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Scott Dunn

I thought I knew it all--or all about Windows XP (news - web sites), at least. But it seems like every time I turn around I find a new and better way to move a file, fix a disk error, patch a security leak, or browse the Web. Whether you need to fix a mistake or find a wireless network, there are plenty of Windows tricks to learn.

Here are some XP-specific helpful hints. For more Windows tips, including tips for previous versions of Windows, see the PC World article "76 Ways to Get More Out of Windows."

Run your old programs under XP. If pre-XP software doesn't run under Windows' latest incarnation (and an update isn't available for the program), right-click the program's shortcut and choose Properties. Select Compatibility, then click "Run this program in compatibility mode for," and choose the appropriate Windows version. Click OK.

Important: Never run an antivirus program, a defragger, or any other system utility under a version of Windows it isn't intended for. Doing so could damage your system.

Moving to a new PC. So you've got a new PC? The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard is the best way to move your Windows settings from one PC to another. You can transport files and settings from Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and other parts of Windows using a network connection or a removable medium like a CD.

Here's how: Install your programs on the new machine, then choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and follow the instructions.

Note: If you choose "Settings only" in the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard and use a floppy disk to transfer the settings, Windows will move your Outlook Express e-mail only if it fits on the disk. Use a larger medium to make sure Windows brings your messages along, too.

Tone down the special effects. If your PC's application windows open too slowly, you can help out by turning off some of Windows' razzle-dazzle visual effects. Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. Select the Advanced tab, and under Performance, click Settings. On the Visual Effects tab, select "Adjust for best performance," or choose "Custom" and turn off all the effects you can live without.

Controlling AutoPlay. When you put a CD in the drive, Windows gives you a choice of actions for handling the disc. You can answer once for each type of content (music, say); but if you want to turn AutoPlay off, right-click the CD drive in Explorer and choose Properties. Under AutoPlay, select a content type from the list at the top and pick your preferred settings below. To turn AutoPlay off for a specific type, click "Select an action to perform," then "Take no action," and click OK.

Preserve your password. Trust your friends, but cut the cards. And trust your memory, but keep a password reset disk nearby in case you ever forget the password you may have set up to use Windows XP.

Here's how: First, get a blank, formatted floppy disk. Then type Control Panel\User Accounts in the Address bar of any Explorer or Internet Explorer window. Press Enter, select your account, click "Prevent a forgotten password" in the Related Tasks list, and follow the steps presented in the Forgotten Password Wizard.

Camera action. The first time you connect your digital camera to your PC, you can select an action and check "Always use this program for this action" to keep from seeing a prompt every time you plug in the camera. But what if you want to use a different program later to handle your digital photos? Connect the camera again, right-click its icon in Explorer, and choose Properties. Use the settings on the Events tab to select what happens the next time you link it.

Turn back the clock. If your PC is acting strangely, use System Restore to return Windows to an earlier, stable condition. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, click "Restore my computer to an earlier time," then click Next, and follow the instructions.

Put a finer point on System Restore. Whenever you're planning to make any changes to your system, be sure to create a restore point before you begin so Windows can figure out what was the last good configuration. Open System Restore as described in the last tip, select "Create a restore point," click Next, and follow the instructions.

Note: Manual restore points aren't needed when you install software, updates, or device drivers; Windows creates them for you automatically.

Seek solutions in Safe Mode. If something stops Windows in its tracks or causes it to misbehave, reboot and press F8 before Windows loads (you may have to press it a few times to find the moment that gets a response). This brings up the Advanced Options menu. Use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode," and press Enter to launch Windows using a minimal set of drivers. With luck, you can undo whatever you did to cause the problem, and then restart Windows normally.

Revert your Registry. If using Safe Mode doesn't solve the problem, access the Advanced Options menu as explained above, but this time select "Last Known Good Configuration" and press Enter. This launches Windows using the last version of the Registry that led to a successful start-up. No files are removed.

Go wireless. When you plug a wireless adapter into your computer, XP displays the Connect to Wireless Network dialog box. If it does not, right-click the wireless-network icon in the system tray and choose View Available Wireless Networks. (If you don't see this icon, go to the Address bar of any Explorer window, type Control Panel\Network Connections, and right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon.) Select your wireless connection and click Connect.