Top 10+ Windows XP Hidden Features (You've Never Heard Of)

Launched back in 2001, Microsoft Windows XP, is one of the most popular operating system being used worldwide. Even after 17 years, it is being used by 7% of the PCs as in April 2018. The reasons being the interactive user interface, easy to use and a lot more features which were presented to the world for the very first time. But to mention, Windows XP had many features that were hidden from the eyes of a normie! If you’re one of them, you got nothing to worry about. We’ll tell you all those hidden features of Windows XP as you go through the article. If you don’t have Windows XP, then you can download Windows XP ISO file from World Top Updates.

1. Useful Keyboard Shortcuts Available:-

• Windows key + D - shows the desktop.
• Windows key + M - minimizes all open windows.
• Windows key + Shift + M - maximizes all open windows.
• Windows key + E - Runs Windows Explorer.
• Windows key + R - shows the RUN dialog.
• Windows key + F - shows Search window.
• Windows key + Break - shows System Properties box.
• Windows key + TAB - Go through taskbar applications.
• Windows key + PAUSE Display the System Properties dialog box.
• Windows key + U Open Utility Manager.
• ALT + TAB - Cycle through opened applications.
• Hold down CTRL while dragging an item to Copy it.
• CTRL + ESC Display the Start menu.
• ALT + ENTER View the properties for the selected item.
• F4 key Display the Address bar list in My Computer or
• NUM LOCK + Asterisk (*) Display all of the subfolders that are under the selected folder.

2. Windows XP comes with IPv4 and IPv6:-

Windows XP supports both the versions of the IP, i.e. IPv4 and IPv6. You can install the protocols needed for IPv6 by using the command “IPv6 install” in the command prompt. Then type ‘ipv6 /?’ to see the options. This doesn’t remove the IPv4 protocols and your current configuration will still work.

3. Renaming multiple files at once:-

We all do renaming of files, but with Windows XP, you get the privilege to rename multiple files at the same time. You have to select all the files to be renamed, right click and select rename. Now type in the new name. They will be renamed using what you specified, with a number in brackets to distinguish them.

4. Edit accounts in the command prompt:-

You can edit user accounts by using “control userpasswords2” command in the command prompt.

5. Protecting the computer by Locking Windows:-

The windows can be protected by locking the Windows, and this can be done by creating a shortcut with the path rundll32.exeuser, Lock Workstation. The Windows Key + L eases the task for you.

6. Disable system services for maximum performance:-

Windows XP has a list of features that can be disabled to free the system’s space and load.

You can disable the following services as they usually remain useless:

• Alerter
• Application Layer Gateway Service
• Application Management
• Automatic Updates
• Background Intelligent Transfer
• Clipbook
• Distributed Link Tracking Client
• Distributed Transaction Coordinator
• Error Reporting Service
• Fast User Switching Compatibility
• IMAPI CD-Burning
• Indexing Service
• IPSEC Services
• Messenger
• Net Logon
• Net Meeting
• Remote Desktop Sharing
• Network DDE
• Network DDE DSDM
• Portable Media Serial Number
• Remote Desktop Help Session Manager
• Remote Registry
• Secondary Logon
• Smartcard
• SSDP Discovery Service
• Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Universal Plug and Play Device Host
• Upload Manager
• Web client
• Wireless Zero Configuration
• WMI Performance Adaptor

7. Edit features with GPEDIT.MSC :-

Many features can be altered by running gpedit.msc. Many features like log on/ log off can be added.

8. Run programs as a different user:-

Right click on the program and select Run As option. Thus you will be able to run the program as a different user.

9. Repair Windows XP by using the Windows XP installation CD:-

If any error related to missing hal.dll, invalid boot.ini or any other critical system boot files, halts the starting of your Windows XP; you can fix this by repairing your Windows XP with the help of Windows XP installation CD. Just boot your PC from your XP setup CD and reach recovery console. Then run “attrib –H –R –S” on the C:\Boot.ini file and delete it. Run “Bootcfg/Rebuild” and then fixboot.

   10. Stop treating ZIP files like folders:-

If your Windows XP treats ZIP files like folders and it bothers you, you can disable this component by running regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll at the command prompt or Run dialog. To revert these changes, type regsvr32 zipfldr.dll.

   11. Edit sysoc.inf to list all softwares:-

If you ever wish to remove any software from your computer, you can get the list of all the softwares by editing the ‘sysoc.inf’ file located in Windows\inf\. Just remove the word hide next to the software pack.

   12. Use systeminfo.exe to see System Information:-

Systeminfo.exe command in command prompt can be used to see the System information, Windows Updates and hotfixes.

   13. Task Kill feature:-

In command prompt, run command tasklist to see running processes with PID numbers. Then type tskill <PID>. This terminates the specified task.

  14. Access task manager with a Shortcut:-

A shortcut with the destination “%windir%\system32\taskmgr.exe” lets you access Task Manager.

  15. Switch users leaving applications opened:-

Windows XP lets you switching between the users while leaving the applications opened.