brief chapter on system administration presents advice on everything from improved Windows 95 security to how to transfer the operating system to another hard disk. Another section on performance optimization includes a fabulous suggestion for minimizing Windows 95's tendency to kick off long sessions of pointless hard disk thrashing. In addition, a long troubleshooting section draws your attention to some of the system's more vulnerable areas (your winsoc.dll file, for example), addresses configuration file issues, and gives good advice for disaster prevention and recovery. The troubleshooting topic that suggests ways to curb Windows 95 from searching for phantom files on an empty floppy drive is sure to become a favorite. Finally, the networking section offers plenty of valuable hints for workgroup setup and using dial-up networking. All in all, Windows Annoyances is more of a collection of tips and tricks than a systematic resource manual. But most of the book's tricks are so useful and powerful that you'll be glad you learned them.
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