XP Secrets - Secrets Hidden in Windows XP

Notes - This is not a performance related guide, use the Optimize XP Guide to improve system performance and the Diagnose XP Guide to troubleshoot a system problem. Technically, Windows XP does not include any easter eggs - "to supply certain government agencies with software, Microsoft can't include undocumented features, including Easter eggs". - WindowsITPro - Microsoft

 

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Application Secrets

 Defrag

Secret - Hidden Command Line Switch

Instructions - Go to "Start", "Run" and Type defrag c: -b to defragment the Boot and Application Prefetch information.

Notes - Windows XP will run this automatically every three days or so, during system idle periods. BootVis will evoke this when you run the "Optimize System" function. There is no need to manually run this unless you wish to immediately optimize a newly installed application's load time.


 IExpress

Secret - Hidden Install Creator

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type iexpress - Source

Notes - IExpress is a technology designed to simplify creation of a setup program. Using the step-by-step IExpress Wizard, you can create self-extracting files that automatically run the setup program contained inside. The setup program can be an .inf file or an executable program. IExpress technology automatically removes the setup files after installation, saving the user time and frustration.


 MS-DOS Editor

Secret - Hidden Text Editor

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type edit - Source

Notes - Windows XP comes with another text editor besides Notepad - it's called the MS-DOS Editor, and it's commonly referred to simply as Edit. It has features similar to Notepad, as well as additional features such as the ability to work with multiple text files and change the background and text colors.


 Netmeeting

Secret - Hidden Internet Conference Application

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type conf - Source

Notes - Windows XP is the last version of Microsoft Windows to include NetMeeting. NetMeeting delivers a complete Internet conferencing solution for all Windows users with multi-point data conferencing, text chat, whiteboard, and file transfer, as well as point-to-point audio and video.


 Notepad

Secret - Create a Log File

Instructions - Launch Notepad, Type .LOG on the first line, and then press Enter to move to the next line. On the File menu, click Save As, type a descriptive name for your file in the File name box, and then click OK. When you next open the file, note that the date and time have been appended to the end of the log, immediately preceding the place where new text can be added. You can use this functionality to automatically add the current date and time to each log entry. - Source


 Paint

Secret - Image Trails

Instructions - Open an image and hold down Shift then drag the image around to create an image trail.

Secret - 10x Zoom

Instructions - Open an image and select the magnifying glass icon. Left-Click exactly on the line below the 8x.


 Private Character Editor

Secret - Hidden Font Editor

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type eudcedit - Source

Notes - You can use Private Character Editor to create unique letters and logos for your font library.


 Windows Chat

Secret - Hidden Windows Chat Program

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type winchat - Source

Notes - You can use Windows Chat on your computer to communicate with someone on another computer. Both computers must be connected to the same network (for example, a local area network [LAN] or the Internet). Also, each computer must be running a similar protocol, such as TCP/IP.


 Windows Media Player 5.1

Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player

Instructions - Go to Start, Run, type mplay32


 Windows Media Player 6.4

Secret - Hidden Windows Media Player