If this book was written about cars, their "Power Techniques" would include how to set your radios pre-sets, reset the trip odometer, and roll down both the driver and passenger power windows by using two fingers to work both switches at once. Knowing how to use your OS as a proficient user is not a utilizing "field-proven secrets of the pros", as the back cover would have you believe. The first section of this book is devoted to teaching you how to configure, find, and launch control panel applets (mostly using the GUIs - really), followed by an overview of the Tweak UI add-on Microsoft provides as a standard free download. Another section includes an overview of how to open and read items within the registry (using the standard registry editor) which does not go into any specific configurations or tweaks, but rather on an explanation of what you are looking at and a warning about messing with it. Subsequent sections cover such things as controlling which applications start up, managing local users, installing devices, configuring the Explorer, configuring the Windows Media Player and ?getting the most of the Internet Explorer?. None of these sections include anything which is not done through the Microsoft provided interfaces and which wouldn?t be covered in an "Introduction to XP" style book. The book also includes an entire section "devoted" to scripting Windows (30 pages). Like so many other books that cover scripting, the section is not going to leave the reader with the ability to script anything and is more likely to confuse and ?turn off? any desire to learn more. Essentially, there are many excellent titles which serve to introduce a new user to Windows XP (such as ISBN 0782140769), as well as titles which will actually teach "power techniques" to a user (ISBN 0782141145 and ISBN 078214067X). This title is misleading to users already familiar and comfortable with Windows XP and better titles will prove more useful to any user who really wants to master the OS.
At Last! A Book for Intermediate Users! Do you find Windows XP frustrating? You're not alone. Best-selling author Dan Gookin lays bare the best (and worst) of Windows XP in this book for users who want to work faster, easier, and smarter. If you want real help dealing with Windows XP's imperfections, take a deep breath and let Dan be your guide. Using easy-to-follow instructions, Dan reveals alternative (and better) ways of completing particular tasks, shows you how to use powerful productivity-increasing commands, and teaches you how to configure Windows to suit your needs. You'll also learn how Windows works so that you can always remain one step ahead of it. Dan Gookin's Naked Windows XP transforms you into a more expert, dynamic, and headache-free user.
Expert Advice That Will Change Life As You Know It (for the Better)
Why the System Configuration utility is a buried treasure...and what it can do for you
Whipping Internet Explorer into shape
Dinking with and wrangling the Taskbar
Sending the Quick Launch bar to obedience school
Fixing, pruning, and grafting menus
Making the Desktop your own
Protecting files from death, destruction, or mere accidental erasure
Teaching the Notification Area to obey your whim
Secrets and solutions for working with images and graphics
How MediaPlayer's playlists can make your life easier
Curing those Internet connection blues
How to say "No!" to spam
Disk management chores you really need to do
And much more!
About the Author
A PC enthusiast for almost twenty years, Dan Gookin has written over eighty computer books, many of them bestsellers. Known forbooks that are instructional and yet fun to read, he strives to help everyday people get the most from their computing experience. Dan and his wife, Sandy, live in snowy Idaho and are active in the local theater.
Step-by-Step Instruction Helps You Harness the Full Power of Windows XP Whether you're running Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, Windows XP Power Tools arms you with the advanced skills you need to become the ultimate power user. Full of undocumented tips and tricks and written by a Windows expert, this book provides you with step-by-step instructions for customization, optimization, troubleshooting and shortcuts for working more efficiently. A must-have for power users and network administrators, Windows XP Power Tools includes a CD filled with power tools including security, e-mail, diagnostic and data recovery utilities.
Coverage includes:
Performing network, automated, and unattended installations
Controlling Windows XP startup and shutdown
Controlling printing
Auditing the system
Adding and removing OS components
Understanding and managing the Registry
Working with Device Manager
Setting up and troubleshooting incoming and outgoing connections
Hosting FTP sites
Performing backups and recovering from disasters
Managing users and groups
Setting up, monitoring, and managing Remote Access
Configuring and optimizing TCP/IP
Managing certificates
Configuring VPN connections
Encrypting your files
Featured on the CD
On the enclosed CD, you'll find a collection of power user software, including security, e-mail, diagnostic and data recovery utilities, plus bonus chapters on automating your work with scheduled events and batch programming.
About the Author
Jim Boyce has authored and/or co-authored over 45 computer books, many of them for Windows powerusers. He has been a contributing editor for Windows Magazine and WinMag.com and continues to write numerous articles for Tech Republic and other publications. Jim has been working with computers since the late 1970s.
Complete Coverage of Windows XP Professional The latest from the world's leading Windows authority Mark Minasi, Mastering Windows XP Professional is the premier resource for anyone installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, whether as part of a corporate network or for home or small business use. Depend on it for step-by-step instruction in hundreds of key techniques--not to mention a thorough look at all of XP's new features and troubleshooting advice that will save you time, money, and countless headaches. Updates to this edition include new coverage for administrators on topics including Web and FTP servers, scripting, the Microsoft Mangement Console and Services, and security. Coverage Includes * Using the new Start menu and Control Panel * Setting up broadband Internet connections * Setting up and configuring a peer-to-peer network * Securing your PC and network from intruders * Encrypting vital data * Running programs designed for previous versions of Windows * Transferring files and settings from one computer to another * Sharing your desktop with remote users * Connecting to remote computers using Remote Desktop Connection * Using Windows Media Player 8 * Communicating in real time using Windows Messenger * Using Windows XP on Portable Computers * Restoring your system to a previous configuration * Preventing disaster; backing up and recovering data * Using the Services and MMC administration tools Bonus Windows XP Essential Skills Includes 96 pages of full-color visual, step-by-step instruction on the 57 most important Windows XP skills. In minutes, you'll learn how to burn a CD, set up an Internet connection, use XP's powerful System Restore feature, and much more.
Accept no limits! Tweak Windows XP for ultimate performance with the undocumented secrets and hidden gems of the experts who work with the technology every day. Three Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS) professionals have teamed with well-known Windows book author Paul McFedries to reveal their best from-the-field techniques, practices, hacks, tricks, and workarounds for putting all of your PC’s muscle to work. Smart, straightforward, and uncompromisingly practical, this book is the ultimate insider’s guide to pushing Windows XP as far as it can go!
Put professional-level practices to work for you:
- Tweak registry settings without getting burned
- Employ lethal techniques to help fight viruses, intruders, and spam
- Customize startup and shutdown—get work done behind the scenes
- Install devices and drivers—painlessly
- Learn 10 ways to help give your system rock-solid stability
- Write your own scripts—or run the ones inside
- Share your PC using group policies, account lock-outs, and other management tools
- Optimize memory, performance, and usability
- Easily synchronize files between your mobile and desktop PCs
- Troubleshoot problems the way the experts do
Step-by-Step Instruction Helps You Harness the Full Power of Windows XP Whether you're running Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, Windows XP Power Tools arms you with the advanced skills you need to become the ultimate power user. Full of undocumented tips and tricks and written by a Windows expert, this book provides you with step-by-step instructions for customization, optimization, troubleshooting and shortcuts for working more efficiently. A must-have for power users and network administrators, Windows XP Power Tools includes a CD filled with power tools including security, e-mail, diagnostic and data recovery utilities. Coverage includes: • Performing network, automated, and unattended installations • Controlling Windows XP startup and shutdown • Controlling printing • Auditing the system • Adding and removing OS components • Understanding and managing the Registry • Working with Device Manager • Setting up and troubleshooting incoming and outgoing connections • Hosting FTP sites • Performing backups and recovering from disasters • Managing users and groups • Setting up, monitoring, and managing Remote Access • Configuring and optimizing TCP/IP • Managing certificates • Configuring VPN connections • Encrypting your files Accept no limits! Tweak WindowsR XP for ultimate performance with the undocumented secrets and hidden gems of the experts who work with the technology every day. Three MicrosoftR Consulting Services (MCS) professionals have teamed with well-known Windows book author Paul McFedries to reveal their best from-the-field techniques, practices, hacks, tricks, and workarounds for putting all of your PC's muscle to work. Smart, straightforward, and uncompromisingly practical, this book is the ultimate insider's guide to pushing Windows XP as far as it can go!Put professional-level practices to work for you:• Tweak registry settings without getting burned • Employ lethal techniques to help fight viruses, intruders, and spam • Customize startup and shutdown-get work done behind the scenes • Install devices and drivers-painlessly • Learn 10 ways to help give your system rock-solid stability • Write your own scripts-or run the ones inside • Share your PC using group policies, account lock-outs, and other management tools • Optimize memory, performance, and usability • Easily synchronize files between your mobile and desktop PCs • Troubleshoot problems the way the experts do "The author's humor and his ability to keep the reader's attention are masterful." --Andy Barkl, Technical Reviewer Salve For Your Office Headaches! Covers Office 2003, XP and 2000--And Perfectly Useful for Office 97, Too! Is it the best thing since sliced bread? A bug-riddled piece of junk? Here, best-selling author Dan Gookin skillfully navigates between these two extremes, laying bare the best and worst of Office in order to help you achieve a single, all-important goal: working faster, easier, and smarter. You'll harness the real power of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook while avoiding their pitfalls--and you'll discover the ways they actually can be made to work together as a truly integrated suite. Dan Gookin's Naked Office means the end of Office-inspired headaches. (Well, the vast majority of them, anyway. He's not a miracle-worker, after all.) Expert Instruction to Change Office Life... Mastering Windows XP Professional is the premier resource for anyone installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, whether as part of a corporate network or for home or small business use. Depend on it for step-by-step instruction in hundreds of key techniques - not to mention a thorough look at all of XP's new features and troubleshooting advice that will save you time, money, and countless headaches. Updates to this edition include new coverage for administrators on topics including Web and FTP servers, scripting, the Microsoft Management Console and Services, and security. Provides information on the skills needed to become the power user. This book includes a CD filled with power tools including security, e-mail, diagnostic and data recovery utilities. It contains undocumented tips and tricks written by a Windows expert, for customization, optimization, troubleshooting and shortcuts. A resource for those installing, configuring, and administering Windows XP, whether as part of a corporate network or for home or small business use. It includes topics on Web and FTP servers, scripting, the Microsoft Mangement Console and Services, and security, and gives troubleshooting advice. This in-depth guide covers features new to Windows XP Professional, including the revamped desktop, backup and recovery tools, device driver rollback, CD burning, digital media features, network bridging, personal firewall, remote desktop connection and the migration wizard. Windows XP Professional is Microsoft's client operating system. This text provides information on technology using language with visual guidance. It covers CD burning, system restore, device driver rollback, and Internet connection firewall Dealing with Windows XP, this book talks about alternative ways of completing particular tasks, shows you how to use powerful productivity-increasing commands, and teaches you how to configure Windows to suit your needs. Covers the features of Microsoft Windows XP, including automating tasks using scripting, networking, registry, maximizing security, hardware, installation and configuration, and database hosting and accessing. Offers techniques, tricks, and workarounds to modify Windows XP for optimal performance, covering topics including registry settings, scripts, devices, drivers, and memory. Annotation Officially launched Oct 25th 2001, Windows XP has already garnered PC Magazine's prestigious yearly Award for Technical Excellence for Best Desktop Software SINCE THE ADVENT OF the personal computer, users have wanted three things in an operating system: power, stability, and usability. Plain and simple, our goal for this book is to help you get the most that you possibly can out of Microsoft Windows XP.
