In an ideal world, an operating
system is a collection of
software that handles a computer's "dirty work" invisibly,
quickly, and most of all, painlessly. For many of us,
however, Microsoft
Windows exists outside this ideal world.
We are annoyed by "personalized Menus" that keep changing,
icons we don't use cluttering up our workspace, periodic
crashes, unintelligible error messages, and inadequate
documentation to help us figure it all out.
Windows Me Annoyances has the insider information you
need for overcoming Windows' many annoyances and
limitations. Whether you're looking to finally solve a
nagging problem, dramatically improve system performance,
or customize the interface to better suit your work habits,
the Windows Me Annoyances solution-oriented format makes
finding information and implementing solutions easy and
pain free. Thanks to the thorough and relevant
documentation on the registry, Windows Scripting Host, and
Windows' built-in networking capabilities, customizing and
improving Windows Me is easier than ever.
Based on the author's extremely popular Annoyances.org
web sites, Windows Me Annoyances delivers an authoritative
collection of techniques and tools for customizing Windows
Me, including:
- Several approaches and hidden tools for working with
the Windows registry, the database of system- and
application-specific configuration information
- How to bypass Windows roadblocks such as the Home
Networking and System Restore wizards, allowing you to take
control of the processes quickly and painlessly
- A tutorial and reference on automation with the Windows
Scripting Host as a means of eliminating many Windows Me
annoyances
- Using third-party software and utilities to handle some
of the more complex workarounds and customizations
- Dealing with software that overwrites your file
associations and other settings without warning
Windows Me Annoyances is the intermediate and advanced
Windows user's best resource for turning Windows into the
user-friendly, customizable interface it was meant to be,
but doesn't always manage to be on its own.
Contents
Preface
1. Making the Most of Windows
Me
- What's Wrong with Windows
- The Windows Family Tree
- Transition to Windows Me
2. Basic Explorer Coping Skills
- Coping with Explorer
- Tweaking the Interface
- Regaining Control of the Desktop
3. The Registry
- Getting to Know the Registry Editor
- Behind the Scenes: Hives and DAT Files
- Backing Up the Registry
- Restoring a Corrupted Registry
- Using Registry Patches
- Finding the Right Registry Key
- Automating the Deletion of Registry Items
- Search the Registry Effectively
- Compacting the Registry
- Using INI Files
- Understanding File Types
- Registry Tools
4. Tinkering Techniques
- Cleaning Up the Desktop
- Files and Folders
- Making Windows Your Own
5. Maximizing Performance
- Removing Software Bottlenecks
- Fine-Tuning and Upgrading Hardware Components
- Transfer Windows onto Another Hard Disk
6. Troubleshooting
- General Troubleshooting Techniques
- Dealing with Drivers and Other Tales of Hardware
Troubleshooting
- Error Messages
- Preventive Maintenance and Data Recovery
7. Networking and Internetworking
- Setting Up a Workgroup
- Connecting to the Internet
- Dealing with Dialing
- Mixing and Matching Networks and Other Tricks of the
Trade
- Security and Multiple Users
8. Taking Control of Web Integration
- The Lowdown on Web Integration Components
- Make Good Use of the Web View
- Using the Active Desktop
- Choosing Your Browser Defaults
9. Scripting and Automation
- Building a Script with VBScript
- Running Applications from Scripts
- Accessing the Registry from Scripts
- Manipulating Files from Scripts
- Creating Windows and Internet Shortcuts in Scripts
- Networking with Scripts
- Manipulating Internet Explorer from Scripts
- Using Command-Line Parameters in Scripts
- Writing CGI Scripts for a Web Server
- Making a Startup Script
- Deciphering Script Errors
- Finding a Better Editor
- Further Study
- Automating Scripts with Scheduled Tasks
- Wacky Script Ideas
A. Setting Locator
B. DOS Resurrected
C. Class IDs of System
Objects
Index