Articles & Tutorials

This section is focused on networking issues for Windows XP. In this section you can find articles that discuss the new features found in XP, administrator tools, internet and file sharing, security issues, and more important networking information for XP.

Articles & Tutorials / Windows XP

Registry Keys for Tweaking Windows Update (Part 2): Date - May 17, 2006; Author - Brien M. Posey; In this article, I will continue the discussion where I left off in Part 1 by exploring the remaining Windows Update related registry keys.
Registry Keys for Tweaking Windows Update (Part 1): Date - May 03, 2006; Author - Brien M. Posey; In this article, I will show you some registry keys that are associated with Windows Update. As I do, I will show you the various settings that you can assign to those registry keys.
Creating a Sysprep Image Library for Virtual PC: Date - Nov 10, 2005; Author - Mitch Tulloch; This article examines how to use Sysprep to create a library of operating system images which you can then use to deploy virtual machines on Microsoft Virtual PC for testing purposes. Such a library can help you save valuable time when creating test networks using Virtual PC.
Running Windows Under Non-Admin Accounts: Date - Sep 15, 2005; Author - Mitch Tulloch; Everyone knows that one of the most important principles of network security is least privilege: grant ordinary users only those rights and permissions they need to get their work done and no more. For example, if ordinary users don’t need access to sensitive data stored in the Accounting share, don’t give them any permissions on that share, either through shared folder permissions on the share itself or NTFS permissions on the folder underlying the share.
Windows XP Keyboard Shortcuts: Date - May 05, 2005; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In today’s high speed, fast paced IT environment, it’s important to be able to work quickly, and efficiently. To do this, you should learn how to use both the keyboard and the mouse simultaneously to do many tasks, such as ‘finding a computer on your network’ all the way to X with nothing but a quick and simple keystroke. This article’s learning exercises not only build up speed, and help you be efficient and more productive, but will also help you take the pressure off working with one hand, now you can work with two.
Gaining Speed: Empty Prefetch on your XP System: Date - Apr 28, 2005; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; A little known tweak that can help you gain some performance on your XP Professional (and Windows Server 2003) related systems is to periodically empty the prefetch folder. The prefetch folder is used to help speed up the loading of programs; XP will load programs it thinks you need before you ask for them yourself.
Performing Resultant Set of Policy Queries with the GPRESULT Tool: Date - Mar 10, 2005; Author - Brien M. Posey; The hierarchical nature of group policies can make troubleshooting group policy related issues very cumbersome, especially on unfamiliar networks. One way to greatly simplify the troubleshooting process is to use Windows XP’s GPRESULT tool. In this article, I will introduce you to this tool and show you how to use it.
Troubleshooting Windows Shutdown Problems: Date - Jan 25, 2005; Author - Brien M. Posey; One of the most common, but most overlooked problems with the Windows operating system are shut down problems. People tend to place a low priority of fixing Windows shutdown problems, but these problems can be symptoms of something more serious. In this article, I will explain how to diagnose a Windows shutdown issue.
How to Optimize Network Connections in Windows XP: Date - Jan 20, 2005; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover how to optimize network connections on your Windows XP system. The optimizing of such connections lead to enhanced performance and security and are often overlooked. This article quickly shows you how to optimize and harden your network connections efficiently and effectively.
How to ''Quickly'' Test DNS Resolution: Date - Jan 05, 2005; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover how you can quickly test if you have resolution via a name server or not. Many times this comes up, a DNS server is down; client loses IP connectivity and can''t resolve DNS, DNS cache poisoning, the list goes on. DNS problems are common. Using this handy guide you can quickly see how you can test to see if your system is ''ok'' and resolving names to IPs properly.
Tweaking XP: Windows File Protection and SP2: Date - Dec 14, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover a quick hack to the Windows XP Registry. As changes are made to your system from installing applications and other software, the Window File Protection (WFP) system works to keep XP running and not introduce anything that may cause the system to become unstable, a curse of older Windows based operating systems. Windows File Protection is an important tool, with it; you can run an executable (sfc.exe) that will start a process to analyze your system but other times, you will want to disable it.
Using Remote Desktop with Windows XP Professional: Date - Dec 07, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover the use of Remote Desktop, a tool that once mastered can help you to connect over the network to remote servers to perform maintenance or to launch tests from. This article will cover the basic setup and use of it.
Windows XP Registry Backup 101: Date - Dec 02, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover the Windows XP Registry, its function importance and most importantly, how to apply a basic level of disaster prevention to your system in case a problem does occur. Backing up the Registry in Windows XP is simple, painless and can save you a headache when you need that backup.
Building and Using a Windows XP Boot Disk: Date - Nov 30, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will learn how to make a boot disk for a Windows XP system. A boot disk can start the operating system on a computer running Windows XP if it will not boot properly and the damage is suspected to be in the files that start Windows.
How to Disable Media Sense for TCP/IP in Windows XP: Date - Nov 04, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover how to disable ‘Media Sense’ for TCP/IP based connections on a Windows XP professional system. We will also cover why this may be beneficial to you in practical use.
Using Netsh (Part 1): Date - Oct 28, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover the fundamental uses of Netsh, a Windows based command line tool that if you master, can be very helpful in quickly getting your network setting changed from the command line without having to navigate the GUI for all your setting changes. The Netsh tool once mastered can make life much easier for you and your administration of systems on your network or at home. In this article we will also look at how to create files to simplify changes further.
The Dark Side of Windows XP Service Pack 2: Date - Oct 26, 2004; Author - Brien M. Posey; Although I haven’t had any problems with Windows XP Service Pack 2 myself, for many people, installing the service pack has become a nightmare. In this article, I will explain how you can better prepare for the Service Pack installation to minimize your chances of having problems.
Using the Windows Update Catalog: Date - Oct 21, 2004; Author - Mitch Tulloch; This article walks you through using the Windows Update Catalog to download service packs, feature packs, updated system files, and WHQL logo device drivers so you can deploy them later to Windows computers on your network.
How to install the Microsoft Loopback adapter in Windows XP: Date - Oct 19, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; The Microsoft Loopback adapter is a testing tool for a virtual network environment where network access is not available; this may come in very handy when you need to verify connectivity or test. Those of you with Router and Switch skills may already be familiar with the use of loopback interfaces. In this article we will cover the fundamentals of installing a loopback adapter on your Windows XP system, cover why this would be done and how you can use it.
How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP: Date - Oct 14, 2004; Author - Robert J. Shimonski; In this article we will cover the use of the Windows XP support tool called SPCheck. This is a handy tool that can be quickly used to assess the service pack level of installed components on a file by file basis. In this article we will look at how to acquire this tool, how it install it as well as how to use it and read the reports it produces.
Customizing Unattended Setup: Date - Sep 29, 2004; Author - Mitch Tulloch; This article walks you through the steps of using Setup Manager to create an answer file for unattended installation of Windows XP. The article also covers how to use Setup Manager to set up distribution folders on your network and how to customize these folders for special purposes such as branding your system and updating device drivers.
Windows XP SP2 New Security Features Review: Date - Apr 21, 2004; Author - Amit Zinman; Visual review of the new security features Microsoft is planning for Windows XP Service Pack 2. This article focuses on my experience with installing the current Beta v.2082 of SP2 so things may change by the time of release. I do not go over Internet Explorer changes in this article since they deserve a separate article.
About the new Windows XP Professional Logon Screen : New XP style or NT4/2000 style: Date - Dec 01, 2003; Author - Johannes Helmig
Connecting Windows XP to Multiple Networks: Office and Home: Date - Oct 27, 2003; Author - Johannes Helmig
VPN : secure private networking via the Internet using Windows XP: Date - Sep 02, 2003; Author - Johannes Helmig
Activating your license of Windows XP (Required, or it will stop working ): Date - May 27, 2003; Author - Johannes Helmig
Blocking Windows XP making contact with Microsoft via Internet: Date - Oct 27, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
About the Windows XP Addon Downloads from Microsoft ( JAVA support, PowerToys/TweakUI): Date - Oct 27, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Configuring Windows XP as a Network Bridge: Date - Jun 19, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Using a non-Microsoft Firewall (e.g. ZoneAlarm) in Windows XP: Date - Jun 08, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Windows XP Simple Sharing, Security and ForceGuest: Date - Jun 03, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
First looks at the Windows XP interface: Windows, Start-Menu and Balloon-Tips: Date - Jun 03, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Differences between the XP Home and Professional Edition !: Date - Jun 03, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to use remote assistance in Windows XP: Date - Jun 02, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Windows XP no longer supports ISA Non Plug & Play Network Adapters !: Date - Apr 23, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Workaround to install NE2000 / 3C509 Non Plug&Play ISA Network Adapters: Date - Apr 23, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Using local Logon Scripts in Windows XP: Date - Apr 22, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Installing Windows XP: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Recovering Windows XP using the Recovery Console: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Recovering Windows XP via ASR Automatic System Recovery: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to use the Group Policy Editor to change default systems settings: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Changes in the Security/Network-Access default behavior compared to NT4/2000: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
About User Management and Security in Windows XP: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Using local Security Policies in Windows XP: Date - Apr 21, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
First looks at Windows XP Networking: Date - Jan 27, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
Removing Windows Messenger from task bar: Date - Jan 27, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
More Windows XP documentation in the Windows XP Resource Kit: Date - Jan 13, 2002; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to check access to Shared Resources (note XP is limited to 10 simultaneous Connections): Date - Dec 21, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to use remote Desktop Access in Windows XP: Date - Dec 18, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to boot your Windows XP system in MS-DOS for Network setup/diagnostics: Date - Dec 09, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
Sharing Disks and Folders on Windows XP: Date - Dec 08, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
Windows XP Professional Joining a Domain: Date - Dec 02, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
Windows XP Home Accessing data on a Domain Server: Date - Dec 02, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to verify your Network is working correctly: Date - Nov 03, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
How to verify your Network card is working properly: Date - Oct 14, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig
Using the Firewall for Internet Connections in Windows XP: Date - Sep 23, 2001; Author - Johannes Helmig