10-08-2009, 07:31 PM
Here is a list of windows commands. Some of you might find these helpful.
Accessibility Controls
access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools
control admintools
Automatic Updates
wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
fsquirt
Calculator
calc
Certificate Manager
certmgr.msc
Character Map
charmap
Check Disk Utility
chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer
clipbrd
Command Prompt
cmd
Component Services
dcomcnfg
Computer Management
compmgmt.msc
Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl
DDE Shares
ddeshare
Device Manager
devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*
directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr
Disk Defragment
dfrg.msc
Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager
diskpart
Display Properties
control desktop
Display Properties
desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility
verifier
Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc
File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif
Findfast
findfast.cpl
Folders Properties
control folders
Fonts
control fonts
Fonts Folder
fonts
Free Cell Card Game
freecell
Game Controllers
joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game
mshearts
Iexpress Wizard
iexpress
Indexing Service
ciadv.msc
Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid
ava Control Panel (If Installed)
jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel (If Installed)
javaws
Keyboard Properties
control keyboard
Local Security Settings
secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff
Mcft Chat
winchat
Minesweeper Game
winmine
Mouse Properties
control mouse
Mouse Properties
main.cpl
Network Connections
control netconnections
Network Connections
ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl
Notepad
notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager
packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard
osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)
ac3filter.cpl
Password Properties
password.cpl
Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor
perfmon
Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl
Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes
control printers
Printers Folder
printers
Private Character Editor
eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl
Regional Settings
intl.cpl
Registry Editor
regedit
Registry Editor
regedit32
Remote Desktop
mstsc
Removable Storage
ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests
ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras
sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks
Security Center
wscui.cpl
Services
services.msc
Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows
shutdown
Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game
spider
SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg
System Configuration Editor
sysedit
System Configuration Utility
msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sfc /cachesize=x
System Properties
sysdm.cpl
Task Manager
taskmgr
Telnet Client
telnet
User Account Management
nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager
utilman
Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier
magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc
Windows System Security Tool
syskey
Windows Update Launches
wupdmgr
Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart
Application Secrets
Secret - Hidden Command Line Switch
Defrag Defrag
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Run" and Type defrag c: -b to defragment the Boot and Application Prefetch information.
Notes - Windows XP will run this automatically every three days or so, during system idle periods. BootVis will evoke this when you run the "Optimize System" function. There is no need to manually run this unless you wish to immediately optimize a newly installed application's load time.
IExpress IExpress
Secret - Hidden Install Creator
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type iexpress - Source
Notes - IExpress is a technology designed to simplify creation of a setup program. Using the step-by-step IExpress Wizard, you can create self-extracting files that automatically run the setup program contained inside. The setup program can be an .inf file or an executable program. IExpress technology automatically removes the setup files after installation, saving the user time and frustration.
Edit.com MS-DOS Editor
Secret - Hidden Text Editor
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type edit - Source
Notes - Windows XP comes with another text editor besides Notepad - it's called the MS-DOS Editor, and it's commonly referred to simply as Edit. It has features similar to Notepad, as well as additional features such as the ability to work with multiple text files and change the background and text colors.
Conf Netmeeting
Secret - Hidden Internet Conference Application
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type conf - Source
Notes - Windows XP is the last version of Microsoft Windows to include NetMeeting. NetMeeting delivers a complete Internet conferencing solution for all Windows users with multi-point data conferencing, text chat, whiteboard, and file transfer, as well as point-to-point audio and video.
Notepad Notepad
Secret - Create a Log File
Instructions - Launch Notepad, Type .LOG on the first line, and then press Enter to move to the next line. On the File menu, click Save As, type a descriptive name for your file in the File name box, and then click OK. When you next open the file, note that the date and time have been appended to the end of the log, immediately preceding the place where new text can be added. You can use this functionality to automatically add the current date and time to each log entry. - Source
Paint Paint
Secret - Image Trails
Instructions - Open an image and hold down Shift then drag the image around to create an image trail.
Secret - 10x Zoom
Instructions - Open an image and select the magnifying glass icon. Left-Click exactly on the line below the 8x.
Eudcedit Private Character Editor
Secret - Hidden Font Editor
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type eudcedit - Source
Notes - You can use Private Character Editor to create unique letters and logos for your font library.
WinChat Windows Chat
Secret - Hidden Windows Chat Program
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type winchat - Source
Notes - You can use Windows Chat on your computer to communicate with someone on another computer. Both computers must be connected to the same network (for example, a local area network [LAN] or the Internet). Also, each computer must be running a similar protocol, such as TCP/IP.
mplay32 Windows Media Player 5.1
Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type mplay32
mplayer2 Windows Media Player 6.4
Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type mplayer2 - Source
Notes - Windows Media Player 6.4 (Classic) is installed along with Windows Media Player 7. The only update is that it now supports the latest codecs.
^ TOP
Game Secrets
FreeCell FreeCell
Secret - Instant Win
Instructions - Hold down Ctrl + Shift + F10 during game play. Then you will be asked if you want to Abort, Retry or Ignore. Choose Abort, then move any card to instantly win.
Secret - Hidden Game Modes
Instructions - In the "Game" menu choose "Select Game". Enter -1 or -2 to activate the hidden game modes.
Hearts Hearts
Secret - Show All Cards
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, Type: 'Regedit', OK. Edit this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Hearts
Right click on the Hearts folder, select New, String Value and name it ZB. Right-click on ZB, select Modify and enter a Value Data of 42, OK and close Regedit. Start Hearts (not Internet Hearts). Once in a game Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F12 to show all the cards.
Background - This secret is a reference to Douglas Adams' book the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 'ZB' is the initials of the character Zaphod Beeblebrox, the Galactic President. '42' is the answer to The Ultimate Question Of Life, the Universe and Everything.
Minesweeper Minesweeper
Secret - Reveal Mines
Instructions - Minimize or close all running applications. Launch Minesweeper, then type xyzzy. Next hold down either shift key for one second. Now when you move the mouse cursor over a Minesweeper square you will see a tiny white pixel in the top left corner of your desktop screen. This pixel will change to black when your mouse moves over a mine. You may need to change you desktop background to a solid color other than white or black to see the pixel.
Secret - Stop Timer
Instructions - Launch Minesweeper and start a game so the timer starts counting, then press the Windows Key + D to show the desktop. Now when you select minesweeper from the taskbar you can continue playing with the timer stopped.
Pinball Pinball
Secret - Extra Balls
Instructions - Type 1max at the start of a new ball to get extra balls.
Secret - Gravity Well
Instructions - Type gmax at the start of a new game to activate the Gravity Well.
Secret - Instant Promotion
Instructions - Type rmax at the start of a new game to go up in ranks.
Secret - Skill Shot
Instructions - Launch the ball partially up the chute past the third yellow light bar so it falls back down to get 75,000 points. There are six yellow light bars that are worth a varying amount of points:
First: 15,000 points
Second: 30,000 points
Third: 75,000 points
Fourth: 30,000 points
Fifth: 15,000 points
Sixth: 7,500 points
Secret - Test Mode
Instructions - Type hidden test at the start of a new ball to activate Test Mode. No notification will be given that this is activated but you can now left-click the mouse button and drag the ball around. While in test mode press the following keys for more secrets:
H - Get a 1,000,000,000 High Score
M - Shows the amount of system memory
R - Increases your rank in game
Y - Shows the Frames/sec rate
Secret - Unlimited Balls
Instructions - Type bmax at the start of a new ball. No notification will be given that this is activated but when a ball is lost a new ball will appear from the yellow wormhole indefinitely. Once this is activated you will be unable to activate other secrets without restarting the game.
Solitaire Solitaire
Secret - Instant Win
Instructions - Press Alt + Shift + 2 during game play to instantly win.
Secret - Draw single cards in a Draw Three game
Instructions - Hold down CTRL + ALT + SHIFT while drawing a new card. Instead of drawing three cards you will only draw one.
^ TOP
OS Secrets
Add/Remove Add/Remove
Secret - Hidden Uninstall Options
Instructions - Warning: Proceed at your own risk! Browse to C:\Windows\inf\ and make a backup copy of sysoc.inf. Then open the original file C:\Windows\inf\sysoc.inf in notepad. Go to "Edit" and select "Replace". In "Find what:" type ,hide and in "Replace with:" type , then select "Replace All", save and close the file. Go to the "Control Panel", "Add/Remove", select "Add/Remove Windows Components". You will now see many more Windows components to uninstall. Do not remove anything with no label or that you do not recognize or fully understand what it does. Doing so can break certain functionality in Windows.
Control Panel Control Panel
Secret - Hidden Control Panel Extensions
Instructions - Download and install TweakUI, launch, go to "Control Panel" and check any item not selected, then "Apply" and "OK". You will now see the hidden control panel extensions.
Device Manager Device Manager
Secret - Hidden Devices
Instructions - Go to the "Control Panel", "System" icon, "Hardware" tab and select "Device Manager". Select "View" and Show hidden devices.
[b]Secret - Phantom Devices[/b]
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Programs", "Accessories" and select "Command Prompt". At the command prompt, type "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" and press Enter. At the command prompt, type "start devmgmt.msc" and press Enter. Select "View" and Show hidden devices. You can see devices that are not connected to the computer. - Source
Notes - When you close the command prompt window, Windows clears the "devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" variable that you set and prevents phantom devices from being displayed when you select "Show hidden devices".
MIDI Files MIDI Files
Secret - Hidden MIDI Files
Instructions - Browse to C:\Windows\Media and you will find 3 hidden MIDI files:
flourish.mid
onestop.mid
town.mid
Notes - "MIDI" stands for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface" - A compression format for encoding music.
Music Music
Secret - Music from the Installer
Instructions - Browse to C:\Windows\system32\oobe\images\title.wma and play.
Notes - "OOBE" stands for "Out-of-Box Experience".
Shutdown Shutdown
Secret - Display Hibernate Option on the Shut Down dialog
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Turn Off Computer..." and press either Shift key to change the "Stand By" button to "Hibernate".
Support Tools Support Tools
Secret - Over 100 Windows XP Support Utilities are on the install CD
Instructions for Pre-SP2 users - If you do not have SP2 installed, put the original Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM Drive, run the D:\Support\Tools\setup.exe file.
Instructions for SP2 users - If you have SP2 installed, Download the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools and install.
Accessibility Controls
access.cpl
Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools
control admintools
Automatic Updates
wuaucpl.cpl
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
fsquirt
Calculator
calc
Certificate Manager
certmgr.msc
Character Map
charmap
Check Disk Utility
chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer
clipbrd
Command Prompt
cmd
Component Services
dcomcnfg
Computer Management
compmgmt.msc
Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl
DDE Shares
ddeshare
Device Manager
devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*
directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr
Disk Defragment
dfrg.msc
Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager
diskpart
Display Properties
control desktop
Display Properties
desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility
verifier
Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc
File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif
Findfast
findfast.cpl
Folders Properties
control folders
Fonts
control fonts
Fonts Folder
fonts
Free Cell Card Game
freecell
Game Controllers
joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc
Hearts Card Game
mshearts
Iexpress Wizard
iexpress
Indexing Service
ciadv.msc
Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid
ava Control Panel (If Installed)
jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel (If Installed)
javaws
Keyboard Properties
control keyboard
Local Security Settings
secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff
Mcft Chat
winchat
Minesweeper Game
winmine
Mouse Properties
control mouse
Mouse Properties
main.cpl
Network Connections
control netconnections
Network Connections
ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard
netsetup.cpl
Notepad
notepad
Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
nvtuicpl.cpl
Object Packager
packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard
osk
Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)
ac3filter.cpl
Password Properties
password.cpl
Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor
perfmon
Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl
Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes
control printers
Printers Folder
printers
Private Character Editor
eudcedit
Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl
Regional Settings
intl.cpl
Registry Editor
regedit
Registry Editor
regedit32
Remote Desktop
mstsc
Removable Storage
ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests
ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc
Scanners and Cameras
sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks
Security Center
wscui.cpl
Services
services.msc
Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows
shutdown
Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game
spider
SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg
System Configuration Editor
sysedit
System Configuration Utility
msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sfc /cachesize=x
System Properties
sysdm.cpl
Task Manager
taskmgr
Telnet Client
telnet
User Account Management
nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager
utilman
Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier
magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc
Windows System Security Tool
syskey
Windows Update Launches
wupdmgr
Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart
Application Secrets
Secret - Hidden Command Line Switch
Defrag Defrag
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Run" and Type defrag c: -b to defragment the Boot and Application Prefetch information.
Notes - Windows XP will run this automatically every three days or so, during system idle periods. BootVis will evoke this when you run the "Optimize System" function. There is no need to manually run this unless you wish to immediately optimize a newly installed application's load time.
IExpress IExpress
Secret - Hidden Install Creator
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type iexpress - Source
Notes - IExpress is a technology designed to simplify creation of a setup program. Using the step-by-step IExpress Wizard, you can create self-extracting files that automatically run the setup program contained inside. The setup program can be an .inf file or an executable program. IExpress technology automatically removes the setup files after installation, saving the user time and frustration.
Edit.com MS-DOS Editor
Secret - Hidden Text Editor
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type edit - Source
Notes - Windows XP comes with another text editor besides Notepad - it's called the MS-DOS Editor, and it's commonly referred to simply as Edit. It has features similar to Notepad, as well as additional features such as the ability to work with multiple text files and change the background and text colors.
Conf Netmeeting
Secret - Hidden Internet Conference Application
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type conf - Source
Notes - Windows XP is the last version of Microsoft Windows to include NetMeeting. NetMeeting delivers a complete Internet conferencing solution for all Windows users with multi-point data conferencing, text chat, whiteboard, and file transfer, as well as point-to-point audio and video.
Notepad Notepad
Secret - Create a Log File
Instructions - Launch Notepad, Type .LOG on the first line, and then press Enter to move to the next line. On the File menu, click Save As, type a descriptive name for your file in the File name box, and then click OK. When you next open the file, note that the date and time have been appended to the end of the log, immediately preceding the place where new text can be added. You can use this functionality to automatically add the current date and time to each log entry. - Source
Paint Paint
Secret - Image Trails
Instructions - Open an image and hold down Shift then drag the image around to create an image trail.
Secret - 10x Zoom
Instructions - Open an image and select the magnifying glass icon. Left-Click exactly on the line below the 8x.
Eudcedit Private Character Editor
Secret - Hidden Font Editor
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type eudcedit - Source
Notes - You can use Private Character Editor to create unique letters and logos for your font library.
WinChat Windows Chat
Secret - Hidden Windows Chat Program
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type winchat - Source
Notes - You can use Windows Chat on your computer to communicate with someone on another computer. Both computers must be connected to the same network (for example, a local area network [LAN] or the Internet). Also, each computer must be running a similar protocol, such as TCP/IP.
mplay32 Windows Media Player 5.1
Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type mplay32
mplayer2 Windows Media Player 6.4
Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type mplayer2 - Source
Notes - Windows Media Player 6.4 (Classic) is installed along with Windows Media Player 7. The only update is that it now supports the latest codecs.
^ TOP
Game Secrets
FreeCell FreeCell
Secret - Instant Win
Instructions - Hold down Ctrl + Shift + F10 during game play. Then you will be asked if you want to Abort, Retry or Ignore. Choose Abort, then move any card to instantly win.
Secret - Hidden Game Modes
Instructions - In the "Game" menu choose "Select Game". Enter -1 or -2 to activate the hidden game modes.
Hearts Hearts
Secret - Show All Cards
Instructions - Go to Start, Run, Type: 'Regedit', OK. Edit this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Hearts
Right click on the Hearts folder, select New, String Value and name it ZB. Right-click on ZB, select Modify and enter a Value Data of 42, OK and close Regedit. Start Hearts (not Internet Hearts). Once in a game Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F12 to show all the cards.
Background - This secret is a reference to Douglas Adams' book the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 'ZB' is the initials of the character Zaphod Beeblebrox, the Galactic President. '42' is the answer to The Ultimate Question Of Life, the Universe and Everything.
Minesweeper Minesweeper
Secret - Reveal Mines
Instructions - Minimize or close all running applications. Launch Minesweeper, then type xyzzy. Next hold down either shift key for one second. Now when you move the mouse cursor over a Minesweeper square you will see a tiny white pixel in the top left corner of your desktop screen. This pixel will change to black when your mouse moves over a mine. You may need to change you desktop background to a solid color other than white or black to see the pixel.
Secret - Stop Timer
Instructions - Launch Minesweeper and start a game so the timer starts counting, then press the Windows Key + D to show the desktop. Now when you select minesweeper from the taskbar you can continue playing with the timer stopped.
Pinball Pinball
Secret - Extra Balls
Instructions - Type 1max at the start of a new ball to get extra balls.
Secret - Gravity Well
Instructions - Type gmax at the start of a new game to activate the Gravity Well.
Secret - Instant Promotion
Instructions - Type rmax at the start of a new game to go up in ranks.
Secret - Skill Shot
Instructions - Launch the ball partially up the chute past the third yellow light bar so it falls back down to get 75,000 points. There are six yellow light bars that are worth a varying amount of points:
First: 15,000 points
Second: 30,000 points
Third: 75,000 points
Fourth: 30,000 points
Fifth: 15,000 points
Sixth: 7,500 points
Secret - Test Mode
Instructions - Type hidden test at the start of a new ball to activate Test Mode. No notification will be given that this is activated but you can now left-click the mouse button and drag the ball around. While in test mode press the following keys for more secrets:
H - Get a 1,000,000,000 High Score
M - Shows the amount of system memory
R - Increases your rank in game
Y - Shows the Frames/sec rate
Secret - Unlimited Balls
Instructions - Type bmax at the start of a new ball. No notification will be given that this is activated but when a ball is lost a new ball will appear from the yellow wormhole indefinitely. Once this is activated you will be unable to activate other secrets without restarting the game.
Solitaire Solitaire
Secret - Instant Win
Instructions - Press Alt + Shift + 2 during game play to instantly win.
Secret - Draw single cards in a Draw Three game
Instructions - Hold down CTRL + ALT + SHIFT while drawing a new card. Instead of drawing three cards you will only draw one.
^ TOP
OS Secrets
Add/Remove Add/Remove
Secret - Hidden Uninstall Options
Instructions - Warning: Proceed at your own risk! Browse to C:\Windows\inf\ and make a backup copy of sysoc.inf. Then open the original file C:\Windows\inf\sysoc.inf in notepad. Go to "Edit" and select "Replace". In "Find what:" type ,hide and in "Replace with:" type , then select "Replace All", save and close the file. Go to the "Control Panel", "Add/Remove", select "Add/Remove Windows Components". You will now see many more Windows components to uninstall. Do not remove anything with no label or that you do not recognize or fully understand what it does. Doing so can break certain functionality in Windows.
Control Panel Control Panel
Secret - Hidden Control Panel Extensions
Instructions - Download and install TweakUI, launch, go to "Control Panel" and check any item not selected, then "Apply" and "OK". You will now see the hidden control panel extensions.
Device Manager Device Manager
Secret - Hidden Devices
Instructions - Go to the "Control Panel", "System" icon, "Hardware" tab and select "Device Manager". Select "View" and Show hidden devices.
[b]Secret - Phantom Devices[/b]
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Programs", "Accessories" and select "Command Prompt". At the command prompt, type "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" and press Enter. At the command prompt, type "start devmgmt.msc" and press Enter. Select "View" and Show hidden devices. You can see devices that are not connected to the computer. - Source
Notes - When you close the command prompt window, Windows clears the "devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" variable that you set and prevents phantom devices from being displayed when you select "Show hidden devices".
MIDI Files MIDI Files
Secret - Hidden MIDI Files
Instructions - Browse to C:\Windows\Media and you will find 3 hidden MIDI files:
flourish.mid
onestop.mid
town.mid
Notes - "MIDI" stands for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface" - A compression format for encoding music.
Music Music
Secret - Music from the Installer
Instructions - Browse to C:\Windows\system32\oobe\images\title.wma and play.
Notes - "OOBE" stands for "Out-of-Box Experience".
Shutdown Shutdown
Secret - Display Hibernate Option on the Shut Down dialog
Instructions - Go to "Start", "Turn Off Computer..." and press either Shift key to change the "Stand By" button to "Hibernate".
Support Tools Support Tools
Secret - Over 100 Windows XP Support Utilities are on the install CD
Instructions for Pre-SP2 users - If you do not have SP2 installed, put the original Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM Drive, run the D:\Support\Tools\setup.exe file.
Instructions for SP2 users - If you have SP2 installed, Download the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools and install.
