Reference number: CH000466

How to setup Windows XP to look like previous version of Windows.

Question:

How to setup Windows XP to look like previous versions of Windows.

Cause:

Windows XP changes the interface and various other aspects of how Windows operates that many users, especially those who have used Windows in the past, may not enjoy. Below is a listing of common requested features that users wish to disable and how to disable them.

Answer:

How do I get my start menu back to the old format?

Click Start / Control Panel / Taskbar and Start menu / click the Start Menu tab / select Classic Start Menu / click Apply and Ok.

Can I set XP to look like previous versions of Windows?

Start / Control Panel / Display and under the theme select Windows Classic.

How can I move my taskbar sections so they are positioned the way I want?

right-click the Toolbar and uncheck the option to lock the taskbar.

How can I remove the option for a dropdown on a button on the taskbar?

Start / Control Panel / Taskbar and Startmenu / Uncheck the option for "Group similar taskbar buttons"

How to prevent Microsoft Messenger from automatically running?

See document CH001006 for steps on how to do this.

How can I make My Computer the first icon on the Desktop?

See document CH000906 for additional information.

How to get the search to operate like previous versions of Microsoft Windows?

This change requires the user to make modifications to their registry. Please be aware of the potential complications if the registry is modified improperly by reviewing our registry page

1. Open the Microsoft Registry.
2. Open the below path:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows
   \CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState\
   
   
3. Within the above location create a new 'string' value called "Use Search Asst" (without the quotes).
4.  Modify the new 'string' value and set the value to "no" (again, without the quotes).

Disabling the Windows Welcome screen / Password Prompt.

• Information about disabling the Windows XP login password prompt can be found on document CH000536.
• Information about disabling the Windows XP welcome screen can be found on document CH000537.

How do I disable the Windows XP balloon tips?

This change requires the user to make modifications to their registry. Please be aware of the potential complications if the registry is modified improperly by reviewing our registry page. 

1. Open the Microsoft Registry.
2. Open the below path:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows
   \CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\
   
   
3. Within the above location create a new 'DWORD' value called "EnableBalloonTips" (without the quotes).
4. Once created, double-click the EnableBalloonTips and make sure it is set to a hexadecimal value of 0.