Tweaking Optimizing Windows.pdf - GEGeek

66. Speed up and browse faster
Here's a great tip to speed up your browsing of XP machines. Its actually a fix to a bug that by default of a normal Windows XP
setup that scans for shared files for Scheduled Tasks. And its turns out that you can experience a delay as long as 30 seconds when
you try to view shared files across a network from as Windows XP is using the extra time to search the remote computer. Note that
though the fix is originally intended for only those affected, Windows XP users will experience that actual browsing speed of both the
Internet & Windows Explorers improving significantly after applying it since it doesnt search for the Scheduled Tasks anymore.
Open up the Registry and go to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace
Under that branch, select the key :
{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} - and delete it.
This is key that instructs Windows to search for Scheduled Tasks. If you like you may want to export the exact branch so that you
can restore the key if necessary. This fix is so effective that it doesn't require a reboot and you can almost immediately determine
yourself how much it speeds up your browsing processes.
67. Auto Logon to machine
If you're running servers from a locked closet or server room, you can make them fully bootable. This means they won't require
human intervention to carry out initial log-ins and run startup batch files. It allows you to automatically logon to the machine and
network, bypassing the Winlogon dialog box.
To enable this function you need to add several new values to the
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] key.
- Add a new value of 'DefaultUserName' and set the data to the username you wish to automatically logon as.
- Add a new value of 'DefaultPassword' and set this to the password for the username above.
- Add a new value of 'DefaultDomainName' and set this to the domain of the user.
Ignore this value if the NT box is not participating in NT Domain security. This should be the local Windows NT
Advanced Server domain on Advanced Server networks, or Machine Name on standalone Windows NT systems.
- Add a new value of 'AutoAdminLogon' and set it to either '1' to enable auto logon or '0' to disable.
- Exit and reboot, Windows should not ask for a password and automatically show the desktop of the user.
Warning: The password is stored in registry, which means anyone who has access to the machine has access to the password and
should not be used on secure systems. You can also do the above with TweakUI.
68. Reboot on blue screen of death
There are those rare cases when a system fault/error/crash ends up freezing the OS at the dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death),
which displays the cause of the crash and gives some details about the state of the system when it crashed. If you are a system
administrator, requiring your servers to run non-stop 24/7, this can be a pain in the neck. To bypass the BSOD altogether and
enable the instant "Auto Reboot" feature, run Regedit and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl
Right-click on the "AutoReboot" String value in the right hand pane -> select Modify -> change it to read 1 -> click OK.
69. Temporarily assign yourself admin permissions
Many programs require you to have Administrative permissions to be able to install them. Here is an easy way to temporarily assign
yourself Administrative permissions while you remain logged in as a normal user. Hold down the Shift key as you right-click on the
program’s setup file. Click Run as. Type in a username and password that have Administrative permissions. This will also work on
applications in the Start menu.
CHAPTER [6]
SECURITY TIPS
Never get into a false sense of security - just because you have applied service packs and fixes to your system or server doesn't
mean you are completely protected. There is no such thing as being completely protected - security is an ongoing process and
needs to be looked at very frequently. New exploits are released all the time. My personal view is that every company should
employ full-time someone who just looks at system security - a small price to pay considering that a employee/virus/malicious
hacker etc could take down a company or even lose them a lot of money.
Before I go into some security tips here is what security is...
• Security is now that the blissful have been hit again, maybe they can get serious.
• Security is serious business - yes, even when you are using a computer for fun.
• Security is knowing that how you navigate the "information highways" affects others and taking responsibility for it.
• Security is taking the time, focusing on what you have to do and excluding all else. You work in your own best interests
and you know it.
• Security is knowing your machine, knowing what's going on it it. So you know if something is compromised.
• Security is checking all ways of starting applications automatically at boot and making sure only applications you are
familiar with are starting.
• Security is making sure, if you are running Windows, that you see all file extensions.