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Windows XP
Whether by your own installation or
on a new computer, Windows XP doesn't come configured just for you. In fact, it
probably isn't ready for use out-of-the-box by anyone at all! By default, a
number of options are turned on that no one really uses and other settings are
configured in ways that benefit very few.
Spend some time using some of these
resources to better configure your Windows XP PC. These small changes can help
speed up your computer, better prepare you for disaster, and make your daily
experience using your computer a little less frustrating.
- Disable Error Reporting
- Disable Taskbar Button Grouping
- Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure
- Disable the Splash Screen
How To
Disable Error Reporting in Windows XP
Error reporting works by prompting you after a critical error in the operating system or in other programs and asking permission to notify Microsoft about it. This way, Microsoft can gather technical information about serious errors from millions of users, helping them develop fixes and service packs.
If you'd like to disable error reporting, follow the easy steps outlined below.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Disabling error reporting in Windows
XP usually takes less than 5 minutes
Here's How:
1. Click
on Start and then Control Panel.
2. Click
on the Performance and Maintenance link.
Note: If you're viewing the Classic View
of Control Panel, double-click on the System icon and
skip to Step 4.
3. Under
the or pick a Control Panel icon section, click on the System
link.
4. In
the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
5. Near
the bottom of the window, click on the Error Reporting button.
6. In
the Error Reporting window that appears, choose the Disable error
reporting radio button and click the OK button.
Note: I would recommend leaving the But
notify me when critical errors occur checkbox checked. You probably still
want Windows XP to notify you about the error, just not Microsoft.
7. Click
the OK button on the System Properties window
8. You
can now close the Control Panel or Performance and Maintenance
window.
How To
Disable Taskbar Button Grouping in Windows XP or Windows Vista
Taskbar grouping may be handy for some but for most it's just an annoyance. Stop Windows from doing this once and for all.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Disabling taskbar button grouping
usually takes less than 5 minutes
Here's How:
1. Right-click
on the Taskbar, the bar that sits on the bottom of the screen, anchored by the
Start button on the left and the clock on the right.
2. Click
on Properties in the menu that pops up.
3. Locate
the Taskbar appearance options at the top of the window and uncheck
the Group similar taskbar buttons checkbox.
Note: If you're not sure exactly how this
option will affect your system, the small graphic at the top of this window
will change to demonstrate the difference. (The screen shot on this page shows
these options in Windows Vista, but the Windows XP options are very similar.)
4. Click
the OK or Apply button to confirm the changes.
If prompted, follow any additional on screen
directions.
How To
Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows XP
Follow these easy steps to disable the automatic restart feature for system failures in Windows XP.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Disabling the Automatic Restart option
in Windows XP usually takes less than 10 minutes
Here's How:
1. Navigate
to the Control Panel in Windows XP by left-clicking on Start,
followed by Settings and then choosing Control Panel.
2. In
the Control Panel window, open System.
Note: In Microsoft Windows XP, depending on
how your operating system is setup, you may not see the System
icon. To correct this, click on the link on the left-hand side of the Control
Panel window that says Switch to Classic View.
3. In
the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
4. Locate
the Startup and Recovery area and click on the Settings button.
5. In
the Startup and Recovery window, locate and uncheck the check box
next to Automatically restart.
6. Click
OK in the Startup and Recovery window.
7. Click
OK in the System Properties window.
8. From
now on, when a problem causes a BSOD or another major error that halts the
system, the PC will not automatically reboot. Rebooting manually will be
necessary.
How To
Disable the Windows XP Splash Screen Using the System Configuration Utility
Follow these simple steps to disable the Windows XP splash screen using the System Configuration Utility, sometimes referred to as msconfig.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Disabling the Windows XP splash screen
usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Here's How:
1. Click
on Start, then Run, type the following command in the
search box, and then hit the Enter key.
msconfig
This command will load the System Configuration
Utility program.
Note: Do not make changes in the System
Configuration Utility other than those outlined here to avoid causing
serious system issues. This utility controls a number of startup activities
other than those involved with disabling the splash screen.
2. Click
on the BOOT.INI tab located at the top of the System Configuration
Utility window.
3. Check
the checkbox next to /NOGUIBOOT and click OK.
4. You
will then be prompted to either Restart, which will restart the PC
immediately, or Exit Without Restart, which will close the window and
allow you to restart the PC manually.
5. After
the restart, the PC will boot into Windows XP without showing the splash
screen. This will result in a slightly faster boot time.
Note: Windows XP will continue to boot in
this manner until the System Configuration Utility is configured to
again boot normally.
Tips:
1. To
re-enable the Windows XP splash screen during boot, follow the instructions
above to enter the System Configuration Utility but this time choose the Normal
Startup radio button and click OK.
