Configuring Windows XP

How to Add a Control Panel Tool to a Category 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 292463 - The Control Panel in Windows XP includes a Category view that divides specific tasks and Control Panel tools into different categories. This article describes how to add a Control Panel tool to a specific category. 

How to Change the Length of Time That Your Computer Is Inactive Before Your Status Becomes "Away"
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307300 - This article describes the "Away" status in Windows Messenger. This article also describes how to change the length of time that elapses before your individual status appears as "Away" in Windows Messenger. 

HOW TO: Change the Screen Refresh Rate of Your Monitor in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 311403 - This step-by-step article describes how to adjust the refresh rate of your monitor in Windows XP. 

How to Configure an Authoritative Time Server in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314054 - This article describes how to configure an authoritative time server in Windows XP.

HOW TO: Configure a VPN Connection to Your Corporate Network in Windows XP Professional 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 305550 - This step-by-step article describes how to configure a VPN connection to your corporate network in Windows XP Professional.

HOW TO: Configure a Wireless Link That Uses Infrared in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 305551 - This step-by-step article describes how to configure a wireless link that uses infrared in Windows XP. Note that you must have an infrared device installed on your computer to complete any of the following procedures. 

How to Configure Internet Explorer to Have More Than Two Download Sessions 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 282402 - This article describes how to configure Internet Explorer to have more than two download sessions. 

HOW TO: Connect to Windows XP Terminal Services with Greater Than 256-Color Resolution Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 278502 - This step-by-step article shows you how to connect to Windows XP Terminal Services using a video resolution greater than 256-color. 

How to Disable Dr. Watson for Windows 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 188296 - This article describes how to disable and re-enable the Dr. Watson program for Windows. 

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 289022 - This article describes how to view and manually configure the Boot.ini file in Windows XP from within the startup environment variables. 

HOW TO: Manage Environment Variables in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310519 - This step-by-step article describes how you can manage the environment variables in Windows XP. Environment variables are strings that contain information about the environment for the system, and the currently logged on user. 

HOW TO: Move the Windows XP Spool Folder 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308666 - This article describes how to change the location of the Windows XP spool folder. 

How to Prevent Windows Messenger from Running on a Windows XP-Based Computer 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 302089 - This article describes how to prevent Windows Messenger from running. By default, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition install Windows Messenger, and the user interface does not provide a way to remove or to uninstall Windows Messenger. 

How to Run a Logon Script Once When a New User Logs On 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 284193 - This article describes how to configure a logon script, or program to run one time. These steps apply only to new users who have never logged on to the computer. If a user already has a local user profile, or a roaming profile, the script will not run. 

HOW TO: Set the Command Processor Appearance in Windows XP
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 309019 - This article describes how to set the appearance of the command processor in Windows XP. You can change the colors, fonts, and layout for the command prompt window to make it easier to work with command-line tools. 

HOW TO: Set Up Administrative Alerts in Windows XP  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310490 - This article describes how to set up administrative alerts in Windows XP. You can receive notifications of computer problems by creating an alert. When computer performance measurements indicate a problem, the alert that you created performs the action that you specified, such as sending a message or starting a program. You can use such alerts to monitor critical computers such as servers that provide services for network users, or workstations that must always be available. 

Internet Time Feature Is Not Available When a Computer Is a Domain Member 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 289689 - On a Windows XP-based computer, the Internet Time tab does not appear in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. This behavior occurs because the Windows XP-based computer is a member of a domain. The Internet Time feature is only available in workgroup environments. 

HOW TO: Change the Logon Window and the Shutdown Preferences in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 291559 - Setup configures Windows XP to use the friendly Welcome logon screen and the shutdown buttons, if your computer is installed as a home computer (a computer where a network domain has not been specified). 

HOW TO: Configure Desktop Themes in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307855 - This article explains how to configure your desktop environment by using desktop themes. 

HOW TO: Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310417 - This article describes how to create a keyboard shortcut for a program in Windows XP. Note that this feature works only with program shortcuts on the desktop or the Start menu. This feature does not work if the desktop shortcut is a shortcut to another shortcut. 

HOW TO: Distribute a Custom Desktop Theme to Users 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 310514 - This step by step article describes how you can distribute a customized desktop theme to other users of Windows XP-based computers. If you create a customized desktop theme, you can distribute it to other users to standardize the appearance of the Windows XP interface across the enterprise, within departments, or just to those users who admire your design and want to use it. 

HOW TO: Enable or Disable the New Windows XP Interface Components 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 288186 - The new Windows XP interface is enabled by default in the Home Edition and Professional edition. 

HOW TO: Adjust the Polling Interval of the Internet Time Feature 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 297227 - This step-by-step article describes how to adjust the polling interval of the Internet Time feature. 

HOW TO: Set Accessibility Features for People Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308897 -- People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Windows to use visual cues in place of sounds, or increase the volume level of program and system sounds. This article discusses the accessibility tools that are available for deaf or hard of hearing 

HOW TO: Set Accessibility Features for People with Motion Disabilities 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308949 - This article describes how to configure Windows XP keyboard and mouse options that can make it easier for people with motion disabilities to work at the computer. 

HOW TO: Set Accessibility Features for People Who Are Blind or Who Have Low Vision  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 308978 - Windows XP offers several features to make it easier for users with low vision to operate their computers. You can access and enable these features from the Start menu, the Control Panel, or the Accessibility Wizard. This article describes how you can set the Accessibility features in Windows XP for people with low vision 

List of Languages Supported in Windows 2000 and Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 292246 - This article lists the default languages installed in Windows XP versus Windows 2000.

HOW TO: Configure the Search Companion in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 307980 - This step-by-step article describes how to customize the appearance and behavior of the search companion in Windows XP. 

HOW TO: Install and Configure Handwriting Recognition in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 306906 - This article explains, step-by-step, how to install and configure handwriting recognition in Windows XP. 

HOW TO: Install and Configure Speech Recognition in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 306537 - If you recently purchased a new computer, the Microsoft speech recognition engine might have been installed by the computer manufacturer. No further installation is necessary. If you installed Microsoft Office XP, or if you purchased a new

HOW TO: Use Speech Recognition in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 306901 - This article describes how to use speech recognition in Windows XP. If you installed speech recognition with Microsoft Office XP, or if you purchased a new computer that has Office XP installed, you can use speech recognition in all Office 

HOW TO: Configure and Use Text to Speech in Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 306902 - Text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities for a computer refer to the ability to play back text in a spoken voice. This article describes how to configure and use Text-to-Speech in Windows XP. 

HOW TO: Copy a CD-ROM Using Windows XP 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 282491 - This article describes how to copy a CD-ROM when you are using Microsoft Windows XP. When you use Windows XP you can record a CD-ROM, but Windows XP does not have the user interface (UI) to enable you to copy another CD-ROM.