Windows Customization

1
Windows Customization

• Application Developer Issues SIG
• North Texas PC Users Group
• December 14, 2002
• Daniel Ogden
• The King of Customization
• SIG Co-Leader
• http//appdevissues.tripod.com

2
Windows Customization

• Default Windows Settings
• Presume all users are novices
• Dummed down to the lowest common denominator
• Microsoft employees idea of usability
• Customization of Windows Settings
• Allows you as the user to work the way you are
  most productive
• Allows settings that are more secure than default
• Settings customization is for experienced users
  only

3
Windows Customization

• Various Configuration Tools and Utilities
• Various native Windows methods and utilities
  which are listed below can be used for Windows
  customization, all which are free
• Windows Registry
• Windows Explorer
• Dfolder/Properties Plus
• Microsoft Policy Editor
• Microsoft Power Toys
• Xteq
• Microsoft Security Baseline Analyzer

4
Windows Customization

• Windows Registry Settings
• Not for the faint of heart
• Contrary to Microsoft and others
  recommendations, user regedit.exe rather than
  regedt32.exe for most registry operations
• Permissions
• Saving of keys as Favorites
• Local run/Current User run
• Default separate vdm
• Current Control Set

5
Windows Customization

• Windows Explorer Customization
• Task Bar
• Start Menu
• Folder Options-View
• Display-Effects

6
Windows Customization

• Dfolder and Properties Plus
• Dfolder
• Freeware shell extension for Windows
• Allows you to examine size of files in folders in
  Windows Explorer
• Properties Plus
• Freeware shell extension for Windows
• Allows you to change file attributes in Windows
  Explorer

7
Windows Customization

• Microsoft Policy Editor
• File name is Poledit.exe
• Free program on Windows CDs
• Allows you to customize various Windows settings
  that you can then use on mutiple PCs
• Uses policy templates-adm files

8
Windows Customization

• Microsoft Power Toys
• Free downloadable Microsoft set of utilities that
  provides extensive customization of Windows
• Cabview
• Dos here
• Explore
• Find
• Quickres
• Send to
• Shell fix
• Target
• Tweakui

9
Windows Customization

• Xteq
• Most comprehensive Windows configuration utility
• Freeware (home.personal use)
• Shareware (corporate use)

10
Windows Customization

• Microsoft Security Baseline Analyzer
• Free Microsoft tool that analyzes various Windows
  security settings