Windows 2000/XP

There are lots of useful tools and tips for the 2000/XP versions of Microsoft's Windows operating system. This section has some of them.

Automatic Updates (External Site)
Getting Automatic Updates to function correctly.

Command Prompt Basics (External Site)
Many of the tips in this section use the command or DOS prompt. This is a basic primer on the how to move around your system using DOS.

Recovery Console
The recovery console is a feature that allows you to boot in to a command prompt - similar to "Boot in to DOS" mode in Windows 9x. It needs to be installed separately and this page tells you how.

Internet Explorer
Our dedicated section to Internet Explorer

Clear Type
A new feature in Windows XP that improves how Windows looks on your screen, especially if you have an LCD screen. This page tells you how to activate and fine tune it.

General Network Diagnostics (External Site)
Using the built in tools to diagnose problems with your network or Internet connection.

Shortcut Keys
There are lots of key combinations that can make moving around Windows much quicker. This pages lists many of them.

Numlock
Get the number lock option to stay on with a small registry change.

Local Policy
Use the Local Policy Editor to turn off Windows features and apply other settings to all users of your computer.

Other Quick Tips
Some various quick tips for use in Windows XP

Microsoft NetMeeting - Remote Desktop Sharing
Microsoft's NetMeeting application has a neat feature called remote desktop sharing allowing you take control of a remote desktop. This is useful for troubleshooting or just viewing another machine that is not physically located near you or without a monitor attached. Plus it is free. This page tells you how to setup this feature.

Net Send / Messenger Service
Send messages to other machines and users without installing any other applications.

Messenger Service Abuse
How to stop popup messages from the Messenger Service

MSN Messenger
How to get rid of the message "You have been signed out of Messenger because you signed in at another location" when you haven't.

Using the Windows Key
Many of the machines now have a Windows Key on their keyboard. This page has the key combinations you can use to get the most out of using the Windows Key.

Tips for System Administrators

Login Scripts (External Site)
Detecting the location and machine in standard batch file login scripts.

Run As
Using this hidden feature to run administrative commands when logged in as a normal user.

Limiting the Number of Logins a User Can Make (External Site)
Sometimes you need to ensure a user can only login once to a network. This page gives you a technique on how to limit this.

Custom Text on the "Workstation Locked" Screen
How to put your own text to appear on the "Workstation Locked" screen to easily identify the machine you are looking at.

Corrupt User Profiles
How to deal with corrupt user profiles.

Subnet Masks
A "cheat sheet" to help you quickly work out the subnet mask required for a network above 254 items.