Using System Resore point in XP

Windows is well-known for having driver and .dll conflicts, as well as all sorts of software that causes problems with your computer. Luckily there's a System restore feature that can return your computer back to a known working configuration, as long as you've created a restore point.

Note that some software installations will create restore points automatically, but you should run it manually before installing any questionable applications. (Or better yet, don't install questionable applications!)

Creating a Restore Point Manually

To create a Restore Point click on Start \ programs\ Accessories \ System Tools \ System Restore, and you'll be given a wizard screen.

Click on "Create a restore point" and then click the Next button. You'll be brought to a screen where you can type in a description for your restore point. Use something memorable if possible.

Once your restore point is created (which might take a while), you will get a confirmation screen.

All done creating the restore point!

How to Remove Shared Documents from My Computer in Windows XP?

Have you ever wondered how to remove "Shared Documents" from your My Computer window in Windows XP? If you don't use that feature, it seems rather silly to have it wasting space on the screen when all you really want to do is open up your hard drive or flash drive.

We can disable the shared documents icon easily using a registry hack or through TweakUI, the only problem is that it will also remove the regular user documents from the folder as well…

Once the setting is applied, you'll no longer see either document folder:

If you are fine with that, then continue reading.

Manual Registry Hack

Open up regedit.exe through the Start Menu Run box, and then browse down to the following path, creating the keys if they don't exist.

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

On the right-hand side, create a new DWORD value with the following values:

• Name: NoSharedDocuments
• Value: 1

You'll have to logoff and back on for the settings to take effect.

The Easy Method

Instead of bothering with the registry, you can simply use Microsoft's Tweak UI utility… click on "My Computer" on the left-hand pane, and then uncheck "Files Stored on This Computer" from the right side, and click Apply.

That's pretty much all there is to it.

Note: If you are using XP Professional, you could also use the Group Policy editor… the setting is found under User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Windows Explorer, and it's called "Remove Shared Documents from My Computer"

Icons Have A Background Color in Windows XP?

If you've been wondering why your XP desktop icons have a background color, you'll be glad to know you can flip a checkbox and have them go back to a normal transparent background.

Here's the two versions side by side.

To set the transparent background on the icons, we'll need to open System Properties in Control Panel (or right-click on My Computer and select Properties).

In this dialog, click the Advanced tab, and then the Settings button under the Performance section.

Now scroll down to the button where you'll find a checkbox for "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop". Make sure you check this box if you want transparent backgrounds on the icons.

Why this option isn't just labeled "Enable Transparent Icons On the Desktop", I just can't say.

Update

• You can't be displaying a web page as your background. To check this, right-click on the desktop and choose Properties. Select Customize desktop on the Desktop tab, then select the Web tab on the desktop items window and deselect any web pages that are shown.
• You need to make sure that High Contrast is not selected under Accessibility \ Display Options in your Control Panel.