Change the Location of System and Special Folders

All Windows

Windows keeps a number of special folders such as "My Documents", "Desktop", "Favorites" and the "Start Menu". These folders can be moved anywhere on you system and the new location updated in this key.

• Open your registry and find the key below, listed are all the Windows special folders.
• Note the current location of the folder you want to move, and then using explorer move the folder to the new location.
• Edit the value in the key below for the folder you moved to reflect the new directory location.
• Log off or restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Registry Settings

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
User Shell Folders]

Creating Program Aliases in Windows

All Windows

A hidden feature in the Windows registry allows you to create program aliases. Allowing you to create, for example, an alias called JBLOGGS.EXE that when executed actually runs another program, e.g. NOTEPAD.EXE

• Open your registry and find the key below, below it should be a number of sub-keys.
• To create a new alias create a sub-key, and call it the name of the alias you wish to create (e.g. "JBLOGGS.EXE").
• Modify the (default) value of the sub-key to equal the fully qualified path and filename of the application you want to be launched when you execute the alias (e.g. "c:\windows\notepad.exe").
• Exit your registry and to test use the Start -> Run command type in the name of your alias (i.e. "JBLOGGS.EXE") and the aliased program should be launched, in this case Notepad.

Registry Settings

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths]
Value Name: (Default)
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: Filename (e.g. c:\windows\notepad.exe)

Use Windows Update Without Registration

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

Windows Update is a useful feature but to ensure your privacy you may not want to register your personal details before being able to use it. With this tip you can bypass the registration process.

• Open your registry and find the key below for your Windows version.
• Windows 2000 and XP
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion]
• Windows 98 and Me [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
• Create a new string value called 'RegDone', or modify the existing value, to equal '1'.
• Check that the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Welcome\RegWiz] exists, if it doesn't then create a new key.
• Next time you run Windows Update it should not ask you to complete the registration process.

Note: This will not bypass Windows XP product activation which is compulsory on all consumer versions of Windows XP Home and Professional.

Registry Settings

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
Value Name: RegDone
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)