100. Change the command prompt startup directory

B y default, when you open a command prompt window (Start>> Run. Type in: cmd [Enter]), it opens to the default user profile directory (see fig #1). Changing this setting requires a registry change. Be sure to make a backup copy before making any changes.

How to change the startup directory:

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
2. Navigate to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor
   
3. Single click the entry titled: Command Processor to empty its contents in to the right pane.
4. In the right pane, double click the entry titled: Autorun
5. Double click the Autorun entry.
6. Place the actual path that you would like the command prompt to start at in to the "Value data:" text box.
7. Exit the Windows Registry.

Example: To set the Startup Directory at: C:\Windows, enter CD /d C:\Windows in the Value data text box.

Note: If the Autorun entry is not present, create a new string. Here's how:

1. Right click an empty area of the right pane.
2. Select New>> String value
3. Name the new string value: Autorun
4. Continue with Step #5 above.

Fig #1

95.Display Message at startup

If you would like to display any message in a popup window when Windows is started, here's how:

1. Go to Start> Run, then type in: regedit
2. Hit [Enter] on your keyboard
3. Follow this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogo
4. Modify the key LegalNoticeCaption with your text of choice.
5. Modify the key LegalNoticeText with your text of choice.
6. Restart Windows for this to take affect.

78.Auto Logon to Windows XP

Windows XP has the ability to store your password and other pertinent information in the registry so that you can automate the logon process. Keep in mind though, while this is a very convenient method, it has its security risks. Anyone using your computer will have access to your account and your network. Only use this setting if the other people within your network are trusted.

Warning: This tweak involves editing the Windows registry. Mistakes made while editing can have serious effects on your Windows installation. Be sure that you have made a backup copy of the registry prior to making any changes.

Here is how to configure Windows XP to auto logon:

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
2. Drill down to the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Click the Winlogon entry in the left pane once to empty its contents into the right pane.
4. Find the DefaultUserName entry in the right pane and double click it.
5. In the Value data test box, type in your user name. Click OK.
6. Back in the right pane, locate the entry titled; DefaultPassword. Double click this entry and type in your password in the value data text box. Click OK.

Note: If the DefaultPassword entry does not exist. You will need to create this entry. Here's how:

a. Hold your mouse over the right pane and right click an empty area.
b. Click New>> String Value.
c. A new entry at the bottom of the right pane will now appear. Name it DefaultPassword. Press Enter.
d. Now, double click your new DefaultPassword entry and type in your password in the Value Data box.

7. Back in the right pane, locate the entry titled AutoAdminLogon. Double click this entry and change the value from 0 to 1. Click OK. The "1" entry turns the feature ON and the "0" turns the feature OFF.

Note: If the AutoAdminLogon entry does not exist, follow the instructions above and create this new string entry.

8. Exit the Windows Registry and restart your computer.

58.Speed up your PC on startup

On run window type ' msconfig'.

From the opened window (system configuration) select the startup.


And now unlock the unwanted items.
click OK. And restart the computer.

37. How to avoid password entry at start up ?

Open Administrative tools in control panel and go to Local security policy.Select accounts and within that password policies. Set minimum password length to 0. This should be enough to stop password from being entered at startup.I have received some criticism for asking users to set their password length to 0 and I agree to some of the potential security risks. Here is one better way to do it.
Go to START-RUN and enter "control userpasswords2" select the user the you would like to have auto logon set to and then uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer". Ok out. Now you have to do one more thing. Go to START-RUN and enter "control userpasswords" and clicking on “Change the way users log on or off”, and unchecking both “Use the Welcome Screen” and “Use Fast User Switching”.
There is another way to get to the same screen. Try this to auto logon 1. At a command prompt, type: rundll32 netplwiz.dll,UsersRunDll 2. In the User Accounts dialog that appears, clear the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" check box and click OK. 3. Enter the user name and password of the account you want to automatically log on.
Now Reboot and see it happen.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: (Please make sure that you are doing this to user account and not administrator account. If you do this to administrator account or user accounts that have admin privileges and connect to Internet. and do not have a good firewall installed or enabled, your are exposing yourself to potential risks) XPTOOLS is not responsible for any such damage. *Also note that default user accounts created by XP are in admin group and have admin privileges so be careful.

31.Create your own customized legal notice at Windows Startup

Open Registry by going to START-RUN and typing REGEDIT. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. In right hand panel look for two fields by the name legalnoticecaption and legalnoticetext. Modify legalnoticecaption to what you want popup window caption should read and change legalnoticetext to customize whatever message you want.

13. Disable password when resuming stanby

To disable the password when resuming from standby or hibernation, open the Power Control Panel and uncheck "Prompt for password after returning from standby" on the Advanced tab.