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10 Best Hidden Windows Features
Windows XP is an operating system par excellence. Easy to use itcomes with some amazing features.
1. The computer management screen allows control of theoperating system from a single interface.
2. The event viewer permits viewing of logs maintained by XP asdefault. Program and system errors are maintained in the systemslogs for ready reference when recurring problems occur.Important is to enable this auditing system which is inactive bydefault.
3. The shared folders file lists all folders that can be sharedby remote users. The Sessions List displays all remote usersconnected to the computer. And, the Open Files List indicatesall files being accessed by remote users. An invaluable systemthis helps in security. The system is such that files in driveC: are shared by default. To prevent this, a password mustprotect all user accounts. One can however remove remote usersfrom the system.
4. An interface permits management of users, passwords, andgroups (XP professional). The 'groups' option allows restrictingas well as assigning rights as privileges to multiple users. Thedefault users group cannot use systems applications to installsoftware. Only the administrators group has unlimited access tothe system. The Microsoft web server software creates IUSR-xxxaccounts that permit access to web pages created by you toremote users. To protect the files disable the guest account,which is a security lapse. Further, password protect alladministrator and user accounts. Caution! XP home andprofessional by default make users created during installationprocess a part of the administrators group.
5. Win2K creates a database when one or more drives becomedynamic. The dynamic disk database contains detailed informationof the system. This permits resizing of space in a disk as thedynamic volume need not be continuous. Dynamic volume can beresized to include free space on other disks, termed
asspanning. Dynamic disk groups can also be transferred betweensupporting computers by physical removal and importing them intothe disk manager.
6. A system restore feature takes snapshots of the computersconfiguration at set intervals. This is a working backup ofwindows registry and contains all information needed to restorethe computer's functionality. The default reserve of a drive is12% and restore points are stored in this space. If it runs outof space, a system restore will begin overwriting restore pointsautomatically.
7. A local securities policy controls XP security options likeauditing. The local policies section has auditing options whichallows one to know who has accessed audited resources. Auditingis disabled by default; enable only one or two options that arenecessary.
8. Accessibility options includes tools that make using Windowseasier for people with visual impairments or disabilities ofother kinds. One can change: text size, scroll bar size, iconsize, color scheme, use visual indicators instead of soundeffects. Of the many facilities such as use of single keysinstead of simultaneous use of two or more keys is an on screenkeyboard for those who are unable to use a physical key board.
9. A built in backup system enables data backup to a tape orhard drive. Users of XP Home can add backup utility from a CD.
10. Files and settings transfer wizard allows transfer ofdocuments from other computers automatically. All it needs is anet work connection.
Understand the operating system and you will discover manydelights.
About the author:
Paul Wilson is the content manager forwww.1888SoftwareDownloads.com , the premier website tofind Free Software Downloads including free anti-virus software,free spyware detection software, free toolbars, free chatsoftware and more. He also manages content forhttp://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com .
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