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#1
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
Hello all,
I'm trying to create a fast-and-easy method to configure a new install of XPsp3 (meaning: without having to manually go thru a gazillion of configuration windows), and have been trying to edit the registry instead. For most stuff this works well enough, but there are a few changes/settings I cannot seem to get a grip on, and I could use a bit of help with: -- How do I: 1) change the /taskbar/ to classic mode 2) on the taskbar, enable and unlock the "quick launch" area. 3) in the file browser, change the file display mode (to "list") 4) on the desktop, set the "arrange icons by" to "auto arrange" I've been able to find where some of those settings are stored (in the registry), but a manual change of them has no effect and gets overwritten when I shut down Windows. Regards, Rudy Wieser |
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#2
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
In message , R.Wieser
writes: [] -- How do I: 1) change the /taskbar/ to classic mode 2) on the taskbar, enable and unlock the "quick launch" area. 3) in the file browser, change the file display mode (to "list") 4) on the desktop, set the "arrange icons by" to "auto arrange" I've been able to find where some of those settings are stored (in the registry), but a manual change of them has no effect and gets overwritten when I shut down Windows. Regards, Rudy Wieser By "manual change", I take it you mean you _did_ use the GUI. For your 3), I _think_ it can be made permanent, but it's certainly not intuitive: IIRR (I'm not on XP now) it involves selecting list in one place, and "make all folders like this one" in another place. I _think_ that sticks (though may still not affect "special" "folders", such as I think "My ..." ones). -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." |
#3
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
John,
By "manual change", I take it you mean you _did_ use the GUI. My apologies. I shoud have mentioned that was by way of editing the registry by hand. And yes, that means that, in a way, I did use the GUI there. :-p I should probably have said "configuration dialogs" instead of "gui" there .... For your 3), I _think_ it can be made permanent, but it's certainly not intuitive: :-) Thats the /next/ problem: First I need to know how to do it for a single one. IIRR (I'm not on XP now) it involves selecting list in one place, and "make all folders like this one" in another place Yep. Select, in the file browser, the "list" option from the "views" (rightmost icon) and than tools - folder options - view - apply to all folders. Easy-peasy. Now I only have to convert that to registry settings ... :-D I've been googeling for that and others most of yesterday. With varying success ... though may still not affect "special" "folders", such as I think "My ..." ones It does. I always have to "switch them back" do something more to my liking (mostly the "icon" style). Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#4
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
R.Wieser wrote:
John, By "manual change", I take it you mean you _did_ use the GUI. My apologies. I shoud have mentioned that was by way of editing the registry by hand. And yes, that means that, in a way, I did use the GUI there. :-p I should probably have said "configuration dialogs" instead of "gui" there ... For your 3), I _think_ it can be made permanent, but it's certainly not intuitive: :-) Thats the /next/ problem: First I need to know how to do it for a single one. IIRR (I'm not on XP now) it involves selecting list in one place, and "make all folders like this one" in another place Yep. Select, in the file browser, the "list" option from the "views" (rightmost icon) and than tools - folder options - view - apply to all folders. Easy-peasy. Now I only have to convert that to registry settings ... :-D I've been googeling for that and others most of yesterday. With varying success ... though may still not affect "special" "folders", such as I think "My ..." ones It does. I always have to "switch them back" do something more to my liking (mostly the "icon" style). Regards, Rudy Wieser There is a command line "reg" command for updating the registry. This page illustrates how to do it, a bit. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-e...mpt-windows-10 On WinXP, there shouldn't be a problem with permissions, as the registry doesn't have quite as many accounts "floating around" in it. Vista+ would have some entries protected by TrustedInstaller. And I've also put some of those "reg" commands into a .bat and used Scheduled Tasks to provide a stronger "owner" to run the commands with. The SYSTEM account that Scheduled Tasks uses, is a bit stronger. Paul |
#5
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
Paul,
There is a command line "reg" command for updating the registry. How to make those changes is not the problem. Its the what & where that eludes me. Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#6
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
On Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:14:57 +0100, "R.Wieser"
wrote: Hello all, I'm trying to create a fast-and-easy method to configure a new install of XPsp3 (meaning: without having to manually go thru a gazillion of configuration windows), and have been trying to edit the registry instead. For most stuff this works well enough, but there are a few changes/settings I cannot seem to get a grip on, and I could use a bit of help with: -- How do I: 1) change the /taskbar/ to classic mode 2) on the taskbar, enable and unlock the "quick launch" area. Right click "start" and click on "properties" 3) in the file browser, change the file display mode (to "list") Make it the way you want then in settings "apply to all folders" 4) on the desktop, set the "arrange icons by" to "auto arrange" Right click anywhere on the Desktop. I've been able to find where some of those settings are stored (in the registry), but a manual change of them has no effect and gets overwritten when I shut down Windows. Just run something like RegShot and it will log all the registry changes. It's portable, so you can delete the folder after you've saved the differential snapshot(s) to a USB. https://sourceforge.net/projects/regshot/ However you do it, make an image and burn it to a DVD. It took me 3 days to get my XP EXACTLY how I wanted it. No third party drivers or programs installed. Now when I install, I just copy that image back to the new computer, install the drivers that come with the motherboard and finally the programs I use most. I then make an image of that and use it if I even run into trouble. []'s -- Don't be evil - Google 2004 We have a new policy - Google 2012 Nineteen Eighty-Four was a work of FICTION !!!! - Orwell |
#7
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
Shadow,
Thanks for your reply, but trying to put something together that /doesn't/ involve me to go thru configuration dialogs. Just run something like RegShot and it will log all the registry changes. I know what you mean, and I've used it in the past. But as mentioned, some of the found (using google)registry changes will not "stick", because the OS shutting down overwrites them. But how/where to apply them instead ? Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#8
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
On Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:57:07 +0100, "R.Wieser"
wrote: Shadow, Thanks for your reply, but trying to put something together that /doesn't/ involve me to go thru configuration dialogs. Just run something like RegShot and it will log all the registry changes. I know what you mean, and I've used it in the past. But as mentioned, some of the found (using google)registry changes will not "stick", because the OS shutting down overwrites them. But how/where to apply them instead ? Some changes are not written to the registry. Some are written to files. You can configure RegShot to take a snapshot of //documents and settings// . //appdata// and //windows// as well as the usual registry changes. The registry changes are easy to apply. Just make a textfile, rename it to update.reg and write down the changes RegShot records in it. Just as an example, if you want to disable scripting host, AND disable autoplay on all removable drives (both are important security settings): Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Script Host\Settings] "UseWINSAFER"="1" "Enabled"=dword:00000000 "Remote"=dword:00000000 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\policies\Explorer] "NoDriveAutoRun"=dword:03ffffff "HonorAutorunSetting"=dword:00000001 "NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000ff ------------------ You can add as many items as you need. Double-clicking or importing the file into the registry (from the command line in safe mode) and then rebooting will apply the changes. []'s -- Don't be evil - Google 2004 We have a new policy - Google 2012 Nineteen Eighty-Four was a work of FICTION !!!! - Orwell |
#9
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
Shadow,
Some changes are not written to the registry. Remember, we are talking about the OS here. It stores /everything/ in the registry. Just as an example, if you want to disable scripting host, AND disable autoplay on all removable drives (both are important security settings): Thanks for those samples. I already have the latter (among several), but I see the former could be interresting too. Will google it some more. But its currently really about those 4 points I named. How do I apply those without going thru a configuration dialog. And again, its not about how I include those settings into the registry, its about what and where. Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#10
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
On Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:59:23 +0100, "R.Wieser"
wrote: Shadow, Some changes are not written to the registry. Remember, we are talking about the OS here. It stores /everything/ in the registry. Not everything. It's why "Documents and Settings" and it's various subfolders exist. Anyway, most personal settings are kept in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer and its sub-keys, like: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\Advanced And remember, you will probably have to set them in safe mode and reboot. It would be much easier to do it through the GUI ...... and the shell "reloads" the new settings. No need to reboot. []'s Just as an example, if you want to disable scripting host, AND disable autoplay on all removable drives (both are important security settings): Thanks for those samples. I already have the latter (among several), but I see the former could be interresting too. Will google it some more. But its currently really about those 4 points I named. How do I apply those without going thru a configuration dialog. And again, its not about how I include those settings into the registry, its about what and where. Regards, Rudy Wieser -- Don't be evil - Google 2004 We have a new policy - Google 2012 Nineteen Eighty-Four was a work of FICTION !!!! - Orwell |
#11
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
On Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:14:57 +0100, R.Wieser wrote:
1) change the /taskbar/ to classic mode Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer Value Name: ShellState Data Offset: 0x20 Data Byte: 1 = Classic, 3 = New 2) on the taskbar, enable and unlock the "quick launch" area. Taskbar lock state: Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Advanced Value Name: TaskbarSizeMove Data: 0 = locked, 1 = unlocked Taskbar additional toolbars (e.g. Quick Launch): Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Streams\Desktop Value Name: TaskbarWinXP Data: ??? 3) in the file browser, change the file display mode (to "list") Current file views: Keys: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags\ number\Shell Value Name: Mode Data: 1 = icons, 3 = list, 4 = details, 5 = thumbnails, 6 = tiles _____ Namespace default file view: Key: KCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Expl orer\Streams\Defaults Value Name: GUID of shell namespace Global default file view: Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Streams Value Name: Settings Data Offset: 0x04 Data Byte: 1 = icons, 3 = list, 4 = details, 5 = tiles, 6 = thumbnails 4) on the desktop, set the "arrange icons by" to "auto arrange" Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Deskt op Value Name: FFlags Data Bit 0: 0 = auto arrange disabled, 1 = auto arrange enabled I've been able to find where some of those settings are stored (in the registry), but a manual change of them has no effect and gets overwritten when I shut down Windows. That's because some settings when changed, are not immediately written into the registry. They're only written into the registry when the desktop process is gracefully closed. Gracefully closing the desktop process can be done by opening the Logoff/Shutdown dialog (not the Switch User screen), then press the Cancel button while holding CTRL+ALT+SHIFT keys. There may be a way to automate this, but I don't know it (yet). You can apply the registry settings by forcefully closing the desktop process, but if you also need those lazy-written settings to be apllied into the registry, you'll need to gracefully close the desktop process. |
#12
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
Shadow,
Not everything. It's why "Documents and Settings" and it's various subfolders exist. True. But no /OS settings/ there. Anyway, most personal settings are kept in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer and its sub-keys, like: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\Advanced I know. I've got a number of them in my single-click configuration. Show extensions. Do not hide system files & folders. etc. And remember, you will probably have to set them in safe mode and reboot. Specify "them" please. I know of very few which need a reboot. The "classic desktop" setting is one of them. Disabeling certain services is another. And as for the four I'm still looking for ? The "safe mode" desktop does have a taskbar too, and will most likely thus also, on shutdown, overwrite changes to the registry ... It would be much easier to do it through the GUI ...... I disagree. Me going thru my list takes me the better part of an hour. Letting the 'puter "execute" that list takes less than 5 seconds - with /way/ less chance of missing a step or ****ing things up. and the shell "reloads" the new settings. No need to reboot. []'s I could see if I could send a "stuff changed!" app broadcast as the last step. Than again, (automatic) rebooting would probably as easy. Besides, installing drivers mostly needs one-or-more too. But, if I cannot apply those settings by changing the registry (or other) and /have/ to go thru configuration dialogs I will probably use AutoIt for it. Grumble ... Stupid Windows. You cannot even export/import your preferences. :-( :-) Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#13
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
JJ,
Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer Value Name: ShellState Data Offset: 0x20 Data Byte: 1 = Classic, 3 = New Alas, that one only changes the start menu. Also, the value I used is 0x20 (from 0x00). Taskbar lock state: Thanks. I already encountered it, but was too focussed on the Quick Launch it seems. :-\ Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Streams\Desktop Value Name: TaskbarWinXP Data: ??? Yep, found that one too. No info on what to change where though. Current file views: Keys: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags\ number\Shell Value Name: Mode Data: 1 = icons, 3 = list, 4 = details, 5 = thumbnails, 6 = tiles Alas, thats the one which gets overwritten when you try to make manual changes ... Global default file view: Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer\Streams Value Name: Settings Data Offset: 0x04 Data Byte: 1 = icons, 3 = list, 4 = details, 5 = tiles, 6 = thumbnails Can you tell me when this setting is used (by the OS I mean) ? I've changed the value, but when opening folders it still shows the contents in the old mode (also after rebooting). Key: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Deskt op Value Name: FFlags Data Bit 0: 0 = auto arrange disabled, 1 = auto arrange enabled Yep, found that one too. But its another of those values which gets overwritten when you shut down Windows. :-\ You can apply the registry settings by forcefully closing the desktop process, but if you also need those lazy-written settings to be apllied into the registry, you'll need to gracefully close the desktop process. Quite a catch22. To get it to work I would need to apply the "normal" settings first (and reboot), after which I apply the "abnormal" ones and make the desktop "crash" (close forcefully). Hmmm ... Thanks for the detailed help. :-) Regards, Rudy Wieser |
#14
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Sound schemes (was: Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI)
In message , R.Wieser
writes: [] Grumble ... Stupid Windows. You cannot even export/import your preferences. :-( :-) Regards, Rudy Wieser I was irritated by that years ago - I think it might even have been in '9x, but certainly XP (and almost certainly later) - when I set up a sound scheme (what sounds go with what events), and "saved" it: it doesn't ask you where, and of course in practice it doesn't save it as a file, but in the registry _only_. (Fair enough, has to be in memory _while running_, but. If nothing else you can't - easily, at least - copy them from one machine to another. -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf (Incidentally, it was made in Spain so shouldn't it be a "paella western"?) - Barry Norman [on "A Fistful of Dollars"], RT 2014/10/4-10 |
#15
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Switch to classic mode after installing /without/ using the GUI
R.Wieser wrote:
Shadow, Not everything. It's why "Documents and Settings" and it's various subfolders exist. True. But no /OS settings/ there. Anyway, most personal settings are kept in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer and its sub-keys, like: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\Advanced I know. I've got a number of them in my single-click configuration. Show extensions. Do not hide system files & folders. etc. And remember, you will probably have to set them in safe mode and reboot. Specify "them" please. I know of very few which need a reboot. The "classic desktop" setting is one of them. Disabeling certain services is another. And as for the four I'm still looking for ? The "safe mode" desktop does have a taskbar too, and will most likely thus also, on shutdown, overwrite changes to the registry ... It would be much easier to do it through the GUI ...... I disagree. Me going thru my list takes me the better part of an hour. Letting the 'puter "execute" that list takes less than 5 seconds - with /way/ less chance of missing a step or ****ing things up. and the shell "reloads" the new settings. No need to reboot. []'s I could see if I could send a "stuff changed!" app broadcast as the last step. Than again, (automatic) rebooting would probably as easy. Besides, installing drivers mostly needs one-or-more too. But, if I cannot apply those settings by changing the registry (or other) and /have/ to go thru configuration dialogs I will probably use AutoIt for it. Grumble ... Stupid Windows. You cannot even export/import your preferences. :-( :-) Regards, Rudy Wieser I admit it's a bit of a pain configuring it just right, but one hour sure doesn't sound bad to me! It will be interesting to hear if you ever get it down to one simple registry patch, and decide to share it. I was curious if you're doing this because you have several XP computers you want to set up quickly? |
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