Tech Tips

Windows XP

Removing unused device drivers from Windows XP machines

When you install a device driver on a Windows XP machine, the operating system loads that driver each time the computer boots regardless of whether the device is present -- unless you specifically uninstall the driver. This means that drivers from devices that you have long since removed from your...

Quickly gather MAC addresses in Windows XP with ARP

When securing a wireless Windows XP network, in addition to using Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption, you can use Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering. When you enable MAC address filtering, the wireless access point or wireless router verifies that the network card in the...

Automatically generate and assign strong passwords in Windows XP

Computer users consistently use very simplistic logic when creating passwords. For example, many of us choose meaningful words, personal dates, or a word commonly found in the dictionary because it makes the password easy to remember. These common practices cause us to sacrifice the security that passwords are intended to...

Create your own special characters in Windows XP

Have you ever wanted to create your own font or maybe just a special character -- for example, a character showing your initials for approving documents with your "signature"? You can easily create your own characters using a hidden Windows XP tool called the Private Character Editor. Here's how:...

Put your name in the Windows XP notification area

During those times when the urgent need for high-powered technical intelligence wanes a bit -- especially on a slow Friday afternoon -- try this fun trick and amaze your colleagues. Here's how to make your "own" time by putting your name in the notification area:...

Prevent a shutdown of a Windows XP system

By default, at three o'clock every morning Windows XP's Automatic Updates tool contacts the Windows Update site and automatically downloads and installs updates for your system. However, that can't happen if other people who use the computer shut it down at the end of the day. Fortunately, you can prevent...

Change the font Windows XP displays in Windows Explorer

Note: This tip is for both Windows XP Home and Professional. Windows Explorer and My Computer display the same font that Windows XP uses for icon titles on your desktop - 8-point Tahoma. If you want to change the font or font size used in Windows Explorer, follow these steps:...

Tune Windows XP to speed up boot and shutdown times

Shorten the time it takes for your desktop to appear when you turn on your PC, and make XP shut down faster as well. No matter how fast your PC boots, it's not fast enough. Here are several hacks to get you right to your desktop as quickly as possible...

Automatically generate and assign strong passwords in Windows XP

Computer users consistently use very simplistic logic when creating passwords. For example, many of us choose meaningful words, personal dates, or a word commonly found in the dictionary because it makes the password easy to remember. These common practices cause us to sacrifice the security that passwords are intended to...

How to: Force Disk Cleanup to delete all temporary files

If you've ever run the Microsoft Windows XP's Disk Cleanup utility, you probably discovered that your temporary files occupy a significant amount of space. You might select the Temporary Files check box in order to allow the Disk Cleanup utility to delete the files in the Temp folder, but the...