Tweak UI For Windows XP
Tweak UI is a tool that Microsoft made to add some new options to Windows XP so that you can make it perform exactly as you like. I use it to make three changes in the interface. Be careful if you use Tweak UI as you can end up changing lots to things and just making them worse, and then forgetting how to get back. I recommend only making changes that you understand and even then only one or two changes. Writing down what you did. Then check to make sure you like them.
You can get Tweak UI from here: http:⁄⁄www.microsoft.com⁄windowsxp⁄Downloads⁄powertoys⁄Xppowertoys.mspx
To download scroll midway down the page on the right. Remember, this is for XP only.
Remember, have specific changes in mind and then use this tool to make them. Don't just muck around!
Adding Items to your Save dialog box
I often save Email attachments and other files to a \transfer folder or a \Download folder. The standard Save dialogue box offers only the Desktop and My Documents folder, but it makes saving things in the correct place quicker if you add these folders to the standard save dialog box.
Here is my Save Dialog box.
You do this by adding those folders to you Common Dialogs Places bar.
Disable AutoPlay for USB Drives
One of the common means of spreading viruses is to use USB drives' autoplay feature. Insert the USB drive and the program automatically runs. This is very dangerous. The best way to control this is to use TweakUI to disable Autoplay for your usb drives. There are other ways, and it is possible that some of them work now. Microsoft keeps issuing security patches to make their other methods work, but don't seem to get it right. This method is easy and it works fine.
First uncheck the drives (network, cd, and usb) that you want to remove autoplay with.
Then Uncheck the Autoplay Types you want disabled.
Show Network Drive Letters BEFORE the label
I like to see the drive letter in front of the drive label as shown below, instead of the Windows default of after. Notice my M: drive below.
This is done with the drive letters option in Tweak UI
There are Tweak UI type programs for Vista.
Tweak UI for Vista:
Another one: http:⁄⁄www.totalidea.com⁄product.php?Product=TweakVI
Once again, I want to warn the adventurous among you. BE CAREFUL or you'll end up with something you don't like and no way to return.
Date: May 2009