Portable Nero

Full version of any release take much space in botn Hard disk and in System Registry.But this is portable,hence you have nothing to install.Just double click and run!!
As this doesn’t add anything to your registry,your registry don’t get flooded with a lot of keys which will slowdown your system.Just experience the power of Portable….
Download

PCTools Registry Mechanic 9.0.0.914

By using a registry cleaner regularly and fixing registry errors your system should not only be more stable but it will also help improve your system performance without expensive hardware upgrades. Learn more about the importance of a clean registry with our registry insight.

With a few easy steps Registry Mechanic will scan your entire registry for any invalid entries and provides a list of the registry errors found, you can then choose to selectively clean each item or automatically repair them all. For your convenience and protection Registry Mechanic can also make a backup of any repairs made so that you can easily recover any changes if required.

Registry Mechanic uses a high-performance detection algorithm to quickly identify missing and invalid references in your Windows registry. These problems can occur for many reasons including being left-behind after the un-installation or incorrect removal of software, by missing or corrupt hardware drivers, or orphaned startup programs.

Registry Mechanic Feature Highlights:

Repair invalid registry entries that are a common cause of Windows crashes and error messages
Optimize your system by compacting the wasted space and gaps in the registry
Increase system speed and stability by removing orphaned references
Scans your hard drive for invalid and incorrect program shortcuts
Safely make backups of any registry change made by Registry Mechanic


Works with Windows 98, Me, 2000 and XP, with basic support for Windows Vista
Unlimited free upgrades and e-mail technical support for one year[quote]







http://rapidshare.com/files/371106662/Pctools.Registry.Mechanic.9.0.0.914.rar

Date Cracker
Did you ever wish to take the trialware to last till anyday you want, and not the generic 30 days trial.
Well there you go.. A Freeware called Date Cracker 2000 allows you to just that. It allows you to extend the trial of your favorite software to virtually any date in the future.

Having said that, Date Cracker is the program that the Software industry doesn’t want you to know about. Well using Date cracker is as simple as making a cup of Coffee. Just follow the instructions and in a few moments you will be using favorite trial software for as long as you wish.

• Install Date Cracker and open it up from the Start Menu
• Click Add
• Add the description for your program.
• Click the [...] Button at the bottom of the window.
• Search for the executable of the file that you wish to crack.
• Set the Simulated Run Date to any date you wish.
• Click Run.
• Well that was easy wasn’t it. Here are a few things I suggest you keep in mind before using Date Cracker.

• Run the Software you wish to crack via Date Cracker when you first run it.
• Date should be entered in the format : YYYY/MM/DD
  

http://www.ziddu.com/download/2321848/DataCracker2000v2.zip.html



Windows XP Hidden App Launcher


Includes:
1) Character Map = charmap.exe
2) Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3) Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (view contents of Windows clipboard)
4) Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)
5) DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6) Private character editor = eudcedit.exe ( creation or modification of characters)
7) IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)Microsoftft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe ( allows synchronization of files on the network for working offline. UNDOCUMENTED).
9) Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).
10) ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe

http://rapidshare.com/files/170484373
/AIO_Windows_XP_Hidden_App_Launcher__23_Portable_In_1_.rar

CorelDRAW 11 Portable

CorelDRAW is an easy-to-master, exceptionally powerful program with a luxuriant toolset and a lucid interface. Version 11 adds several new illustration tools and better import/export filters. Although CorelDRAW won't set any speed records when handling complex files, its many outstanding features make it the best illustration program in its class.

CorelDRAW 11 is still the best illustration tool we've seen. I also love CorelDRAW's cross-platform support and vast range of import/export filters. The filters let you port files to and from other design programs or image editor programs, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Visio.
CorelDRAW 11 finally supports symbols, so you can save artwork (a symbol) to a central library, then drag and drop it into any document as many times as you want. CorelDRAW remains easy to use for novices and pros alike, thanks to its self-explanatory tools and intuitive, customisable interface. Anyone who can print a Word document can get to grips with CorelDRAW in an hour or two. However, we recommend this program primarily for serious amateur and professional designers. In CorelDRAW 11 Portable you can get that facility without loosing your hard drive space.

Free Download Corel Draw 11 Portable

XP Tools 8.0





http://rapidshare.com/files/100467766/XP-Tools-8.1.rar

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Get data back for FAT and NTFS





http://rapidshare.com/files/75625771/Runtime_GetDataBack_3.03.17_FAT_NTFS.rar

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Portable Version of Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended



All featues of Photoshop CS3 in a 70MB Portable version
- No need to install
- Just download and use
- Can be carried on portable media

Mind me, No one will be dissatisfied after using this

Download Link :
http://rapidshare.com/files/104012502/PhotoshopCS3.rar

System Mechanic



Frustrated by mysterious PC crashes, freezes and slowdowns?
Over 98% of PC problems are caused by clutter and faulty settings that are the result of everyday PC use.

System Mechanic Pro automatically finds and repairs errors and fragmentation and cleans out clutter -- so your PC operates smoothly, reliably, and up to 300% faster!

Don’t waste money on expensive “experts” to fix your PC. System Mechanic repairs, optimizes, and maintains your PC.
Enjoy that new PC feeling again.

Clear out clutter and errors for improved speed and reliability.
Improve your gaming experience.

Optimize your PC to play the latest high-performance games at maximum speeds.
Speed up internet access.



http://rapidshare.com/files/144084862/System_Mechani_v_8.0.2.1_Full.rar

Alcohol 120% Black Edition




Key Functions: -

- Alcohol 120% enables you to make a duplicate back-up to recordable media of nearly all your expensive Game/Software/DVD titles, and/or an image that can be mounted and run from any one of Alcohol’s virtual drives.

- Your original games/program discs can be safely stored away. Alcohol-created images mean that you always have your expensive media stored safely on your hard drive for instant retrieval at the click of a button. No more searching for the correct game disc or software application install disc, everything is at your fingertips.

http://rapidshare.com/files/129842388/Alcohol_120__Black_Edition_4.0.rar

When Folder Option Missing in your Computer

Many guys find the folder options missing in windows explorer.

Solution is Here >>

Click on START button >> Go on RUN..

Then type gpedit.msc >> Now Go to User Configuration >>

Click on Administrative Templates >> Then Click on Windows Component >>

Now click on Windows Explorer >>

You will find the Third Option on the right side of screen “Remove the Folder Option menu item from the Tools menu” >>

Make a Double Click on it >> Click on the Radio Button named Enable >>

Then “Apply” and “OK” >> Then Reboot your computer.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Internet Explorer
To Select all items on a webpage use CTRL and A.

To Copy a selected item to the clipboard use CTRL and C.

To Paste an item from the clipboard into a document use CTRL and V.

To Add the current page/document to your favorites use CTRL and D.

To Open the IE search utility use CTRL and E.

To Open the FIND box to search the current document use CTRL and F.

To Open the History utility use CTRL and H.

To Open the Favorites utility use CTRL and I.

To Go to a new location/document use CTRL and L. Also CTRL and O.

To Open a new Explorer window use CTRL and N.

To Print the current page/document use CTRL and P.

To Refresh the current page/document use CTRL and R. Also you can use the F5 key.

To Save the current document/page use CTRL and S.

To Close the current Explorer window use CTRL and W.

These are achieved by holding down and pressing a combination of keys

To go to your default homepage use ALT and the HOME key.

To go forward one page (equivalent to the FORWARD button) use ALT and the right arrow key.

To go back one page (equivalent to the BACK button) use ALT and the left arrow key.
Type URL without a Mouse Click
In IE you can use Alt + D key combination to highlight the address bar.

Some Hidden XP Programs.

Programs :

1. Private Character Editor :

Used for editing fonts,etc.
start-->Run-->Now, type eudcedit
tool for designing your own fonts, logos and icons.

2. Dr. Watson :

This an inbuilt windows repairing software !
start-->Run
-->Now, type drwtsn32

3. Media Player 5.1 :

Even if you upgrade your Media Player, you can still access your old player.
start-->Run-->Now, type mplay32

4. iExpress :

Used to create SetupsYou can create your own installers !
start-->Run--> Now, type iexpress

Renaming The Start Button:
To rename the start button, you will need a hex editor.(ultraEdit)

Copy the \windows\explore.exe file to a new name (e.g. explorer_1.exe)
With the hex editor, open that file and go to offset 412b6
You will see the word start with blanks between each letter
Edit it be any 5 characters or less
Save the file
Boot to DOS
Copy the existing c:\windows\explorer.exe to explorer.org
Copy explorer_1.exe to explorer.exe
You will also need to replace the explorer.exe in the c:\windows\system32\dllcache file as well with the new one.
Note: If the partition is NTFS and you can't access the files from DOS:

Start Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Winlogon.
Change the value of Shell from Explorer.exe to explorer_1.exe.

Monster truck Stunts

Monster Truck Stunts, is an ultra-realistic giant-scale RC truck simulator for your pc!

Off-road driving game for your PC
More POWER for your truck!
Amazingly long jumps!
New courses!
Have you ever dreamed of driving a monster truck, perform those amazing stunts yourself and
show off your driving skills? Monster Truck Stunts, is an ultra-realistic giant-scale RC truck
simulator for your pc!



http://rapidshare.com/files/58754016/lg543.rar

PW: things

Disabling Display of Drives in My Computer

To disable the display of local or networked drives when you click My
Computer go to : HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Win

dows\CurrentVersion
\Policies\Explorer

Now in the right pane create a new DWORD item and name it
NoDrives. Now modify it's value and set it to 3FFFFFF (Hexadecimal)
Now press F5 to refresh. When you click on My Computer, no drives
will be shown. To enable display of drives in My Computer, simply
delete this DWORD item. It's .reg file is as follows:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersio
n\Policies\Explorer]

"NoDrives"=dword:03ffffff

Copy the following prgram:

cls
@ECHO OFF
title Folder Locker
if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK
if NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER
:CONFIRM
echo Enter password to lock folder or for cancel press N
set/p "cho=>"
if %cho%==XXXX goto LOCK
if %cho%==n goto END
if %cho%==N goto END
echo Invalid choice.
goto CONFIRM
:LOCK
ren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
echo Folder locked
goto End
:UNLOCK
echo Enter password to Unlock folder
set/p "pass=>"
if NOT %pass%==XXXX goto FAIL
attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"
ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker
echo Folder Unlocked successfully
goto End
:FAIL
echo Invalid password
goto end
:MDLOCKER
md Locker
echo Locker created successfully
goto End
:End

* Now paste it in notepad.

* change/edit XXXX with ur password(9th and 22th steps)

* Save it as batch file(with extension .bat).Any name will do.

* Now you see a batch file. Double click it to create a folder locker.

* A new folder named Locker would be formed at the same location.

* Now brings all the files you want to hide in the locker folder.

* Now double click the batch file to lock the folder namely Locker.

* If you want to unlock your files,double click the batch file again and you would be prompted for password.Enter the password and enjoy access to the folder.

Road Rash 3



Code:
http://rapidshare.com/files/78885340/Road_Rash_3.rar

Manhunt is perhaps the most violent, amoral video game ever made, and it's entirely unapologetic about it. Produced by the same team that created Grand Theft Auto, it sees you cast as a death-row inmate reprieved from the chair to take part in a sick game run by a snuff-movie producer.


Download links:
http://rapidshare.com/files/100084671/Abhishekrd_ManHunt.rar.001
http://rapidshare.com/files/100078241/Abhishekrd_ManHunt.rar.002

http://rapidshare.com/files/141328545/Premier.Manager.09-RiTUEL.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/141329709/Premier.Manager.09-RiTUEL.part2.rar

PITFALL



Size: 305Mb
Language: English
Ripped: Some music, Movies

You're a hero with your hands full! Deep in the Peruvian Jungle, assume the role of Pitfall

Harry, a fearless, rough-and-ready treasure seeker who battles evil using his athletic ability

and a knapsack filled with adventure gear. Your mission: race against a rival explorer to find

hidden treasures, which in the wrong hands could spell doom for you and your friends. Laugh in

the face of danger as you search for lost treasures and rescue those in distress from deadly

foes.


Installation:
- unrar
- run unpack.bat
- run Start.exe to play
- enjoy


Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/118967774/bimbas_www.softarchive.net.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/118976893/bimbas_www.softarchive.net.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/118985169/bimbas_www.softarchive.net.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/118985454/bimbas_www.softarchive.net.part4.rar

Navigate uncharted territories, build prosperous settlements and bring the dangerously elusive Copperhead Gang to justice in Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier™. When the previous settlement of Hope River is suddenly destroyed, fleeing residents bring tales of the Mad Russian, a treacherous villain bent on stopping any further expansion.
Steer the fortunes of three distinctly different pioneers as they establish Oxbow Bend, a new outpost in the unexplored Wild West, and work to uncover the Mad Russian’s base of operations. Gather resources, overcome natural disasters and plot a course through new terrain as you guide your settlers to safety and success. Customize your towns with over 20 unique buildings, more than 30 luxury items and upgrades, and attempt to deliver justice in this all-new frontier adventure. Stake
your claim in Westward II: Heroes of the Frontier.

File Size:
Rip: 37 MB
Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/105832807/Westward_II_Heroes_of_the_Frontier-VACE.rar

Description:
Build, design and manage your very own shopping mall in this sequel to one of the most popular Tycoon releases ever. Watch your stores prosper as customers browse through them in a 3D environment that?s so detailed you can zoom right down to floor level and watch things from just a few feet away!

Mall Tycoon 2 contains everything people loved about the first title and much more! Radically enhanced graphics, a new and improved user interface, more staff and items to unlock and random events like floods and fires. This in-depth simulation is sure to please both newcomers to the series and fans of the original alike.

Mall Tycoon 2 contains everything people loved about the first title and much more! Radically enhanced graphics, a new and improved user interface, more staff and items to unlock and random events like floods and fires. This in-depth simulation is sure to please both newcomers to the series and fans of the original alike.

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/88715850/Hitz.Mall.Tycoon.2.Class.Rip.zip
or
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BPW61R78

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down - Team Sabre


http://rapidshare.com/files/106098568/DFBHDTS.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/106322703/DFBHDTS.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/106310040/DFBHDTS.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/106082534/DFBHDTS.part4.rar

KaraFun - Karaoke software for Your Computer

Free next-generation karaoke player

Turn your PC into an interactive karaoke machine with the KaraFun free karaoke software for Windows. More than just a karaoke player, KaraFun offers a complete solution for playing and creating karaoke at home.

Fun and exciting, it plays nearly every karaoke file: KFN, KAR, CDG, KOK, LRC, AVI, MPEG... The user-friendly KaraFun editor enables you to create, quickly and easily, your own karaoke songs from Audio and MIDI music files : MP3, OGG, KAR, MID...

Based on a powerful and revolutionary 3D animation engine for animated lyrics and background, your karaoke party in full screen has every chance of being a success!

Code:

www.karafun.com

Code:

http://www.karafun.com/down/karafun_setup.exe

Network Mechanic 2.8

http://rapidshare.com/files/105565899/Network_Mechanic28.MWTeam.rar

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Get data back for FAT and NTFS





http://rapidshare.com/files/75625771/Runtime_GetDataBack_3.03.17_FAT_NTFS.rar

Quick Heal Total Security 2008 9.50 (Updatable)

http://rapidshare.com/files/128829990/Quick_Heal_Total_Security_2008.zip



Avira Antivirus

http://w15.easy-share.com/1701256459.html

Avast Antivirus

http://rapidshare.com/files/130900780/AA4.8.1201_.rar

Microsoft Windows Live OneCare is a comprehensive and integrated PC health service that helps protect
and maintain your computer with antivirus, firewall, PC maintenance,
and file backup and restore functionality.
This new service is in beta testing

CODE
http://rapidshare.com/files/140628696/setuponecare.rar




F-Secure Anti-Virus 2009 v9.00.138


With F-Secure® Anti-Virus 2009, you can open e-mail attachments and use your computer without any fear of virus infections, spyware intrusion or malicious programs that can take over your computer. In addition, F-Secure DeepGuard™ 2.0 provides instant protection against new threats with real-time protection network that shortcuts the hours it typically takes to send out database updates.

Key features

Quicker where it matters
NEW! Quick and easy installation, faster boot-up times and faster scanning and cleaning of files.

Protects your computer against viruses, worms and unknown attacks
With daily automatically updated virus protection from world-renowned F-Secure Data Security Laboratory and F-Secure DeepGuard 2.0 technology that instantly protects you against zero-day attacks and other future threats, you can safely use your computer, now and tomorrow.

Detects and removes spyware from your computer
F-Secure Anti-Virus detects and removes secretly installed software from your computer better than ever before, ensuring that your system is running smoothly and clean of spyware.

Fastest Protection
F-Secure is one of the leading antivirus vendors when it comes to reaction times and update delivery times during virus outbreaks.


http://rapidshare.com/files/145445424/FSECURE.AViRUS_ByMovieLinkers.rar
pass: movielinkers.info









ESET NOD32 Antivirus System - Integrated, Real-Time Protection against viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, phishing, and hackers. Best detection, fastest performance & smallest footprint.NOD32 Antivirus System provides well balanced, state-of-the-art protection against threats endangering your PC and enterprise systems running various platforms from ********* Windows, through a number of UNIX/Linux, Novell, MS DOS operating systems to ********* Exchange Server, Lotus Domino and other mail servers.

ESET solutions are built on ESET’s one-of-a-kind ThreatSense technology. This advanced heuristics engine enables proactive detection of malware not covered by even the most frequently updated signature-based products by decoding and analyzing executable code in real time, using an emulated environment. By allowing malware to execute in a secure virtual world, ESET is able to clearly differentiate between benign files and even the most sophisticated and cleverly-disguised malware.

Users of *********® Windows® can experience the power and elegance of NOD32's ThreatSense Technology with ease and comfort. Our single optimized engine offers the best protection from viruses, spyware, adware, phishing attacks, and more. Keep tomorrow's threats at bay with our proactive detection technology.

http://rapidshare.com/files/140439949/EN3.0.672B.rar





Key Technologies:
* Antispyware
* Antivirus
* Two-Way Firewall
* Identity Safe
* Advanced Phishing Protection
* Intrusion Prevention
* Rootkit Detection

Features:
* Improved performance delivers faster starts and scans. NEW
* One click access to expert support. NEW
* Network security monitoring helps protect your wireless network. NEW
* Norton Identity Safe delivers enhanced i dentity theft protection. NEW
* Works quietly in the background. NEW
* Protection for up to 3 PCs per household
* Blocks identity theft by phishing Web sites
* Protects against hackers
* Detects and eliminates spyware
* Removes viruses and Internet worms automatically
* Protects email and instant messaging from viruses
* Prevents virus-infected emails from spreading
* Rootkit detection searches underneath the operating system using patented technology
* Includes protection updates and new product features as available throughout the renewable service period *
* On-going Protection option automatically renews your subscription **
* Need antispam or parental controls? Norton Add-on Pack.

http://rapidshare.com/files/112884526/Norton_AntiVirus_2008__crack.rar




Anti-Malware Protection
• Anti-Malware Engine. Automatically detects and eliminates viruses, spyware, Trojans, rootkits, bots and other malware before they infect your computer.
* Scans files in real-time and on-demand.
* Scans emails before they reach your inbox, regardless of your email program.
* Scans Internet traffic regardless of your browser type.
* Scans Instant Messaging traffic in MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and AOL.
* Removes all traces of clutter left by spyware on your PC.

• Advanced Proactive Protection. Technologies from Panda Security are widely recognized as the most effective against new and unknown malware.
* Genetic Heuristic Engine combines advanced algorithms to detect new variants of the most dangerous malware families.
* TruPrevent Technologies 2.0 silently analyze the behavior of programs, blocking those that try to damage your PC. This last line of defence blocks zero-day targeted attacks and terminates any malicious activity that has evaded traditional protection systems.

• Personal Firewall. Protects you against Internet-borne worms and hacker attacks.
* Smart auto-configuration allows good programs to run while blocking malicious ones.
* Shields your PC from hackers on the Web.
* Wireless Monitor protects your wireless network from intruders.
* Intrusion prevention blocks known and unknown hacker attacks and vulnerability exploits.

Identity Theft Protection
• Anti-Phishing Filter. Recognizes fraudulent email and protects you from scams while you shop, bank or pay bills online.
• Anti-Banking Trojan Engine. Detects the most dangerous identity theft malware used by cyber-criminals to steal banking credentials. Specialized heuristics and generic detection techniques ensure maximum protection for online transactions. NEW!
• Anti-Rootkit Technology. Detects and removes silently-installed rootkits used by malware or hackers to evade traditional antivirus products. The free Panda Anti-Rootkit, used by millions of people around the world, recently won the Editor’s Choice award from PC Magazine. NEW!

Safe Internet Browsing
• Anti-Spam Filter. Keeps your inbox free from junk mail. With the new spam engine detection rates are now over 97%, ensuring uninterrupted service and delivering the emails you really need. NEW!
• Parental Control. Lets your children browse the Internet safely by blocking access to violent, adult, or racist content, as well as other inappropriate websites. From the solution’s control panel –and regardless of the browser type- you can assign predefined filters (child, adolescent, employee…) to users or customize filter rules according to your specific needs.
• Web Filter. Lets you use the Internet safely without the risk of infections, vulnerability exploits, browser hijacking or phishing websites.By analyzing website content, links and Web reputation scores, Panda Security provides protection against all types of Web-based malware and scams. NEW!
• Personal Information Filter. Prevents theft from your PC of credit card numbers, social security numbers and any other personal information you define. NEW!

http://w16.easy-share.com/1701597504.html

You can create your own keyboard shortcut to open any your favorite programs, files and folders. This tip is very useful, if you want to create quick keyboard shortcuts to open most often used programs. But note that you can create keyboard shortcut only with program shortcut on your desktop or the start menu programs.

Follow the giving steps to create keyboard shortcut for your favorite program:

• First right click on desktop shortcut or on any start menu program and choose Properties from the menu.
• 
• Here under the shortcut tab, click in Shortcut key box.
• Now press any key on your keyboard that you want to use as combination with CTRL+ALT. For example, if you want to create keyboard shortcut to open MSN Messenger, simply press 9, your keyboard shortcut for MSN Messenger will be CTRL+ALT+9.
• 
• Now press OK button and test your shortcut key.

You've read the reviews and digested the key feature enhancements and operational changes. Now it's time to delve a bit deeper and uncover some of Windows XP's secrets.

1. It boasts how long it can stay up. Whereas previous versions of Windows were coy about how long they went between boots, XP is positively proud of its stamina. Go to the Command Prompt in the Accessories menu from the All Programs start button option, and then type 'systeminfo'. The computer will produce a lot of useful info, including the uptime. If you want to keep these, type 'systeminfo > info.txt'. This creates a file called info.txt you can look at later with Notepad. (Professional Edition only).

2. You can delete files immediately, without having them move to the Recycle Bin first. Go to the Start menu, select Run... and type 'gpedit.msc'; then select User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer and find the Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin setting. Set it. Poking around in gpedit will reveal a great many interface and system options, but take care -- some may stop your computer behaving as you wish. (Professional Edition only).

3. You can lock your XP workstation with two clicks of the mouse. Create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click, and enter 'rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation' in the location field. Give the shortcut a name you like. That's it -- just double click on it and your computer will be locked. And if that's not easy enough, Windows key + L will do the same.

4. XP hides some system software you might want to remove, such as Windows Messenger, but you can tickle it and make it disgorge everything. Using Notepad or Edit, edit the text file /windows/inf/sysoc.inf, search for the word 'hide' and remove it. You can then go to the Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Windows Components and there will be your prey, exposed and vulnerable.

5. For those skilled in the art of DOS batch files, XP has a number of interesting new commands. These include 'eventcreate' and 'eventtriggers' for creating and watching system events, 'typeperf' for monitoring performance of various subsystems, and 'schtasks' for handling scheduled tasks. As usual, typing the command name followed by /? will give a list of options -- they're all far too baroque to go into here.

6. XP has IP version 6 support -- the next generation of IP. Unfortunately this is more than your ISP has, so you can only experiment with this on your LAN. Type 'ipv6 install' into Run... (it's OK, it won't ruin your existing network setup) and then 'ipv6 /?' at the command line to find out more. If you don't know what IPv6 is, don't worry and don't bother.

7. You can at last get rid of tasks on the computer from the command line by using 'taskkill /pid' and the task number, or just 'tskill' and the process number. Find that out by typing 'tasklist', which will also tell you a lot about what's going on in your system.

8. XP will treat Zip files like folders, which is nice if you've got a fast machine. On slower machines, you can make XP leave zip files well alone by typing 'regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll' at the command line. If you change your mind later, you can put things back as they were by typing 'regsvr32 zipfldr.dll'.

9. XP has ClearType -- Microsoft's anti-aliasing font display technology -- but doesn't have it enabled by default. It's well worth trying, especially if you were there for DOS and all those years of staring at a screen have given you the eyes of an astigmatic bat. To enable ClearType, right click on the desktop, select Properties, Appearance, Effects, select ClearType from the second drop-down menu and enable the selection. Expect best results on laptop displays. If you want to use ClearType on the Welcome login screen as well, set the registry entry HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/Control Panel/Desktop/FontSmoothingType to 2.

10. You can use Remote Assistance to help a friend who's using network address translation (NAT) on a home network, but not automatically. Get your pal to email you a Remote Assistance invitation and edit the file. Under the RCTICKET attribute will be a NAT IP address, like 192.168.1.10. Replace this with your chum's real IP address -- they can find this out by going to www.whatismyip.com -- and get them to make sure that they've got port 3389 open on their firewall and forwarded to the errant computer.

11. You can run a program as a different user without logging out and back in again. Right click the icon, select Run As... and enter the user name and password you want to use. This only applies for that run. The trick is particularly useful if you need to have administrative permissions to install a program, which many require. Note that you can have some fun by running programs multiple times on the same system as different users, but this can have unforeseen effects.

12. Windows XP can be very insistent about you checking for auto updates, registering a Passport, using Windows Messenger and so on. After a while, the nagging goes away, but if you feel you might slip the bonds of sanity before that point, run Regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/Advanced and create a DWORD value called EnableBalloonTips with a value of 0.

13. You can start up without needing to enter a user name or password. Select Run... from the start menu and type 'control userpasswords2', which will open the user accounts application. On the Users tab, clear the box for Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer, and click on OK. An Automatically Log On dialog box will appear; enter the user name and password for the account you want to use.

14. Internet Explorer 6 will automatically delete temporary files, but only if you tell it to. Start the browser, select Tools / Internet Options... and Advanced, go down to the Security area and check the box to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed.

15. XP comes with a free Network Activity Light, just in case you can't see the LEDs twinkle on your network card. Right click on My Network Places on the desktop, then select Properties. Right click on the description for your LAN or dial-up connection, select Properties, then check the Show icon in notification area when connected box. You'll now see a tiny network icon on the right of your task bar that glimmers nicely during network traffic.

16. The Start Menu can be leisurely when it decides to appear, but you can speed things along by changing the registry entry HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Desktop/MenuShowDelay from the default 400 to something a little snappier. Like 0.

17. You can rename loads of files at once in Windows Explorer. Highlight a set of files in a window, then right click on one and rename it. All the other files will be renamed to that name, with individual numbers in brackets to distinguish them. Also, in a folder you can arrange icons in alphabetised groups by View, Arrange Icon By... Show In Groups.

18. Windows Media Player will display the cover art for albums as it plays the tracks -- if it found the picture on the Internet when you copied the tracks from the CD. If it didn't, or if you have lots of pre-WMP music files, you can put your own copy of the cover art in the same directory as the tracks. Just call it folder.jpg and Windows Media Player will pick it up and display it.

19. Windows key + Break brings up the System Properties dialogue box; Windows key + D brings up the desktop; Windows key + Tab moves through the taskbar buttons.