Slow Computer Followup
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I was reading the "Arghh - Why is my computer so slow?" thread, saw the comments on the Indexing Service and was reminded that I had not turned this off on my latest computer. Opps. And I had a thought... I always seem to be rebuilding systems - or commissioning new ones. Perhaps we should construct a "ToDoList"[^] that lists the changes you should make to a new Windows installation to make it usable and secure - things like turning off the indexing service, IE security settings. So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? Paul Hooper If you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder, they will get you from the front instead.
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I was reading the "Arghh - Why is my computer so slow?" thread, saw the comments on the Indexing Service and was reminded that I had not turned this off on my latest computer. Opps. And I had a thought... I always seem to be rebuilding systems - or commissioning new ones. Perhaps we should construct a "ToDoList"[^] that lists the changes you should make to a new Windows installation to make it usable and secure - things like turning off the indexing service, IE security settings. So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? Paul Hooper If you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder, they will get you from the front instead.
Off the top of my head... One of the first things I do is go here: http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm and shut off all the services I don't need using the "Safe" guide. Then I disable Port 445/SMB: http://www.petri.co.il/what's_port_445_in_w2k_xp_2003.htm and disable Port 135/DCom: (requires task scheduler to be disabled) http://www.grc.com/dcom/ I also shut off: - system restore - automatic updates - remote assistance/desktop After that, you should (I think!) have zippo ports open when XP boots. In IE, I make sure that the Allow Paste Operations via Script is disabled in the Internet security settings. (If you hang out in the grc.com newsgroups, you'll learn tons of good security tips) Finally, I install PowerToys and disable all the garbage I don't need.
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I was reading the "Arghh - Why is my computer so slow?" thread, saw the comments on the Indexing Service and was reminded that I had not turned this off on my latest computer. Opps. And I had a thought... I always seem to be rebuilding systems - or commissioning new ones. Perhaps we should construct a "ToDoList"[^] that lists the changes you should make to a new Windows installation to make it usable and secure - things like turning off the indexing service, IE security settings. So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? Paul Hooper If you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder, they will get you from the front instead.
Paul Hooper wrote: So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? 1. Turn off all those newbie-friendly Explorer settings like "hide file extensions" and "hide system files" 2. Install Tweak UI - most important settings are turning off "Shortcut to..." on new shortcuts, and increasing the popup menu speed. 3. Install WinZip 4. Set IE to prompt before running AX controls --Mike-- Personal stuff:: Ericahist | Homepage Shareware stuff:: 1ClickPicGrabber | RightClick-Encrypt CP stuff:: CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | C++ Forum FAQ ---- Kosh reminded me of some of the prima-donna programmers I've worked with. Knew everything but when you asked them a question; never gave you a straight answer. -- Michael P. Butler in the Lounge
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Paul Hooper wrote: So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? 1. Turn off all those newbie-friendly Explorer settings like "hide file extensions" and "hide system files" 2. Install Tweak UI - most important settings are turning off "Shortcut to..." on new shortcuts, and increasing the popup menu speed. 3. Install WinZip 4. Set IE to prompt before running AX controls --Mike-- Personal stuff:: Ericahist | Homepage Shareware stuff:: 1ClickPicGrabber | RightClick-Encrypt CP stuff:: CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | C++ Forum FAQ ---- Kosh reminded me of some of the prima-donna programmers I've worked with. Knew everything but when you asked them a question; never gave you a straight answer. -- Michael P. Butler in the Lounge
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I was reading the "Arghh - Why is my computer so slow?" thread, saw the comments on the Indexing Service and was reminded that I had not turned this off on my latest computer. Opps. And I had a thought... I always seem to be rebuilding systems - or commissioning new ones. Perhaps we should construct a "ToDoList"[^] that lists the changes you should make to a new Windows installation to make it usable and secure - things like turning off the indexing service, IE security settings. So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? Paul Hooper If you spend your whole life looking over your shoulder, they will get you from the front instead.
Paul Hooper wrote: Perhaps we should construct a "ToDoList"[^] that lists the changes you should make to a new Windows installation to make it usable and secure - things like turning off the indexing service, IE security settings. Sounds like a perfect use for a wiki. That way, everyone can contribute and keep the pages accurate as the OS changes and new useful utilities/products are discovered. Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog
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I also rename 'My Computer' to simply 'Computer' and 'My Network Places' to 'Network', and 'My Documents' to 'Documents'. Screenshots of recent Longhorn builds seem to suggest that Microsoft are finally discarding this idiocy. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
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Paul Hooper wrote: So what changes do YOU routinely make to a new Windows install? 1. Turn off all those newbie-friendly Explorer settings like "hide file extensions" and "hide system files" 2. Install Tweak UI - most important settings are turning off "Shortcut to..." on new shortcuts, and increasing the popup menu speed. 3. Install WinZip 4. Set IE to prompt before running AX controls --Mike-- Personal stuff:: Ericahist | Homepage Shareware stuff:: 1ClickPicGrabber | RightClick-Encrypt CP stuff:: CP SearchBar v2.0.2 | C++ Forum FAQ ---- Kosh reminded me of some of the prima-donna programmers I've worked with. Knew everything but when you asked them a question; never gave you a straight answer. -- Michael P. Butler in the Lounge
Michael Dunn wrote: 1. Turn off all those newbie-friendly Explorer settings like "hide file extensions" and "hide system files" ABSOLUTELY!!!! The "Hide file extensions" is among the worst features Windows ever introduced (up there with the Windows Installer "Install on Demand" feature). But it sure does make it easy for virus writers to hide executable files as other file types. :| "Fish and guests stink in three days." - Benjamin Franlkin