Change Location of Windows 9x's Installation Files
Modifying the string will change the path that the Windows 95 setup program will look for the installation files.
Goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
Value Name: SourcePath
Data: D:\WIN95
Cleanup of Windows95 Pre-Installed by OEM
Manufactures who pre-install Windows 95 such as Compaq and IBM install unwanted drives in the Registry.
PC does not have a CD-Rom:- Check Registries for CD-ROM driver loaded in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run for MSCDEX.EXE.
PC does NOT have a Modem: - Remove Dial-up Adapter from the Network under Control Panel.
Stop asking me for Win95 disk
After copying the Cab files to a directory on your hard drive open Regedit.exe and hit Ctrl-F.
Go To:
HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup.
Pick edit, modify and type the path to the Cabinet files.
Example;
C:\Windows\Win95\.
Exit Regedit and restart Windows.
Now when you make changes on your computer, Windows 95 will not ask for the Windows disks.
Win98 Bug
A bug in Win98 was found, it will set BootKeys=0 in MsDos.sys.
This means, you can't boot in the Command Prompt Only or any of the MS-DOS startup menu.
ERS98 will notify you to make an ERS bootdisk if BootKeys=0 found in MsDos.sys so you can boot in MS-DOS and restore from ERS98.
To be sure that BootKeys=0 is set to BootKeys=1, click Start\Programs\Windows Explorer,
click View\Folder Option and click the View Tab, there select Show all files.
Go to the root directory C, right click MsDos.sys and deselect Read Only and click OK,
double click MsDos.sys and select to open it with Notepad, in the very bottom be sure that BootKeys=1.
Open New Window
If you're browsing through folder windows, it's usually nice to have Win95/98 set to use a single window that changes when you open a new folder.
However, if you want to copy or move files around, you should be able to quickly open a separate window or folder.
This can be done by holding the CTRL key as you double-click, but it would be nice to have this option on the right-click menu, next to "Open" and "Explore".
To add this option to the drop down menu, open Regedit and go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Default Icon\shell\shellex
Under "Shell" add a new key called "opennew"
Modify its (Default) value to say "Open New &Window" (no quotes).
Then, add another key under "opennew"
Call this one "command" and set its (Default) value to "explorer %1"
One negative effect is that "Open New Window" will also appear when you right-click on the Start Button, which is completely pointless because it does that anyway.
Creating Program Aliases in 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
Goto;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
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 your new sub-key to equal the full path and filename of the application you want to be launched when you execute the alias e.g. 'c:\windows\notepad.exe'.
Exit the 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.
Windows Folders Save Settings
Open the registry and go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Double click NoSaveSettings and modify, set value to 0, to save settings, 1 not to save settings.
Value should look like this
0x00000000 (0)
instead of
0x00000001 (1)
Edit Windows TIPS
The following are just some of the keys where you can edit the tips windows gives you:
Recycle Bin
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
contains deleted items you can permanently remove or restore
My Computer
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
displays the contents of your computer
Windows User Tips
H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\explorer\Tips
Here's how to add new User Tips to the Welcome to Windows 95 Dialog Box that appears at Windows 95 system start-up:
1. Go to the very end of the list of existing User Tips. (Win95 comes with 50 Tips pre-loaded)
2. To add a new String Value, right click with your mouse at the end of the list.
3. Select NEW.
4. Type the next highest number from what's listed directly next to the ab.
5. Press ENTER.
6. Right click again on the number value just created.
7. Select MODIFY.
8. In the box marked VALUE DATA, type whatever new User Tip you prefer.
9. When you are positive you typed is what intended, select OK.
Now, close the Registry Editor, and restart Windows 95. You will see your new Tips the next time the Welcome to Windows 95 dialog box appears!
At the very beginning of your VALUE DATA, you might want to begin the Tip with something like "Your name Win95 Tips:" This way, you'll remember which Tips you added to the originals!
Windows Update Without Registering
Windows Update is a handy feature of Windows 98, having to register your personal details before being able to use it isn't as good.
With this tip you can bypass the registration process.
Go To:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Create a new string value called 'RegDone', or modify the exisiting 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 shouldn't ask you to complete the registration process.
Registry Settings:
0 = disabled, 1 = enabled