Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

Version 1.51 (unregistered)

1996 Travis A. Solin

Safari Computer Systems

•	Registration

•	What's New

•	About this Help File

•	Contacting the Author

•	Using the Registry Editor

Menus & Windows

•	Adding Items to the 'New' Menu

•	Adding Popout System Folders to the Start Menu

•	Changing the Explorer Window Defaults

•	Changing the Start Menu and Popout Menu Speed

•	Cleaning Up Opened Windows

•	Clearing the 'Any Folder....OtherFolder' SendTo menu

•	Clearing the 'Documents' Menu

•	Clearing the 'Run' Menu

•	Closing the Start Menu

•	Turning Window Animation On and Off

Icons & Graphics

•	Changing the Shortcut Icon

•	Changing System Icons

•	Changing Windows 95 System Screens

•	Making BMP Files Their Own Icons

•	Taking a Screen Shot

Network & Internet

•	FTP Batch Commands

•	Netdde

•	Netstat

•	Sharing Invisible Folders

•	Tracing Internet Routes

•	Winchat

•	Winpopup

•	WINS Servers and LMHOSTS

Editing the Msdos.sys File

•	Booting to the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or to MS-DOS Mode

•	Booting to Windows 95 or Your Previous Version of MS-DOS

•	Changing How Long Until the Default Selection Takes Effect in the Boot Menu

•	Changing How Long You Have to Press a Function Key when booting Windows

•	Displaying the Boot-up Menu by Default

•	Displaying the Windows 95 Logo at Startup

Other Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

•	Adding Sounds to Application Events

•	Changing the Tips of the Day

•	Changing the Truncation of Long Filenames

•	Command Prompt Commands

•	Copying File and Directory Paths to a DOS Prompt

•	Disabling Autoplay

•	Keyboard Shortcuts

•	Making Your Logitech Mouse Double Click

•	Restarting Windows Quickly

•	Shut Down Screen Commands

•	Speeding up Microsoft Backup

•	Starting the Screen Saver on Demand

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets is shareware.

If you feel this help file is useful,

please register it within 30 days.

Please refer to Registration for more information.


Menus & Windows


Adding Items to the 'New' Menu

(Menus & Windows)

 Registry Edit

It is possible to add new document templates to the new menu.  This operation does require a registry edit, but you first need to make a document template, then place it into the directory specified below.

1.	Create a new file (blank, or with your desired information). This will become the template for all new files when you choose your new entry.

2.	Move this file into the ShellNew subdirectory under your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows\ShellNew). The ShellNew directory is hidden, so you may have to change your Explorer options so that hidden files and directories are visible (see Windows' help for more information on viewing hidden files).

3.	Open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.

4.	Find the extension of the file that you just created.

5.	Make a new key under it called ShellNew.

6.	Under the ShellNew key, make a new string value called FileName.

7.	Type in the name of the new file you created including the extension.  The complete path is not necessary (i.e. c:\windows\ShellNew\whatever.txt).

NOTE:	This may not work with some programs and files.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Adding Popout System Folders to the Start Menu

(Menus & Windows)

Have you ever wanted to access a particular applet in Control Panel without having to open Control Panel up?

If you want to add a popout menu with the contents of your Control Panel, Printers folder, or Dial Up Netwoking folder, it is easy to do by following these instructions:

1.	Right click on the start button, then choose Open to open its contents within an Explorer window.

2.	Create a new folder

3.	If you want to create a Control Panel folder, you would name the new folder:

Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}

4.	If you want to create a new Printers folder, you would name the new folder:

Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}

5.	If you want to create a new Dial Up Networking folder, you would name the new folder:

Dial Up Net.{992CFFA0-F557-101A-88EC-00DD010CCC48}

That's all there is to it.  Now, if you click on your Start Menu, and navigate to where you placed your new folder(s), it should pop out, showing the contents of that particular folder (i.e., if you made a new Control Panel folder, you would see all of your Control Panel applets).

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing the Explorer Window Defaults

(Menus & Windows)

When you open an Explorer window, there are two distinct ways of viewing your computer. By default, you open a window with regular-sized icons representing directories and other aspects of your computer. Alternatively, it is possible to open a "double-paned" version of Explorer instead. This lists the parent items you have selected in the left pane, and the contents of that folder or computer resource in the right pane. To temporarily open a "double-paned" version of Explorer, hold down the Shift key while opening that window. To change the default to double-paned mode, follow these instructions.

NOTE:

In some very rare instances, there may be problems with returning the default value to its original state ('open' instead of 'explore').

1.	Open a regular Explorer window, then choose Options... from the View menu.

2.	From the dialog box that comes up, choose the File Types tab.

3.	Scroll down the list of Registered file types and double click on Folder.

4.	Highlight the explore item under the Actions list, and choose the Set Default button.

Now, each time you open up a drive or folder, you will have a double-paned view of Explorer.

NOTE:

In some very rare instances, there may be problems with returning the default value to its original state ('open' instead of 'explore').

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing the Start Menu and Popout Menu Speed

(Menus & Windows)

 Registry Edit

If you want to increase the rate at which the Start menu opens, and popout menus 'pop' it can be done easily by opening up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigating to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

1.	Create a new string value under the Desktop key called MenuShowDelay.

2.	Edit MenuShowDelay and give it a value from 1 to 10, 1 being the fastest.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Cleaning Up Opened Windows

(Menus & Windows)

After you have opened multiple Explorer windows, you can close your current window and its parent window(s) all at once by holding down the shift key while closing.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Clearing the 'Any Folder....OtherFolder' SendTo menu

(Menus & Windows)

 Registry Edit

If you are using the 'Any Folder....OtherFolder' context menu that comes in the set of PowerToys, then perhaps you want to clear the "most recent commands" list.  To accomplish this, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\OtherFolder

1.	Once under the OtherFolder subkey, delete all of the values except for  (Default). Now your "most recent commands" list will be cleared.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Clearing the 'Documents' Menu

(Menus & Windows)

Are you tired of going to the Taskbar properties screen to clear the Documents menu under the Start menu? If so, here is another way to do it:

1.	Create a batch file with the following line in it (assuming your copy of Windows 95 is located in a subdirectory named Windows):

echo y| del \windows\recent\*.*

2.	Save the batch file and place it into a directory of your choice.

3.	Create a shortcut to the batch file wherever you wish.

If desired, you can also add these features to the newly created shorcut:

1.	Right click on the shortcut and choose Properties.

2.	Select the Program tab.

3.	From the Run drop down box, choose Minimized.

4.	Click the Close on exit box.

Now, all you have to do is double click on this icon every time you want to clear the contents of the Documents Menu.

Preparing the above batch file and short cut is quite a bit of work, but once it is completed, clearing the documents menu is a snap. If you want to clear it the way it was meant to be cleared, take the following steps:

1.	Right click on a clear portion of the Taskbar and choose Properties.

2.	Select the Start Menu Programs tab.

3.	In the Documents Menu box, click Clear.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Clearing the 'Run' Menu

(Menus & Windows)

 Registry Edit

To remove items from the Run menu, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows

\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RunMRU

Choose the values of the entries that you want to delete, then press delete.

NOTE:	Do not delete the (Default) or RunMRU values.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Closing the Start Menu

(Menus & Windows)

If you wish to temporarily remove the Start Button (and menu) from the taskbar, take the following steps:

1.	Give the Start button focus.  This can be done by opening the Start Menu, then hitting ESC.

2.	Press <Alt> + <spacebar> (press the spacebar while holding Alt)

3.	Select Close from the context menu that appears.

The Start button will not appear again until you restart Windows or log on as a different user.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Turning Window Animation On and Off

(Menus & Windows)

 Registry Edit

Window animation is the "zoom" effect you get when opening, closing, maximizing, or minimizing a window.  To turn window animation off, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop

\WindowMetrics

1.	Under the WindowMetrics subkey, create a new string value called MinAnimate.

2.	Edit this value and enter 0 to turn off window animation.  Entering 1 will turn on window animation, as will deleting the MinAnimate key altogether.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Icons & Graphics


Changing the Shortcut Icon

(Icons & Graphics)

 Registry Edit

Changing the Shortcut Icon

By default, the shortcut icon is a small black and white arrow in the lower left corner of a shortcut.  To change it, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows

\CurrentVersion\explorer

If there is not a key under the explorer key called Shell Icons, then it needs to be created.  If there is a Shell Icons subkey, then you are ready to proceed.

1.	Create a new string value named 29.

2.	Edit the string then enter the path to the icon file, follwed by a comma and the index of the icon. For example, "c:\windows\system\shell32.dll,30" would change the shortcut icon to the 31st icon in the shell32.dll file (the index of the first icon in an icon file has an index of 0).  In this case, the new shortcut icon would be a larger gray-colored icon.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing System Icons

(Icons & Graphics)

 Registry Edit

You probably are already aware that you can change the icons for shortcuts. However, what about the icons for Folders, the Recycle Bin, and others? This can be done by opening up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigating to:

My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft

\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Shell Icons

Once there, you will see a list of string values numbered from 0 to 40. The number is the default index number of the icon in the file shell32.dll, which should be located in your windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).  The data assigned to each value is the icon file, or icon library file and index number. For example, the data assigned to the string value "3" will be the icon that is normally a closed folder icon (i.e., the closed folder icon is the 4th icon in shell32.dll). I realize that may sound somewhat confusing, so here is a step by step example. Reference the end of this topic for a complete list of the values and their respective icon assignments.

Example: Changing the yellow folder icon to the Windows flag.

1.	Locate the value "3", because it is the index of the actual folder icon in shell32.dll. By default, it would be a yellow folder icon.

2.	Find another icon that you want the yellow folder to be replaced with. If the icon you want is in a library, you will be entering in the path to the icon library file, followed by a comma, and then the index of the icon you want (see step 4).

3.	The Windows flag that we want to change to be the yellow folder replacement is the 40th icon in shell32.dll, so the index number is 39 (because the first icon in an icon file has an index number of 0).

4.	Edit the value "3" and enter in c:\windows\system\shell32.dll,39.

5.	After exiting the Registry Editor and restarting Windows, all of the icons that used to be yellow folders should now be Windows flags.

Updating your icons to view your changes

After making your icon change, you probably won't see the changes. In fact, restarting Windows also won't work in most cases. This is because of the way that Windows caches icon images (stores there images for quick and convenient retrieval).

The easiest way to "rebuild" your icon cache is to use Microsoft's TweakUI Power Toy. See About this Help File for the Power Toys home page where you can download TweakUI. TweakUI is a Control Panel applet with many useful tools and utilities. One of these tools is the ability to rebuild the icon cache file. After loading up TweakUI, go to the Repair tab. If you do not have a Repair tab, you will need to download the newest version of TweakUI. Within the Repair tab is a list of five buttons to "repair" various aspects of Windows 95. The first button is to rebuild the icon cache. Simply press that button, and your icon cache will be rebuilt.

As an alternative to using TweakUI to update your icon cache, you can do it manually as well. Located in your Windows directory is a file called ShellIconCache. This file has a hidden attribute to it, so it isn't visible if you do a regular file list in an MS-DOS window by typing dir. Follow these steps to update your icon cache and your registry icon changes:

1.	Shut down your computer to MS-DOS Mode (from the Start button, choose Shut Down, then choose the "Restart your computer in MS-DOS Mode" option.

2.	Once at a DOS prompt in your Windows directory, type attrib -h shellico. This will remove the hidden attribute from the icon cache file so that you can delete it.

3.	Type del shellico to delete the file.

4.	Restart Windows from the DOS prompt by typing win.

After completing the above steps, your icons should be updated.

NOTE:  Deleting the icon cache file while still in Windows and then restarting Windows will not update your icons.

List of values and their respective icons (the number represents the index of the icon in shell32.dll):

0	Default icon for unassigned file types

1	Document

2	Window

3	Closed yellow folder

4	Opened yellow folder

5	5 1/4" disk

6	3 1/2" disk

7	Removable drive

8	Hard drive

9	Network drive

10	Network drive (disconnected)

11	CD-ROM drive

12	RAM chip

13	Globe

14	Network cable connection

15	Network computer

16	Printer

17	Networked computers (1 of 2)

18	Networked computers (2 of 2)

19	Small folder & window

20	Small open yellow folder with paper inside

21	Yellow gear

22	Find file(s)

23	Help

24	Window and hourglass cursor (1 of 2)

25	Computer monitor (1 of 2)

26	External hardware/removable disk drive

27	Computer monitor (2 of 2)

28	Shared drive/folder (white hand with blue shirt)

29	Black & White shortcut arrow

30	Larger gray arrow

31	Empty Recycle Bin

32	Full Recycle Bin

33	Dial-Up Networking folder

34	Desktop

35	Control Panel folder

36	Start menu folder

37	Printers folder

38	Fonts folder

39	Windows flag

40	Music CD

41	Green tree

42	Multiple documents

43	Find file(s)

44	Find on networked computer

45	Monitor on case

46	Control Panel folder (again)

47	Printers folder (again)

48	Printer image on pad of papers

49	Network printer

50	Print to file (3 1/2" disk)

51	Alternate full Recycle Bin (1 of 3)

52	Alternate full Recycle Bin (2 of 3; with light green recycle arrows)

53	Alternate full Recycle Bin (3 of 3)

54	From document to document

55	Documents going from folder to folder

56	Pen writing label for folder

57	Computer, yellow gear, and small open yellow folder

58	Configuration file

59	Text file

60	Window with yellow gear

61	Gears image on document

62	Font file

63	True Type font file

64	Window with larger hourglass cursor (2 of 2)

65	Are you sure you want to delete these files?

66	Tape backup (hard drive, yellow cassette tape, 3 1/2" disk)

67	Cutout of CD in drive

68	Defragment

69	Printer (again)

70	Network printer (again)

71	Print to file (again)

As an alternative to editing the registry to change your icons, take a look at Microangelo, an icon editor and tool. Look towards the bottom of the article, About this Help File for more information.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing Windows 95 System Screens

(Icons & Graphics)

There are a total of three Windows 95 system screens:

•	The startup screen (logo.sys)

•	The "Please wait while your computer shuts down" screen (logow.sys)

•	The "It is now safe to turn off your computer" screen (logos.sys)

It is possible to change these screens to an image of your choice. However, there are certain requirements for these system screens.  They are as follows:

•	The image must be a valid 256 color RGB encoded bitmap

•	The image must have dimensions of 320 x 400 pixels

•	The filename of the image must have a .sys extension.

Here are the steps to making a desired image your startup or shutdown screen:

1.	Obtain a bitmap image which meets the above criteria.

2.	After the file is saved, change the .bmp extension to .sys (i.e., logow.sys)

NOTE:	If you changed the startup screen (logo.sys), it should be placed in the root of your boot drive. If you changed any of the other two system screens, they should be placed in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).

If all of the following is adhered to, you should see a new startup/shutdown screen.

NOTE:	Because the ratio of the image at 320 x 400 is different than when you may be viewing it in Windows, it may be hard to have your image look proportional once it goes into effect. However, by following these steps using an image editor such as Paint Shop Pro or Lview Pro, you can resolve this problem:

1.	Create a new image with dimensions of 640 x 480.

2.	Open the image that you wish to make a system screen.

3.	Center this image on the newly created image.

4.	Resize the 640 x 480 image to 320 x 400.

5.	At this point, the image should look out of proportion (not wide enough)*

6.	Save the image as a 256 color RGB encoded bitmap.

7.	Change the file extension from .bmp to .sys if necessary.

* (Once it appears as a system screen, however, it will be proportional).

ONCE AGAIN--NOTE:  If you changed the startup screen (logo.sys), it should be placed in the root of your boot drive. If you changed any of the other two system screens, they should be placed in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Making BMP Files Their Own Icons

(Icons & Graphics)

 Registry Edit

It is possible for an icon to actually be a .bmp image of itself. To make this enhancement, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Paint.Picture\DefaultIcon

Edit the value that is under the DefaultIcon key and change it to %1.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Taking a Screen Shot

(Icons & Graphics)

By pressing the Print Screen button on your keyboard while in Windows, you can place an image of what you see on your screen into the Windows clipboard.  Then, this image can be pasted into any number of Windows applications which support image viewing, editing and/or manipulation (such as Microsoft Paint, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, etc.).

By pressing Alt+Print Screen, an image of the current window (instead of the entire screen) will be placed into the clipboard.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Network & Internet


FTP Batch Commands

(Network & Internet)

If you find yourself logging on often to a FTP site, and repeadedly doing the same commands, then this tip is for you.  By making a simple text file with desired FTP commands in it, you can speed up everday tasks.

1.	Create a text file using an ascii text editor such as  Notepad.

2.	In this text file, place a desired list of ftp commands, one on each line (see example below).

3.	When you run ftp.exe all that is needed is a simple command switch:  c:\windows> ftp -s:textfile.txt (where textfile.txt is the file with your FTP commands)

NOTE:  The -s switch can include the full path to your desired text file.  For example:

c:\windows> ftp -s:c:\windows\textfile.txt (where textfile.txt is the file with your FTP commands)

NOTE:  As far as I know, ftp.exe will automatically exit after all of the commands in your text file are carried out.  I currently do not know of a way to avoid this from happening.

Here is an example of what your text file with FTP commands might look like:

(The text in bold should not be included in the text file).

------------------------------------------------------------

login

(Your login name)

password

(Your password)

cd files

(Change to the files directory on your account)

binary

(Set binary mode for file transfers)

send test.zip

(Sends your desired file, 'test.zip')

Here is the same file without the comments:

login

password

cd files

binary

send test.zip

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Netdde

(Network & Internet)

Netdde.exe is a great program located in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows) that works in conjunction with Winchat. When Netdde is running and someone calls you, Winchat will be automatically loaded (if it is not already loaded).

The best way to use Netdde is to place it in your Startup folder so that it's always running.  Netdde runs quietly in the background, taking very little memory.

Note that when running Winchat under Windows 3.x, it is not necessary to run an external program such as Netdde for Winchat to automatically start.

See Also: Winpopup; Winchat

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Netstat

(Network & Internet)

Netstat.exe is a MS-DOS-based program used to find information about your current network connection--whether it be though a LAN or though a TCP/IP connection to the Internet. You can find netstat.exe in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).

Using Netstat

Netstat is generally run from a MS-DOS prompt and can contain many of the command line switches listed below. The syntax for using Netstat is as follows:

c:\windows> netstat -switch

Here is a list of the switches that can be used with Netstat and their functions:

Switch	Function

-a	Displays all connections and listening ports.  (Server-side connections are normally not shown).

-e	Displays Ethernet statistics.  This may be combined with the -s option.

-n	Displays addresses and port numbers in numerical form.

-p proto	Shows connections for the protocol specified by proto; proto may be tcp or udp.  If used with the -s option to display per-protocol statistics, proto may be tcp, udp, or ip.

-r	Displays the contents of the routing table.

-s	Displays per-protocol statistics.  By default, statistics are shown for TCP, UDP and IP; the -p option may be used to specify a subset of the default.

interval	Redisplays selected statistics, pausing interval seconds between each display.  Press CTRL+C to stop redisplaying statistics.  If omitted, netstat will print the current configuration information once.

Examples

1.	c:\windows> netstat -a

2.	c:\windows> netstat -r -e

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Sharing Invisible Folders

(Network & Internet)

It is possible to share folders on a network from your computer without having them visible to others that happen to be browsing the network.  Folders shared in this way can still be accessed by manually mapping a network drive and typing in the entire computer name and share (i.e., \\ComputerName\SecretShare).

To share folders in this manner, follow these simple instructions:

1.	Share a folder as you normally would by right clicking on it and choosing Sharing.

2.	Simply add a dollar sign ($) to the end of the Shared As name.

For example, a folder shared as Incoming will be visible to others.  A folder shared as Incoming$ will not be visible to others. Assuming the computer name that this share is on is called Centurion, one would have map this network share to a desired drive letter and enter \\Centurion\Incoming$ as the path to connect this hidden shared folder.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Tracing Internet Routes

(Network & Internet)

Did you ever wonder how you actually connect to a site on the Internet?  By typing tracert followed by the IP address or number at an MS-DOS prompt, you can find out exactly which computers your connection goes through along the way.  Using tracert can also help you to find out which computer along the way is causing you connect errors.

Example:

C:\WINDOWS> tracert www.example.com

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Winchat

(Network & Internet)

Introduction

•	Winchat is a program used to communicate with other people by typing messages using a networked connection (such as a LAN or the Internet).

•	Winchat is not installed with Windows 95, but is included on the Windows 95 CD-ROM.  It is also available with documentation via anonymous ftp at ftp.microsoft.com.

Placing and Receiving Calls

•	Calling someone at another computer:

To call or dial someone else, press the dial button (or choose Dial from the Conversation menu). All you need to know is the other computer's name.

•	Receiving calls if Winchat is already loaded:

When someone calls you, the Chat icon in the Taskbar will flash. To answer the incoming call, simply restore Winchat from its minimized state.  If Winchat was not minimized, you may have to minimize it, then restore it again in order to answer the call.

•	Receiving calls if Winchat is not already loaded:

The handyness of Winchat comes into play in that it does not have to be loaded in order to receive incoming calls.  For this feature to work, Netdde must be previously loaded.  To my knowledge, Netdde only works with Winchat, and not with other network communication programs such as Winpopup. Under Windows 3.x, it is not necessary to run Netdde for Winchat to start automatically.

Chatting with Others

•	The interface:

Once a connection is made between you and the person you are talking to, the screen will be split into two horizontal or two vertical frames; the horizontal layout is the default. The option between horizontal and vertical can be changed by choosing Preferences from the Options menu.  Fonts can also be changed through the preferences dialog.

A Tip for using Winchat

•	If you find yourself calling the same computer on a regular basis, you can make a small change to the shortcut for Winchat.  If, for example, the computer you are calling is named Centurion, then the command line for the shortcut would be:  winchat.exe Centurion.

See Also: Winpopup; Netdde

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Winpopup

(Network & Internet)

Winpopup is a small program used to send quick messages to another user, computer, or workgroup on a networked connection (such as a LAN or the Internet).  In order for Winpopup to work properly, it must be running on your machine, as well as the machine(s) where you are sending the message.

Winpopup comes with Windows 95, but may not have been installed with a default Windows 95 installation. If was installed, it should be located in the Windows root directory (winpopup.exe).  If it was not installed, open up Control Panel and go to Add/Remove Programs.  Once there, go to the Windows Setup tab, and add Winpopup from the Accessories program set.

See Also:  Winchat

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


WINS Servers and LMHOSTS

(Network & Internet)

WINS Servers

WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service) servers are formally used to run programs that require the NetBIOS protocol. What they are actually useful for is performing Microsoft Networking routines with other Windows 95 users elsewhere on the Internet. Some Internet Service Providers do not support WINS resolution, therefore eliminating the possibility of using the features of the WINS servers. See the section on the LMHOSTS file later in this topic for more information.

Uses of WINS servers

Common uses of WINS servers would be to share files via Microsoft Networking, chat with a friend using a program such as Winchat, or play Microsoft Hearts. See the section Uses of WINS later in this topic.

Setting up WINS

To use WINS resolution, a valid TCP/IP connection is required. If you are using Windows 95's Dial-Up Networking to connect to the Internet, then you probably have a valid TCP/IP connection. Follow these steps to set up WINS resolution:

1.	Go to your Network Neighborhood properties (right click on the Network Neighborhood icon, and choose properties, or double-click on the Network Neighborhood icon in Control Panel).

2.	Double-click on TCP/IP in the Network Components list.

3.	Go to the WINS Configuration tab.

4.	Choose the Enable WINS Resolution option button.

5.	Enter in 204.118.34.6 as the primary WINS server, and 204.118.34.11 as the secondary WINS server.*

6.	Exit the TCP/IP properties dialog, then click OK to exit the Network properties dialog.

7.	Restart Windows 95 for your new WINS server information to take effect.

* The WINS servers are provided free of charge by Tim Hall (timh@winserve.com). See http://www.winserve.com for more information about WINS and WINS servers.

Uses of WINS

There are various resources on the Internet that take advantage of WINS server resolution. The easiest way to connect to any of the following resources is to choose Run from the Start menu, and then simply enter in the shared resource (i.e., \\Centurion\public would connect to the computer named Centurion, and the shared directory named public).

Shared Resource	Description

\\winserve.001\guest	Winserve

\\winserve.001\guest\winhq	The WINHQ Public Share

\\ftp\data	Microsoft's FTP server

\\winserve95\guest	Winserve's Experimental Windows 95 shared drive

\\clyde\infoserver	EMWACS NT Share

\\discord\public	Shared systems site by A. Weintraub

LMHOSTS

The LMHOSTS file works in conjunction with WINS servers. While WINS servers can be used to locate other computers that have static or dynamic IP addresses, the LMHOSTS file is most useful for locating computers with only static IP addresses. For example, if your Internet Service Provider does not support WINS resolution and your friend is elsewhere on the Internet with a static IP address, the LMHOSTS file is all you really need.

Setting up LMHOSTS

The LMHOSTS file does not require any changes of Windows 95's network properties. Instead, all you need to to is edit the LMHOSTS file. To set up LMHOSTS, you need to know the other person's IP address and computer name. The computer name can be found by looking in the Identification tab of the network properties. To set up the LMHOSTS file, take the following steps:

1.	Load up a MS-DOS prompt. Upon installation of Windows 95, an icon for the MS-DOS prompt is placed in the Programs group in your Start menu.

2.	If you are not already in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows) go there by typing cd\windows. (make sure you are on a directory in your c: drive first).

3.	Type edit lmhosts. Note that there is no extention to the LMHOSTS file.

4.	Enter in the IP address followed by one space and the computer name. Enter only one IP address and computer name per line. For example, on the first line you might have:

145.142.34.65 Centurion

It is OK to have multiple IP address/computer name entries as long as there is only one per line.

5.	Save the file and exit the text editor.

Now, you can access shared computer names in the same way as you do with any shared resource; just enter it into the Run box and press enter.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Editing the Msdos.sys File

The Msdos.sys file is an ascii text file which holds some basic system information which is needed when Windows 95 boots up.  It should be located in your boot drive's root directory (i.e., c:\ ).

By editing the Msdos.sys file, you can change the startup behavior of Windows 95.

NOTE: The msdos.sys file has hidden and read-only attributes. To remove these attributes before editing, type attrib -r -h -s msdos.sys at a MS-DOS prompt.

Please click on one of the items below for more detailed explanations on individual topics:

•	Booting to the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or to MS-DOS Mode

•	Booting to Windows 95 or Your Previous Version of MS-DOS

•	Changing How Long Until the Default Selection Takes Effect in the Boot Menu

•	Changing How Long You Have to Press a Function Key when booting Windows

•	Displaying the Boot-up Menu by Default

•	Displaying the Windows 95 Logo at Startup

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Booting to the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or to MS-DOS Mode

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

Are you still a DOS user that was pressured somehow to migrate to Windows 95? If so, you can still boot your computer up to MS-DOS mode (Windows 95's version of MS-DOS).

1.	Using Notepad or any other ascii text editor, change the line that reads BootGUI=1 to BootGUI=0 under the [Options] section of the msdos.sys file.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys file after the editing (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=0

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=2

BootMenu=0

BootMenuDelay=30

Logo=1

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Booting to Windows 95 or Your Previous Version of MS-DOS

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

If you are running Windows 95, but still have your old MS-DOS and Windows 3.x combination installed, it is possible to access it.  In some cases, Windows 95 will load up without a chance to load your old version of DOS and Windows.  This edit to the msdos.sys file allows you the chance to bypass the normal loading of Windows 95 and load into DOS instead.

After making the change to the msdos.sys file, simply press F4 when you see "Starting Windows 95" on your screen.

1.	Using Notepad or any other ascii text editor, change the line that says BootMulti=0 to BootMulti=1 under the [Options] section of the msdos.sys file.

NOTE: If you upgraded to Windows 95 (i.e., you already had DOS and Windows) then the BootMulti= setting might have already been set to 1.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys file after the editing (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=1

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=2

BootMenu=0

BootMenuDelay=30

Logo=1

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing How Long Until the Default Selection Takes Effect in the Boot Menu

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

If you ever get faced with a boot menu when starting Windows 95, by default, you have 30 seconds to make a selection until the default selection is made automatically.  Changing the time you have to make a selection is easy:

1.	Using Notepad or any other ascii text editor, enter a number in seconds that you would like to have for the default wait period after the text, BootMenuDelay= in the [Options] section of the msdos.sys file.  By default, this value is set to 30.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys file if you changed the setting to have a 15 second delay (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=1

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=2

BootMenu=0

BootMenuDelay=15

Logo=1

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing How Long You Have to Press a Function Key when booting Windows

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

When you start up your computer and see the text, "Starting Windows 95", there are two primary function keys that you might desire to press.  One of them is F4 (boots up your old version of MS-DOS) and the other is F8 (brings up the Windows 95 boot menu) (See Booting to Windows 95 or Your Previous Version of MS-DOS for more information).

The problem is, you may not have enough time to press one of those keys.  Making the delay longer is quite simple.

1.	Using Notepad or any other ascii text editor, change the line that reads BootDelay=2 to BootDelay=x, where x is the number of seconds you want to be able to press one of those function keys. This is done in the [Options] section of the msdos.sys file.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys after the changes, if you changed the delay to 5 seconds (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=0

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=5

BootMenu=0

BootMenuDelay=30

Logo=1

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Displaying the Boot-up Menu by Default

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

When you start up Windows 95, you generally have your default options set, and Windows 95 loads as usual. However, you can choose different modes of loading from a menu that appears by pressing F8 when you see "Starting Windows 95" on your screen.  Options you have in the boot menu vary from starting in Safe Mode (a minimal set of drivers), loading to an MS-DOS prompt only, and more.

If you wish to display the boot menu by default each time you start Windows 95, make the following change to the [Options] section of the msdos.sys file using Notepad or any other ascii text editor:

1.	Change the line that reads BootMenu=0 to BootMenu=1.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys file after the editing (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=1

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=2

BootMenu=1

BootMenuDelay=15

Logo=1

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Displaying the Windows 95 Logo at Startup

(Editing the Msdos.sys File)

If you do not want to view the Windows 95 startup logo when you start Windows 95, a simple text editing job is all that is needed to make this adjustment.

Using Notepad or any other ascii text editor, add a line which reads logo=0 under the [Options] section.

NOTE:	If you already have a line that reads logo=1, then simply change the 1 to 0 (zero); do not add an additional logo= line.

Here is an example of the items that might be under the [Options] section in your msdos.sys file after the editing (you may have more or less of the following entries):

[Options]

BootMulti=1

BootGUI=1

DoubleBuffer=1

Network=1

BootKeys=1

BootDelay=2

BootMenu=0

BootMenuDelay=30

Logo=0

Msdos.sys File Editing Contents

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Other Tips


Adding Sounds to Application Events

(Other)

 Registry Edit

Wav sound files can be added to many aspects of your favorite and most-used applications.  To make this enhancement, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps

Under the Apps subkey, create a new key with the name of the .exe file that you want to assign sounds to.  The program that you wish to assign sounds to does not have to be in the Windows directory or in your computer's path.  All that you need to enter is the name of the .exe file without the .exe extension (for example, name the key notepad and not notepad.exe).

Create any or all of the following keys under the key for the program that you just created:

Name of Key	What causes the sound

AppGPFault	Application General Protection Fault error

Close	Close Program

Maximize	Maximize Program

MenuCommand	Selection from a menu

MenuPopup	Menu Popout

Minimize	Minimize Program

Open	Open Program

RestoreDown	Restore Down

RestoreUp	Restore Up

SystemAsterisk	Asterisk Message Box

SystemExclamation	Exclamation Message Box

SystemHand	Stop Message Box

SystemQuestion	Question Message Box

That is the extent of the registry editing that you have to do for this feature. Now, load up Control Panel and then Sounds.  Scroll down to find the new program that you just entered.  To assign sounds to the events, simply do so as you would with the regular Windows system events (see Windows' help if you need more information).

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing the Tips of the Day

(Other)

 Registry Edit

If you want to change the tips that come up by default each time you start Windows 95, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows

\CurrentVersion\explorer\Tips

Within the Tips key are all 48 tips that are chosen at random each time you start Windows 95.  To insert your own tips or thoughts, just change any or all of the keys numbered 0-47.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Changing the Truncation of Long Filenames

(Other)

 Registry Edit

This registry edit will change the way that Windows 95 truncates (cuts short) long filenames.  To make this change, open up the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet

\control\FileSystem

1.	Create a new binary value called NameNumericTail.

2.	Edit this value, and add a zero to the existing four zeros that are already present.

The final result in the Data field should appear as follows:

0000 00

Before the Registry edit:

Windows 95 filename:	This is a test.txt

MS-DOS filename:	thisis~1.txt

After the Registry edit:

Windows 95 filename:	This is a test.txt

MS-DOS filename:	thisisat.txt

NOTE:

In some cases, if you change the truncation of long filenames, then run Windows 95 Setup, Plus! Setup, or the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel, programs installed to the "Program Files" directory may no longer work correctly.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Command Prompt Commands

(Other)

While you are at a MS-DOS prompt, try these commands and actions to increase productivity:

Shortcut Commands

Command	Result

cd ...	Moves two directies up within the root directory you are currently in.  For example, if you are in C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs, typing cd ... will move you to c:\Windows.

cd ....	Same as above, except that you would be moved to c:\.  You can type up to six dots after the "cd" command (which would move you back five directories).

start .	Typing start . will bring up an Explorer window of the directory that you are currently in at the MS-DOS prompt.  Start .. brings up the parent directory of the one that you are in.

Other MS-DOS Prompt-related Actions

Starting Windows-based programs from a MS-DOS prompt

Type start followed by the windows-based program you wish to start.  For example, type start notepad.exe to run Notepad.

Starting programs associated with a particular file type

Type start followed by a file that has an associated program, and that program will load up with the file.  For example, type start c:\windows\readme.txt to load up the readme.txt file in Notepad.

Dragging and Dropping files into a MS-DOS prompt

Try dragging a file or shortcut into an active MS-DOS window.  Its filename with the full path will appear at the command prompt.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Copying File and Directory Paths to a DOS Prompt

If you have a long file path or directory path name that you don't feel like manually typing into a DOS Prompt, simply drag the file or directory from any Explorer window into your open DOS Prompt. The complete path will automatically be printed there for you.


Disabling Autoplay

(Other)

If you do not wish to have audio CD's automatically play, and data CD's automatically load, hold down the Shift key while loading the CD into your drive for a few seconds.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Keyboard Shortcuts

(Other)

Keyboard shortcuts often increase your efficiency in Windows 95.  Here is a list of common Windows 95 shortcuts to speed things up:

Shortcut Key	Action

F1	Help

F2	Rename

F3	Find

F4	Gives combo box focus in an Explorer window

F5	Refresh

F6	Switches between panes in an Explorer window

F10	Menu mode

Shift+F10	Context menu for selected item

Shift+Enter*	Explore the object (such as a directory)

Backspace	Goes to the parent folder (in an Explorer window)

Shift+Close	Closes folder and all parent folders

Ctrl+A	Select all (in an Explorer window)

Ctrl+C	Copy

Ctrl+X	Cut

Ctrl+V	Paste

Ctrl+Z	Undo

Alt+Tab	Switches between applications

Shift+Del	Delete files immediately without putting them into the Recycle Bin

Shift+Drag a file	Forces a move

Ctrl+Drag a file	Forces a copy

Shift+Ctrl+Drag a file	Creates a shorcut of an object

Ctrl+Esc	Brings up Start menu

*	The Shift+Enter keyboard combination can also be performed by holding Shift while double clicking.

Windows 95 keyboard specific:

A Windows 95 keyboard is one which contains at least one Windows key (Win) and one Context menu key. An example of a Windows 95 keyboard is the Microsoft Natural keyboard.

Shortcut Key	Action

Win+R	Run dialog

Win+M	Minimize All

Shift+Win+M	Undo Minimize All

Win+F1	Windows Help

Win+E	Explorer (opens in 'My Computer')

Win+F	Find Files or Folders

CTRL+Win+F	Find Computer

Win+Tab	Cycle through taskbar buttons

Win+Break	PSS Hotkey... (System properties)

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Making Your Logitech Mouse Double Click

(Other)

 Registry Edit

If you have a three-button Logitech mouse, and you're not using the middle button to double click, then you're not using your mouse's full potential!  This registry edit seems to vary depending on your Logitech mouse version and/or your Windows setup.  Try these locations in the registry for starters, or simply search for DoubleClick.

1)  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\logitech\version???

2)  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Logitech\MouseWare

\CurrentVersion\MouseMan\0000

3)  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Logitech\MouseWare

\CurrentVersion\MouseMan2\0000

In all locations when you find the DoubleClick value, it should be changed from 000 to 001.

NOTE:  After making this registry change, it is no longer necessary to run any external software such as Logitech's Mouseware or Mouseware Enhanced.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Restarting Windows Quickly

(Other)

To restart Windows 95 quickly without having to reboot your whole system, follow these simply instructions:

1.	Choose Shut Down from the Start Menu.

2.	Choose the Restart the Computer option button.

3.	Hold down the shift key while clicking Yes.

NOTE:  Holding down the shift key while pressing enter has the same effect as described above.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Shut Down Screen Commands

(Other)

After you have successfully shut down Windows 95, your only options are not to turn off or reboot your computer.  In actuality, you are just at a MS-DOS prompt displaying the shut down screen image.  Next time you are at the shut down screen ("It is now safe to turn off your computer."), try these handy commands:

Command	Description

win	Restarts Windows 95 without re-booting your computer.

mode co80	Returns you to a MS-DOS prompt.

NOTE:  These commands generally only work when the MS-DOS command interpreter (command.com) has previously been loaded. For example, if you boot directly to MS-DOS mode, then type win to load Windows. After shutting down that session of Windows, the above commands should work properly.

See also:  Changing Windows 95 System Screens

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Speeding up Microsoft Backup

(Other)

By minimizing the Microsoft Backup program that comes with Windows 95 while backing up, restoring, or comparing files, your backup may possibly run up to 25% faster.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Starting the Screen Saver on Demand

(Other)

If you so desire, you can start the screen saver whenever you want by simply making a shortcut to the Windows screen saver file of your choice.  For example, to make a shortcut that will invoke the "Curves and Colors" screen saver, the path in the Target line of your shortcut would be "C:\Windows\System\Curves and Colors.scr" (assuming your Windows directory is c:\windows). Note that because Curves and Colors.scr is a long filename, the target path must be in quotes.

This tip works great if you maintain a password on your screen saver and you need to leave your computer unattended for a short period of time.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Other


About this Help File

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

Version 1.51, 12/4/96

Thank you for choosing one of the most valuable and well-written guides to tips, tricks, and secrets found throughout Windows 95!

New users and experienced users of Windows 95 alike can benefit from the contents of this help file.  Perhaps you have seen other Windows 95 compilations with so called "Tips and Tricks."  This one is just a little bit different.  With the exception of a few entries in this help file, most of the information cannot be found by using Windows 95 from day to day. Other "Tips and Tricks" resources usually tend to dwell on simple things that most people will eventually figure out.  One of the goals of this help file is to avoid that redundant approach to getting the most out of Windows 95.

For information on some of the more basic features of Windows 95, refer to the text file tips.txt, which can be found in your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets is Shareware

If you feel this help file is useful, please register it within 30 days.

Please refer to Registration for more information.

Shareware & Freeware Programs

If you are somewhat apprehensive about changing system settings and editing your system's registry, then you can take heart in the fact that many of these changes can be done by using a variety of programs.  Take a look at these programs next time you are on the WWW. They are also available from my PC Shareware page at http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin/share.

•	Power Toys/TweakUI.  The Power Toys are a set of great programs and utilities written and distributed for free from Microsoft. They are easy to install and easy to use. At the time of this publication, the newest release of Power Toys was 9/28/96. The Power Toys home page can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/software/powertoy.htm.

•	Kernel Toys.   The Kernel Toys set of utilities are made for the Windows 95 power user. At the time of this publication, the newest release of the Kernel Toys was 7/4/96. The Kernel Toys home page can be found at  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/software/krnltoy.htm.

•	Microangelo.  Microangelo is a great icon editor and tool. It does everything from edit and create 256 color icons to making your own icon library files. At the time of this publication, the newest version was 2.1. The Microangelo home page can be found at http://www.impactsoft.com/muangelo/muangelo.html.

Downloading Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

The newest version of Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets can always be downloaded from http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin/win95tip.zip.

The author of this help file is not responsible in any way for any type(s) of unwanted result(s) from the use of the tips, tricks, and/or secrets obtained from this help file.

Contacting the Author

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


What's New

(Version 1.51)

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets is Shareware.

If you feel this help file is useful,

please register it within 30 days.

Please refer to Registration for more information.

Version 1.51

Topics added:

•	Registration---Information regarding the benefits of registering this help file, and how to register.

•	Copying File and Directory Paths to a DOS Prompt---Copy file or directory paths to a DOS Prompt.

Other changes:

•	Changed a portion of the tip on how to Close the Start Menu.

•	Added a note about a potential problem regarding Changing the Truncation of Long Filenames.

Version 1.4

Topics added:

•	Netstat---How to use this nice network infomation program.

•	Starting the Screen Saver on Demand---How to start screen savers manually.

•	WINS Servers and LMHOSTS---Information about using WINS server resolution and LMHOSTS to do networking over the Internet.

Other changes:

•	Added a popup reference to a shortcut icon in Changing the Shortcut Icon.

•	Added a reference in About this Help File stating where the newest version of Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets can be downloaded.

•	Added a URL for information about Microsoft's Kernel Toys in About this Help File.

Version 1.3 & 1.31

•	Changed the format of title page to allow easier browsing of help file by categorizing the topics.

•	Proofread the entire file, fixing various formatting and typographical errors.

Version 1.2

Topics added:

•	Changing System Icons---covers changing nearly all of the icons you might come across while using Windows 95, including the icons for folders, My Computer, and the Recycle Bin.

Other changes:

•	Changed the font on the title page and in article headings to Times New Roman (was Arial).

•	Added references to Powertoys and Microangelo in the article, About this Help File.

•	Other miscellaneous bug fixes & typographical corrections.

About this Help File

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Using the Registry Editor

General Information

The Registry Editor is used to edit the Windows 95 system registry (contained in the system.dat and user.dat files).  The registry file is basically just a mass of information that Windows 95 uses for its various settings.  By changing these settings, you can change the way Windows 95 looks and acts.

To load up the Registry Editor, run regedit.exe, which is in your windows directory (i.e., c:\windows).

NOTE:  I do no recommend making any changes to the Windows 95 registry unless you are comfortable with the information contained in this topic. One slight typing error could potentially hamper the operation of Windows 95.

Creating New Keys

All of the folders are on the left pane of the Registry Editor are called keys.  Each key may contain more keys within it, along with at least one value named (Default).  To create a new key, right click then choose Key from New the popout menu.  This action can also be done through the Registry Editor's Edit menu.  To create a key within an existing key, right click on the parent folder.

Creating New Values

Values are plentiful throughout the Registry Editor, and control a lot of what goes on in Windows 95.  There are three types of values that can be created:  String, Binary, and DWORD.  For all practical purposes, you will most likely only be dealing with the String and Binary value types.  To create a new value, right click on the right pane of Registry Editor and choose New String, Binary, or DWORD value.

Renaming Keys and Values

To rename a key or value, either right click on the key or value and select Rename, or simply hit F2 on your keyboard (F2 is the shortcut key for renaming objects throughout Windows 95).

Editing Values

To edit a registry value, simply double click on the name of the value.  Depending on the type of the value (i.e., String or Binary), you will get a different interface through which to edit.

Important Information About the Registry

Every time you successfully boot up Windows 95, copies of your system.dat and user.dat files (the two main registry files) are made.  If you are working in Windows 95, and something "fatal" goes wrong, DO NOT reboot and let Windows 95 load up again.  Instead, restore the registry from the backups that are automatically made.  For detailed information on how to restore the system registry, refer to the help file accompanying regedit.exe, or do a text search from within Windows help. Often, if you return to Windows 95 with a registry error, you will receive a message telling you there is an error, and your backup copies will automatically be restored. It is still a good idea though to be prepared to manually restore the registry.

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Contacting the Author

Any comments, suggestions, or tips of your

own are encouraged and welcome.

(All addresses are as of December 4, 1996)

•	E-mail

tsolin@mail.wsu.edu

•	Standard Mail

Travis A. Solin

Safari Computer Systems

PO Box 2280

Oak Harbor, WA  98277

•	Home Page

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin

•	Travis' Best PC Shareware Programs

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin/share

•	Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets (current version)

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~tsolin/win95tip.zip

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets Contents


Register Stuff


Registration

Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets is shareware.

This help file is offered as a 30 day free trial. If you decide that it is useful, please register after the trial period. Registration of this product will allow me to continue devoting the time and effort necessary to maintain and update this help file.

•	Why Should I Register?

•	How Can I Register?


Why Should I Register?

Unlike demonstration or limited versions of shareware programs, this help file is the full and complete version.

What you will receive when you register:

•	Lifetime access to the newest version of this help file.

•	Placement on an e-mail list to receive tips, tricks, and secrets not yet in the newest version of this help file.

•	Notices of version updates.

The registration fee for this help file is only $5.00 ($6.50 Canadian). This is a small fee for all of the time and effort I have put into compiling these tips, tricks, and secrets together in a easy-to-use format. Besides, I'm a struggling college student at Washington State University!

Please see How Can I Register? for more information.


How Can I Register?

Upon receiving your personal information needed to register this help file, you will be placed on an e-mail list to receive new tips, tricks, and secrets that are not yet in the newest version of Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets. You will also receive information on where you can obtain a version of this help file which does not give any reference to its unregistered state. Personal information obtained will remain completely confidential.

Methods of registration for Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

•	E-mail

•	Telephone

•	Fax

•	U.S. Mail

E-Mail Registration

To register this help file via e-mail, a valid Visa or MasterCard is required. Please copy and paste the following information into your e-mail program. Also, please enter the recipient and subject information below:

Recipient:  tsolin@mail.wsu.edu

Subject:  Registration

When your registration is processed, you will receive an e-mail or telephone confirmation.

Full Name----

E-mail address----

Telephone----

Name on Credit Card----

  (if different from above)

Credit card type (Visa/MC)----

Card Number----

Expiration Date----

Address Line 1----

Address Line 2----

City----

State----

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Your credit card will be charged the $5.00 ($6.50 Canadian) registration fee.

Telephone Registration

To register this help file via telephone, call 800-793-8196 and ask to speak to John Solin or leave a message. When your registration is processed, you will receive an e-mail or telephone confirmation.

Fax Registration

To register this help file via fax, dial 360-679-1762.

1.	Using a fax machine

If you are using a fax machine, refer to the Registration Form topic, or print out the orderfrm.txt file which was included with the win95tip.zip archive.

2.	Using a fax modem

If you are using a fax modem, copy the contents of the orderfrm.txt file into your fax program.

Your credit card will be charged the $5.00 ($6.50 Canadian) registration fee.

U.S. Mail Registration

To register this help file via U.S. Mail, follow the steps below:

1.	Refer to the Registration Form topic, or print out the orderfrm.txt file which was included with the win95tip.zip archive.

2. Send your registration form and payment to:

Travis Solin

Safari Computer Systems

P.O. Box 2280

Oak Harbor, WA  92877


Registration Form

To order by Fax or U.S. Mail, print out the topic which appears when you follow the link at the bottom of this page. If you do not have access to a printer, please write the information which is requested on the order form on a standard sheet of paper or a notecard.

If you are paying the $5.00 ($6.50 Canadian) registration fee by check, money order, or cash, attach it with the registration form. If you are paying by credit card, please fill in the appropriate areas below, and your card will be charged $5.00 ($6.50 Canadian).

Mail registration to:

Travis A. Solin

Safari Computer Systems

P.O. Box 2280

Oak Harbor, WA  98277

Fax registration to:

360-679-1762

Print the registration form from this link:  Registration Form


Registration Form
Windows 95 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets 1.51

Registration Form

When your registration is processed, you will receive an e-mail or telephone confirmation.

»» Registration Fee:  $5.00 ($6.50 Candian) ««

Full Name:	_________________________________

E-mail address:	_________________________________

Telephone:	_________________________________

Name on Credit Card:	____________________________

    (if different from above)

Credit card type (VISA/MC):	_________

Card Number:	____________________________

Expiration Date:	___________

Address Line 1:	____________________________

Address Line 2:	____________________________

City:  ________________________    State:  ______

Zip Code:  _______________

Country (leave blank if U.S.):  ___________________


Popups


Title Bar Buttons

  Minimzes the current window

  Maximizes/restores the current window

  Closes the current window


Regedit.exe
Regedit.exe is the program file which runs the Windows 95 Registry Editor. It is located in the windows directory (i.e., c:\windows). See Using the Registry Editor for more information.


Batch File
One or more MS-DOS commands contained in a text file with a .bat extension.  When run, a batch file will carry out the MS-DOS commands.  For more information on batch files and batch file commands, refer to your MS-DOS manual or online help.


Shortcut Icon

  The shortcut arrow represents that the icon is a representation of the original file.


Washington State University
Washington State University---Go Cougars!

You can access Washington State University's WWW Home Page at:

http://www.wsu.edu for more information.