Change Text On XP Start Button

Step 1 - Modify Explorer.exe File

In order to make the changes, the file explorer.exe located at C:\Windows needs to be edited. Since explorer.exe is a binary file it requires a special editor. For purposes of this article I have used Resource Hacker. Resource HackerTM is a freeware utility to view, modify, rename, add, delete and extract resources in 32bit Windows executables and resource files (*.res). It incorporates an internal resource script compiler and decompiler and works on Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.

get this from here


The first step is to make a backup copy of the file explorer.exe located at C:\Windows\explorer. Place it in a folder somewhere on your hard drive where it will be safe. Start Resource Hacker and open explorer.exe located at C:\Windows\explorer.exe.

The category we are going to be using is "String Table". Expand it by clicking the plus sign then navigate down to and expand string 37 followed by highlighting 1033. If you are using the Classic Layout rather than the XP Layout, use number 38. The right hand pane will display the stringtable. We’re going to modify item 578, currently showing the word “start” just as it displays on the current Start button.

There is no magic here. Just double click on the word “start” so that it’s highlighted, making sure the quotation marks are not part of the highlight. They need to remain in place, surrounding the new text that you’ll type. Go ahead and type your new entry. In my case I used Click Me!

You’ll notice that after the new text string has been entered the Compile Script button that was grayed out is now active. I won’t get into what’s involved in compiling a script, but suffice it to say it’s going to make this exercise worthwhile. Click Compile Script and then save the altered file using the Save As command on the File Menu. Do not use the Save command – Make sure to use the Save As command and choose a name for the file. Save the newly named file to C:\Windows.


Step 2 – Modify the Registry

!!!make a backup of your registry before making changes!!!

Now that the modified explorer.exe has been created it’s necessary to modify the registry so the file will be recognized when the user logs on to the system. If you don’t know how to access the registry I’m not sure this article is for you, but just in case it’s a temporary memory lapse, go to Start (soon to be something else) Run and type regedit in the Open field. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon

In the right pane, double click the "Shell" entry to open the Edit String dialog box. In Value data: line, enter the name that was used to save the modified explorer.exe file. Click OK.

Close Registry Editor and either log off the system and log back in, or reboot the entire system if that’s your preference. If all went as planned you should see your new Start button with the revised text.[/b]
Read More...

Boot Fast WinXp

Follow the following steps :

• Open notepad.exe, type "del c:\windows\prefetch\ntosboot-*.* /q" (without the quotes) & save as "ntosboot.bat" in c:\

• From the Start menu, select "Run..." & type "gpedit.msc".

• Double click "Windows Settings" under "Computer Configuration" and double click again on "Shutdown" in the right window.

• In the new window, click "add", "Browse", locate your "ntosboot.bat" file & click "Open".

• Click "OK", "Apply" & "OK" once again to exit.

• From the Start menu, select "Run..." & type "devmgmt.msc".

• Double click on "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers"

• Right click on "Primary IDE Channel" and select "Properties".

• Select the "Advanced Settings" tab then on the device or 1 that doesn't have 'device type' greyed out select 'none' instead of 'autodetect' & click "OK".

• Right click on "Secondary IDE channel", select "Properties" and repeat step 9.

• Reboot your computer.

Read More...

Best Keyboard Shortcuts

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

Windows key + R = Run menu

This is usually followed by:
cmd = Command Prompt
iexplore + "web address" = Internet Explorer
compmgmt.msc = Computer Management
dhcpmgmt.msc = DHCP Management
dnsmgmt.msc = DNS Management
services.msc = Services
eventvwr = Event Viewer
dsa.msc = Active Directory Users and Computers
dssite.msc = Active Directory Sites and Services
Windows key + E = Explorer

ALT + Tab = Switch between windows

ALT, Space, X = Maximize window

CTRL + Shift + Esc = Task Manager

Windows key + Break = System properties

Windows key + F = Search

Windows key + D = Hide/Display all windows

CTRL + C = copy

CTRL + X = cut

CTRL + V = paste

Also don't forget about the "Right-click" key next to the right Windows key on your keyboard. Using the arrows and that key can get just about anything done once you've opened up any program.


Keyboard Shortcuts

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications

[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box



Acessability Shortcuts

Right SHIFT for eight seconds........ Switch FilterKeys on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN....... Switch High Contrast on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK....... Switch MouseKeys on and off.

SHIFT....... five times Switch StickyKeys on and off.

NUM LOCK...... for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off.

Explorer shortcuts

END....... Display the bottom of the active window.

HOME....... Display the top of the active window.

NUM LOCK+ASTERISK....... on numeric keypad (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder.

NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN....... on numeric keypad (+) Display the contents of the selected folder.

NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN....... on numeric keypad (-) Collapse the selected folder.

LEFT ARROW...... Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.

RIGHT ARROW....... Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.




Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
msinfo32 = System Information
cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
mmc = Microsoft Management Console
excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
msmsgs = Windows Messenger
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
netscp = Netscape 7.x
netscape = Netscape 4.x
waol = America Online
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog


Internet Browser

type in u're adress "google", then press [Right CTRL] and [Enter]
add www. and .com to word and go to it


For Windows XP:

Copy : CTRL+C
Cut : CTRL+X
Paste : CTRL+V
Undo : CTRL+Z
Delete : DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin : SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item : CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item : CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item : F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word : CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word : CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph : CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph : CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text : CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all : CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder : F3
View properties for the selected item : ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program : ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window : ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously : CTRL+F4
Switch between open items : ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened : ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop : F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer : F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item : SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window : ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu : CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu : ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command : Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program : F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu : RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu : LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window : F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer : BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task : ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:

To Press
Move forward through tabs : CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs : CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options : TAB
Move backward through options : SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option : ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button : ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box : SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons : Arrow keys
Display Help : F1
Display the items in the active list : F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box : BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:


Display or hide the Start menu : WIN Key
Display the System Properties dialog box : WIN Key+BREAK
Show the desktop : WIN Key+D
Minimize all windows : WIN Key+M
Restores minimized windows : WIN Key+Shift+M
Open My Computer : WIN Key+E
Search for a file or folder : WIN Key+F
Search for computers : CTRL+WIN Key+F
Display Windows Help : WIN Key+F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain : WIN Key+ L
Open the Run dialog box : WIN Key+R
Open Utility Manager : WIN Key+U

Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts :

Switch FilterKeys on and off : Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off : Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off : Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off : SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off : NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager : WIN Key+U

Shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer :


Display the bottom of the active window : END
Display the top of the active window : HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder : NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder : NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder : NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder : LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder : RIGHT ARROW

Okay,, Good Luck...


Read More...