Microsoft Windows XP Power Optimization -- Front matter -- Acknowledgments -- Contents at a Glance -- Contents -- Introduction -- Index -- Symbols -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X -- Z -- Chapter 1: Cleaning for the Novice -- Before You Begin Cleaning -- Backing Up Your Hard Drive -- Creating a System Restore Point -- Applying All Required Patches -- An Overview of Tasks to Perform Immediately -- Cleaning Your Hard Drive -- Clearing the Cobwebs from Memory -- Tuning Your Applications -- Potentially Hazardous Cleaning Aids -- Getting Bit by the Registry -- Avoiding the Pitfalls of Programming -- Zapping Important Application Settings -- Dodging the Command Line -- Oops, I Made a Mistake -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 2: A Gentle Introduction to Windows Washing -- Is Your GUI Gooey? -- Considering the Effects of Too Many Running Applications -- Working with Newer Applications -- Understanding the Need to Archive Old Data -- Tuning with User Experience in Mind -- There Is No Magic Bullet -- Performance Isn't Just Speed -- Considering Usability -- Adding Reliability -- Using Resources Efficiently -- Making the Application Fast -- Sources of Grime -- Locating Dirty Hard Drives -- Detecting the Ever-growing Registry -- Assessing Overloaded Memory -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 3: Cleaning the Hard Drive -- Finding Where Excess Files Hide -- Windows Explorer Lies to You -- Indexing the Drive -- Using the Command Prompt to Your Advantage -- Command Line Utilities You Should Know About -- Taking Out the Internet Explorer Trash -- Getting Rid of Cached Data -- Killing the Cookie Monster -- Forgetting History -- Controlling a Voracious Drive Space Appetite -- Taking Back Your Identity -- Controlling Multimedia -- Scrapping Temporary Files.

Choosing the Del Command over Windows Explorer -- Eliminating Files Beginning with ~ -- Zapping TMP and BAK Files -- Looking for LOG Files -- Discovering Who Created a File -- Choosing a Paging File Size -- Understanding NTFS -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 4: Performance Tuning Applications -- Controlling Microsoft Additions You Don't Want -- Modifying the Sysoc.INF File -- Removing Unneeded Applications -- Removing Application Installation Crumbs -- Discovering Setup Files -- Removing Temporary Data -- Removing Sticky Applications -- Stopping the Errant Application -- Removing the Application from Your Drive -- Searching the Registry for Remains -- Discovering Application Uninstall Remains -- Archiving Your Personal Settings -- Removing Unneeded Folders and Files -- Tweaking Application Feature Sets -- Removing Demonstration Programs -- Deleting Training Programs and Sample Files -- Considering the Features that You Really Use -- Discovering When You Get Too Much Help -- Removing Fonts You Don't Need -- Using the Fonts Folder -- Using FontView -- Using Font Runner -- Using FontFrenzy -- Controlling Processing Cycle Usage -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 5: Saving Data for Later -- Compressing Data Files -- Setting Compression Options for a Drive -- Compressing Individual Files -- Locating Hidden Data Compression Features -- Long-Term versus Short-Term Storage -- The Amazing Disintegrating CD -- Speed Issues Using Tape Drives -- Reliability Issues Using Hard Drives -- Temporary Storage Online -- Cataloging and Archiving Data -- Using the MakeCab and Expand Utilities -- Using ZIP or Other Files -- Understanding Alternatives Like WinRAR -- Preventing Email Overload -- Organizing and Categorizing Your Email -- Archiving Email Files -- Restoring Email Files -- Using Free Email Accounts -- Let's Start Cleaning.

Chapter 6: Detecting Registry Leftovers -- Using the Registry Editor -- Exploring the Registry Editor -- Exporting Data -- Importing Data -- Understanding the Data Types -- Securing the Registry -- An Overview of Interesting Registry Sections -- Working with Application Entries -- Running Applications Automatically -- Working with Components -- Following the Flow of Registry Entries -- Looking for Simple Files -- Looking for Complex Files -- Removing Application Tidbits -- Deleting Old Setup Data -- Reassigning File Associations -- Avoiding Common Application Cleansing Mistakes -- Relying on Registry Cleaning Products -- Using RegClean -- Using Registry Mechanic -- Using TweakNow RegCleaner -- Performing Registry Tweaks that Make Sense -- Disabling the Paging File -- Setting Internet Explorer Automatic and Optional Searches -- Choosing between Security and Shutdown Speed -- Clearing the Open With List -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 7: Memory Hogs and Other Vicious Beasts -- Understanding How Much an Application Costs -- Using Task Manager -- Using the TaskList Utility -- Using System Monitor -- Using Performance Logs and Alerts -- Using the TypePerf Utility -- Using MSCONFIG -- Understanding the MSCONFIG Basics -- Understanding SYSTEM.INI -- Understanding WIN.INI -- Avoiding BOOT.INI -- Selecting Services -- Exercising Startup Options -- Clearing Unnecessary Services -- Modifying Network Connections -- Working with Device Drivers -- Removing Gizmos from Your Systems -- Understanding Themes -- Understanding Screen Savers -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 8: Keeping Your Windows Clean -- Rolling Back Bad Installations -- Verifying You Can Create a Restore Point -- Defining a System Restore Point -- Restoring the System -- Performing Regular Maintenance -- Using Disk Cleanup -- Scanning Hard Drives for Errors -- Performing Backups.

Defragmenting the Drive -- Using Dr. Watson -- Using jv16 Power Tools -- Utilities You Didn't Know About -- Techniques for Discovering Unknown Utilities -- Some Utilities Don't Work -- Using DriverQuery -- Using OpenFiles -- Using Net -- Using FSUtil -- Using SystemInfo and WinMSD -- Working with the Windows PowerToys -- When a PowerToy Becomes a Useless Toy -- Using TweakUI -- Knowing that Updates Change Settings -- Using and Cleaning the Event Log -- Viewing Event Log Entries -- Setting the Event Log Options -- Removing Old Event Log Entries -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 9: Controlling the User -- Multiple Users Means More Garbage -- Actively Soliciting the User's Help -- Removing Excess Personal Settings and Data -- Defining Excess Personal Settings and Data -- Creating a Personal Data Archive -- Removing Personal Applications -- Developing Standards from Personal Settings and Data -- Auditing User Actions -- Avoiding a Big Brother Reputation -- Deciding between Permanent and Temporary Audits -- Creating a Security Audit -- Creating a Drive, Folder, Application, or File Audit -- Processing the Audit Results Manually -- Using Automation to Process the Audit Results -- Setting Quotas -- Saving Space for the System -- Setting Reasonable Quotas -- Creating the Quotas -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 10: Guarding against Outside Dirt: Keeping Adware, Spyware, and Nuisances at Bay -- Sources of Outside Dirt and Grime -- Understanding Adware and Spyware -- Understanding Viruses -- Defining Unwanted Downloads -- Defending against Known Sources of Dirt -- Determining When a Feature Is Unwanted -- Discovering Nasty Intruders -- Using PestPatrol -- Using SmartFix -- Using SpyBot Search and Destroy -- Setting Applications to Deter Outsiders -- Adopting a Positive Attitude -- Using the Four Security Zones in Internet Explorer.

Optimizing Outlook Express Usage -- Creating Security Buffers -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 11: Automating Cleanup Tasks -- Creative Uses for Batch Files -- Controlling Execution Using If -- Giving the User Options Using Choice -- Executing a Command Multiple Times Using For -- Using the Task Scheduler -- Starting Task Scheduler -- Setting the Task Scheduler Options -- Creating Tasks -- Modifying Tasks -- Deleting and Renaming Tasks -- Using the AT Utility -- Listing Jobs Using AT -- Creating a Job with AT -- Deleting a Job with AT -- Combining the AT Utility with Task Scheduler -- Relying on Scripts -- Using CScript and WScript -- Configuring the Host and Property Page Options -- Accessing Common Windows Objects -- Using Custom Scripts for Common Tasks -- Scripting the Command Line and System Environment -- Scripting the Registry -- Let's Start Cleaning -- Chapter 12: When You Make a Mistake -- Fixing Operating System and Disk Problems -- Performing a Diagnostic -- Relying on Backups -- Relying on Restore Points -- Repairing Application Settings -- Restoring Settings Files -- Using Registry Settings Exports -- Manually Changing Settings -- Undoing Temporary Changes -- Restoring DLLs and Other Executables -- Getting Copies of Files -- Restoring DLL Registration -- Restoring One Too Many Service Changes -- Let's Start Fixing -- Appendix A: Additional Cleaning Tools -- Playing with Faber Toys -- Modifying the Windows Boot Cycle with Startup Mechanic -- Tracking System Activity with Process Explorer -- Using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer -- Using the IIS Lockdown Tool -- Examining Applications with Dependency Walker -- Determining Which DLLs Your Application Uses -- Profiling an Application -- Appendix B: 52 Quick Tips for Cleaning Windows -- Glossary -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J, L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S.

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