Windows XP has been around for so many years and many tips and tricks exists, and today i thought of combining all the windows xp tips i ever came across and got around 20 awesome windows xp tips for you guys. Lets start with them.
1. 3 trusty shortcut keys:
Ctrl + Z – To undo any action you did accidentally.
Ctrl + X – Cut files or text.
Ctrl + C – Copy files or text.
Ctrl + V – Paste files or text you have cut or copied earlier.
2. Switching between active applications:
Use Alt + Tab to switch between different active applications you may be using. Comes really handy when you need to switch between applications and using the mouse each time becomes really annoying.
3. Completing URL in browsers:
If you are using any internet browser, and each time you type in the complete url like to visit Google, you would type, “www.google.com”. Well, lets save you from the mysery. Next time you visit google, type in google, and use the following shortcuts to complete the address.
Ctrl + Enter – Adds .com and www. to the word you typed. Like when you type google and use ctrl + enter, it would automatically convert to “http://www.google.com/”.
Shift + Enter – Adds .net and www. to the work you typed, converting the word to, “http://www.<your typed word>.net/
Ctrl + Shift + Enter – Adds .org and www. to the word you typed, converting the word to, “http://www.<your typed word>.org/
4. Folder Tips:
- Hold Ctrl and double click to open the folder in a new window
- Hold Shift key and double click to open the folder in a new window and the folder list on the left.
- Hold Alt key and double click to open the folder properties.
5. Permanent delete:
Hold the shift key when you delete the file, and the file will directly be deleted rather going to the recycle bin
6. Remove Recycle Bin from desktop:
This trick would have to be on the list of top 5 favorite tricks of windows XP.
Go to Start > Run. Type in gpedit.msc and hit enter. Group Policy window would appear. Now go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop.
In the list, you will find, Remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop, double click it, and select Enable. And now, you wont find Recycle Bin on your desktop.
7. Remove unwanted start up application:
Go to Start> Run and type in msconfig and hit enter. A new window will appear. Navigate to Start up tab and unselect any application you don’t want to appear each time you start your computer.
This will decrease your start up time on loading applications. Also, you need to have administrative access to change start up applications.
8. Remove Shared Folder in My Computer:
Go to Start > Run, type in regedit and hit enter.
Click Edit, select find from the menu, type in, DelegateFolders. When the search ends, delete the subentry and the shared folder is gone!
9. Hibernate your computer immediately:
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then hold Ctrl + Shift and select shut down, and press ok, you PC will immediately go into hibernation.
10. Minimize all active windows:
Hold Windows key and M to minimize all the windows.
11. Restore all active windows:
Hold Windows key + Shft and M to restore all the active windows.
12. Open task manager quicker:
Instead of using Alt + Ctrl + del key, to bring up task manager, use Alt + Ctrl + Esc which open the task manager in applications tab which makes it easier to close any application.
13. Rename a folder or file:
Select the file and hit F2 on your keyboard to rename the file easily.
14. Turn off Autoplay for USB drives:
Each time you insert a CD or connect a flash drive to your computer, an annoying pop up greets you, giving you number of options to choose from, yes that is called the Auto play. For some it is really helpful while choosing the actions they want to easily while for me…. continue reading here
15. Close a windows instantly:
Use Alt + F4 buttons on your keyboard to close the active window.
16. Take screenshot of active application:
Hold Alt+Ctrl+PrintScreen to take the screenshot of active application rather getting the screen shot of whole of the monitor screen.
17. Open start menu using keyboard shortcut:
Hold Ctrl + Esc on your keyboard to pop the start menu.
18. Themes for Windows XP:
Earlier i compiled a list of awesom windows xp themes, here.
19. Create password for folders without any software:
I myself love this trick I learned from my friend, creating password for folders in Windows XP. I know there are number of softwares out there serving the purpose but I could not find any thing where no software was used and here it is sharing with you guys. Continue reading here.
20. Rename Recycle Bin:
Click start, then to go to Run, and type in “regedit” and hit Enter on your keyboard. It will open Registry Editor. Now go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ ROOT > CLSID > {645FF040- 5081-101B- 9F08-00AA002F954 E}
and then change the name “Recycle Bin” to whatever you want but remember not to type in any quotes in the name.
If you know any cool windows xp tips, drop them in the comment, and i would love to update them to the article. =)
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