Registry Tips resources directory for programmer and webmasters

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Registry Tips

Restrictions | Explorer | Network | Misc

Disabling the F3 Search Key

If you want to disable the ability to use the F3 key from either the Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions
Create a Dword value called NoFindFiles
Give it a value of 1
Reboot

Preventing Changes to File Associations

You can prevent users from changing associations via Windows Explorer's Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab.

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explore
Create REG_DWORD data type NoFileAssociate
Give it a value of 1

Locking File Associations

If you have your file associations the way you want for a particular file type, you can remove it from the list that gets displayed in the Folder Options / File Types screen

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Scroll to the file association you want to lock.
In the right panel, create a new Binary value
Call it EditFlags
Give it a value of 01 00 00 00
Now when you go to the Folder Options / File Types screen, you won't see that file type listed.

Turning off System Beeps

If you want to turn off all system beeps (like the ones that go through your computers' internal speaker):

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound
Edit the key Beep and give it a value of No

Changing the Location Of Special Folders

You can modify the registry to change the location of special folders like:

My Documents
Favorites
My Pictures
Personal

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Double click on any locations you want to change and alter the path
Logoff or restart for the changes to go into effect

Note: TweakUI from Microsoft will allow you to make these changes from a dialog box as well

Deleting Specific Registry Value

In a previous tip, Automatically Deleting a Registry Key, it was mentioned how to remove an entire registry key.
If you want to simply remove a specific value within a key, use the syntax below:

[Registry Key]
"value"=-

For example:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MSConfig"=-

would delete the value MSCONFIG.

Setting the Recycle Bin to Always Delete

You can set the recycle bin to always delete items (like holding down the shift key when dragging files to the recycle bin)

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Explorer \ BitBucket
Set the key NukeOnDelete to 1

Setting the Internet Explorer Home Page

If you want to set the home page used by Internet Explorer through the registry

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Main
Give the Start Page key the string value you wish set as homepage

Preparing to Move Hard Drive to Another Computer

To remove the devices from device manager when taking a HD from one computer to another,
simply:

Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ and delete the Enum section
This removes all of the hardware specific settings

Comparing Registries

While working with changes to your system, you might want to see what is changing in your Registry.
Since you can export it to a text file, the steps are fairly easy

Start Regedit
With the very top level select - My Computer, on the Toolbar select Registry / Export Registry File
I usually save it to the root of the C: drive with the NAME before (you don't need to add an extension)
Make the change to your system
Go back to Regedit
Press F5 to update it
Export the Registry like step 2
NAME the file after and have it go in the same directory
Open up a DOS window
Go to the directory where the two exported files are
Enter FC before.reg after.reg > diff.txt
Then you can edit diff.txt with your favorite text editor.

Note: I do the last steps so often I have a simple batch file already set up.

Setting Excel 2000 High-Contrast Cell Selection

If you want to increase the contrast in selected cells:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ Options
Add a DWORD value call Options6
Give it a value of 16
Now when you select cells, they will be white on black.

Changing Common Icons

You can change many of the common Windows icons.

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell Icons
The default icons are numbered in the right panel from 0-40
Double click on the number of the particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.
Enter the NAME of the icon file you want to use followed by the number of the icon in that file.
Note: The numbering starts with zero.
If you use a single .ICO file, it should be followed by a 0.
e.g. - fileNAME.dll,4 - This would actually be the 5th icon since it starts with 0.
Make sure you delete the hidden file C:\WINDOWS\SHELLICONCACHE

0-13 Are the Drive and Application Icons
0 - To change the Unknown Application Icon
2 - To change the Default Application Icon
3 - To change the Closed Folder Icon
4 - To change the Open Folder Icon
5 - To change the 5 1/4" Floppy Icon
6 - To change the 3 1/2" Floppy Icon
7 - To change the Removable Disk Icon
8 - To change the Hard Drive Icon
9 - To change the Network Drive Online Icon
10 - To change the Network Drive Offline Icon
11 - To change the CD Drive Icon
12 - To change the Ramdrive Icon
13 - To change the Entire Network Icon

19-27 Are the Start Menu Icons
19 - To change the Programs Icon
20 - To change the Documents Icon
21 - To change the Settings Icon
22 - To change the Find Icon
23 - To change the Help Icon
24 - To change the Run Icon
27 - To change the Shutdown Icon

Other Icons
33 - To change the DUN Folder Icon
34 - To change the Desktop Icon
35 - To change the Control Panel Icon
37 - To change the Printer Folder Icon
40 - To change the Audio CD Icon
43 - To change the Favorites Icon
44 - To change the Logoff Icon

Prevent Changes to the Start Menu

To prevent any changes to the Start Menu, even a right click:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD called NoChangeStartMenu
Give it a value of 1

DOS Restrictions

There are restrictions you can make to the ability to execute DOS programs

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / Current Version / Policies
Create a new key under Policies called WinOldApp
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0

Disabled - Disable MS-DOS Prompt
NoRealMode - Disables Single-Mode MS-DOS

Networking Restrictions

There are general restrictions you can make in Networking

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / Current Version / Policies
Create a new key under Policies called Network
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0

DisablePwdCaching = Password Caching

HideSharePwds [hex] =Shared Passwords

NoEntireNetwork =Entire Network

NoNetSetup =Network applet

NoNetSetupIDPage =Network Identification tab

NoNetSetupSecurityPage =Network Access tab

NoFileSharing =Network File Sharing button

MinPwdLen = set Minimum Password Length (integer number: 0 - 99)

NoPrintSharing =Network Print Sharing button

NoWorkgroupCONTENTs =Network Workgroup

Control Panel Restrictions

There are many general restrictions you can make to the Control Panel

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Policies
Create a new keys under Policies called System
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0

NoDispCPL - Disable Display Control Panel
NoDispBackgroundPage - Hide Background Page
NoDispScrSavPage - Hide Screen Saver Page
NoDispAppearancePage - Hide Appearance Page
NoDispSettingsPage - Hide Settings Page
NoSecCPL - Disable Password Control Panel
NoPwdPage - Hide Password Change Page
NoAdminPage - Hide Remote Administration Page
NoProfilePage - Hide User Profiles Page
NoDevMgrPage - Hide Device Manager Page
NoConfigPage - Hide Hardware Profiles Page
NoFileSysPage - Hide File System Button
NoVirtMemPage - Hide Virtual Memory Button

Restricting the Start Menu, Explorer and the Desktop

There are many general restrictions you can make to the Start Menu, the Explorer and to the Desktop itself.

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_Current_User / Software / Microsoft / Windows / Current Version / Policies
There should already be at least a Explorer section there already
Additional keys that can be created under Policies are WinOldApp
You can then add DWORD values set to 1 in the appropriate keys
To re-enable them, either delete the key or set the value to 0

ClearRecentDocsOnExit = Clear of Recent Documents on Exit

NoAddPrinter = Adding new printers

NoClose = Computer Shutdown

NoDeletePrinter = Delete Installed Printers

NoDesktop = Doesn't show Desktop items as well as and Desktop right-click menu

NoDevMgrUpdate = Windows 98/ME web Update Manager

NoDrives [hex] = Hides Drives in my computer

NoFind = Find command

NoInternetIcon = Internet Icon on Desktop

NoNetHood = Network Neighborhood

NoRecentDocsHistory = Recent Documents in Start Menu

NoRun = Run command

NoSaveSettings = Save Settings on exit

NoSetFolders = Folders in Start Menu -> Settings

NoSetTaskbar = Taskbar in Start Menu -> Settings

NoSMMyDocs = My Documents folder in Start Menu

NoSMMyPictures = My Pictures folder in Start Menu
NoWindowsUpdate = Windows web Update

Changing Office 2000's Excel Undo History

By default, Excel has only approximately 16 undo's you can perform.

To increase that number:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 9.0 \ Excel \ Options
Add a dword called UndoHistory
Give it the value you want for the amount you want.

Changing the TITLEon Windows Media Player

You can change the TITLEbar for the Windows Media Player

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_USERS \ .DEFAULT \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ WindowsMediaPlayer
Create a string value of TitleBar
Give it a value of whatever you want to appear in the TITLEbar

Eliminating the Right Click on the Taskbar

To eliminate the right click on the taskbar:

Start Regedit

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD and give it a NAME of NoTrayContextMenu
Give it a value of 1
Reboot

Eliminating the Right Click on the Desktop

To eliminate the right click on the desktop:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a DWORD and give it a NAME of NoViewContextMenu
Give it a value of 1
Reboot

Turning Off the Help on Min, Max, Close Icons

When the mouse goes over the minimize, maximize and close icons on the upper right hand side of a window, you normally get a display telling you want those are for.
To disable that display:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop
Create a String Value called MinMaxClose
Give it a value of 1
Reboot

Adding Open With to the Right Click in the Explorer

To add the option Open With when you right click on a file in the Explorer:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ CLASSES \* \ shell \ openas \ command
If this key isn't there then just create it
Give it the value of C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1

Automatically Deleting a Registry Key

Normally you cannot automatically delete registry keys from reg file. But there is a way...

Simply include a minus sign inside the left bracket before the main key.

For example.
If you want to delete the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Office \ 8.0 \ Common \ Assistants, your regfile would simply look like:

REGEDIT4
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common\Assistants]

This would delete that key and any below it.

Fixing no AutoRun for CDs

If your CDs have stop starting automatically, and you have checked everything else:

Go to HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version \Policies\Explorer
The value for NoDriveTypeAutoRun should be set to 95 00 00 00

Renaming the File System Profiles

In the Control Panel / System / Performance / File System, you can select either Desktop Computer, Mobile or docking system, or Network Server.
You can change these labels to something more descriptive:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft / Windows / Current Version / FS Templates
You can change the text that appears under each key

Sticky Menus

Normally when you move the mouse over the Start Menu / Programs, it will automatically cascade and show the submenus.
If you want them to open only when you actually click on them:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop
If if it not already there, create a string called MenuShowDelay
Give it a value of 65534

Automatic Shutdown with Windows NT

Most laptops allow the operating system to turn off the hardware after shutdown, instead of displaying the message telling you it's now safe to turn off your system.
You can take advantage of this capability by enabling the Power Down After Shutdown feature.

To enable this feature, simply add a REG_SZ value NAMEd HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\PowerdownAfterShutDown and set it to 1.

Next, tell NT to shut down and see if the machine turns itself off after shutting down. If it doesn't, change the value back to 0 to restore normal operation.

Kill Hung Processes When Logging Off in Windows NT

When you tell NT to shut down, it first sends shutdown requests to any running processes.
Most 32-bit applications honor these requests and shut down, but older 16-bit apps running in the Virtual DOS Machine often won't.
When this occurs, the operating system prompts you with a dialog box asking if you want to kill the task, wait for the task to die on its own, or cancel the shutdown.
By modifying the Registry, you can automate this process.

You can force NT to kill all running processes on shutdown by adding a REG_SZ value NAMEd HKEY_USER\\ControlPanel\Desktop\AutoEndTasks and set the value to 1. You can also add this value to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT so that all new accounts will shut down the same way.

NT Crash Log File

In addition to the crash log file, you can also enable two other methods of crash notification and logging.

You can enable an administrative alert by changing the value of

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Crash Control\SendAlert to 1. The next time the system crashes, an administrative alert will be sent that may provide the first sign of the crash.

You can also make NT log the crash in the event log by changing the value of

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\CrashControl\LogEvent to 1 instead of its default 0. Now, the exact time of the crash will be permanently recorded.

Changing the Location of Outlook Express Data Files

Normally Outlook Express keeps its data files in the C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express directory.

To change this:

First copy those files to the new location
Start RegEdit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Outlook Express
Change the Store Root key to the directory where you moved the files

Disabling the Blinking Cursor

To stop the cursor from blinking in applications such as Word:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Add a String Value
NAME it CursorBlinkRate
Give it a value of -1
Reboot the computer

Re-Enabling DHCP Error Messages

If you got a DHCP error message, selected to not see DHCP errors, and now want to see them again;

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ VxD \ DHCP
Change the value of PopupFlag from 00 to 01

Getting Rid of Schemes

A safer way would be is to go to the Control Panel / Display / Appearance tab
Go to the Scheme drop down box
Select the one you don't want and click on the delete button

When you right click on your desktop and pick properties your Display Properties screen appears.
Under Appearance tab / Schemes, determine if you want all those wild schemes.
If not they can be deleted and clear approximately 45K.
Before you delete them, choose or create at least 1 Scheme and "Save As" (in my case Bud 1).

Open Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Appearance \ Schemes
Highlight every String and Value on the right side and delete. DO NOT DELETE "Default"

Hiding Any Combination of Drives

If you want to stop a drive or any combination of drives appearing in Explorer/ My Computer

Add the Binary Value of 'NoDrives' in the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer

Give it a value from a combination of the table below:

A 1 00 00 00
B 2 00 00 00
C 4 00 00 00
D 8 00 00 00
E 16 00 00 00
F 32 00 00 00
G 64 00 00 00
H 128 00 00 00
I 00 1 00 00
J 00 2 00 00
K 00 4 00 00
L 00 8 00 00
M 00 16 00 00
N 00 32 00 00
O 00 64 00 00
P 00 128 00 00
Q 00 00 1 00
R 00 00 2 00
S 00 00 4 00
T 00 00 8 00
U 00 00 16 00
V 00 00 32 00
W 00 00 64 00
X 00 00 128 00
Y 00 00 00 1
Z 00 00 00 2

Where (for eg) you want to hide Drives {C,E,J,O,R,U,Y,Z} you would give 'NoDrives' the value 14 42 12 03
Where C+E = 14, J+O = 42, R+U=12 and Y+Z = 03
Please NOTE: The Numbers are to be added in HEXadecimal ie: ABCD = 0F, not 15 All Drives Visible is 00 00 00 00 All Drives Hidden is FF FF FF 03

Creating a Legal Text Notice Before Logon

You can create a banner that will come up just before you logon to the computer:

Start Regedit
Go to HKeyLocalMachine \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ WinLogon
Create a new string value called LegalNoticeCaption and give it a value you want to see in the menu bar
Create a new string value called LegalNoticeText and give it a value you want to see in the dialog box

Now before anyone logs into that computer, this banner will come up on the screen.
This can be useful for any legal warnings you want to give regarding the use of the computer.

Removing the Hand Icon from Shared Resources

When you share a local resource, Windows95 normally puts a hand in from of that resources icon.
To remove hand icon from your shared resources:

Start Regedit.
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / Network
Open SharingHandler.
Clear it's default value
Restart Windows.
To restore set Default value "msshrui.dll".

Enabling the Middle Mouse Button on Logitech Mouse

To enable the middle mouse button on Logitech Mouses to act as a double-click button by only pressing it once:

Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LOGITECH\MOUSEWARE\ CURRENTVERSION\SERIALV\0000
Change DoubleClick to equal 001

Easily Opening a File with Notepad

This will enable you to right click on any file and have the option to open it with notepad.
Also if a file has no association and you try to open it it will open with notepad

Run 'regedit.exe'
Expand "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
Inside "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT", expand "*"
Inside "*", create a key called "shell"
Inside "shell" create a key called "open"
Inside "open" edit the string "(default)" to say "open (notepad)"
Inside "open" create a key called "command"
Inside "command" edit the string "(default)" to say C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE "%1"

Displaying Hi-Color Icons without the Plus Pack

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ desktop \ WindowMetrics
Add or edit Shell Icon BPP=16 where the number is the color depth.
The default is 8 (bit or 256 colors).

Backing Up the Registry

There are many backup programs for the registry but if the computer goes down and you can't fire off Win95 because of the registry problem.

Backup to a directory the following files:

SYSTEM.DATA
SYSTEM.DA0 (Yes seem to be the same size)
USER.DAT
USER.DA0 (Same size likely)
WIN.INI
CONTROL.INI
SYSTEM.INI

These files can be copied to the windows directory from Win95 or DOS to help correct problems.

Removing Unwanted Items from the RUN Menu

Start the REGEDIT program
Search for the word RUNMRU
Delete the ones you don't want
ReNAME so they are all in alphabetical order again
Close and restart windows

Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer

Add or Edit the following Registry Keys

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that Directory"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com /k cd %1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew]
@="Dos Prompt in that Drive"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command]
@="command.com /k cd %1"

These will allow you to right click on either the drive or the directory and the option of starting the dos prompt there will pop up

Compacting the Registry

How to compact the registry?

Got to true DOS, not a DOS window
Run Regedit and then export the entire Registry to COMPACT.REG.
Then exit regedit and run it again with the following switch. REGEDIT /C COMPACT.REG

Changing Exchange's Mailbox Location

When you create a mailbox in Exchange for e-mail, you specify the file where you want to mail to go.
You cannot change this in Exchange afterwards.

If you want to change the file NAME or location::

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ WindowsMessaging Subsystem \ Profiles
Go to the profile you want to change
Go to the section that has the file location for your mailbox (*.PST) file in the right hand panel
Make the change to file location or NAME
Restart Exchange

Removing Sound Events from Control Panel / Sounds

When you view what events you can assign sounds to from Control Panel / Sounds,
you cannot delete the events themselves. In order to do that:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / AppEvents / Schemes / Apps
From here you can delete any items you don't want to show or no longer need.

Changing the Registered Owner

Starting Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion
From there you can edit the NAME in the Registered Owner key

Adding an Application to the Right Click on Every Folder

Here is how to add any application to the menu when you right click on any Folder.
This could be useful if there is an app you always want available and don't want to go through the Start menu

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
Add a key NAME_of_Your_App
This can really be any label, just use one that makes sense to you
Give it a default value of NAME_of_Your_App
Putting a & in front of a character will allow you to use the keyboard
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ NAME_of_Your_App
Add a key command
Give it a default value of the application you want to run
For example: c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
Include the full path

Now when you right click on any folder, you can have access to that application
This will work for both Windows95 and NT 4.0

Adding Explore From Here to Every Folder

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell
Add a key rootexplore
Give it a default value of E&xplore From Here
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Folder \ shell \ rootexplore
Add a key command
Give it a default value of Explorer.exe /e,/root,/idlist,%i

Now when you right click on any folder, you can open up an Explorer window of that folder.
This will work for both Windows95 and NT 4.0

Saving Desktop Settings

When I would go to Control Panel or Start Menu Programs, or any other Desktop window setting; meaning size, position, icon arrangement, they would never be as I set them. I found an answer:

At [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer]
There is a "NoSaveSettings" key. I deleted it and now my all my stuff stays where I tell it.
The same key shows up at:
[HKEY_USERS\bwil\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Explorer](where bwil is your password profile) Just thought I'd share this with you all.

Getting Rid of Tips

Remember those "Tips of the day" that appeared when you first install Win95?
If you don't want them any longer and want to clear yet more Clutter, approximately 5K, you can delete them at:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Tips

Changing the Location of Windows95's Installation Files

If you need to change the drive and or path where Windows95 will look for it's installation files:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Setup \ SourcePath
Change the location from there

Creating a Network Logon Banner

If you want to create a Network Logon Banner:

Start Regedit
Go To HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Winlogon
Create a new String called LegalNoticeCaption
Enter the text for your banner

Creating a Default File Opener

If you have a un-registered file type and want to view it with Explorer's Right-click
you can add your program to the right-click options by:

Starting Regedit
Go to HKEY_CLASS_ROOT / Unknown
Highlight the Shell Folder below it
Right click on Shell and create a New Key
NAME it anything you want (For example NOTEPAD)
Create a New Key under that NAMEd command
Highlight the Command key
Double click on the Default value in the right hand panel
In Value Data, enter the path and fileNAME of the program you want to use to open the file type
For example: C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
Click on OK

In this example, when you right click on a file in Explorer, NOTEPAD will show up as an option.

Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line

With the OEM Version of Windows95, a new switch, /D, is added to Regedit.
This enables you to delete items from Registry.

The syntax is: REGEDIT /L:system.dat_location /R:user.dat_location /D Reg_Key
where Reg_Key is the key you want to delete

There are two requirements:
1. That you have to boot to the same OEM version of Windows95 as the REGEDIT.EXE file.
2. You cannot be in Win95 at the time you use this switch.

Automatic Screen Refresh

When you make changes to your hard drive and use Explorer, the changes are not usually displayed until you press the F5 key
To make the updates automatic:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Control / UpdateMode
Edit the DWORD value to be between 1 and 7
Restart Windows

Disable Password Caching

As in Windows for Workgroups, when logging on to an NT Domain, it is preferable to disable password caching.
This allows for the single NT Domain login and eliminates the secondary Windows logon screen.
It also eliminates the possibility of the respective passwords to get out of sync.

To disable password caching on the workstation, a one-line addition to the registry needs to be made.
To make the change, create a ASCII text file called DISABLE.REG with the following lines:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Policies\Network]
"DisablePwdCaching"=dword:00000001

Open up a DOS box and type REGEDIT DISABLE.REG

Changing the MaxMTU and other Network Settings

There are four network settings that can be configured so when dialing to an ISP, you should get somewhat greater throughput.
They are the MaxMTU, MaxMSS and DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL

MaxMTU and MaxMSS

Start REGEDIT
Go to Hkey_Local_Machine / System / CurrentControlset / Services / Class / netTrans / 000n
(where n is your particular network adapter binding.)
Right click on the right panel
Select New / String Value
Type in MaxMTU
Double click on it and enter then the number you want. The usual change is to 576
Similarly, you can add MaxMSS and give it a value of 536

DefaultRcvWindows and DefaultTTL

Start REGEDIT
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ VxD \ MSTCP
Add a new string DefaultRcvWindow and give it a value of 2144
Add a new string DefaultTTL and give it a value of 60-64

Adding Items to the Start Button

To add items when you right-click on the Start Button:

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Classes_Root / Directory / Shell
Right-click on Shell and select New / Key
Type in the NAME of the key and press the Enter key
In the Default NAME that shows in the right hand panel, you can add a TITLEwith a & character in front of the letter for a shortcut
Right-click on the key you just created and create another key under it called command
For the value of this command, enter the full path and program you want to execute
Now when you right click on the Start Button, your new program will show up. You do not need to reboot first.
For example, if you wanted WinWord, you would add that as the first key, the default in the right panel would be &WinWord so when you right click on the Start Button, the W would be underlined and you could just press that key. The command would be something like C:\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\WINWORD.EXE

Removing Open, Explore & Find from Start Button

When you right click on the Start Button, you can select Open, Explore or Find.
Open shows your Programs folder. Explore starts the Explorer and allows access to all drives.
Find allows you to search and then run programs. In certain situations you might want to disable this feature.
To remove them:

Start Regedit
Search for Directory
This should bring you to Hkey_Classes_Root \ Directory
Expand this section by clicking on the "+"
Under shell is Find
Delete Find
Scroll down below Directory to Folder
Expand this section under shell
Delete Explore and Open

Note: - When you remove Open, you cannot open any folders.
If you need to undo any of the changes.

Removing Items from NEW

When you right-click on the desktop and select New, a list of default templates you can open up are listed.
To remove items from that list:

Start Regedit
Search for the string ShellNew
This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root
For the items you want to remove, simply reNAME the ShellNew command
Renaming is safer that deleting it
Continue searching for the items you want to remove
You do not need to reboot for the change to take effect

Changing the Telnet Scroll-Back Buffer Size

By default, the Telnet session has a window size of 25 lines. To increase this so you can scroll back
and look at a larger number on lines:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Telnet
Double-click on the entry Rows in the right hand panel
Increase the decimal value to one that suits your needs.

Changing the Tips of the Day

You can edit the Tips of the day in the Registry by going to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Tips

Disabling Drives in My Computer

To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer:

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Add a New DWORD item and NAME it NoDrives
Give it a value of 3FFFFFF
Now when you click on My Computer, none of your drives will show

Not Saving Setting on Exit

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
NAME it NoSaveSettings
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer

Not Displaying the Network Neighborhood

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
NAME it NoNetHood
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer

Disabling Run or Find from the Start Menu

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
NAME it NoFile or NoRun
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer

Hiding All Icons from the Desktop

Added 7/21/96

Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software\ Microsoft \Windows \ Current Version \ Policies \ Explorer
Right click on the right panel and add a New / DWORD
NAME it NoDesktop
Give it a value of 1
Logoff or Reboot the computer
Now all icons are hidden on the desktop.

Get Your Folders to Open the Way You Want Every Time

To get your folders to open the way you want every time:

Set up all your folders the way you want (auto arrange, view, etc.),
Start RegEdit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer.
Go to NoSaveSettings
Modify and change Value to 1

Modifying Default Desktop Icons

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ explorer \ Shell Icons
The default icons are numbered in the right panel from 0-40
Double click on the number of the particular icon you want to change. See the chart below.
Enter the NAME of the icon file you want to use followed by the number of the icon in that file.
Note: The numbering starts with zero.
If you use a single .ICO file, it should be followed by a 0.
e.g. - fileNAME.dll,4 - This would actually be the 5th icon since it starts with 0.
Make sure you delete the hidden file C:\WINDOWS\SHELLICONCACHE

Below is a reference for the icons I've been able to figure out:

0 - Default Icon
1 - Default Document
2 - Application
3 - Closed Folder
4 - Open Folder
5 - 5 1/4 Drive
6 - 3 1/4 Drive
7 - Removable Drive
8 - Hard Drive
9 - Network Folder
10 - Network Offline
11 - CD
12 - RAM Drive
13 - Entire Nertwork
15 - My Computer
16 - Printer
17 - Network Neighborhood
18 - Network Workgroup
19-27 are the Start Menu icons
19 - Programs
20 - Desktop
21 - Settings
22 - Find
23 - Help
24 - Run
25 - Suspend
27 - Shutdown

28 - Share
29 - Shortcut
31 - Recycle Bin (Empty)
32 - Recycle Bin (Full)
33 - Folder, Dial-Up Networking
34 - Desktop
36 - Program Group
40 - Audio Card

In addition, you can change:

My Computer - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8- 08002B30309D}
Network Neighborhood - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA- 1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
InBox - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{00020D75-0000-0000-C000- 000000000046}
Recycle Bin - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B- 9F08-00AA002F954E}

Clearing the Documents Menu Automatically

The Documents Menu displays the last file and programs you used. You can clear item manually but only through editing
the Registry can you turn this off automatically. This can be useful on computers that are used by multiple people.
The same settings can be also used in NT 4.0

Set the properties on the Recycle Bin to delete files immediately.
Start Regedit
Go to HKey_Current_User \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ User Shell Folders
Right click on the right panel
Select New / String Value
ReNAME it to Recent - Only if it is not already there
Give it the value of C:\RECYCLED
Set your Recycle bin to Automatically delete files
Log off and back on again.

Your Documents Menu should now be blank. This will be for all subsequent users who logon as well.

Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button

Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows you to open your programs folder, the Explorer and run Find.
In situations where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure your computer.

Start Regedit
Search for Desktop
This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root \ Directory
Expand this section
Under Shell is Find
Delete Find
Move down a little in the Registry to Folder
Expand this section and remove Explore and Open

Now when you right click on the Start button, nothing should happen.
You can delete only those items that you need.
Note: - On Microsoft keyboards, this also disables the Window-E (for Explorer) and Window-F (for Find) keys.
See the section on Installation to see how to do this automatically during an install.

Disabling My Computer

In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the computer, it might be beneficial to disable the ability to click on My Computer and have access to the drives, control panel etc.
To disable this:

Start Regedit
Search for 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
This should bring you to the HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID section
Delete the entire section.

Now when you click on My Computer, nothing will happen.
You might want to export this section to a registry file before deleting it just in case you want to enable it again..

See the section on Installation to see how to do this automatically during an install.

Changing Desktop Icons

You can change many of the icons that are located on your desktop.

Start Regedit
Search for My Computer or 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
Expand that key
Highlight Default Icon
Double click on the Default in the right panel
Enter the NAME of the program with the icon you want to use followed by and command and then the number of the icon (starting with 0)

Some of the additional items that can be searched for are:

Network Neighborhood - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA- 1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
InBox - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
Recycle Bin - HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08- 00AA002F954E}

Additional icons can be found in:

\WINDOWS\MORICONS.DLL
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PIFMGR.DLL
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL

Opening Explorer from My Computer

By default, when you click on the My Computer icon, you get a display of all your drives, the Control Panel etc. If you would like to have this open the Explorer:

Start Regedit
Search for My Computer or 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
This should bring you to HKey_Classes_Root \ CLSID
Expand the key {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
Right click on Shell
Select New / Key and type Open and press the Enter key
Right click on Open
Select New / Key and type Command and press the Enter key
Double click on the Default for Command and type Explorer.exe for the value
Now when you click on My Computer, the Explorer will start
If you want to return to normal, simply delete the Open key

Fixing Corrupt Registry

If your registry has gotten corrupted, and re-installing Windows95 over your existing version does not fix the problem,
there is a hidden, read-only, system file on the root of your boot drive called SYSTEM.1ST.
This is the initial system registry created when you first installed Windows95.

To use this file:

Go to your Windows directory
Un-Attrib your current SYSTEM.DAT file (attrib -r -s -h system.dat)
Copy your current SYSTEM.DAT to something like SYSTEM.BAD file (just in case)
Move to your root directory
Un-Attrib the SYSTEM.1ST file
Copy SYSTEM.1ST to \WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
Re-start your system

You will need to install your 32-bit apps and any other programs or changes that modified your system registry
but you will not need to go through a new again. Your 16-bit apps should not need to be re-installed since they do
not modify the registry. You will also retain your current desktop configuration.

Recycle Bin Edits

Fooling with the recycle bin. Why not make the icon context menu act like other icon context menu's.

Add reNAME to the menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:50,01,00,20

Add delete to the menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:60,01,00,20

Add reNAME and delete to the menu:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:70,01,00,20

Restore the recycle bin to win 95 defaults including un-deleting the icon after deletion:
... Restore the icon.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer \Desktop\NAMESpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}]
@="Recycle Bin"
... reset win 95 defaults
. [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,00,20

Other edits to the recycle bin icon:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,01,20 ... standard shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,02,20 ... another shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,04,20 ... and another shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,08,20 ... make it look disabled (like it's been cut)

I added the above edits for fun. But it gets you thinking.
Note: Adding reNAME and delete to the context menu takes effect instantly. To restore the icon after deletion requires screen refresh (F5).
Have fun.... Tom

Setting the Minimum Password Length

Start Regedit
Go to HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
Add a new Binary Value
ReNAME it to MinPwdLen
Assign it a value equal to your minimum password length

Also see the Installation Section on doing this automatically during installation.

Disabling File and Print Sharing

Start Regedit
Go to HKLM,SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
Add a new DWord Value
ReNAME it to NoPrintSharing or NoFileSharing
Assign it a value of 1

Also see the Installation Section on doing this automatically during installation.

Specifying programs to run every time Windows95 starts

If you want to start programs every time Windows95 runs, but would like to hide them from users
by not having the listed in the Startup folder or the WIN.INI file, you can have them load through the registry.

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Current Version \ Run or RunOnce
Right click on the right panel
Select New / String Value
Type in any NAME
For the value, enter the path and executable for the program you want to run.

Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows

Open REGEDIT.EXE
Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Open the Key LNKFILE
Delete the value IsShortcut
Open the next Key PIFFILE
Delete the value IsShortcut
Restart the Win95

Turn Off Window Animation

You can shut off the animation displayed when you minimize and maximize windows.

Open Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Control panel
Desktop
WindowMetrics
Right Mouse Click an empty space in the right pane.
Select new string value.
NAME the new value MinAnimate.
Doubleclick on the new string value (MinAnimate) and click on "Modify"
Enter a value of 0 for Off or 1 for On then hit Enter
Close Regedit and all programs then reboot.

To speed up the Start Menu

Start the REGEDIT program
Search for the word desktop
This should be in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / CLSID / {00021400...
Right Click on the right panel
Pick NEW / String Value.
NAME it MenuShowDelay, all one word.
Select a value from 1-10, 1 being the fastest.
Exit REGEDIT
Restart Windows

Changing your Modem's Initialization String

Start REGEDIT
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ Class \ Modem \ 0000 \ Init
Change the settings to the new values

Increasing the Modem Timeout

If your modem it timing out during file transfers or loading Web Pages,
you might try increasing the timeout period.

To change it:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Services / Class / Modem / XXXX / Settings
Where XXXX is the number of your modem
Move to the right panel and double click on Inactivity Timeout
The number of minutes for a timeout should be entered between the brackets.
For example, a US Robotics Sportster could have S19=<30> to set it to 30 minutes.

Removing Programs listed from the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs Section

If you remove an installed program and its files by deleting the files,
it may still show up in the Add/Remove programs list through the control panel.
In order to remove it from the list (so you don't need to re-install in order to just remove it again).

Start the Registry Editor
Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Uninstall
Delete any programs here.

This will only delete them from the list, not delete the actual programs.
Only programs designed for Windows95 will show up here in the first place.