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--- decrapping_windows_xp [2007/09/20 18:40] – external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ decrapping_windows_xp [2010/01/07 06:38] (current) – tkbletsc
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== not being tracked ======
-keep your ethernet unplugged until you've installed Tiny Personal Firewall or equivalent!  block anything that starts with "wga".
+Even if your copy is legal, there's no reason to let Windows phone home every time you want to use your computer.  Keep your ethernet unplugged until you've installed Tiny Personal Firewall or equivalent!  Block anything that starts with "wga".
 ====== decrapping windows xp ======
 holy crap is XP dumb when it first comes up.  wow.
 ===== desktop, right click, properties =====
-  * wallpaper -> not dumb
+  * desktop tab
+    * wallpaper -> not dumb
+    * [Customize Desktop], "Run desktop cleanup wizard" -> off
   * appearance tab
     * style -> classic
     * effects: "transition effect" -> off, "hide underlined letters" -> off
-  * resolution -> decent
+  * settings tab
+    * resolution -> decent
 ===== security status warning, click =====
@@ Line 61: / Line 65: @@
     * error reporting -> disable
+{{ master-closer.jpg|Fan favorite}}
 ===== control panel - user accounts =====
   * change my password -> to one that isn't blank
@@ Line 69: / Line 74: @@
 ===== enable auto login =====
-  - Click Start, click Run, and type control userpasswords2. This is a shortcut instead of having to click on Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts.
+  - Click Start, click Run, and type "control userpasswords2". This is a shortcut instead of having to click on Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts.
   - Uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" check box.
   - Click Apply.
@@ Line 81: / Line 86: @@
   * automatic updates -> stop and set to manual
   * themes -> stop and set to manual
+===== find tool =====
+  * hit Win+F or click "Search" in explorer to bring up find dialog
+  * retarded dog appears.
+  * "change preferences", "without an animated character"
+  * "change preferences", "change file and folder search behavior", -> "advanced", [Ok]
 ===== control panel - sounds =====
@@ Line 88: / Line 99: @@
   * pointer scheme -> 3d bronze (or manually switch just the animated hourglasses)
+===== Disable Recent Document History =====
+  * Start | Run | gpedit.msc
+  * User Configuration | Administrative Template | Start Menu and Task Bar
+  * "Do not keep history of recently opened documents" -> Enable.
+===== disable autoplay =====
+To completely disable all forms of autorun/autoplay:
+  * Start | Run | "GPEDIT.MSC"
+  * On left panel, "Computer Configuration" | "Administrative Templates" | "System"
+  * In right panel, Set "Turn autoplay off" to enabled with either "CD-ROM drives" or "All drives" (USB keys, etc.)
 ===== install firefox =====
@@ Line 95: / Line 117: @@
 ===== updates =====
-http://windizupdate.com
+Avoid being tracked by Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" by installing updates with [[http://www.autopatcher.com/|autopatcher]].
+([[http://windizupdate.com|Windiz Update]] is no longer maintained)
+If you decide to use automatic updates, you should lengthen (or eliminate) the "restart reminder" interval, which defaults to a mind-searingly frustrating 10 minutes.
+  * Run "gpedit.msc"
+  * Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update
+  * Either enable "No auto-restart for schedule Automatic Updates installations" to turn off the nags, or set "Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations" to a larger interval (e.g. 1440 minutes = 24 hours).
+(instructions [[http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000294.html|from here]])