Are you among those who are not able to access or see your folder options under File

Menu>>Tools in Windows Explorer on your Windows XP ? This problem of hidden or

disabled folder options occur normally due to malicious virus (w32.rontokbro@mm)
activity.

The virus creates an entry in registry to disable “Folder Options” in Windows explorer.

Let us see how we can fix it.

Fix:

In most of the cases, even if the virus is been already removed by your anti-virus
program, it doesn’t restore the registry back to the original state. Also anti-virus usually
does not delete the registry entry created by the virus.

For restoring the registry settings,follow the steps given below

Enable your folder options in explorer.

1. Go to Start > RUN

Folder options disabled by Virus / Trojan

Posted by Rohit in computer problems, how to fix, virus problems, windows, xp

Tags: folder-options, registry, troubleshooting, virus, windows, xp

25

Dec

Trouble:

Are you among those who are not able to access or see your folder options under File
Menu>>Tools in Windows Explorer on your Windows XP ? This problem of hidden or
disabled folder options occur normally due to malicious virus (w32.rontokbro@mm)
activity.

The virus creates an entry in registry to disable “Folder Options” in Windows explorer.

Let us see how we can fix it.

Fix:

In most of the cases, even if the virus is been already removed by your anti-virus
program, it doesn’t restore the registry back to the original state. Also anti-virus usually
does not delete the registry entry created by the virus.

For restoring the registry settings,follow the steps given below

Enable your folder options in explorer.

1. Go to Start > RUN

2. Type regedit and press enter.

3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows >

CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer

4. On the right side of the screen, you can see some registry entry names, out of them,
right-click on NoFolderOptions and click Modify option.

5.A new small screen pops up, on this screen, sen the value data field as 0 (zero).Press
OK.

That’s it but it requires reboot. Trouble Fixed.

If you don’t want to play with the registry yourself ,you can also download the registry
file and double click it to add it to the registry.
 How to disable Windows Scripting Host

These instructions explain how to tell whether Windows Scripting Host (WSH) is installed on your machine and how to disable the running of VBS
scripts. This can prevent some worms from infecting your computer.

When Windows, Internet Explorer or some other products are installed or upgraded, Windows Scripting Host might be reinstalled. You would then have
to repeat the procedures described below.

Important note: Some applications require Windows Scripting Host. They will cease to function if it is disabled or removed.

What to do

• Windows 98
• Windows 95
• Windows NT 4.0
• Windows 2000/Me/XP/2003

Windows 98

WSH is installed if you choose a standard installation of the operating system, or if you install Internet Explorer 5, or if you download WSH from
Microsoft.

To disable WSH, preventing scripts from being run:

1. From the Windows taskbar, select Start|Settings|Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel screen, double-click the 'Add/Remove programs' icon.
3. In the Add/Remove Programs window, open the Windows Setup tabbed page. Select 'Accessories' and double-click.

4. In the Accessories list, find 'Windows Scripting Host'.

5. Click on the check-box by 'Windows Scripting Host' to deselect it.
 6. Click 'OK' to return to the Add/Remove Programs window. Then click on 'OK'.

Windows 95

WSH is installed if you install Internet Explorer 5, or if you download WSH from Microsoft.

To prevent scripts with a .VBS extension from being run:

1. On the Desktop, or in 'Windows Explorer, right-click on 'My Computer'.

2. Select 'Open' from the menu.
3. In the My Computer window, open the View menu and select 'Options...'.
4. Open the File Types tabbed page.

5. These instructions explain how to tell whether Windows Scripting Host (WSH) is installed on your machine and look for
'VBScript Script File' in the list of file types (if you can't find it, you don't need to do anything else).
6. Click on the Remove button.
7. If you see a dialog asking you to confirm removal, click 'Yes'.

Windows NT 4.0

WSH is installed if you install Internet Explorer 5, or if you download WSH from Microsoft.

To prevent scripts with a .VBS extension from being run:

1. Log on as an administrator.
2. On the Desktop, or in Windows Explorer, right-click on 'My Computer'.
3. Select 'Open' from the menu.
4. In the My Computer window, open the View menu and select 'Options'.
5. Open the File Types tabbed page.
 6. Look for 'VBScript Script File' in the list of file types (if you can't find it, you don't need to do anything else).
7. Click on the 'Remove button.
8. If you see a dialog asking you to confirm removal, click 'Yes'.

Windows 2000/Me/XP/2003

WSH is installed by default.

To prevent scripts with a .VBS extension from being run:

1. Log on as an Administrator.
2. On the Desktop, or in Windows Explorer, right-click on 'My Computer'.
3. Select 'Open' from the menu.
4. In the My Computer window, open the Tools menu and select 'Folder Options'.
5. Open the File Types tabbed page.
 6. Look for 'VBScript Script File' in the list of file types (if you can't find it, you don't need to do anything else).
7. Click on the Delete button.
8. If you see a dialog asking you to confirm removal, click 'Yes'.

Removing the "Folder Options" menu involves modifying the Windows Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc).

Just follow the below listed steps.

1. Go to Start >> Run

Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

2. In the resulting window, navigate to the folder

User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows
Explorer.
Look for the key named "Removes the Folder Options menu from the Tools Menu".
Double-click the key and select Enable.
Click OK.
 3. To display the "Folder Options" menu, follow the previous steps and select the Not Configured

option for the "Removes the Folder Options menu from the Tools Menu" key.

If you like this, click here to get updates by email

We have received mails from some readers of Trouble Fixers about task manager is
disabled on their system suddenly.

Problem: It is due to some kind of virus/ trojan activity which normally disables the task
manager.Now due to this problem when ever the user press alt+ctrl+del to launch
windows task manager it gives an error saying “Task Manager is being disabled by your
administrator”.

Solution:

To Enable the Disabled Task Manager on your system

1. Press window key+r to show run prompt

2. Follow the following steps

Enter gpedit.msc in the run prompt and click OK

In the Group Policy settings window
Select User Configuration
Select Administrative Templates
Select System
Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete options
Select Remove Task Manager
Double-click the Remove Task Manager option’.
Set the property of this item as disabled.
For Those who use Windows XP Home Edition can use the registry to enable Task
Manager

1. open start >> run and type regedit

2. Navigate to the following path:

Hive:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Syste
m
3. You will find a registry key with name DisableTaskMgr of type: REG_DWORD
4. Double click the key with and set the Value to 0

5. Exit the registry and restart to see the effect.

Another most common problem faced due to virus infection is when certain types of virus
like rontokbro or brontok, disable command prompt, we have also covered the removal of
brontok virus.

There are also cases when the user reported that their computer restart when they try to
launch command prompt, or command prompt blinks for a second and nothing happens.

Let’s see how can you enable your command prompt again when it is disabled by a virus.

Fix:

There has been two most successful methods with which you can enable your disabled
command prompt.

Method 1:

The simplest method to get your command prompt back is to add a registry key , but you
should be having registry editing is enabled.

1. Open Start >> Run and type the following command ( or just copy it )
REG add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System /v DisableCMD /t
REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

2. Copy the above command and press Enter.

This will solve your trouble and your command prompt will be enabled.

Note: Method 1 may not work when your system is severely infected by a virus and even
the registry editing is disabled due to which you are not able to run the above command
from run prompt.

Method 2:

It involves a tool called RRT - Remove Restrictions Tool by sergiwa which can enable the
disabled command prompt by virus.

It also helps in removing other restrictions which are also caused due to virus infection
listed below.

Disable Folder Options

Disable Registry Tools
Disable Ctrl+Alt+Del
Disable Show hidden files & folders come with hidden attribute set to true!
Disable Run Command
Other than it also includes fixes for the removing 38 restrictions that are caused by
different types of viruses.

Note: Make sure you boot in to Safe Mode to use Remove Restrictions Tool (RRT). Just
click on the buttons and it’ll do it’s job.
The limited version is RRT tool is for FREE for personal use only. If you would like to
use the application in a business environment you are required to license the application.

Another most common problem faced due to virus infection is when certain types of virus
like rontokbro or brontok, disable command prompt, we have also covered the removal of
brontok virus.

There are also cases when the user reported that their computer restart when they try to
launch command prompt, or command prompt blinks for a second and nothing happens.

Let’s see how can you enable your command prompt again when it is disabled by a virus.

Fix:

There has been two most successful methods with which you can enable your disabled
command prompt.

Method 1:

The simplest method to get your command prompt back is to add a registry key , but you
should be having registry editing is enabled.

1. Open Start >> Run and type the following command ( or just copy it )

REG add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System /v DisableCMD /t

REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
2. Copy the above command and press Enter.

This will solve your trouble and your command prompt will be enabled.

Note: Method 1 may not work when your system is severely infected by a virus and even
the registry editing is disabled due to which you are not able to run the above command
from run prompt.

Method 2:

It involves a tool called RRT - Remove Restrictions Tool by sergiwa which can enable the
disabled command prompt by virus.

It also helps in removing other restrictions which are also caused due to virus infection
listed below.

Disable Folder Options

Disable Registry Tools
Disable Ctrl+Alt+Del
Disable Show hidden files & folders come with hidden attribute set to true!
Disable Run Command
Other than it also includes fixes for the removing 38 restrictions that are caused by
different types of viruses.

Note: Make sure you boot in to Safe Mode to use Remove Restrictions Tool (RRT). Just
click on the buttons and it’ll do it’s job.

The limited version is RRT tool is for FREE for personal use only. If you would like to
use the application in a business environment you are required to license the application.

We hope at least one of method given above will help to fix the trouble.
[ Download RRT ]

We have been receiving lots of mails from our readers having problems with the registry
editing on their system mostly because of virus activity.

Whenever they open Run and type regedit and press enter a message prompt appears
saying “Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator“.

Let’s see how can we fix it.

Fix:

There are two ways through which you can enable registry editing in windows XP

Method 1:

You can use a simple UnHookExec.inf to enable registry editing.

1. Download UnHookExec.inf

2. Right click on the downloaded file and select install.

Method 2:

For enabling you can also use the remove restrictions tool by Sergiwa.com, if the method
1 doesn’t work for you.

we have already posted how you can remove the restrictions imposed by the virus with
RRT

1. First Download Remove Restrictions Tool

2. Run and check the registry tools and click apply.

Method 3:

if the above two methods does not work for you , you can also try executing a small
vbscript which I found on major geeks.

1. First Download EnableRegEdit.vbs

2. Double click on the downloaded file to enable registry editing.

We hope at least one of the above will help to fix the trouble

We have received mails from some readers of Trouble Fixers about task manager is
disabled on their system suddenly.

Problem: It is due to some kind of virus/ trojan activity which normally disables the task
manager.Now due to this problem when ever the user press alt+ctrl+del to launch
windows task manager it gives an error saying “Task Manager is being disabled by your
administrator”.

Solution:

To Enable the Disabled Task Manager on your system

1. Press window key+r to show run prompt

2. Follow the following steps

Enter gpedit.msc in the run prompt and click OK

In the Group Policy settings window
Select User Configuration
Select Administrative Templates
Select System
Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete options
Select Remove Task Manager
Double-click the Remove Task Manager option’.
Set the property of this item as disabled.
For Those who use Windows XP Home Edition can use the registry to enable Task
Manager

1. open start >> run and type regedit

2. Navigate to the following path:

Hive:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Syste
m
3. You will find a registry key with name DisableTaskMgr of type: REG_DWORD
4. Double click the key with and set the Value to 0
5. Exit the registry and restart to see the effect.

If you still get problems in enabling the disabled task manager on your windows XP
system

Windows script host Problem

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1- your comp has a virus

2- you can get rid of the message by
start > run > type "msconfig"> go to 'startup' tab > uncheck all the stuff you don't wan't
loading at startup

3- get a proper anti virus for your comp

Symptom
When you try to open Task Manager, the following error may occur:

Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator

Resolution
This error is caused if the DisableTaskMgr restriction is enabled. To enable Task
Manager, try one of these methods:

IMPORTANT: If this restriction was enabled in your system without you doing anything
or without your knowledge, then it's highly likely that a Virus has blocked the usage of
Task Manager in your system by enabling the DisableTaskMgr policy via the registry. I
strongly suggest that you perform a thorough checkup of your system immediately. Steps
listed in the Resolution section of this article helps you unblock the Task Manager, but
that does not remove the Virus (if any) from your system.
Method 1
Click Start, Run and type this command exactly as given below: (better - Copy and paste)

Method 2
Download and run this REG fix and double-click it.

Method 3
Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
Navigate to the following branch:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies\
System
In the right-pane, delete the value named DisableTaskMgr
Close Regedit.exe
Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor - for Windows XP Professional
Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Navigate to this branch:
User Configuration / Administrative Templates / System / Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options /
Remove Task Manager

Double-click the Remove Task Manager option.

Set the policy to Not Configured.

How To Enable Folder Options in Windows Explorer

Click Start
Click Run
Type REGEDIT
Click OK
The Registry Editor will now open
Browse to the following key:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Note: HKCU stands for HKEY_CURRENT_USER
In the right pane, look for the value: NoFolderOptions
Right click NoFolderOptions and select Delete. (When prompted with "Are you sure you
want to delete this value", select Yes.
Now browse to the following key:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Note: HKLM stands for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
In the right pane, look for the value: NoFolderOptions
Right click NoFolderOptions and select Delete. (When prompted with "Are you sure you
want to delete this value", select Yes.
Close the Registry by choosing File | Exit
You should now be able to access the Folder Options menu. If not, reboot into Safe Mode
and repeat the steps outlined above.
Backup / Restore the Registry

To Backup/Restore the Windows Registry: Windows 9x For XP 2000 click here

If you are in MSDOS, at the C:\Windows prompt type

Attrib -s -r -h C:\Windows\System.dat (press Enter)
Attrib -s -r -h C:\Windows\User.dat (press Enter)
To make the backup copies type:

copy C:\Windows\System.dat C:\Windows\System.000 (press Enter)

copy C:\Windows\User.dat C:\Windows\user.000 (press Enter)
To Restore the Registry
copy C:\Windows\System.000 C:\Windows\System.dat (press Enter)
copy C:\Windows\User.000 C:\Windows\user.dat (press Enter)
Add Open With to all files

You can add "Open With..." to the Right click context menu of all files.This is great for
when you have several programs you want to open the same file types with. I use three
different text editors so I added it to the ".txt" key.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell
3. Add a new Key named "OpenWith" by right clicking the "Shell" Key and selecting
new
4. Set the (Default) to "Op&en With..."
5. Add a new Key named "Command" by right clicking the "OpenWith" Key and
selecting new
6. Set the (Default) to "C:\Windows\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1", C:\
being your Windows drive. You must enter the "OpenAs_RunDLL %1" exactly this way.

Customize the System Tray

You can add your name or anything you like that consists of 8 characters or less. This will
replace the AM or PM next to the system time. But you can corrupt some trial licenses of
software that you may have downloaded.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International
3. Add two new String values, "s1159" and "s2359"
4. Right click the new value name and modify. Enter anything you like up to 8 characters.

If you enter two different values when modifying, you can have the system tray display
the two different values in the AM and PM.

Lock Out Unwanted Users

Want to keep people from accessing Windows, even as the default user? If you do not
have a domain do not attempt this.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network\Logon
3. Create a dword value "MustBeValidated"
4. Set the value to 1
This forced logon can be bypassed in Safe Mode on Windows 9x

Disable the Outlook Express Splash Screen

You can make OutLook Express load quicker by disabling the splash screen:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OutLook Express
3. Add a string value "NoSplash"
4. Set the value data to 1 as a Dword value

Multiple Columns For the Start Menu

To make Windows use multiple Start Menu Columns instead of a single scrolling column,
like Windows 9x had, Also if you are using Classic Mode in XP

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\
Advanced
3. Create a string value "StartMenuScrollPrograms"
4. Right click the new string value and select modify
5. Set the value to "FALSE"

Changing Windows' Icons

You can change the Icons Windows uses for folders, the Start Menu, opened and closed
folder in the Explorer, and many more.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\
Shell Icons
3. Add a string value for each Icon you wish to change.
Example: "3" ="C:\Windows\Icons\MyIcon.ico,0" This will change the closed folders in
the Explorer to "MyIcon.ico". Here is a complete list for each value.

0= Unknown file type

1= MSN file types
2= Applications Generic
3= Closed Folder
4= Open Folder
5= 5.25" Drive
6= 3.25" Drive
7= Removable Drive
8= Hard Drive
9= NetWork Drive
10= Network Drive Offline
11= CD-ROM Drive
12= RAM Drive
13= Entire Network 14= Network Hub
15= My Computer
16= Printer
17= Network Neighborhood
18= Network Workgroup
19= Start Menu's Program Folders
20= Start Menu's Documents
21= Start Menu's Setting
22= Start Menu's Find
23= Start Menu's Help
24= Start Menu's Run
25= Start Menu's Suspend
26= Start Menu's PC Undock
27= Start Menu's Shutdown 28= Shared
29= Shortcut Arrow
30= (Unknown Overlay)
31= Recycle Bin Empty
32= Recycle Bin Full
33= Dial-up Network
34= DeskTop
35= Control Panel
36= Start Menu's Programs
37= Printer Folder
38= Fonts Folder
39= Taskbar Icon
40= Audio CD

You need to reboot after making changes. You may need to delete the hidden file
ShellIconCache if after rebooting the desired Icons are not displayed.

Change Default Folder Locations

You can change or delete the Windows mandatory locations of folder like My
Documents:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Explorer\ Shell Folders
3. Change the desired folder location, My Documents is normally list as "Personal"
4. Open the Explorer and rename or create the folder you wish.

To change the desired location of the Program Files folder

1. Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
2. Change the value of "ProgramFiles", or "ProgramFilesDir"
Now when you install a new program it will default to the new location you have
selected.

Change the Registered Change the User Information

You can change the Registered Owner or Registered Organization to anything you want
even after Windows is installed.

1) Open RegEdit
2) Got to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion.
3) Change the value of "RegisteredOrganization" or "RegisteredOwner", to what ever you
want

Opening a DOS Window to either the Drive or Directory in Explorer

Add the following Registry Keys for a Directory:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew
@="Dos Prompt in that Directory"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\opennew\command
@="command.com /k cd %1"

Add or Edit the following Registry Keys for a Drive:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew
@="Dos Prompt in that Drive"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\opennew\command
@="command.com /k cd %1"

These will allow you to right click on either the drive or the directory and the option of
starting the dos prompt will pop up.

Changing Exchange/Outlook Mailbox Location

To change the location of your mailbox for Exchange:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows Messaging Subsystem\
Profiles
3. Go to the profile you want to change
4. Go to the value name that has the file location for your mailbox (*.PST) file
5. Make the change to file location or name

To change the location of your mailbox for Outlook

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Outlook (or Outlook Express if
Outlook Express)
3. Go to the section "Store Root"
4. Make the change to file location

Add/Remove Sound Events from Control Panel

You can Add and delete sounds events in the Control Panel. In order to do that:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Eventlabels. If this key does not exist
you can create it and add events.
3. You can add/delete any items you want to or delete the ones you no longer want.

Adding an Application to the Right Click on Every Folder

Here is how to add any application to the Context Menu when you right click on any
Folder. This way you do not have to always go to the Start Menu. When you right click
on any folder, you can have access to that application, the same as using Sent To.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
3. Add a new Key to the "Shell" Key and name it anything you like.
4. Give it a default value that will appear when you right click a folder, i.e. NewKey (use
an "&" without the quotes, in front of any character and it will allow you to use the
keyboard)
5. Click on the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\NewKey
6. Add a New Key named Command
7. Set the (Default) value of the application you want to run
8. For example: c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe (Include the full path and
parameters if you need them)

Adding Explore From Here to Every Folder

When you want to right click on any folder and want to open up an Explorer window of
that folder.

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
3. Add a new Key "RootExplore " under the "Shell" Key
4. Set the (Default) value to "E&xplore From Here "
5. Right Click the "RootExplore " Key and add a new Key "Command"to the
RootExplore
6. Set the (Default) value of Explorer.exe /e,/root,/idlist,%i
Changing the Location of Windows' Installation Files

If you need to change the drive and or path where Windows looks for its installation files:
1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Setup
3.Edit the value next to SourcePath

Creating a Logon Banner

If you want to create a Logon Banner: A message box to appear below your logon on.

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go To
For Windows 9x and ME -
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Winlogon

For Windows 2000 XP 2003 Vista -

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Winlogon

3.Create a new String value"LegalNoticeCaption "

4. Enter the Title of the window. What is displayed in the Title Bar.
5. Create a new string value "LegalNoticeText"
6. Enter the text for your message box that will appear even before the Logon window.

Creating a Default File Opener

If you have a un-registered file type and want to view it instead of having to select Open
With. Use Explorer's Right-click and add your program to the right-click options by:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\Shell
3. Right click on "Shell" and create a New Key and name it "Open "
4. Create a New Key under the "Open" key you just created and name it "Command"
5. Set the (Default) value to the path and filename of the program you want to use to open
the file type
6. For example: C:\Windows\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
You must use the "%1" for this to work.and a space between the exe and the %1

Deleting Registry Keys from the Command Line

There are two ways to delete a key from the Registry from the Command line. At the
Windows Command line:
RegEdit /l location of System.dat /R location of User.dat /D Registry key to delete
You cannot be in Windows at the time you use this switch.

Or you can create a reg file as such:

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\the key you want to delete]

Note the negative sign just behind the[
Then at the Command line type:
1. RegEdit C:\Windows\(name of the regfile).

Change/Add Restrictions And Features

If you want to make restrictions to what users can do or use on their computer without
having to run Poledit, you can edit the Registry. You can add and delete Windows
features in this Key shown below.

Zero is Off and the value 1 is On. Example: to Save Windows settings add or modify the
value name NoSaveSettings to 0, if set to1 Windows will not save settings. And
NoDeletePrinter set to 1 will prevent the user from deleting a printer.

The same key shows up at:

HKEY_USERS\(yourprofilename)\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Policies\ Explorer so change it there also if you are using different profiles.

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ CurrentVersion\ Policies
3.Go to the Explorer Key (Additional keys that can be created under Policies are System,
Explorer, Network and WinOldApp )
4.You can then add DWORD or binary values set to 1 in the appropriate keys for ON and
0 for off.
NoDeletePrinter - Disables Deletion of Printers
NoAddPrinter - Disables Addition of Printers
NoRun - Disables Run Command
NoSetFolders - Removes Folders from Settings on Start Menu
NoSetTaskbar - Removes Taskbar from Settings on Start Menu
NoFind - Removes the Find Command
NoDrives - Hides Drives in My Computers
NoNetHood - Hides the Network Neighborhood
NoDesktop - Hides all icons on the Desktop
NoClose - Disables Shutdown
NoSaveSettings - Don't save settings on exit
DisableRegistryTools - Disable Registry Editing Tools
NoRecentDocsMenu - Hides the Documents shortcut at the Start button
NoRecentDocsHistory- Clears history of Documents
NoFileMenu _ Hides the Files Menu in Explorer
NoActiveDesktop - No Active Desktop
NoActiveDesktopChanges- No changes allowed
NoInternetIcon - No Internet Explorer Icon on the Desktop
NoFavoritesMenu - Hides the Favorites menu
NoChangeStartMenu _ Disables changes to the Start Menu
NoFolderOptions _ Hides the Folder Options in the Explorer
ClearRecentDocsOnExit - Empty the recent Docs folder on reboot
NoLogoff - Hides the Log Off .... in the Start Menu

And here are a few more you can play with

ShowInfoTip
NoTrayContextMenu
NoStartMenuSubFolders
NoWindowsUpdate
NoViewContextMenu
EnforceShellExtensionSecurity
LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo
NoDriveTypeAutoRun
NoStartBanner
NoSetActiveDesktop
EditLevel
NoNetConnectDisconnect
RestrictRun - Disables all exe programs except those listed in the RestrictRun subkey
This key has many other available keys, there is one to even hide the taskbar, one to hide
the control panel and more. I'm not telling you how, as someone may want to play a trick
on you. The policies key has a great deal of control over how and what program can run
and how one can access what feature.

In the System key you can enter:

NoDispCPL - Disable Display Control Panel
NoDispBackgroundPage - Hide Background Page
NoDispScrSavPage - Hide Screen Saver Page
NoDispAppearancePage - Hide Appearance Page
NoDispSettingsPage - Hide Settings Page
NoSecCPL - Disable Password Control Panel
NoPwdPage - Hide Password Change Page
NoAdminPage - Hide Remote Administration Page
NoProfilePage - Hide User Profiles Page
NoDevMgrPage - Hide Device Manager Page
NoConfigPage - Hide Hardware Profiles Page
NoFileSysPage - Hide File System Button
NoVirtMemPage - Hide Virtual Memory Button

In the Network key you can enter:

NoNetSetup - Disable the Network Control Panel
NoNetSetupIDPage - Hide Identification Page
NoNetSetupSecurityPage - Hide Access Control Page
NoFileSharingControl - Disable File Sharing Controls
NoPrintSharing - Disable Print Sharing Controls

In the WinOldApp key you can enter:

Disabled - Disable MS-DOS Prompt
NoRealMode - Disables Single-Mode MS-DOS

Automatic Screen Refresh

When you make changes to your file system and use Explorer, the changes are not
usually displayed until you press the F5 key
To refresh automatically:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Update
3. Set the value name "UpdateMode" to 1

Disable Password Caching

To disable password caching, which allows for the single Network login and eliminates
the secondary Windows logon screen. Either use the same password or:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Policies\ Network
3. Add a Dword value "DisablePwdCaching" and set the value to 1

Changing the MaxMTU for faster Downloads

There are four Internet settings that can be configured, you can get greater throughput
(faster Internet downloads) by modifying a few settings.
They are the MaxMTU, MaxMSS and DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlset\ Services\ Class\ net\ 000x
(where x is your particular network adapter binding.)
3.Right click on the right panel
4.Select New\String Value and create the value name IPMTU
5.Double click on it and enter then the number you want. The usual change is to 576
6.Similarly, you can add IPMSS and give it a value of 536
(Windows 9X)You can set DefaultRcvWindow, and DefaultTTL by adding these string
values to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlset\ Services\ VXD\
MSTCP
Set the DefaultRcvWindow to"5840"and the DefaultTTL to "128"

Note: These settings will slow down your network access speed slightly, but you will
probably not even see the difference if you are using a network card. If you are using
Direct Cable you should see a sight difference.

Adding Items to the Start Button

To add items when you right-click on the Start Button:

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell
3.Right-click on Shell and select New Key
4.Type in the name of the key and press the Enter key
5.In the Default name that shows in the right hand panel, you can add a title with a "&"
character in front of the letter for a shortcut
6.Right-click on the key you just created and create another key under it called command
7.For the value of this command, enter the full path and program you want to execute
8.Now when you right click on the Start Button, your new program will be there.
9.For example, if you want Word to be added, you would add that as the first key, the
default in the right panel would be &Word so when you right click on the Start Button,
the W would be the Hot Key on your keyboard. The value of the key would be
C:\Program Files\Office\Winword\Winword.exe

Remove Open, Explore & Find from Start Button

When you right click on the Start Button, you can select Open, Explore or Find.
Open shows your Programs folder. Explore starts the Explorer and allows access to all
drives.
Find allows you to search and then run programs. In certain situations you might want to
disable this feature.
To remove them:
1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell\Find
3.Delete Find
4.Scroll down below Directory to Folder
5.Expand this section under shell
6.Delete Explore and Open
Caution: - When you remove Open, you cannot open any folders.

Removing Items from NEW Context Menu

When you right-click on the desktop and select New, or use the File Menu item in the
Explore and select New a list of default templates you can open up are listed.
To remove items from that list:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Do a Search for the string ShellNew in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Hive
3. Delete the ShellNew command key for the items you want to remove.

Changing Telnet Window

You can view more data if you increase the line count of Telnet. By Default it has a
window size of 25 lines. To increase this so you can scroll back and look at a larger
number on lines:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Telnet
3. Modify the value data of "Rows"

Changing the Tips of the Day

You can edit the Tips of the day in the Registry by going to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
explorer\ Tips

Disabling Drives in My Computer

To turn off the display of local or networked drives when you click on My Computer:
1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Policies\
Explorer
3.Add a New DWORD item and name it NoDrives
4.Give it a value of 3FFFFFF
5.Now when you click on My Computer, none of your drives will show.

Changing the caption on the Title Bar

Change the Caption on the Title Bar for OutLook Express or the Internet Explorer:
For Outlook Express:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OutLook Express
For IE5 and up use:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\IDENTITIES \{9DDDACCO-38F2-11D6-93CA-
812B1F3493B}\ SOFTWARE\ MICROSOFT\ OUTLOOK EXPRESS\5.0
3. Add a string value "WindowTitle" (no space)
4. Modify the value to what ever you like.

For no splash screen, add a dword value "NoSplash" set to 1

The Key {9DDDACCO-38F2-11D6-93CA-812B1F3493B} can be any key you find
here. Each user has his own Key number.
The Key 5.0 is whatever version of IE you have

For Internet Explorer:

1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
3. Add a string value "Window Title" (use a space)
4. Modify the value to what ever you like.

Disabling the Right-Click on the Start Button

Normally, when you right button click on the Start button, it allows you to open your
programs folder, the Explorer and run Find.
In situations where you don't want to allow users to be able to do this in order to secure
your computer.
1.Open RegEdit
2.Search for Desktop
3.This should bring you to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory
4.Expand this section
5.Under Shell is Find
6.Delete Find
7.Move down a little in the Registry to Folder
8.Expand this section and remove Explore and Open
Now when you right click on the Start button, nothing should happen.
You can delete only those items that you need.
Note: - On Microsoft keyboards, this also disables the Window-E (for Explorer) and
Window-F
(for Find) keys.
See the section on Installation in the RESKIT to see how to do this automatically during
an install.

Disabling My Computer

In areas where you are trying to restrict what users can do on the computer, it might be
beneficial to disable the ability to click on My Computer and have access to the drives,
control panel etc.
To disable this:
1.Open RegEdit
2.Search for 20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D
3.This should bring you to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID section
4.Delete the entire section.
Now when you click on My Computer, nothing will happen.
You might want to export this section to a Registry file before deleting it just in case you
want to enable it again. Or you can rename it to 20D0HideMyComputer4FE0-3AEA-
1069-A2D8-08002B30309D. You can also hide all the Desktop Icons, see Change/Add
restrictions.

Opening Explorer from My Computer

By default, when you click on the My Computer icon, you get a display of all your
drives, the Control Panel etc. If you would like to have this open the Explorer:
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\
Shell
3 . Add a new Key named "Open" if it does not exists by right clicking "Shell" and
selecting new.
4. . Add a new Key named "Command" by right clicking "Open" and selecting new
5. Set the (Default) value for the Command Key to "Explorer.exe" or
"C:\Windows\Explorer.exe"

Recycle Bin Edits

Fooling with the recycle bin. Why not make the icon context menu act like other icon
context menus.
Add rename to the menu:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\
ShellFolder
"Attributes"=hex:50,01,00,20
Add delete to the menu:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\
ShellFolder
"Attributes"=hex:60,01,00,20
Add rename and delete to the menu:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
\ShellFolder
"Attributes"=hex:70,01,00,20
Restore the recycle bin to Windows defaults including un-deleting the icon after deletion:
Restore the icon.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows \CurrentVersion\
explorer\
Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
@="Recycle Bin"
Reset Windows defaults.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
\ShellFolder
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,00,20
Other edits to the recycle bin icon:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\
ShellFolder
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,01,20 ... standard shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,02,20 ... a different shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,04,20 ... and still another shortcut arrow
"Attributes"=hex:40,01,08,20 ... make it look disabled (like it's been cut)

For Windows XP and 2000 also edit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\

Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ CLSID\ {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-
00AA002F954E}
For Windows ME also edit HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\ Classes\ CLSID\
{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Setting the Minimum Password Length

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\
Policies\ Network
3. Now, choose the Edit/New/Binary value command and call the new value
MinPwdLen. Press Enter twice and Assign it a value equal to your minimum password
length.

Add\delete programs to run every time Windows starts

You can start or stop programs from executing at boot up by adding or deleting them
to/from the run Keys in the Registry. Windows loads programs to start in the following
order; Program listed in the Local Machine hive, then the Current User hive, then
theWin.ini Run= and Load = lines. then finally programs in your Start Up folder.

To add or remove programs in the Registry

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to the desired Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows \CurrentVersion \Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows \CurrentVersion
\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows \CurrentVersion \Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows \CurrentVersion
\RunServices
3. Add a new String Value and name it anything you like
4. For the value data, enter the path and executable for the program you want to run.

By adding the value to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive instead allows the program to
start only when that user is logged on.

If you add the value to the RunOnce key the program will run once and be removed from
the key by Windows.
Removing the Shortcut Icon Arrows

1.Open RegEdit
2.Open the Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
3.Open the Key LNKFILE
4.Delete the value IsShortcut
5.Open the next Key PIFFILE
6.Delete the value IsShortcut
7.Restart the Windows

Turn Off Window Animation

You can shut off the animation displayed when you minimize and maximize Windows.
1. Open RegEdit
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control panel \Desktop\ WindowMetrics
3. Create a new string value "MinAnimate".
4. Set the value data of 0 for Off or 1 for On

Changing your Modem's Initialization String

1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet \Services \Class \Modem \0000
\Init
3.Change the settings to the new values

Increasing the Modem Timeout

If your modem it is timing out during file transfers or loading Web Pages, you might try
increasing the timeout period. To change the Time Out::
1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Services\ Class\
Modem\ XXXX\ Settings Where XXXX is the number of your modem
3. In the right panel and double click on Inactivity Timeout
4.The number of minutes for a timeout should be entered between the brackets.
5.For example, a setting could have S19=<10> to set it to 10 minutes.

Removing Programs from Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs Section

If you uninstalled a program by deleting the files, it may still show up in the Add/Remove
programs list in the Control Panel.
In order to remove it from the list.
1.Open RegEdit
2.Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\
CurrentVersion\ Uninstall
3.Delete any programs here.
If you have a problem locating the desired program open each key and view the
DisplayName value

The Fix for Grayed Out Boxes

The File Types tab in Explorer's View / Options menu lets you edit most of your file
types, but certain settings cannot be changed. The default action for a batch file, for
instance, runs the batch file instead of opening it via Notepad or Wordpad. Thus, when
you double-click on AUTOEXEC.BAT, a DOS window opens, and the file executes. If
you want to change this default action and edit a batch file when you double-click on it,
however, the File Types tab does not let you do so; the Set Default button for the file type
called MS-DOS Batch File is always grayed out.

The button is grayed out because HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT's batfile key contains an

EditFlag value entry. Such entries are used throughout the Registry to prevent novice
users from altering certain system settings. The binary data in batfile's EditFlag reads d0
04 00 00. If you change this value to 00 00 00 00, you can then change any of the batch
file settings. Do not, however, indiscriminately zero out EditFlag; if you do so in a
system ProgID such as Drive or AudioCD, it completely disappears from the File Types
list. For ProgIDs that are linked to extensions, set all EditFlags to 00 00 00 00. For
system ProgIDs, replace EditFlag data with 02 00 00 00.

If you wish to have access to some buttons while leaving others grayed out, you must
know the function of each EditFlag bit. The last two bytes of data are always zero, but
most bits within the first two bytes have a specific effect:

Byte 1, bit 1: Removes the file type from the master list in the File Types tab (select View
/ Options under Explorer) if it has an associated extension.
Byte 1, bit 2: Adds the file type to the File Types tab if it does not have an associated
extension.
Byte 1, bit 3: Identifies a type with no associated extension.
Byte 1, bit 4: Grays out the Edit button in the File Types tab.
Byte 1, bit 5: Grays out the Remove button in the File Types tab.
Byte 1, bit 6: Grays out the New button in the Edit File Type dialog (select the Edit
button in the File Types tab).
Byte 1, bit 7: Grays out the Edit button in the Edit File Type dialog.
Byte 1, bit 8: Grays out the Remove button in the Edit File Type dialog.
Byte 2, bit 1: Prevents you from editing a file type's description in the Edit File Type
dialog.
Byte 2, bit 2: Grays out the Change Icon button in the Edit File Type dialog.
Byte 2, bit 3: Grays out the SetDefault button in the Edit File Type dialog.
Byte 2, bit 4: Prevents you from editing an action's description in the Edit Action dialog
(select the Edit button in the Edit File Type dialog).
Byte 2, bit 5: Prevents you from editing the command line in the Edit Action dialog.
Byte 2, bit 6: Prevents you from setting DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) fields in the Edit
Action dialog.
The EditFlags value for Drive, for instance, is d2 01 00 00 in Hex (1101 0010 0000 0001
in binary). Bits 2, 5, 7, and 8 are on in byte 1, and bit 1 is on in byte 2. The EditFlag for
batfile is d0 04 00 00 in Hex or 1101 0000 0000 0100 in binary. In this case, bits 5, 7, and
8 are on in byte 1, and bit 3 is on in byte 2.

Bits 4, 5, and 6 of byte 2 apply only to actions that are protected. EditFlags with action
keys (such as HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell\open) determine protection. If byte
1, bit 1 of such an EditFlag is 0 (or if there is no EditFlag), then the action is protected. If
byte 1, bit 1 is 1, then the action is unprotected.

Protection on system files

To enable protection on system files such as the KnownDLLs list, add the following
value;

1. Open RegEdit
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Control\ SessionManager
3. Create the a Dword value and name it "ProtectionMode "
4. Set the Value to1

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Removing Add/Remove Programs Entries From RegEdit

Generally we use Add/Remove programs option in Control Panel to remove any

unwanted program from our computer. Normally this may be due to poorly designed
uninstaller with this program. That is why some programs may not be removed properly
and a reference to this program remains in the computer registry. This reference in
registry may be creating problems to run your computer smoothly. Here you need to
delete this reference to edit your computer registry using RegEdit editor.

First go to Start button and open Run dialog box. Type here RegEdit and press Enter.

Now in editor Navigate to the given path

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
.

Here locate the entry created by your program with its name and select that entry from
the list on the left panel and delete its key.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer, the program will be removed from
your computer permanently