Tyler's wiki

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====== Decrapping Windows Vista ======
If you thought default XP was dumb, you're in for a world of hurt in Vista.  Let's see what we can do.

All steps in this guide are //optional// and make Vista act like 2k/XP as much as possible.  Pick and choose the changes that suit you.

In case you were wondering, Tiny Personal Firewall 2 does not work on Vista.  

===== Welcome Center =====
OH MY GOD WELCOME TO VISTA HERE ARE 500 USELESS BUTTONS NOBODY WANTS
  * Uncheck "Run at startup" at the bottom
  * Close

===== Sidebar =====
  * Right click sidebar, close
  * Right click the sidebar icon in system tray (which should have a "help" bubble now), Exit
  * In dialog, uncheck "Start sidebar when Windows starts"; "Exit sidebar"

===== Explorer & Control panel =====
  * Start | Control panel
  * "Classic view" on left
  * Press Alt to bring up the ever-elusive menu bar
  * View | Details
  * View | Status bar
  * Tools | Folder options
    * "Use Windows classic folders"
    * View tab
      * **"Always show menus" -> On** (THANK GOD)
      * "Display simple folder view in Navigation pane" -> Off
      * "Display the full path in the title bar" -> On
      * "Show hidden files and folers" -> On
      * "Hide extensions of known file types" -> Off
      * "Hide protected operating system files" -> Off; Yes to dumb dialog box
      * "Remember each folder's view settings" -> Off

{{ master-closer.jpg|Non-stupid user image}}
===== Disable UAC =====
This, like all steps in this document, is optional; you can leave UAC on if you like the added security.
  * Start | Control panel | User Accounts
  * "Turn User Account Control on or off"
  * Uncheck, OK, Reboot

===== Disable security complaints =====

  * Start | Control panel | Security Center (or click one of the complaints)
  * "Change the way Security Center alerts me" on the left
  * "Don't notify me and don't display the icon"

===== Taskbar & start menu =====
  * Right click taskbar, properties
  * "Taskbar" tab
    * "Group similar taskbar buttons" -> Off
  * "Start Menu" tab
    * "Classic Start menu" -> On, "Customize"
      * At bottom of "Advanced Start menu options", "Use personalized menus" -> Off
  * "Notification Area" tab
    * "Hide inactive icons" -> Off
  * OK

===== System properties =====
  * Press Win+Pause //or// right click "My Computer" and choose "Properties"
  * Giant "fake" system properties appears.  Click "System protection" on the left to bring up real system properties.
  * "Advanced" tab
    * Performance "Settings"
      * "Adjust for best performance", then enable what you want
        * Disabling "Use visual styles on windows and buttons" gives classic Windows 2000 look
        * Move swap file via "Advanced" dialog if desired
    * Startup and Recovery "Settings"
      * "Automatically restart" -> Off
    * Environment variables if needed

===== Desktop =====
  * Right click the desktop, "Personalize"
  * "Window Color and Appearance"
    * "Effects" button
      * Set font smoothing: "ClearType" for LCDs, "Standard" for CRTs
      * "Show window contents while dragging" -> On
  * "Desktop background"; whatever
  * "Sound"
    * Find "Start Navigation" and set it to "(None)" to turn off that clicking sound
  * "Mouse", "Pointers" tab, -> "3D-Bronze" (or whatever)
  * "Display Settings"; whatever
  * "Easy of Access" (in the lower-left corner)
    * "Make the keyboard easier to use"
    * Scroll down, "Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys" -> On

===== Recycle bin =====
  * Right click the recycle bin, "Properties"
  * "Do not move files to the Recycle Bin" -> On

===== Internet Explorer =====
  * Tools button| Menu Bar
  * Tools | Internet Options
  * Homepage -> Anything but MSN (google?)

===== Auto login =====
  - Start | Run | "control userpasswords2". 
  - "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" -> Off.
  - OK
  - Enter the user name and password you wish to automatically log on with, and then click OK.
  - Click OK again and you're all done. 
(from http://8help.osu.edu/2063.html)

===== Services =====
  * Control Panel (classic) | Administrative Tools | Services
  * Stop and change startup type to "Disabled" or "Stopped" for the following services:
    * "Themes" - turns off any remaining pretty nonsense.

===== Error reporting =====
  * Control Panel (classic) | Problem Reports and Solutions
  * "Change Settings" on left
  * "Advanced settings"
  * Click the "Change setting" button undeer "For all users and programs, problem reporting is set to"
  * "Off", OK, OK, OK

===== Disable AutoPlay =====
  * Control Panel (classic) | AutoPlay
  * "Use AutoPlay for all media and devices" -> Off

===== Install Firefox =====
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
  * Tools | Options, "Always ask me where to save files" -> On