Here are some of my Windows XP settings and preferences. See also: Windows 7 Settings, Operating Systems, Programs, BIOS Settings, Device Settings, System Info, Installation Order, My computers.
Start
Layout
Set Program Access and Defaults
Microsoft Update
Programs
(Folders)
Accessories
(Folders)
Accessibility
Communications
Entertainment
System Tools
Character Map
Disk Cleanup
Disk Defragmenter
System Information
(Applications)
Address Book
Calculator
Command Prompt
Notepad
Paint
Avira
Games
Google Chrome
Intervideo WinDVD (DVD player)
IrfanView
iTunes
Microsoft Silverlight
Mobiililaajakaista (3G modem)
OpenOffice.org 3.3
Picasa 3
QuickTime
REALTEK Gigabit ...
Sonic (DVD software)
Startup
VideoLAN
Winamp
ZoneAlarm
(Applications)
Adobe Reader X
Apple Software Update
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Outlook Express
Safari
Windows Media Player
Windows Messenger
Windows Movie Maker
Documents
Settings
Control Panel
Network Connections
Printers and Faxes
Taskbar and Start Menu
Search
Help and Support
Run...
Log Off User
Shut Down...
(Settings: see "Control Panel": "Taskbar and Start Menu".)
Msconfig
(Start: Run: msconfig)
Startup
[ ] AdobeARM: AdobeARM.exe (Adobe Reader 9: updater) (year 2011)
[x] avgnt: avgnt.exe (Avira AntiVir 10)
[x] atiptaxx: atiptaxx.exe (traybar process for your ATI graphics card drivers: ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200 Series) (HP laptop)
[x] cpqset: cpqset.exe (manages multimedia features: Hewlett Packard Configuration Module, cpq probably means Compaq which was fusioned to HP) (HP laptop)
[ ] EabServr: EabServr.exe (Quick Launch Buttons for HP Pavilion and Easy Access Buttons for Compaq laptops) (HP laptop)
[ ] GoogleToolbarNotifier: GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe (checks for programs that try to change your search engine)
[x] Google Update: GoogleUpdate.exe
[ ] HPWuSchd2: HPWuSchd2.exe (Hewlett Packard Software Update Scheduler, haven't needed it for years) (HP laptop)
[ ] IMJPMIG: IMJPMIG.EXE (used for typing japanese characters using standard qwerty keyboard) (HP laptop)
[ ] iTunesHelper: iTunesHelper.exe (monitors for the connection of iPod, etc.)
[x] jusched: jusched.exe (Java Update)
[ ] NeroCheck: NeroCheck.exe (checks for drivers that conflict with Nero) (FS laptop)
[ ] QTTask: QTTask.exe (QuickTime tray icon)
[ ] Reader_sl: Reader_sl.exe (Adobe Reader speed launcher: preloads certain components to start program more quickly)
[ ] SOUNDMAN: SOUNDMAN.exe (Realtek AC97 Audio Sound Manager, system tray utility, not necessary if you don't change any "exotic" sound settings with it) (FS laptop)
[x] SynTPEnh: SynTPEnh.exe (Synaptics touchpad software, probably needed unless you use a USB mouse instead) (FS laptop, HP laptop)
[x] TINTSETP: TINTSETP.exe (part of Microsoft's Input Message Editor (IME) for translating Japanese/Chinese text in IE, Outlook and Word, don't disable) (HP laptop)
[x] VTTimer: VTTimer.exe (Installed alongside the drivers for S3 chipsets. Part of S3Tray Plus and S3 Screen Toys.) (FS laptop)
[x] VTtrayp: VTtrayp.exe (Installed alongside the drivers for S3 chipsets. Part of S3Tray Plus and S3 Screen Toys.) (FS laptop)
[x] zlclient: zlclient.exe (ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9) (year 2011)
Control Panel
Accessibility Options
Keyboard
[ ] Use StickyKeys
Settings
Press SHIFT key five times.
[ ] Use shortcut (confuses if activated accidentally)
[ ] Use FilterKeys
Settings
Hold down the right SHIFT key for eight seconds.
[ ] Use shortcut
[ ] Use ToggleKeys
Settings
Hold down the NUM LOCK key for five seconds.
[ ] Use shortcut
Sound
Use SoundSentry if you want Windows to generate visual warnings when your system makes a sound.
[ ] Use SoundSentry
Use ShowSounds to tell your programs to display captions for the speech and sounds they make.
[ ] Use ShowSounds
Display
[ ] Use High Contrast
Settings
[ ] Use shortcut
Mouse
Use MouseKeys if you want to control the pointer with the numeric keypad on your keyboard.
[ ] Use MouseKeys
Settings
[ ] Use shortcut
General
Notification
[x] Give warning message when turning a feature on
[x] Make a sound when turning a feature on or off
Administrative options
[x] Apply all settings to logon desktop
[ ] Apply all settings to defaults for new users
Add or Remove Programs
Change or Remove Programs
Adobe AIR
Adobe Download Manager
Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX (year 2011)
Adobe Reader X (10.0.1) (year 2011)
Adobe Shockwave Player 11.5 (year 2011)
Apple Application Support
Apple Mobile Device Supprt
Apple Software Update
Athlon 64 Processor Driver (HP laptop)
ATI Display Driver (HP laptop)
ATI-ohjauspaneeli (HP laptop)
ATI-ohjelmiston poisto-ohjelma (HP laptop)
Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
Bonjour
Broadcom 802.11 Wireless LAN Adapter (HP laptop)
Conexant AC-Link Audio (HP laptop)
Google Chrome
Google Toolbar for Firefox
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
High Definition Audio Driver Package - KB835221 (HP laptop)
High Definition Audio Driver Package - KB888111 (FS laptop)
HP Help and Support (HP laptop)
HP Software Update (HP laptop)
HP User Guides 0012 (HP laptop)
Huawei modem (3G modem, Huawei)
InterVideo WinDVD (FS laptop, HP laptop)
IrfanView
iTunes
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 (Java)
Java(TM) 6 Update 22 (on the same machine as update 24) (year 2011)
Java(TM) 6 Update 24 (on the same machine as update 22) (year 2011)
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft Compression Client Pack 1.0 for Windows XP
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft User-Mode Driver Framework Feature Pack 1.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - KB2467174 - x86 9.0.30729.5570
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.4148
Mobiililaajakaista (3G modem, Saunalahti)
Mozilla Firefox 4.0 (x86 en-US) (year 2011)
Nero Suite (FS laptop)
OpenOffice.org 3.3 (year 2011)
Opera 11.10 (year 2011)
Picasa 3 (year 2011)
Quick Launch Buttons 5.20 D2 (HP laptop)
QuickTime
Realtek AC'97 Audio (FS laptop)
REALTEK Gigabit and Fast Ethernet NIC Driver (HP laptop)
Safari
Smart Link 56K Voice Modem (FS laptop)
Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP (HP laptop)
Sonic Audio Module (HP laptop)
Sonic Express Labeler (HP laptop)
Sonic MyDVD Plus (HP laptop)
Sonic Update Manager (HP laptop)
Synaptics Pointing Device Driver (FS laptop, HP laptop)
Texas Instruments PCIxx21/x515 drivers. (HP laptop)
VIA Platform Device Manager (FS laptop)
VIA Rhine-Family Fast Ethernet Adapter (FS laptop)
VIA/S3G Display Driver (FS laptop)
WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software (Targus USB Bluetooth 2.1 Adapter)
Winamp
Winamp Detector Plug-in
Windows Internet Explorer 8
Windows Media Format 11 runtime
Windows Media Player 11
Windows XP Service Pack 3
VLC media player 1.1.9 (year 2011)
ZoneAlarm
Add/Remove Windows Components
[x] Accessories and Utilities
Accessories
[x] Calculator
[x] Character Map
[x] Clipboard Viewer
[x] Desktop Wallpaper
[x] Document Templates
[x] Mouse Pointers
[x] Paint
Games (Pinball not listed by Windows XP)
[x] Freecell
[x] Hearts
[x] Internet Games
[x] Minesweeper
[x] Solitaire
[x] Spider Solitaire
[ ] Fax Services
[ ] Indexing Service
[x] Internet Explorer
[ ] Management and Monitoring Tools
[ ] Simple Network Management Protocol
[ ] WMI SNMP Provider
[ ] MSN Explorer (uses Internet Explorer)
[x] Networking Services
[x] Internet Gateway Device Discovery and Control Client (IGMP)
[x] Peer-to-Peer (for example some Linux distros might be using torrent-type downloads, but this may mean working as a server)
[ ] RIP Listener ("Listens for route updates", might be useful if computer is used as a router)
[ ] Simple TCP/IP Services (seem to be older network services: Character Generator, Daytime, Discard, Echo, Quote of the Day)
[x] UPnP User Interface (for testing: "Displays icons in My Network Places for UPnP devices detected on the network")
[ ] Other Network File and Print Services
[ ] Print Services for Unix ("Enables UNIX clients to print to any printer available to this computer")
[x] Outlook Express
[x] Update Root Certificates
[x] Windows Media Player
[x] Windows Messenger
Set Program Access and Defaults
(*) Custom
Choose a default Web browser
(*) Google Chrome
( ) Internet Explorer
( ) Mozilla Fifefox
( ) Opera
( ) Safari
Choose a default e-mail program
( ) Opera
(*) Outlook Express
Choose a default media player
(*) Use my current media player (might be partially VLC media player, even though it's not listed here, because of file association settings)
( ) iTunes
( ) QuickTime
( ) Windows Media Player
Choose a default instant messaging program
(*) Use my current instant messaging program
( ) Windows Messenger
Choose a default virtual machine for Java
(*) Use my current virtual machine for Java
Administrative Tools
Services
(D means Disabled. M means Manual startup. A means Automatic startup.)
[D] Alerter ("Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts.")
[A] Automatic Updates
[A] Avira AntiVir Guard
[A] Avira Scheduler
[D] Bonjour (enables devices to connect to PC, Apple, iTunes)
[D] ClipBook ("Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers.")
[A] Google Update Service (gupdate)
[M] Indexing Service
[M] iPod-palvelu
[D] Messenger (Disable. Used by spammers. "Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers.")
[D] Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (connect to remote computer)
[D] Telephony (no need: I use ADSL modem)
[D] Server (file sharing, etc.)
[D] Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service (share media libraries)
Display
Themes
Theme: [Windows XP (Modified)]
Desktop
Customize Desktop...
General
[ ] My Documents
[ ] My Network Places
[x] My Computer
[ ] Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days
Screen Saver
Screen saver: [Blank]
Wait: [120] minutes
[x] On resume, password protect
Appearance
Effects...
[ ] Use the following transition effect for menus and tooltips (none)
[Fade effect]
[x] Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts
[ClearType]
[ ] Use large icons
[ ] Show shadows under menus
[ ] Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt key
Settings
Display: [Plug and Play Monitor on VIA/S3G UniChrome Pro IGP] (FS laptop)
Display: [ATI MOBILITY RADEON Xpress 200 Series] (HP laptop)
Screen resolution: 1280 by 800 pixels (also available: 1024 x 768 / 800 x 600) (FS laptop)
Screen resolution: 1280 by 800 pixels (also available: 1280 x 768 / 1024 x 768 / 800 x 600) (HP laptop)
Color quality: Highest (32 bit) (FS laptop, HP laptop)
Advanced
See System Info for display information (FS laptop, HP laptop)
Folder Options
General
Tasks
(*) Show common tasks in folders
Browse folders
(*) Open each folder in the same window
Click items as follows
(*) Double-click to open an item
View
[ ] Automatically search for network folders and printers
[ ] Display file size information in folder tips
[x] Display the full path in the address bar
[x] Display the full path in the title bar
[ ] Hide extensions for known file types
[x] Launch folder windows in a separate process
[ ] Show pop-up description for folders and desktop items
Keyboard
Speed
Character repeat
Repeat delay: 3/4
Repeat rate: 100%
Cursor Blink Rate
Slider: 8/12
Hardware
Devices
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Buttons
Button configuration
Devices: [Synaptics TouchPad V6.2 on PS/2 Port 2]
(*) Right-handed
Double Click Speed
Slider: 7/11
ClickLock
[ ] Turn on ClickLock
Pointers
Scheme
[Windows Default]
[x] Enable pointer shadow
Motion
Select a pointer speed: approximately 50%
[x] Enhance pointer precision
Snap To
[ ] Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box
Visibility
[ ] Display pointer trails
[x] Hide pointer while typing
[ ] Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key (useful with web videos)
Wheel
Scrolling
Roll the wheel one notch to scroll
(*) The following number of lines at a time: [3]
Hardware
Devices
Synaptics PS/2 Port Pointing Device
Device Settings
(*) Remove tray icon from taskbar
Network Connections
Local Area Connection
General
This connection uses the following items
[x] Client for Microsoft Networks
[x] File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
[x] QoS Packet Scheduler
[x] Microsoft TCP/IP version 6
[x] Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Properties
General
(*) Obtain an IP address automatically
(*) Use the following DNS server addresses
Preferred DNS server:
Alternate DNS server:
Advanced
Windows Firewall
Settings (I'm using third party firewall)
Internet Connection Sharing
[ ] Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection
Power Options
Power Schemes
Power scheme: [Always On]
Advanced
When I close the lid of my portable computer: [Do nothing]
When I press the power button on my computer: [Ask me what to do]
System
General
System
Microsoft Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 3 (FS laptop, HP laptop)
(Processor)
Intel Celeron M, 1.50GHz (FS laptop)
AMD Turion 64 Mobile, Technology ML-32, 1.79GHz (HP laptop)
(Memory)
448 MB of RAM (FS laptop)
512 MB of RAM (HP laptop)
Computer Name
Computer description: (name)
Full computer name: (name)
Hardware
Hardware Profiles
(I usually make another copy of the hardware profile in case of profile corruption.)
Profile yyyy-mm-dd-01
Profile yyyy-mm-dd-02
Remote
[ ] Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer
Advanced
[ ] Allow this computer to be controlled remotely
Automatic Updates
(*) Turn off Automatic Updates (after initial Windows installation when I'm still updating Windows manually)
Taskbar and Start Menu
Taskbar
[x] Lock the taskbar
[ ] Group similar taskbar buttons
Start Menu
(*) Classic Start menu
Customize...
[ ] Display Administrative Tools
[x] Display Log Off
[x] Expand Printers
[ ] Use Personalized menus
User Accounts
Change an account
Create a password
Change the way users log on or off
[ ] Use the Welcome screen
[ ] Use Fast User Switching
Windows Firewall
(*) Off (I'm using third party firewall)
My Computer
Right-click
Properties
System Properties
(See "Control Panel": "System".)
Local Disk (and other disks)
Right-click
Properties
General
[ ] Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching
Last modified: February 28th, 2014
Author: Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com)
URL: http://sites.google.com/site/tomihasa/windows-xp-settings