1. See which type of account you're using now in Windows XP.

If you're using Microsoft Windows XP, move your pointer over the clock on the bottom right of your screen. Right-click the clock, and then click, Adjust Date/Time.

• If you're using a Limited User account, you will get a message reading "You do not have the proper privilege level to change System Time."

• If you are using an Administrator account, a small window will open with controls you can use to change the time and date on your computer.

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2. How to switch between users in Windows XP.

Once you add a computer to your household, you might feel like one PC is not enough. Your kids might change the desktop to a wild color, and your Internet Explorer Favorites might get confused with everyone else's. You might even have some personal or financial files that you don't want others in the house to access.

Good news—you don't necessarily need to buy a new computer. Just set up user accounts for everyone in your home and log on with your own user account each time you use the computer. When you log on to your account, Microsoft Windows XP will look the way you want it to look. And Windows XP will keep your files in a location that is separate from files in other user accounts.

Note: If your computer is joined to an Active Directory directory service, the Fast Users Switching feature will be disabled. This change is commonly made to computers used for business. In fact, the change happens automatically when a computer joins an Active Directory domain. However, disabling the Fast Users Switching feature is not the default setting. Almost all computers in home environments will have Fast User Switching enabled.

To switch between user accounts:

1. Click Start, and then click Log Off.

Note: You can leave programs running, and they will still be open the next time someone uses this account.

2. On the Log Off Windows dialog box, click Switch User.

3. Click your account name. If you set up your account with a password, type the password, and then click the green arrow button.

When you log on, Windows XP displays your desktop and any programs you left running. Spend a few minutes showing everyone in your household how to switch to their own accounts, and sharing a computer will be much easier on everyone. Having multiple users might not stop your kids from fighting over whose turn it is to use the computer, but at least they can each have their own settings and separate locations for their files. This feature can help them at least feel like they have their own PCs.

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3. Create and customize user accounts in Windows XP.

Do you have more than one person using your home computer? If you do, you can create user accounts for everyone in your home so that they can set up Windows XP with unique favorites, colors, wallpaper, and private files. You can even create a guest account for visitors to use.

• Create a user account for each person who uses your computer.

• Change the default display pictures or add passwords for the accounts.

How to add user accounts.

To set up user accounts

1. Log on to your computer as an administrator. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Under Pick a category, click User Accounts.

3. Under Pick a task, click Create a new account.

4. In the User Accounts wizard, on the Name the new account page, type the name for the user. You can use the person's full name, first name, or a nickname. Then click Next.

5. The User Accounts wizard displays the Pick an account type page. Click Limited, and then click Create Account.

6. To create another account, return to step 3.

Note: In these steps, you created a limited account. Limited accounts offer better security than Computer administrator accounts. However, limited accounts cannot make system-wide changes or install some applications. If you need to make changes to your system, log on with the administrator account you used to create the new accounts.

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4. Choose pictures or create passwords for Windows XP user accounts.

By default, accounts have standard pictures but do not have passwords. You can add your own picture for each account, which can make it easier and more fun for children—and adults—to identify their accounts. To prevent other users from accessing an account, create a password.

To either choose a picture or create a password:

1. Log on to your computer as an administrator. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Under Pick a category, click User Accounts.

3. Under or pick an account to change, click the account for which you want to choose a picture or create a password.

4. To choose a custom picture

• a. Click Change the picture.

• b. Click Browse for more pictures.

• c. Click the picture you want to display for that account, and then click Open. Windows XP will display the picture you select on the logon screen.

5. To create a password to prevent other people from using an account

• a. Click Create a password.

• b. On the Create a password page, type the password twice. Optionally, type a password hint. Then click Create Password.

6. To choose pictures or create passwords for other accounts, return to step 3.  

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5. Exposing your computer to unwanted software when using P2P File Sharing in XP.

I cringe every time one of my nieces or nephews bring me their laptop’s from college.  This normally occurs at Christmas break and their complaint is Computer is slow and Please Save The Music.

Shared files can contain security risks such as viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software. A file that appears legitimate could be a virus in disguise. Unwary file sharers can download beneficial software that incorporates undisclosed spyware with it.

You can mitigate these dangers by:

• Using a firewall.

• Updating your operating system.

• Installing antivirus software and keeping it active and current.

• Installing antispyware software and keeping it active and current.

Note: Microsoft offers a free antispyware program called Windows Defender. Windows Defender comes with Windows Vista. If you use Windows XP SP2, you can download Windows Defender for no charge.

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6. Forbid Shutdown on XP Pro.

Go to Start/Run, and type

secpol.msc

At Security Settings/Local Policies/User Rights Assignment

Double click "Shut down the system"

Remove "Users" group

On Home Edition

Edit the registry [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system] "shutdownwithoutlogon"=dword:00000000

Caution:  When using this Tip don’t forget that if you remove a Users Group you may have to Replace the group in the future.

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7. Installing software as a NON-admin user in Windows XP Pro.

Go to Start/Run, and type GPEDIT.MSC (Pro Edition only)

"Always install with elevated privileges"

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Installer

Caution: Skilled users can take advantage of the permissions this setting grants to change their privileges and gain permanent access to restricted files and folders. Note that the User Configuration version of this setting is not guaranteed to be secure.

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8. Network Sharing in Windows XP.

To enable file and printer sharing on networks not using Internet Connection Sharing, you must run the Network Setup Wizard and select the following option: This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my network or through a residential gateway.

If your computer is directly connected to the Internet, re-run the Network Setup Wizard and select the following option:

This computer connects to the Internet directly or through a network hub. Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet directly or through a hub.

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9. Windows XP Hangs Up During Shut Down.

Most likely, one or more of your drivers is not allowing itself to be unloaded.

-Try hitting Enter when it hangs to "wake it up."

-Try holding Shift while clicking Ok in the "Shut Down" dialog - this might allow you to shut down faster, and bypass whatever is causing your system to hang.

-This can also happen if the sound file for Shutdown becomes corrupted. Double-click on the Sounds icon in Control Panel and remove or change the sound event for Shutdown.

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10. Remind your kids not to talk to strangers online!

Real-time chats and instant messaging can be a great way for children to discuss their interests and build friendships. But the anonymity of the Internet can also put children at risk of falling victim to imposters and predators. To help minimize your children's vulnerability, teach them to take precautions such as:

• Using only a first name or nickname to identify themselves.

• Never disclosing a phone number or address.

• Never sending photographs of themselves.

• Never agreeing to meet someone they met online without supervision.

To help protect your children from being contacted by strangers while instant messaging, configure your software to allow only approved contacts.

To block unknown contacts in Windows Messenger (I know you are saying what about the other IM programs.  I am creating detailed instructions for them now.)  Look for them in the next few weeks:

1. Click Tools.

2. Select Options.

3. Choose the Privacy tab.

4. Add people you know to the Allow list and block all other users.

Increase your security and privacy.

In addition to blocking inappropriate content, it's a good idea to block sites and downloads that may be a risk to your security and privacy.

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Bitlocker Encryption is the latest encryption method available on Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate. Rather than simply encrypt a single file Bitlocker actually encrypts the whole hard drive/partition, thus making the system more secure.

To use Bitlocker Encryption you need one of two components - a TPM complaint motherboard or a USB key. If your motherboard is TPM complaint, in other words, it has a TPM chip on the motherboard that hold encrypted keys, Bitlocker should be enabled by default. If your motherboard is not TMP complaint then Bitlocker will not be enabled by default and you will need to enable it. You will also need a USB key to store the encrypted keys on. Incidentally, you will need to insert the USB drive key into the USB port every time you boot your PC.

To enable Bitlocker proceed as follows:

1. Click the Start Button

2. From the Start Menu click Accessories and the Click Run

3. In the Run Dialog box type: gpedit.msc

4. In the Group Policy window click on Computer Configuration

5. From the list that appears click > next to Administrative Templates

6. From the expanded menu click the > next to Windows Components

7. From the expanded menu that now appears click on Bitlocker Drive Encryption

8. Now look for Control Panel Setup: Enable advanced startup options

9. If you highlight this option and then look on the left hand side of the window you will see a description of what this does. Also you will see a link marked 'Properties'. Click on this link to open the properties window.

10. In the properties window click the radio button next to the 'Enable' option and then click OK

11. Finally Go to Control Panel and click on the Bitlocker Icon. You should see a link now for enabling Bitlocker.

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12. Disable Hibernation In Vista.

Unlike other versions of Windows Hibernation is part and parcel of the shutdown options of Vista. There are no options in Power options to actually disable it. If you don't use it then hibernation will be taking up valuable disk space, therefore it is easier to disable the option and reclaim the disk space allocated to the hiberfil.sys.

To disable hibernation proceed as follows:

1. Click Start followed by All Programs and then Accessories

2. On the Accessories menu Right Click on the Command Prompt

3. From the drop down menu, Click on the Run Administrator option

4. The Command Prompt window will now open

5. At the command prompt type: powercfg -H off

To enable hibernation

If, after you have disabled hibernation you wish to re-enable it, proceed as follows:

1. Click Start followed by All Programs and then Accessories

2. on the Accessories menu Right Click on the Command Prompt

3.from the drop down menu, Click on the Run Administrator option

4. The Command Prompt window will now open

5. At the command prompt type: powercfg -H on

Disk CleanUp Option In Windows Vista.

A less complex option for disabling hibernation is to use the Windows Disk Cleaner

1. Click Start followed by All Programs, Accessories and then System Tools

2. From the System Tools menu, Click Disk Cleanup

3. Choose which files to clean up

4. Next select the Windows Vista drive and press OK

5. Disk Cleanup will now scan your system

6. When the Scan is complete the Disk Cleanup for Vista window will open

7. If it is not already there, Place a Tick in the box next to the Hibernation File Cleaner

8. Enable or Disable any other file options you want to clean from the available list and then Press the OK button

9. Hibernation will now be removed

10. If you need to replace hibernation, follow the instruction in the 'To Enable Hibernation' section above.

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Have you ever thought how good it would be if you could preview any document without having to actually open it? Well now you can using the preview option in Windows Explorer.

1. Open Windows Explorer

2. Click the Organize button

3. From the drop down menu click layout

4. From the Layout Menu click the 'Preview Pane' option

5. Finally highlight a document you want to view and, after a few seconds, a preview of that document should appear in the preview pane.

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14. Logon To Windows Vista as Administrator.

If for whatever reason you must login Windows Vista with the Administrator account this guide will show you how it’s done.

Warning: Running as Administrator in Windows Vista bypasses all security (UAC) and is NOT recommended. If you decide to use the Administrator account don’t complain when you start having problems.

Enable the Administrator Account:

1. Open the command prompt with Administrative privileges by opening the Start Menu, type cmd in the search box, and then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open cmd with admin rights.
2. Type the following in the command prompt and press Enter after:
net user administrator /active:yes
3. Restart your computer and logon as Administrator.

 
Note: You might want to set a password for the administrator’s account for at least a little protection.
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15. Run Pre-Vista Programs In Compatibility Mode.

Use Vista's Compatibility Mode to run apps that aren't quite Vista ready. Here's how:

1. Right click the executable and click the Properties option.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Select the Run This Program in Compatibility Mode option.
4. From the drop-down list, choose the operating system you ran before upgrading to Vista.
5. If necessary, select the option to run the program as an Administrator.
6. Click OK.

I haven't run into any must-have apps that aren't working in Vista, so I can't vouch for this, but it is supposed to be how it works.

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