Only the wizards of Redmond would create two
versions of the same operating system, and then hide the best features of both by default and make
nuking the ones you don't want difficult. Here's how to turn on the good and turn off the bad.
|
FEATURE |
WHERE-WHAT IT IS/WHAT IT
DOES |
DEFAULT
SET.
PRO/HOME |
ACTIVATE/DEACTIVATE |
| Quick Launch
Toolbar |
Next to the Start button/launches
applications with a single click. |
On/Off |
Right-click the taskbar, select Properties, choose the
Taskbar tab, and check or uncheck Show Quick Launch.
Click OK. |
| My Recent
Documents |
On the Start menu/lists the 15
documents opened most
recently. |
On/Off |
Right-click the taskbar, select Properties, choose the
Start Menu tab, click Customize, select the Advanced
tab, and under Recent documents, check or uncheck List
my most recently open documents. Click OK twice. |
| Volume Icon |
In the system tray next to the
clock/adjusts your PC's volume.
|
Off/Off |
Click Start, Control Panel. In Category View, choose
Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices and click Sounds
and Audio Devices. In Classic View, double-click Sounds
and Audio Devices. Select the Volume tab, and in the
Device volume area, check Place volume icon on the
taskbar. |
| Clock |
In the system tray/shows the
current time.
|
On/On |
Right-click the taskbar, select Properties, choose the
Taskbar tab, and check or uncheck Show the clock. |
| Show File Name
Extensions |
In Explorer and folder
windows/shows file-type
extensions (.exe, .gif, and the
like).
|
Off/Off |
Launch Windows Explorer, click Tools, and select Folder
Options. Choose the View tab, and under 'Advanced
settings' uncheck Hide Extensions for Known File Types.
Click Apply to All Folders at the top of the dialog box,
choose Yes, and then click OK. |
| Search for Hidden
Files |
In Explorer and folder
windows/includes hidden files in
search results.
|
Off/Off |
Launch Windows Explorer, click Tools, and select Folder
Options. Choose the View tab and under 'Advanced
settings', check Show hidden files and folders. Click
Apply to All Folders at the top of the dialog box, choose
Yes, and click OK. |
| Windows XP Style |
The new interface/adds brighter
colors and bigger buttons. |
On/On |
Right-click the desktop and choose Properties. Click the
Appearance tab, and in the 'Windows and buttons' drop-down list, select Windows Classic style. Click OK. |
| Clear Type |
'More' option in Desktop
Properties/manages font-smoothing for LCD monitors. |
Off/Off |
Right-click the desktop and choose Properties. Click the
Appearance tab, select the Effects button, and check
Use the following method to smooth edges of screen
fonts. Click the drop-down arrow and select ClearType.
Click OK twice. |
| Passport |
Pop-up message/provides
access to Microsoft service. |
On/On |
The first five times you connect to the Web, XP pesters
you to sign up for a Passport account; then it gives up. If
you just can't wait for it to disable itself, click the
Passport message; when the .Net Messenger window
appears, click the Cancel button. |
| Word-Balloon Tips |
Pop-up messages/obscure
screen with tool tips for apps
supporting XP themes. |
On/On |
Download and install XP's PowerToys. Once it is
installed, click Start, All Programs, Powertoys for
Windows XP, TweakUI for Windows XP. Highlight
Taskbar in the left pane, and in the Settings area,
uncheck Enable balloon tips. Click OK. (Note: You can't
get rid of the Activation balloon until XP is activated.) |