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Setting and Using the Restore Point Feature in XP
By its very nature, XP comes with a feature called System Restore. In the event you experience strange performance from your computers operating system, System Restore, allows you to revert back to an earlier date and time when your computer was working normally. By default, XP creates a new restore point on its own whenever you turn your computer back on after it has been shut down.
You should set a Restore Point before editing the Registry, downloading software updates from the Internet, installing new hardware or software, or updating drivers, etc. more
Shortcuts to Control Panel Applets
The Control Panel is populated by entities displayed as icons. These icons are called "Applets." Applets are merely files with the extension of .cpl, no different than Word using its distinct extension of .doc, or Excel using its .xls extension. Here's a list of Applets that reside in the Control Panel and their subsequent .cpl extension. more
Shut Down or Restart XP - Fast
For a rapid exit or restart in XP try this fast tip. more
Speed Up the All
Programs Menu in XP
One
annoyance you can easily remedy, is the delay between the time you
click on the All Programs menu and the time it takes to expand the
list before you can select and application and get to work. Let’s
speed it up!
Speed Up System Performance
Over time it seems that Windows XP just gets bogged down with stuff we don't want or use. In my search to improve system performance, one way to squeeze more performance out of XP is to disable the last access/update feature. By default, the New Technology File System (NTFS) in Windows XP maintains last access/update details for each file and directory on your computers hard drive. This process takes a considerable amount of resources away from your computer, so it just might make sense to disable this feature. Disabled or not, you will still have access to your last modified information for files and folders, and remember, if you don't like the change, or you see no significant value after the change, you can always go and change it back to its default setting. more
