Windows XP Pocket Reference

Registry Tweaks

Each of the following tweaks points to a Registry path, and then describes the value (or values) that need to be modified. If any of the keys or values specified don't exist on your system, simply create them as directed. The topics covered include Files, Folders, and File Types (next), Performance Tweaks, and User Account and Network Settings.

Files, Folders, and File Types

These next few settings deal with file types, which affect files, folders, Desktop icons, and other objects.

Add Delete and Rename to the Recycle Bin's context menu

Location

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-
00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder\

Directions

Set the Attributes value to 70 01 00 20 for Delete and Rename, or 50 01 00 20 for Rename only (the default is 40 01 00 20). Then, right-click the Recycle Bin and select Rename or Delete.

Hide all Desktop icons

Location

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Directions

Create a binary value called NoDesktop and set it to 01 00 00 00 to hide all Desktop icons. Delete the NoDesktop value to restore the Desktop icons.

Redirect the My Computer icon

Location

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE03AEA-1069-A2D8-
08002B30309D}\shell

Directions

Set the (Default) value to Open. Then, create a key named Open, and then another named Command (inside Open). Set the (Default) value to the command line to launch (such as \Windows\Explorer.exe).

Get rid of the Shared Documents folder

Location

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ ...