Windows XP 100 tips tricks (11)

Use a Shortcut to Local Area Network Connection Information
Something new in Windows XP, instead of using the command line program and typing ipconfig to find local area network information, you can use the following shortcut:
· Click Start, point to Connect to, and then click Show All Connections.
· Right-click the connection you want information about, and then click Status.
· In the Connection Properties dialog box, click the Support tab. For even more information, click the Advanced tab.
To automatically enable the status monitor each time the connection is active, in the Connection Properties dialog box, select the Show icon in taskbar notification area when connected check box.

Change the Start Menu Style
Does the new Windows XP Start menu take up too much space on your desktop? You can easily change the look back to the Windows Classic Start menu by following these steps:
· Right-click the Start button, and then click Properties.
· Click Classic Start menu.
· Click the Customize button to select items to display on the Start menu.
By default, selecting the Classic Start menu also adds the My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and Internet Explorer icons to your desktop.

Add a Map Drive Button to the Toolbar
Do you want to quickly map a drive, but can't find the toolbar button? If you map drives often, use one of these options to add a Map Drive button to the folder toolbar.
Option One (Long Term Fix):
· Click Start, click My Computer, right-click the toolbar, then unlock the toolbars, if necessary.
· Right-click the toolbar again, and then click Customize.
· Under Available toolbar buttons, locate Map Drive, and drag it into the position you want on the right under Current toolbar buttons.
· Click Close, click OK, and then click OK again.
You now have drive mapping buttons on your toolbar, so you can map drives from any folder window. To unmap drives, follow the above procedure, selecting Disconnect under Available toolbar buttons. To quickly map a drive, try this option:
Option Two (Quick Fix):
· Click Start, and right-click My Computer.
· Click Map Network Drive.
If you place your My Computer icon directly on the desktop, you can make this move in only two clicks!

Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs
Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is installed? If it gets in the way when you're logging off, turn it off completely.
To do this:
· Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.
· In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
· Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
· Click OK, and then click OK again.
Now that message won't be popping up when you least want to see it.

Display Your Quick Launch Toolbar
· Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, click Toolbars, and then click Quick Launch.
· Easy as that your Quick Launch bar appears.
· To add items to your Quick Launch toolbar, click the icon for the program you want to add, and drag it to the Quick Launch portion of the taskbar.

source:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/191328/Windows-Xp-100-Tips-Tricks