PC Shutdown but CPU up-time still ticking

windows 10 uses a power mode called Fast startup. INstead of Turning PC off at shutdown, it saves Drivers + a copy of windows kernel into ram, and other things into hibernate file, and puts PC into a hybrid hibernate state, so when PC is restarted, its half loaded already and speeds up boot on hdd.

So yes, your PC is never off with Fast startup on. Only time PC is off with Fast Startup on, is if you restart it using the command in power options. And that is briefly during the restart window.

• It doesn't help on systems with ssd. It is useful if you only have a hdd though as it helps a little.

• It doesn't help if you have drivers that don't recognise the mode, can cause weird errors.

• It doesn't help if you get lots of power outages and need to unplug PC as that is seen as an unexpected restart since pc isn't actually off.

To turn it off,

right click start

choose power options

under Related Settings, click Additional power settings

in far left column, click Choose what the power button does

next to blue/yellow shield, click Change settings that are currently unavailable

untick Turn on fast startup

save changes and exit

 

Problem:

When opening Microsoft Outlook Windows client, you receive the following error: 

"Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. Invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded." 

Opening Outlook in SAFE mode does not help, nor can this problem fixed by running repair or even by re-installing Outlook. 

Solution:

To fix this error, run the Outlook.exe  /ResetNavPane command:

1. Hold the Windows key and the R key at the same time.
2. The Run command window will open. Copy Outlook.exe  /ResetNavPane into the text field.
3. Click OK to run the command.

Running this command clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile, removing all shortcuts and favorite folders from the Navigation Pane.

Registry Edits for Windows XP

Disable Tool Tips
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.  Modify or create, "ShowInfoTip" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value to 1. This edit excludes the Start Button.

Disable Status Messages During Boot, Logon, Logoff, Shutdown
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System Right click in the right pane and select New, DWord value. Name the new value DisableStatusMessages. Double click the new value and set it to 1. Status messages will no longer show during boot/shutdown/logon/logoff.

Disable Balloon Tips
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.  Modify or create, "EnableBalloonTips" and set the Value to 0. To restore set the Value to 1.

Disable Media Player Update Message
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\PlayerUpgrade. Value Name: AskMeAgain, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "yes" or "no". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'AskMeAgain' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable/Enable Boot Defrag
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction 
Select Enable from the list on the right. Right on it and select Modify. Change the value to Y to enable and N to disable. 
Reboot your computer.

Disable the Windows Key
Start/Run/Regedit 
Create a new Binary value, or modify the existing value, called 'Scancode Map' and edit the value according to the settings below. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ Keyboard Layout. Value Name: Scancode Map, Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value), Value Data: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 03 00 00 00 00 00 5B E0 00 00 5C E0 00 00 00 00.

Disable Error Reporting
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting. Value: DoReport, 1 = Send Reports, 0 = Don't Send.

Disable Crash Control Auto Reboot
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl In the right pane, "AutoReboot" set the Value to 1. To disable set the value back to 0.

Disable Run Commands Specified in the Registry
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer. Value Name: DisableLocalMachineRun, DisableLocalMachineRunOnce, DisableCurrentUserRun, DisableCurrentUserRunOnce. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enable run, 1 = disable run). Create a new DWORD value for each of the optional values above depending on which Run function to stop and set the value to "1" to disable. Restart Windows for change to take effect.

Disable All Caps on Files and Folders
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Advanced] Value Name: DontPrettyPath Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = adjust caps, 1 = show caps) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "DontPrettyPath" and set it to equal "1" to display the file using their original capitalization or "0" to adjust the caps. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Low Disk Space Message
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.  Create or modify: NoLowDiskSpaceChecks REG_DWORD and set the value to 1. Logoff/Reboot.

Disable Search Assistant
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState. In the right pane, look for or create a string value called: Use Search Asst set the value to: no
Disable the Thumbnail Cache
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: DisableThumbnailCache, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enabled, 1 = disable cache). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'DisableThumbnailCache' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable/Turn Off System Beeps
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound In the right pane, right click "Beeps", modify, set the value to no. Exit, reboot.

Disable/Stop Error Messages When Booting
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows. Value Name: NoPopupsOnBoot, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = disable messages). Stops the annoying Windows pop-up messages notifying you a device is not functioning when you boot-up Windows. Create a REG_DWORD value of 'NoPopupsOnBoot' in the key below (if it doesn't already exist). Set the value to '1' to disable pop-up messages from appearing.

Disable Desktop Cleanup Wizard
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Desktop\CleanupWiz. Value Name: NoRun, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = enabled, 1= disable wizard). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoRun' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable Auto-Run of Windows Messenger
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN. Delete the Value named MSMSGS.

Disable Auto-Expanding Trees in Windows Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced Change the value of "FriendlyTree" to 0.

Change the Text in Internet Explorers Title Bar
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. In the right pane, change the value of the string, "WindowTitle".

How to Change Name and Company Information After You Install Win XP
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOrganization. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK. To change the name of the registered owner, do the following: In the right pane, double-click RegisteredOwner. Under "Value data", type the name that you want, and then click OK/Exit.

Get Rid of the "Links" Folder in Favorites
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar. Set the String value of "LinksFolderName" to equal a blank string. Open IE and delete the Links folder from the Favorites menu. The next time you start Internet Explorer the Links folder will not be recreated

Run Explorer Full Screen
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to 1. Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to yes. Exit/Reboot.

Change the Location of Special Folders
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders. Note the current location of the folder you want to move, and then using explorer move the folder to the new location. Edit the value in the key above for the folder you moved to reflect the new directory location. Log off or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Remove My Documents from the Desktop
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder Value Name: Attributes Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0xf0500174 = Hidden, 0xf0400174 = Default) Modify the value called "Attributes" and set it to either "0xf0500174" to hide or "0xf0400174" to display My Documents. 

Click on a blank area of desktop and press F5 to refresh for the change to take effect. Note: This tweak can also by used on a system wide basis by entering the same values under the [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] hive.

Add Explore From Here to Every Folder
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Explore. Value Name: (Default), Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1" Change the value of '(Default)' to equal 'E&xplore From Here'. Create a new key under the [Explore] key called command, and edit the (Default) value to equal explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1".

Customize the Windows Logon and Security Dialog Title
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: Welcome, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: Text to display. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'Welcome' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Legal Notice Dialog Box Before Logon
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon Modify the value named 'LegalNoticeCaption' to represent the caption on the dialog box (e.g. 'WARNING!'). If this value doesn't already exist create it. Modify the value named 'LegalNoticeText' to represent the body of the dialog box (e.g. 'Do Not Attempt to Logon to this system unless you are an authorized user!') Exit your registry and restart Windows, and the next time you boot up you should be presented with the dialog box before logging on.

Change the Message Shown on the Logon Box
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: LogonPrompt, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value). Create a new string value named 'LogonPrompt' and enter the text you want to display. The default message is: 'Enter a user name and password that is valid for this system.' This feature can be used in conjunction with the Legal Notice Dialog Box Before Logon tweak.

Change the Title of Windows Media Player
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\ WindowsMediaPlayer. Value Name: TitleBar, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value). Create a new string value called "TitleBar" and set it to the text you would like display in the title. Restart Media Player for the change the take effect.

Display the Attributes Column in Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: ShowAttribCol, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = disable, 1 = enable). Create a new DWORD value called 'ShowAttribCol' and set the value to '1' to enable the attributes column.

Force the Use of the Classic Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer. Value Name: NoSimpleStartMenu, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = force classic menu, 0 = default). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoSimpleStartMenu' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Remove Common Groups from the Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer Create a DWORD called NoCommonGroups and set the value to 1 to hide them, 0 to display them.

Create a Useful Name for My Computer
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}. Data Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expanded String Value). Rename the value named "LocalizedString" to "LocalizedString.old". Create a new REG_EXPAND_SZ value named "LocalizedString", and set the value to "%USERNAME% on %COMPUTERNAME%". Exit the registry editor, click on your desktop and press F5 (for refresh). The "My Computer" icon should now be rename to "Username on Computername".

Add Your Own Tips
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Tips. Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: Tip Text. Create a new string valued named by incrementing the existing value names and set it to the required tip text.

Change the Transition Effect for Menus and Tooltips
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] Value Name: UserPreferencesMask Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Double-click on the "UserPreferencesMask" value to open the Edit Binary Value screen. Press the right arrow to move over to the second set of digits. Press the delete key to remove the digits and type either '28' for the scroll effect or '3e' for the fade effect. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Preventing the Logon Screen Saver from Launching
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop. Value Name: ScreenSaveActive, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 =enabled). Change the value of 'ScreenSaveActive' to '0' to disable the screen saver. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. Note: Windows has a default screen saver called login.scr, which runs even if no screen saver has been selected.

Enable Start Menu Scrolling
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: StartMenuScrollPrograms, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "Yes" or "No". Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'StartMenuScrollPrograms' and edit the value according to the settings below. 

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. Note: This can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Change the Login Window
Start/Run/Regedit Key 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon] Value Name: LogonType Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Classic Mode, 1 = Welcome Screen) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'LogonType' and edit the value according to the settings below. Reboot.

Activate Clear Type on the Welcome Screen
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop. In the right pane, right click "FontSmoothingType", modify, change the value to 2.

Clear the NetMeeting Call History
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Conferencing\UI\CallMRU. Open your registry and delete the key above. Restart Netmeeting for the change to take effect.

Clear Cached Command Lines from the Run Menu
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU. Delete the value corresponding to the command you want to remove, or remove all the entries to clear the list completely.

Disable Show Last User Name
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\System Value Name: dontdisplaylastusername Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (1 = remove username) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'dontdisplaylastusername' and edit the value according to the settings above. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Remove Frequent Programs List from the Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit
You may need to create the key if it does not already exist. Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList' and edit the value according to the settings below. 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = enable restriction).  

Note: This setting only applies to the Windows XP Start Menu, not the Classic Start Menu. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Remove Pinned Programs List from the Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer Value Name: NoStartMenuPinnedList Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1= enable restriction) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoStartMenuPinnedList' and edit the value according to the settings below. 

Note: This setting only applies to the Windows XP Start Menu, not the Classic Start Menu. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Remove Username from the Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer 

Value Name: NoUserNameInStartMenu Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = display username, 1 = hide username) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoUserNameInStartMenu' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Remove "All Programs" Button from the Start Menu
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer 

Value Name: NoStartMenuMorePrograms Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = disable button) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoStartMenuMorePrograms' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Hide the Keyboard Navigation Settings
Start/Run/Regedit - This restriction disables the "Hide keyboard navigation indicators until I use the ALT key" option in the Display Control Panel. 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer 

Value Name: NoChangeKeyboardNavigationIndicators Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = enable restriction) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoChangeKeyboardNavigationIndicators' and edit the value according to the settings above. 

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Speed Up Browsing (Windows Explorer and IE)
Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace In the left pane find: {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} Value and delete it.

Configure Internet Downloads
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. To increase the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed to 10, follow these steps: On the Edit menu, click Add Value , and then add the following registry values: "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=Dword:0000000a "MaxConnectionsPerServer"=Dword:0000000a.

Auto Disconnect for Internet Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters In the right pane, find Autodisconnect and change the time accordingly.

Disable the Custom Search Page in Internet Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Value Name: Use Custom Search URL, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'Use Custom Search URL' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Change the Text in Internet Explorers Title Bar
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. In the right pane, change the value of the string, "WindowTitle".

Change default Internet Explorer Download Directory
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer

In the right pane, double click on the Download Directory value. Enter the path to the folder you want as your download location.

Next, right click on the Internet Explorer subkey and select Permissions. Then click the Advanced button on the Security tab. In turn, Highlight Administrators, your user account and System. For each one, click the Edit button. In the Deny column, put the check mark in Set Value. Then click OK. Repeat for each of the remaining user accounts. Once done, click the Apply button on the Advanced Security Settings dialog. 

This removes the "permissions" for anything or anyone to write to the Download Directory value. It also prevents changes to any of the other values listed directly under the Internet Explorer sub-key, so you may wind up preventing something else from being changed as well. Unfortunately, its not possible to remove permissions from individual values.

Run Explorer Full Screen
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to 1. Then go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main. In the right pane find FullScreen and modify the value to yes. Exit/Reboot.

Control the Internet Explorer Script Debugger
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] Value Name: Disable Script Debugger Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value, or modify the existing value, named "Disable Script Debugger" and set it to either "yes" to disable the debugger or "no" to enable it. Restart Internet Explorer for the change to take effect.

Control Internet Explorer Error Reporting
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Value Name: IEWatsonDisabled, IEWatsonEnabled, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value). Create a new DWORD value called "IEWatsonDisabled" and set it to "1". Create another DWORD value called "IEWatsonEnabled" and set it to "0". Restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

Prevent Account Changes in Outlook Express
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express, Value Name: No Modify Accts, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = enable restriction). Create new DWORD value called "No Modify Accts" and set it to "1" to enable the restriction or "0" to allow users to modify accounts. Restart Outlook Express for the change to take effect.

Change the Default Internet Explorer Search Page
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main. Value Name: Search Bar, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: Search URL. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'Search Bar' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. Note: This tweak can also be applied on a per-user basis under the [HKEY_CURRENT_USER] hive.

Disable Automatic Modem Connections at Startup
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole. Value Name: EnableRemoteConnect, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: "Y" = enable automatic connections, "N" = disabled. Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'EnableRemoteConnect' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Disable the "Log on using dial-up connection" Check Box
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Value Name: RasDisable, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = restriction disabled, 1 = restriction enabled). Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'RasDisable' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Modify the Internet Auto-Dial Settings
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings Value Name: EnableAutodial Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value) Value Data: (00 00 00 00 = disabled, 01 00 00 00 = enabled) Create a new binary value named "EnableAutodial", and set the new value to equal "01 00 00 00" to enable autodial or "00 00 00 00" to disable it. Note: This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Remove MSN Messenger from Outlook Express
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express. Value Name: Hide Messenger, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (2 = remove messenger). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'Hide Messenger' and set the value to 2.

Control the Auto Complete Mode
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\AutoComplete Value Name: Append Completion Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: yes or no Create a new string value, or modify the existing value, named "Append Completion" and set it to "yes" to append the suggested text as you are typing or "no" to only show a drop-down list. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Change the Search Assistant in Internet Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ Search Value Name: SearchAssistant Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value) Value Data: Search URL Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'SearchAssistant' and edit the value according to the settings above. 

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect. Note: To use the Google search assistant page enter "http://www.google.com/ie" as the URL.

Change Source Path
Start/Run/Regedit
Copy /i386 to your hard drive. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. In the right pane, change SourcePath to reflect your settings.

Show Hidden Operating System Files
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. Value Name: ShowSuperHidden, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: ( 0 = Hide Files, 1 = Show Files). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'ShowSuperHidden' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Unload DLL's
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Create a new sub-key named 'AlwaysUnloadDLL' and set the default value to equal '1' to disable Windows caching the DLL in memory. Restart Windows for the change to take effect.

Stop Error Messages When Booting
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Windows. Value Name: NoPopupsOnBoot, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (1 = disable messages). Stops the annoying Windows pop-up messages notifying you a device is not functioning when you boot-up Windows. Create a REG_DWORD value of 'NoPopupsOnBoot' in the key below (if it doesn't already exist). Set the value to '1' to disable pop-up messages from appearing.

End Task Time Out
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control Add a new string value called, "WaitToKillServiceTimeout" and change the Value to 2000. Exit, reboot.

Change Default Search Options
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = unselected, 1 = selected). Modify the following values, setting them to "1" to select the parameter as a default or "0" as unselected. CaseSensitive, IncludeSubFolders, SearchHidden, SearchSlowFiles, SearchSystemDirs. Restart or logoff Windows for the change to take effect.

Automatically Close Non-Responding Applications on Shutdown
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop, Value Name: AutoEndTasks, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled). Modify the value of 'AutoEndTasks' to equal '1' to automatically end tasks or '0' to prompt for action. Note: This change will affect all users but the value can also be changed on a user-by-user basis by modifying [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] with the same values.

Speed Up Menu Display
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop In the right pane select, "MenuShowDelay". Right click, modify and set the value to 100. Reboot.

Enable/Disable Boot Defrag
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DfrgBootOptimizeFunction Right click, modify and change to value to Y to enable, N to disable.

Force Exit
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
In the right pane find, "AutoEndTasks" (Create if not present). Set the Value of 0 or delete it. No reboot needed.

Startup a Program Just Once then delete from the Registry
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runonce. Data Type: REG_SZ. Value: path to the program.

Startup Programs Without the Startup Folder
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Data Type: REG_SZ. Value: path to program.

Speed up Share Viewing
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace. Delete the key called {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} and reboot.

Prioritizing IRQs
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl. Create a new DWORD value called IRQ8PRiority and set the data to 1, reboot.

Remove Properties from My Computer
This restriction removes the properties option from My Computer and hides the "System Properties" screen. 

Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer 
Value Name: NoPropertiesMyComputer, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: (0 = Properties, 1 = No Properties) Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'NoPropertiesMyComputer' and edit the value according to the settings above.

CD or DVD Disappeared After an Upgrade
Remove the Upperfilters and Lowerfilters values completely from the following registry key: Start/Run/Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

Enable DVD Player in Media Player
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\Settings. Value Name: EnableDVDUI, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value called "EnableDVDUI" and set it to "yes" to enable DVD functionality.

How to Increase Shutdown Time For Services To Close Properly
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control. On the Edit menu, click Add Value. Value Name: WaitToKillServiceTimeout, Data Type: REG_SZ , String: In milli-seconds; default is 20,000. Ok/Exit/Reboot.

New Command Missing in Windows Explorer
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ ContextMenuHandlers\New. Value Name: (Default), Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: {D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719} Open your registry and verify that the key listed below has the value listed, and if needed, edit the value to match the value listed.

Add Explore From Here to Every Folder
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Explore. Value Name: (Default), Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1" Change the value of '(Default)' to equal 'E&xplore From Here'. Create a new key under the [Explore] key called command, and edit the (Default) value to equal explorer.exe /e,/root,"%1".

Change Default Search Options
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer. Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (0 = unselected, 1 = selected). Modify the following values, setting them to "1" to select the parameter as a default or "0" as unselected. CaseSensitive, IncludeSubFolders, SearchHidden, SearchSlowFiles, SearchSystemDirs, Restart or logoff Windows for the change to take effect.

Control the Auto Complete Mode
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\AutoComplete. Value Name: Append Completion, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: yes or no. Create a new string value, or modify the existing value, named "Append Completion" and set it to "yes" to append the suggested text as you are typing or "no" to only show a drop-down list. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. Note: This setting also changes the auto complete functionality of Internet Explorer.

Control Automatic Boot Disk Optimization
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\ BootOptimizeFunction. Value Name: Enable, Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value), Value Data: (Y = enabled, N = disabled). Create a new String value, or modify the existing value, called 'Enable' and edit the value according to the settings below. Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

View Which Hot Fix Patches Have Been Installed
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Hotfix. Periodically Microsoft releases Hot Fix's to patch bugs in Windows and other products, this key contains information about which Hot fix's have been installed.

Restrict Users from Running Specific Applications
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.Value Name: DisallowRun
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer] Create a new DWORD value and name it "DisallowRun" set the value to "1" to enable application restrictions or "0" to allow all applications to run.

Then create a new sub-key called [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun] and define the applications the are to be restricted. Creating a new string value for each application, named as consecutive numbers, and setting the value to the filename to be restriced (e.g. "regedit.exe"). Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Restrict Applications Users Can Run
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. Value Name: RestrictRun Open your registry and find the key [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer] Create a new DWORD value and name it "RestrictRun" set the value to "1" to enable application restrictions or "0" to allow all applications to run. 

Then create a new sub-key called [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer\RestrictRun] and define the applications that are allowed. Creating a new string value for each application, named as consecutive numbers, and setting the value to the filename to be allowed (e.g. "regedit.exe"). Restart Windows for the changes to take effect. 

Note: If you are the person who applies Group Policy, do not apply this policy to yourself. If applied too broadly, this policy can prevent administrators from running Group Policy or the registry editors. As a result, once applied, you cannot change this policy except by reinstalling Windows.

Enable Path Command Line Completion
Start/Run/Regedit 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor] Value Name: PathCompletionChar Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value) Value Data: Hex Control Character Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'PathCompletionChar' and set it to equal the hex value of the required control character. 

For example to use the TAB key set the value to '9', to use Ctrl-D set the value to '4' and for Ctrl-F set the value to '6'. Now when you are using a command prompt and type the first part of a directory name then press the specified key, Windows will complete the remainder for you. Pressing the key multiple times will scroll through the available options.

What is the difference between .pst and .ost files used in outlook.

.pst files are all the emails (and files attatched to those emails) calendar contacts tasks etc. stored locallyon your machine.

.pst are created when using Outlook to manage your email (Gmail hotmail yahoo aol etc.) they can also be created within an Exchange environment however Microsoft doesn't recomment this due to the .pst being very unstable and if your pc were to crash you would loose all of your emails. In an Exchange environment using .pst removes the emails from the Exchange server and stores them locally.

.ost files are simply a copy of your mailbox that is stored on the Exchange server. Think of this as a type of email cache file. This leaves the emails on the server but also stores a copy of emails since your last sync on the local machine.

Setting Up Your POP or IMAP Email Address in Microsoft Outlook 2003

To Set Up Your E-mail Account in Microsoft Outlook

1. In Microsoft Outlook, from the E-mail Accounts menu, select Tools.
   
2. On the E-mail Accounts wizard window, select Add a new e-mail account, and then click Next.
   
3. For your server type, select POP3 or IMAP, and then click Next.
   
4. On the Internet E-mail Settings (POP3/IMAP) window, enter your information as follows:

Your Name

Your first and last name.

E-mail Address

Your email address.

User Name

Your email address, again.

Password

Your email account password.

Incoming mail server (POP3)

POP, Pop.secureserver.net or IMAP, imap.secureserver.net.

Outgoing mail server (SMTP)

Smtpout.secureserver.net

Click More Settings.
NOTE: "smtpout.secureserver.net" is an SMTP relay server. In order to use this server to send e-mails, you must first activate SMTP relay on your e-mail account. Log on to your Manage Email Accounts page to set up SMTP relay. If you do not have SMTP relay set up and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) allows it, you can use the outgoing mail server for your Internet Service Provider. Contact your Internet Service Provider to get this setting.


5. On the Internet E-mail Settings window, go to the Outgoing Server tab.


6. Select My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.


7. If you did not change the SMTP relay section, select Use same settings as my incoming mail server. If you changed the user name and password in the SMTP relay section of your Manage Email Accounts page, select Log on using and enter the user name and password. The following example assumes you did not change your SMTP relay section in your Manage Email Accounts page.
   


8. Go to the Advanced tab, and then change the Outgoing server (SMTP) port to 80 or 3535.


9. Click OK.
   


10. Click Next.
    


11. Click Finish.
    

How To Export And Import Emails Into Outlook 2007

1. Open Outlook and at the top goto Tools > Options like  shown below.

2. Select the ‘Mail Setup’ tab on the option box like shown below.

3. Select ‘Settings’ on the ‘Account Settings’ box.

4. Copy the location from ‘Filename:’

5. Now open ‘My Computer’ and paste the ‘Filename:’ location you jsut copied into the address bar. You need to delete ‘Outlook.pst’ from the end and then press enter.

6. You should see files listed like below. Click on the ‘Outlook’ file and copy it (press ctrl + c) to  a removeable pendrive or burn it to cd. This is the backup of all your outlook inbox,sent emails, drafts and outbox.

Importing Your Outlook Emails

1. Open Outlook and at the top select File > Import and Export.

2. Select ‘Personal Folder File’ and then click Next.

3. Select ‘Do not import duplicates’ and then click Browse, locate the ‘Outlook.pst’ file you backed up  previously onto a pendrive or cd and then click Next.

4. Outlook should now import all of your email data.