How to Tweak a Windows XP Professional

If you're looking to get the most out of Windows XP, or maybe just customize it with your favorite look, you can do this with the Tweak UI PowerToy. Tweak UI is a tool created by Microsoft that allows you to change a wide variety of mouse, taskbar, graphic and menu settings. Tweak UI also offers an easy way to access the Group Policy Editor, opening up hundreds of more settings.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Click on the "Tweak UI" link in the Resources section to download the Tweak UI program. Double-click the downloaded file to launch the installation application.

2. Click "Next," and click the radio button next to "I accept the term in the license agreement." Install the software with the default settings, and select "Finish" when the installation is complete.

3. Click on each settings category in the left pane to show a list of settings in the right pane.

4. Click on the settings in the right pane of the program window, where applicable, to display a description of how the settings will affect the Windows XP operating system.

5. Click to place or remove a check from the box to enable or disable each setting.

6. Click on the "Mouse" settings category. Click and drag the menu speed slider left or right. Type a new numerical value into the "Double-click" or "Drag" text fields to change the sensitivity for each function.

7. Click the "Desktop" or "My Computer" entries in the left pane, and click to add or remove the shortcut icons.

8. Click the "Templates" entry in the left pane, and choose which programs you allow to be created from the "New" sub-menu when you right-click the mouse in an empty area.

9. Click the "Command Prompt" entry to change the settings and behavior when you use the command prompt. Click "Access Control" to change the permissions for users in various areas of the operating system.

10. Click the "Repair" entry, and select a system aspect from the drop-down menu to repair the aspect.

11. Click the "+" sign next to the "About" entry, and click on "Policy." Click the "Run Group Policy Editor" button to open the Group Policy Editor window.

12. Click "Apply" and "OK" to confirm the settings.

13. Restart your computer to see the changes made in the Tweak UI program.

References

• WindowsXP: Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

Resources

• Tweak UI: Download