Do Not Display Folder Size In Windows XP!

Normally, when you hover your mouse pointer over a folder in Explorer, Windows XP will automatically calculate the size of all files in the folder and subfolder, displaying the results as a tooltip popup.

Many people find this functionality useful. However, others do not need this information, or they don't want Windows XP wasting CPU cycles and spinning up the hard drive to calculate folder size. Also, if you have a laptop and commonly navigate files using the Explorer, calculating the size of every folder you hover your mouse pointer on can drain some power from the battery, as the hard drive must be accessed. Thus, to disable this feature:

1. Open any folder in Explorer.

2. Choose "Tools" then "Folder Options".

3. When the multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "View" tab.

4. Uncheck "Display file size information in folder tips".

5. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Gary Chambers

Choose Which Folder Details To Display In Windows XP!

When you chose "View" - "Details" from within a folder in Windows XP Explorer, columns are shown that Windows XP thinks are the most useful for said folder. For example:

- For file folders, these are usually Name, Size, Type, and Date Modified.

- For music folders, details shown are usually Name, Size, Type, Artist, Album Title, Year, Track Number, and Duration.

- For picture folders, you may see Name, Size, Type, Date Modified, Date Picture Taken, and Dimensions.

However, these chosen details may not be to your liking. Some items may not be needed, others you wish to see. Luckily you can customize these options on a per-folder basis.

1. From a folder, choose "View" - "Choose Details".

2. A "Choose Details" dialog box will appear. From here you will have lots of options, listed here in alphabetical order:

- Album Title
- Artist
- Attributes
- Audio sample rate
- Audio sample size
- Author
- Bit Rate
- Camera Model
- Category
- Channels
- Comments
- Company
- Copyright
- Date Accessed
- Date Created
- Date Modified
- Date Picture Taken
- Description
- Dimensions
- Duration
- Episode Name
- File Version
- Genre
- Keywords
- Name
- Owner
- Pages
- Product Name
- Product Version
- Program Description
- Protected
- Size
- Status
- Subject
- Title
- Track Number
-Type
- Year

Naturally, some of these options do not make sense for all folders. Music folders don't need the "Camera Model" information; photo folders can't use "Audio sample rate", etc. But for those that make sense, check the boxes next to the details you wish to see.

If you want to move an item up or down in the list (higher items are shown to the left in the "Details" view), click the item in question and press the "Move Up" or "Move Down" button.

To change the width of a column, click the appropriate detail and type in a new pixel width next to "Width of selected column (in pixels)".

When you're done, click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Gary Chambers

Remember Which Windows Were Open Between User Sessions!

Tired of logging off your Windows XP computer with a bunch of useful windows open to various folders, then when you re-login to the system, all of the windows have disappeared?

Many people prefer to start their Windows XP session with a clean slate, which is why this is the default behavior in Explorer. However, if you'd rather it remember your open windows and reopen them when you re-login, do the following:

1. Open any folder in Explorer.

2. Choose "Tools" then "Folder Options".

3. When the multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "View" tab.

4. Check "Restore previous folder windows at logon".

5. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Gary Chambers

Easily Open Documents And Settings Folder In Windows XP!

Your Windows XP "Documents and Settings" folder contains all types of useful information about your account, including:

- Desktop icons
- Internet Explorer cookies
- Internet Explorer favorites
- Miscellaneous application data
- "My Documents" folder
- Start Menu settings

Normally, to get to this folder, you must run Explorer and access a folder name similar to "c:\documents and settings\YOUR USER NAME". That's a lot of typing or browsing. Here's an easier way:

1. Click "Start", selecting "Run".

2. When the "Run" dialog box appears, enter a period (.) and press the "OK" button or ENTER on your keyboard.

Gary Chambers