Just cuz it works, don't mean you can't tweak it!

Registry Editing Caveat:

Editing the registry can cause irretrievable problems to your computer!! Before any editing, backup your registry files. There are two of these registry files in Windows 98/Me. They are " C:\Windows\System.dat" and "C:\Windows\User.dat." Never, never, and never delete these files. Back them up to another folder before editing by using Windows Explorer and Shift/Right Click to drag them to another folder. Select copy from the menu you will see when you let go of the mouse button.

Windows XP uses a group of files called "hives" that are stored in the Windows\System32\Config folder. These files have no extension, and are the Default, Software, System, Sam, Security and Userdiff files.

To edit the registry, Click on Start, Run..., then type "regedit" without the quotes, press Enter.

When Regedit starts, you are presented with a dual window like Windows Explorer, but with registry paths on the left instead of Explorer's folders. You select the registry key you want by clicking on the "plus" icon beside a key to expand the list of keys under it, until you finally get to the key you want. If this is too confusing, run, do not walk, back to the safe world of the Windows Desktop, and never use regedit again.

Next, before editing a specific registry entry, backup that specific entry by clicking on "File," "Export Registry File.."

Specific instructions to navigate to a key, and edit or add an entry to the registry, is included in tip we give. Be forewarned - edit the registry at your own risk!

Registry Tweakers are a saver way to go

There are many programs available to make registry hacks for you, but from a nice, safe, GUI interface. Two of the most popular are the TweakUI Power toy from Microsoft, and the X-Setup tweaker from X-Setup.net, which for now is free for non-commercial use.

Any tweaker program will make registry changes for you by just selecting items from a menu. TweakUI is simple and does a few things. X-Setup is extremely thorough and can make over 1,700 changes to your system. You can find other tweakers by using your favorite search engine and searching for registry tweaker free.

TweakUI was last seen at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx which can change at Microsoft's whim.

X-Setup was last seen at http://www.x-setup.net/

If either site address changes, use your favorite search engine to search for the name of the program.