Common WinXP Tweaks

WxMan1 · Apr 7, 2009, 11:23 PM

If WinXP was installed onto a non-boot drive, after making the disk with the new WinXP partition bootable, you want the partition/HDD with the new WinXP installation to show drive letter C:

1. Start Regedt32.exe.
2. Go to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices
3. Click MountedDevices.
4. On the Security menu, click Permissions.
5. Verify that Administrators have full control. Change this back when you are finished with these steps.
6. Quit Regedt32.exe, and then start Regedit.exe.
7. Locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices
8. Find the drive letter you want to change to (new). Look for "\DosDevices\C:".
9. Right-click \DosDevices\C:, and then click Rename.
Note You must use Regedit instead of Regedt32 to rename this registry key.
10. Rename it to an unused drive letter "\DosDevices\Z:".
This frees up drive letter C.
11. Find the drive letter needing to be changed. Look for "\DosDevices\D:".
12. Right-click \DosDevices\D:, and then click Rename.
13. Rename it to the appropriate (new) drive letter "\DosDevices\C:".
14. Click the value for \DosDevices\Z:, click Rename, and then rename it as appropriate, e.g., "\DosDevices\D:".
15. Quit Regedit, and then start Regedt32.
16. Change the permissions back to the previous setting for Administrators (this should probably be Read Only).
17. Restart the computer.

WxMan1 · Apr 7, 2009, 11:25 PM

I've found that TweakUI doesn't do what's advertised, so to display drive-letters first, followed by the drive description, use these steps:

Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe

Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer

If not already exists, create a REG_DWORD value named ShowDriveLettersFirst - set Value to 4

WxMan1 · Apr 7, 2009, 11:26 PM

Delete:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\Favorites

WxMan1 · Dec 22, 2009, 04:11 AM

delete:
X:\$ntservicepackuninstall$

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Wind ows XP\SP3\KB936929\UninstallCommand

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Windows XP Service Pack\UninstallString

Apr 7, 2009, 11:23 PM	#121
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Change the System/Boot Drive Letter If WinXP was installed onto a non-boot drive, after making the disk with the new WinXP partition bootable, you want the partition/HDD with the new WinXP installation to show drive letter C: 1. Start Regedt32.exe. 2. Go to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices 3. Click MountedDevices. 4. On the Security menu, click Permissions. 5. Verify that Administrators have full control. Change this back when you are finished with these steps. 6. Quit Regedt32.exe, and then start Regedit.exe. 7. Locate the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices 8. Find the drive letter you want to change to (new). Look for "\DosDevices\C:". 9. Right-click \DosDevices\C:, and then click Rename. Note You must use Regedit instead of Regedt32 to rename this registry key. 10. Rename it to an unused drive letter "\DosDevices\Z:". This frees up drive letter C. 11. Find the drive letter needing to be changed. Look for "\DosDevices\D:". 12. Right-click \DosDevices\D:, and then click Rename. 13. Rename it to the appropriate (new) drive letter "\DosDevices\C:". 14. Click the value for \DosDevices\Z:, click Rename, and then rename it as appropriate, e.g., "\DosDevices\D:". 15. Quit Regedit, and then start Regedt32. 16. Change the permissions back to the previous setting for Administrators (this should probably be Read Only). 17. Restart the computer.

Apr 7, 2009, 11:25 PM	#122
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Display the drive-letters first I've found that TweakUI doesn't do what's advertised, so to display drive-letters first, followed by the drive description, use these steps: Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer If not already exists, create a REG_DWORD value named ShowDriveLettersFirst - set Value to 4

Apr 7, 2009, 11:26 PM	#123
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Sort Favorites alphabetically Delete: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder\Favorites

Dec 22, 2009, 04:11 AM	#124
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Free up space after SP3 installation delete: X:\$ntservicepackuninstall$ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\Wind ows XP\SP3\KB936929\UninstallCommand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall\Windows XP Service Pack\UninstallString