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Windows 98

Navigation

To open a Windows Explorer window with a specific root folder
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• Open a DOS prompt, create a shortcut, or select Run from the Start menu

• Use the following as the command line--you can replace C:\My Documents with any path (local or network)

Explorer /e, /root, "C:\My Documents" --> you need to type the quotes!

To open a Windows Explorer window rooted at a mouse-selected folder
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• Open Windows Explorer
• Choose View >> Folder Options
• Click the File Types tab
• Under Registered file types, select the Folder file type, then click the Edit... button
• Add a new action by pressing the New... button
• Type Explore Here in the Action field.
• Enter the following command line into the Application used to perform action field:

Explorer.exe /e, /root, "%1%" --> you need to type the quotes!

To use the new Explore Here feature:
• Right-click on the icon for a drive or folder anywhere you see one
• Select Explore Here

An Explorer window will open with the folder that you right-clicked on as its root. Remember that the icon on the title bar represents the current folder (and can be right-clicked on).

Turning Folders to Toolbars

The Network Neighborhood and My Computer icons on the Desktop can be dragged to the edge of the desktop where they will turn into toolbars--automatically. You can do that to any folder on the Desktop!

Depending on which screen edge you dragged the folder to, Windows will create a toolbar with links to everything in that folder. Any items added to or deleted from the folder are instantly reflected on the toolbar.

To turn the toolbar back into the folder, right-click on the toolbar, choose Toolbars, then unclick the folder.

Quick exploring with the Run command

There's a nice quick way to check some of your most commonly used directories by typing simple commands in the Run command box. To get to the Run command, click the Start button, then choose Run..., then:

If you type a period -- . -- you can see all the stuff on your Desktop in a single window;
If you type two periods -- .. -- you see all the files in the C:\Windows directory;
If you type a slash -- / -- you see everything in the C:\ directory.

Adding a cascading Control Panel to the Start menu

Right click on the Start button and select Open.

Under the File menu, select New then Folder. Name it Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}

That's it!

More Win key shortcuts

Show system properties - Windows Button + Pause

Windows Help - Windows Button + F1

Show desktop - Windows Button + D (not in Win95)

The Show Desktop one also hides un-minimizable windows, such as the System Properties.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Further windows key short cuts:
If you have minimized with Win key-M, you can maximize again with Win key -Shift key-M. You might notice Win key-M does not work on the maximized IE5 window. You can still view the desktop if you use Win key-D.

Shortcut to System Control Panel

On Windows 98, get to the System Control Panel with
C:\windows\control.exe sysdm.cpl, system,1

On some systems, you may have to substitute
C:\windows\system\sysdm.cpl system,1

This works in Start/Run, or you can create a shortcut icon anywhere you want. (Right click on the desktop, select New / Shortcut)

Clean up the Start Menu

To eliminate the annoying "documents", "favorites" and "logoff user menu" on the start menu open up the registry and scroll down to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

Click on the right window pane and enter a new DWORD value.

(1.) To eliminate the Documents menu, name the DWORD "NoRecentDocsMenu" and right click on it to modify and enter "1" for the value.

(2.) To eliminate the Favorites menu, name the DWORD "NoFavoritesMenu" and right click on it to modify and enter "1" for the value.

(3.) To eliminate the Log Off menu, name the DWORD "NoLogOff" and right click on it to modify and enter "1" for the value.

For changes to take effect, you must reboot.

Stop CD Auto-Run

Pressing shift when inserting a CD will stop the autorun from kicking in (if autorun is enabled)

Rob note: If you want to disable autorun permanently from a particular CD-ROM drive, go to the Control Panel / System and click on the Device Manager tab. Expand your "CDROM" by hitting the + sign, and then pick the drive you want and hit Properties button / Settings tab and uncheck "Auto insert notification." After a reboot, you will never have to fear auto insert notification disrupting your business.

Quick Close and Shutdown

You can use Alt-F4 to close any open window and you can also use this to quickly bring up the Shutdown Dialog box - then just hit return.

Quick Keystrokes

Here are some quick and easy tips for getting around in Windows 95, 98, and NT.

Open up Windows Explorer - Windows Button + E.
Open up the Run Window - Windows Button + R.
Open up the Find Files Window - Windows Button + F.
Minimize all open windows - Windows Button + M.

Creating a Popup Menu

Tired of using the Start menu to get everywhere?

1. Create a folder that holds all your favorite shortcuts inside.
2. Open the Registry Editor
3. Navigate your way to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ CLSID {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
4. Inside, right-click the Shell key, choose New and then Key, and name the new key My Folder.
5. With My Folder still selected, right-click (Default) in the right pane, choose Modify, and type &My Folder. Click OK.
6. Right-click the new My Folder key, choose New and then Key, and name the new key Command
7. In the right pane, right-click (Default) and choose Modify to bring up the Edit String box. Type on the Value data line:
   C:\Windows\Explorer.exe C:\ followed by the path of the folder you'd like the My Folder item to point to.
8. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
9. Right-click My Computer and select your new My Folder item to display it on the screen.

How to add items to the "New" Menu

1. Create a new file. This will become the template for all new files when you choose your new entry.
2. Move this file into the ShellNew subdirectory under your Windows directory (i.e., c:\windows\ShellNew).
3. Open up the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
4. Find the extension of the file that you just created.
5. Make a new key under it called ShellNew.
6. Under the ShellNew key, make a new string value called FileName.
7. Type in the name of the new file you created including the extension