Fixing Windows XP Annoyances

Chapter 1. Windows Interface

You can rearrange the furniture in your office, put your favorite tchotchkes on the shelves, and prune your plants any way you like. So why can’t you customize Windows to your heart’s content?

In fact, Windows XP is surprisingly pliable. This is fortunate, because one of the best ways to deal with many Windows annoyances is to tweak, customize, or otherwise hack the operating system to eradicate them.

GENERAL INTERFACE

Snappy Scrolling

THE ANNOYANCE: When I scroll a folder in Windows Explorer or a web page in Internet Explorer, it acts “sticky,” as though it needs oiling. I presume oiling my monitor is out of the question, but there’s got to be a way to make scrolling snappier.

THE FIX: Microsoft calls this behavior “smooth scrolling,” and fortunately, you can turn it off. For this, you’ll need a Microsoft program called TweakUI (free, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx). Click the Explorer category on the left side of the window (Figure 1-1), and on the right side, uncheck the “Enable smooth scrolling” box. Click Apply when you’re done.

To turn off smooth scrolling in web pages, in Internet Explorer select Tools → Internet Options, and click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the Browsing section, uncheck the “Use smooth scrolling” box, and click OK.

Figure 1-1. Turn off smooth scrolling to make scrolling windows ...