Workshop on Configuring and Managing Windows XP
Another way that adjustments can be made is to go to Start-My Computer and right-click. Choose “Properties” and click the tab “Advanced.” In the “Performance” section click the button “Settings.” Choose the tab “Visual effects.” A variety of tweaks to the appearance can be made here. Choosing “Adjust for best performance” will make things look the same as in Windows 98. Note that any changes made here will override whatever settings you may have made elsewhere.
Windows comes with many applications for administering and managing the system. In older versions, these programs had to be used separately. In Windows XP, there is an interface that can be customized to contain in one package all the system tools that a particular user employs on a frequent basis. For networks or multi-user systems there are also a variety of security settings that can be made within the interface. Microsoft calls this interface a “management console” and generally refers to it as MMC. A computer user can choose which of the many available tools to include. The individual tools are referred to as “snap-ins”. A console has a hierarchical structure with folders and in fact resembles a Windows Explorer tree.
Many of the system tools that come with Windows XP are already in a console form. They can be used alone or as snap-ins to a console that contains a collection of applications. More details are in this article. The consoles that we will consider are:
§ dfrg.msc- Disk Defragmenter
§ diskmgmt.msc- Disk Management
§ services.msc- Manages the many services involved in Windows and also installed software.
§ compmgmt.msc- Computer Management Console. It contains a number of the other consoles as snap-ins
Note that the consoles have the extension msc (not to be confused with MMC). These consoles can be opened by entering their names (including the extension) in the Start-Run line. Depending on how your computer is set up, some may also be listed in Start-All Programs-Administrative Tools and in Control Panel. As is common in Windows there are also several other ways to open some of the tools. However, using the Run line is probably the easiest way.
This is a feature that allows a way for the system to be monitored and rolled back to the configuration of some previous date if needed. Snapshots are automatically made approximately every 24 hours and are kept for three months (space allowing). This is not the same as a full backup. Data and personal files are not monitored. Only files with certain extensions such as EXE, DLL, and others are monitored. More details are at the Microsoft FAQ.
To access System Restore, go to Start-All Programs-Accessories-System Tools or Start-Control Panel-Performance and Maintenance. Restore points should be made before installing new software or making system changes.
It is better to use one of the many other possibilities such as ZoneAlarm but, in the absence of anything else, turn on the partial firewall that comes with Windows XP. Note: Do not turn on the XP firewall if you already have one.
In versions of XP prior to SP2 (supposedly coming in August, 2004) the native Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is disabled by default. To enable it
A number of services are not listed in Msconfig. A more complete way to control what runs is to use the Services Console
§ Go to Start-Run and enter “services.msc”
§ Right-click a selected service and choose “Properties”
§ In the drop-down menu “Startup type” select “Manual” or “Disabled”
Many functions and settings are accessible through Start-Control Panel. View can be by Categories or in “Classic” style (similar to Windows 98). Category view is task oriented. Many of the tasks already discussed can also be reached through the “System and Performance” category.
§ In any open folder, open the menu “Tools.”
§ Choose “Folder Options”
§ Click tab “General” and make desired settings
§ Click tab “View”
o Click radio button by “Show hidden files and folders”
o Remove check by “Hide extensions for known file types”
o Make other settings as desired