Things To Do After A Default Windows XP Installation

• Control Panel > System > Device Manager: Install drivers for all uninstalled devices.
• Install all recommended Windows Update except Service Pack 2.
• Edit Display Properties:
• Set Theme to 'Windows Classic'.
• Set Screen Saver to 'None'.
• Set Power Scheme to 'Always On'.
• Set the Display settings per monitor.
• Desktop > Customise Desktop > Uncheck 'Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days'.
• Set the Start Menu Properties to 'Classic'.
Check:
• Display Administrative Tools
• Display Log Off
• Expand Control Panel
• Show Small Icons in Start Menu
• Scroll Programs
Uncheck:
• Use Personalized Menus
• Set the Taskbar Properties:
• Check 'Show Quick Launch'.
• Move 'Show Desktop' to the far left of Taskbar.
• Add 'Notepad' to Quick Launch.
• Set Control Panel to 'Classic View'.
• Change Folder View to 'List' or 'Details'.
Tools > Folder Options > View:
• Click 'Apply to All Folders'.
• Check 'Display the full path in the title bar'.
• Check 'Show hidden files and folders'.
• Uncheck 'Hide extensions for known file types'.
• Check 'Show Control Panel in My Computer'.
• Internet Explorer:
• Install Google Toolbar.
• Customize Toolbar.
• Remove useless Favorites.
• Set home page.
• Control Panel:
• Sounds > Sound scheme: Select 'No sounds'.
• System > Advanced > Performance > Visual Effects Tab > Select 'Adjust for best performance'.
• System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory Change > Custom Size. Set initial and maximum size to the same value, twice that of the installed RAM.
• System > Advanced > Start Up and Recovery > Uncheck 'System Recovery: Automatic Restart'.
• System > Advanced > Error Reporting > Select 'Disable Error Reporting'. Uncheck 'Notify me...'.
• System > Remote > Uncheck 'Allow remote assistance invitations to be sent from this computer'.
• System > System Restore > Select 'Turn off System Restore'.
• System > Automatic Updates > Select 'Turn off Automatic Updates'.
• Add/Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components:
• Uncheck 'Accessories > Games'.
• Uncheck 'MSN Explorer'.
• Uncheck 'Windows Media Player'.
• Uncheck 'Windows Messenger'.
• Folder Options > Offline Files > Uncheck 'Enable Offline Files'.
• regedit:
• HKCU > Control Panel > Desktop > Set 'MenuShowDelay' to '100'.
• Tweak UI
• Control Panel: Check 'Microsoft Data Sources'.
• Templates: Uncheck all except 'Text Document'.
• Logon > AutoLogon: Check 'Logon automatically at system startup'.