Hacking Windows XP

379 Pages·2004·12.149 MB·English

by  Steve Sinchak

Sinch_HackXP-EXTC_69295_DF 5/25/04 10:39 AM Page 1
Operating Systems/Windows XP $24.99 US/$35.99 CAN/£16.99 UK
Steve Sinchak
Steve Sinchak is the creator and proprietor
of TweakXP.com, the number one online
playground for Windows XP hackers. He
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ment firm. Steve is a self-taught hacker
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Detailed, step-by-step 1. Build your own boot screen 5. Supercharge network speed 9. Mod Internet Explorer
instructions for these 2. Tweak task bar and start button 6. Blast features you hate, for good 10. Lock down system security
hacks and dozens more 3. Speed launch and execution time 7. Create visual styles 11. Benchmark your hardware
4. Unlock hidden settings 8. Add special visual effects 12. Scrub spyware and adware
Registry hacks ready to install
Any “undo” files available
SUPER HOT
Hack templates, and over 45 hacking tools and toys System requirements: Please see the
that will help you get the most out of Windows® XP "What's on the CD-ROM" appendix for LOCK YOUR WINDOWS
details and complete system requirements. Sinchak
Protect Windows XP with
ISBN 0-7645-6929-5
Give your system a total makeover
*85555-IIFHBe ,!7IA7G4-fgjcjg!:P;m;o;t;T maximum-strength security
y
That's one fanc boot!
Boost your machine’s boot speed Customize your boot screen
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Hacking Windows® XP
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Hacking Windows® XP
Steve Sinchak
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Hacking Windows® XP
Published by
Wiley Publishing,Inc.
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Indianapolis,IN 46256
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2004 by Wiley Publishing,Inc.,Indianapolis,Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN:0-7645-6929-5
Manufactured in the United States of America
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Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department,Wiley Publishing,Inc.,10475 Crosspoint Blvd.,Indianapolis,IN
46256,[phone],fax [phone],E-Mail:[email protected].
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About the Author
Steve Sinchakis an entrepreneur that has started several technology-related businesses and is
currently running a Web development firm known as SSMGi that owns and operates several
Web sites.As president of the small company,he is responsible for financial,as well as techni-
cal,aspects of the business,such as application programming and infrastructure design and
maintenance.
Steve has been working with computers for more than 10 years.Starting with a desktop which
had a 286-based processor,1MB of RAM,and was running DOS & Windows 3.1,he taught
himself how to make his computer run faster on the outdated hardware.Driven by curiosity to
customize Windows and make it run faster,he spent countless hours researching and experi-
menting with the inner workings and features of Windows.His primary claim-to-fame in this
subject matter is as the creator of TweakXP.com,the number-one site for tweaking Windows
XP.What started out as an idea for a new Web site that combined his interest in tweaking
Windows and Web programming has grown into a massive database of tweaks and tips for
Windows XP that attracts more than 3 million visitors a year.
Currently,Steve is a senior at Marquette University in Milwaukee,WI,studying management
IT and computer science.He splits his spare time between classes,running his businesses,and
spending time with his family and friends.
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Credits
Executive Editor Vice President and Executive Publisher
Chris Webb Bob Ipsen
Development Editor Vice President and Publisher
Scott Amerman Joseph B.Wikert
Executive Editorial Director
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Wiley-Dreamtech India Pvt.Ltd.
Permissions Editor
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Copy Editor
TechBooks
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TechBooks Production Services
Vice President & Executive Group
Publisher Cover Image
Richard Swadley Anthony Bunyan
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This book is dedicated to my parents Larry and Mary Jo,my brothers Jason and David,
my sisters Jackie and Kimberly,and my girlfriend Emily.
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Acknowledgments
Writing this book while juggling classes and my business was often pretty difficult.Almost all
of my free time for the last four months has been consumed by writing,leaving very little time
for my girlfriend and friends.First,I would like to thank my girlfriend,Emily,for her love,
support,understanding,and help when things got really tight.Thank you so much.You mean
the world to me.
I’d also like to thank everyone in my family for the love,support,and motivation that they have
always shown me.Dad,thanks for bringing home that old IBM AT from work many years
ago.Who would have thought it could start something that would lead me to eventually write
a book? Mom,thank you for your constant motivation and love throughout all of the challenges
in my life.
I’d like to thank my close friends,Paul and Tom.Although they made writing this book very
difficult at times,with their constant distractions,I wouldn’t want it any other way.Going to
Miller Time pub with you two to take breaks from writing was priceless.
Next,I’d like to thank everyone at Wiley for their work on this book.Chris Webb,thanks for
giving me this opportunity and for your suggestions in the early stages.Scott Amerman,thank
you very much for your help and suggestions with writing the chapters.Thank you for turning
me into an author.
Everyone at TweakXP.com also deserves a big thank you—especially Allan Grossman,the
forum administrator of the TweakXP.com support forums.Thank you very much for helping
me with the site and for turning the forum into one of the best support forums for Windows
XP.I would also like to thank all of the forum moderators,news posters,active members,and
daily visitors.You have all played an essential role in the success of TweakXP.com.Thank you
very much!