Windows Registry Hacks

Windows Registry Hacks

To edit your registry: You need a software, a registry editor, which enables you to edit them. Windows has an inbuilt registry editor, called the Regedit. Regedit can be launched from the run command box in the start menu by typing "regedit".

IMPORTANT: It is always advisable to back up your registry before, as editing the registry is very risky and can make a difference of life and death [for your computer]!!

You can do that by: Start>all Programs>Accessories>system tools>Backup.
Select the check-box that mentions "System State Data", so as to back up registry, COM+ class registration database and boot files.


DISABLE SHUTTING DOWN

If you don't want people shutting down your computer, this hack will be useful.
Open regedit. Go to:

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

And to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In both of these locations modify or create the DWORD value, "NoClose" and set it to 1.

To enable shutting down: reset the value to 0.

DISABLE THE DESKTOP CLEANUP WIZARD

Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\CleanupWiz

Modify the DWORD value, "NoRun" to 0.

To 1 if you would like to have it back.

SET UP DEFAULT DOWNLOAD PATH FOR IE

Go to,

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Internet Explorer

Create or modify the string value called Download Directory and set it to the full URL or path name you want to set.

e.g.: "C:\My Downloads"

You will have to restart your computer for this hack to take effect.