How to Play Pranks With Windows

It's April Fool's Day again. Sure, you could play pranks with the actual windows in your home or office, or you could take 21st century pranking to a much wider venue;p the personal computer. At home or at work, these popular Windows software tricks will make you laugh while your friends or co-workers tear their hair out. Whatever you do, make sure you have the know-how to change it back later, and watch out for untested downloads. Explore the wide world of windows pranking this year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Play a desktop wallpaper trick. The "wallpaper" on a person's computer is what shows up on the desktop when the computer is started up. There are a lot of ways to use the desktop to confuse a computer owner, from dummy screen shots to fake warning messages (Error: Computer Will Throw Itself Out of Window!). April Fool's pranksters love to take advantage of this easy trick; you just need access to the computer desktop.
2. Try a password prank. Again, if you have access to a person's computer, you can add or change an existing Windows password. Another hilarious version of this is the "freeware password window" from RJL online. This software displays a fake, frustrating and funny password box where the user can't ever make a password long enough.
3. Program an automatic start-up. A savvy programmer can find the place where programs are set to start up when a computer is booted. With access to the computer, you can easily create your own hilarious start-ups with personalized messages. Your pranked computer user will be guaranteed to scratch his/her head.
4. Block or unblock websites with Windows XP. A few simple commands from the "XP and tricks" site show that you can easily change the block settings non different parts of the web to baffle your friends. Check out the site for specific directions on changing the text in the system file.
5. Set up anonymous emails. This trick was popularized on the NBC hit show "The Office", where Rainn Wilson's character was led to believe the computer was talking to him. What you do is this: take control of a random screen name on AIM, Yahoo, or other instant messaging or email systems, then start sending funny messages to your target that only those close to him/her would be able to write. Watch the subject of your prank get more and more confused until they finally either find you out, or let the whole thing go.