Communication:  Miscellaneous

Speed up access to network shares (2000-XP)

You can prevent Win2000/XP from checking for scheduled tasks to solve the long delay problem when viewing Win98/ME shares from a Windows 2000/XP computer. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\Explorer\ RemoteComputer
\NameSpace\Delete {D6277990-4C6A- 11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} after exporting it, in case you want to restore it later. Or you can just rename it.

Run more than one instance of ICQ

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ SOFTWARE\Mirabilis\ ICQ\DefaultPrefs.
To allow more than seven registered users, set the string value "NoUsersLimit" to "Yes"
To allow you to launch multiple copies of ICQ, set the string value "MultiInstance" to "Yes"
Warning:  ICQ may become unstable, and you probably will have to reinstall it after a couple of days.

Find out your IP Address

9x: Start > Run > type in winipcfg.exe
XP: Start > Run > type in cmd. Now in the C:\Windows\ System32\cmd.exe box type in ipconfig at the flashing cursor.

Remove Windows Messenger (XP)
Step 1: Disable instant messaging in Outlook Express

Launch Outlook Express Tools > Options > Other Uncheck Enable instant messaging in Microsoft Outlook

Step 2: Uninstall MSN

Open c:\windows\ inf\sysoc.inf in Notepad and change to msmsgs=msgrocm.dll, OcEntry, OcEntry, msmsgs.inf, hide,7 to msmsgs=msgrocm.dll, OcEntry, msmsgs.inf,,7 Control Panel> Add or Remove Programs> Add/Remove Windows Components Uninstall MSN Messenger Service
Reboot.

Step 3: If Outlook Express loads slowly after removing MSN

Copy and paste the following line into the Run box (Start>Run) and click OK: RunDll32 advpack.dll, LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf, BLC. Remove
Reboot.

Enable or Disable Messenger Service
Windows 2000

Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disabled or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu
Click OK.

Windows XP

Click Start > Control Panel
For Category View only (skip this step for Classic View), click Performance and Maintenance
Click Administrative Tools
Double-click Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties
Click the STOP button.
Select Disabled or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu
Click OK.

Windows XP Home Edition

Click Start > Control Panel
Click Administrative Tools
Click Component Services
Double-click Services Local
Double-click "Messenger" to bring up the options panel
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties
Click the STOP button
Select Disabled or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu
Click OK.

Windows NT

Click Start > Control Panel
Double-click Administrative Tools
Select Services > Double-click on Messenger
In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop,
Then choose Disable as the Startup Type
Click OK.

How To Renew/Release Your IP Address
Windows 95/98/ME

Click the Start Button and select the "Run" option. A run program dialog box will appear.
Type "winipcfg" into the box and hit enter. You may have to select your adapter from the drop down menu.
Now left click the "Release All" button, after the computer finishes releasing the ip address, left click the "Renew All" button.

Windows 2000

Click the Start Button and select the "Run" option. A run program dialog box will appear. Type "ipconfig /release" into the box and hit enter. The run box may close. If it does just
Click the Start Button and select the "Run" option again.
Now type "ipconfig /renew" into the box and hit enter.

Windows XP

Click on the Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. A black box appears. Just type ipconfig /renew and press enter. When it is done it will say to either close the black box, or will close automatically. Now restart your computer.

NOTE: Cable Modem User's may need to disconnect the power to the modem, then shut down the computer.
Wait at least 30 seconds or more. Now plug in the cable modem and wait till it cycles then restart the computer.
Now check your connection.

Change Default folder when saving Attachment

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\ Windows\Current Version\Explorer\ User Shell Folder. Now double click the Personal string on the right hand side. Back everything out of the Value Data field and paste the path to your new Default location that you want to save your Attachments to. (The new folder should be made prior to doing this. Example: Old path %USERPROFILE%\ My Documents     New Path: C:\Downloads

Prevent MSN Messenger from automatically signing in

To prevent MSN Messenger from automatically signing in using a registered Microsoft Passport account: click the Start button -> click Run...-> type in: control userpasswords2 -> hit Enter or click OK -> click Advanced tab -> select Manage Passwords -> delete all Passport entries -> click OK/Apply. Then run MSN Messenger -> sign in -> type your passport, e-mail address and password -> uncheck the "Sign me in automatically" box -> save your settings and close MSN Messenger

How to prevent Windows Messenger 4.0 or later from running on a Windows XP-based computer

Use the Group Policy (gpedit.msc) snap-in to turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option.

Notes:  To use the Group Policy snap-in, you must be logged on to the computer using an account that has administrator permissions. This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger. To turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
2. In Group Policy, expand Local Computer Policy, expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then expand Windows Messenger.
3. Double-click Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run, and then click Enabled.
4. Click OK.
5. On the File menu, click Exit to quit the Group Policy snap-in.

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer

Note: This method does not prevent users from manually running Windows Messenger, but it does prevent Windows Messenger from running automatically every time that you start Windows. Change the preferences in Windows Messenger. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Start Windows Messenger.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Preferences tab.
3. Click to clear the Run this program when Windows starts check box, and then click OK. If you use Outlook Express or Outlook 2002, Windows Messenger may start automatically every time that you run Outlook Express or Outlook.

To prevent Windows Messenger from starting automatically, follow these steps:

Outlook Express
1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
2. Click to clear the Automatically log on to Windows Messenger check box, and then click OK.

Outlook 2002
1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Other tab.
2. Click to clear the Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook check box, and then click OK.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or later versions on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer or on a Windows XP Professional-based computer

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Note:  This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

1. Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit.exe, and then click OK. If the following registry subkey already exists, go to step 6: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\Policies\ Microsoft\Messenger\ Client
2. Click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\Policies\ Microsoft
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Messenger for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.
4. Click the following registry subkey: key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\Policies\ Microsoft\Messenger
5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Client for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.
6. Click the following registry subkey: key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\Policies\ Microsoft\Messenger\ Client
7. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value and then press ENTER.
8. Right-click the PreventRun value that you created in step 7, and then click Modify. In theValue data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9. Quit Registry Editor.