Disabling the "fancy" stuff in Windows Explorer?

[StargateFanFromWork]

Good Morning.

I've used all major Windows OSs and am familiar with them all but Win98SE's
Windows Explorer remains my favourite, hands-down. It has the nicest blend
of functionality and aesthetics, without going so cutesy as XP, than all the
others -- _for_me_. I had a response to something completely unrelated in
another ng a few months back where someone made a comment that we could turn
off a lot of that fluff in XP. I've searched and searched in various XP ng
archives and did a general google for this but I haven't come across
anything particularly helpful.

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search? Also, is
there a way to not have to go through so many screens when searching? That
drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in Win98SE; it's utilitarian and
functional and gets the job done. I often have to click through several
options in XP's and that, too, drives me nuts! <g>

2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in another or
future installation of XP we don't have to go through the rigmarole all over
again?

Each time I get onto a new XP machine for friends and family, I already have
to do a lot to begin with so would like to speed up that process.

Thanks much in advance! I will most likely be picking up a new computer
this weekend and it has XP on it so would like to strip it down to something
more functional and streamlined right away. Cheers. D

 

[Ayush]

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change its value
to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make a new String value
named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set it to no

Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings

2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in
another or future installation of XP we don't have to go through the
rigmarole all over again?

Which settings ?

 

[StargateFanFromWork]

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Cabine
tState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change its value
to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make a new String value
named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set it to no

Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Which settings ?

Like the above. Anything we tweak XP's Windows Explorer with, hoping that
it's all in one place that we can copy. If I understood correctly, I was
told that we could make Explorer work like in Win98SE. But I'd prefer that
after having done all that work, that I could just backup a file with those
changed settings so that I could apply anywhere I needed to. I guess best
description is, say, when I change things in Outlook in the toolbars, etc.,
I have a bunch of files that I copy (i.e., outcmd.dat and the RWZ file,
etc.). Was hoping there was something similar for XP's settings? I've
never tried to backup an OSs settings like I do with all my MS office apps,
etc., but was hoping that something could be done. It's the only OS where
right from the start, I have to go in and change a whole host of things
before I even use it (as compared with Win98SE's Explorer, for example,
where I just use as is). Anyway, any help in that direction appreciated.

Thanks. D

 

[Ayush]

Mainly Everything is stored in Registry. So, if you backup and restore the
corresponding key from registry, everything is possible. I am no expert in
registry but i can tell you about some good tools that will do this and more :
1. <http://www.backsettings.com/expert-settings-backup.html>
2. <http://www.sharewareplaza.com/BackRex-Easy-Backup-download_16135.html>

--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Cabine
tState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change
its value to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make
a new String value named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set
it to no

Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Which settings ?

Like the above. Anything we tweak XP's Windows Explorer with, hoping
that it's all in one place that we can copy. If I understood
correctly, I was told that we could make Explorer work like in
Win98SE. But I'd prefer that after having done all that work, that I
could just backup a file with those changed settings so that I could
apply anywhere I needed to. I guess best description is, say, when I
change things in Outlook in the toolbars, etc., I have a bunch of
files that I copy (i.e., outcmd.dat and the RWZ file, etc.). Was
hoping there was something similar for XP's settings? I've never
tried to backup an OSs settings like I do with all my MS office apps,
etc., but was hoping that something could be done. It's the only OS
where right from the start, I have to go in and change a whole host
of things before I even use it (as compared with Win98SE's Explorer,
for example, where I just use as is). Anyway, any help in that
direction appreciated.

Thanks. D

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ayush

I can't see any reference to "Use classic search in explorer" in TweakUi!

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change its
value to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make a new
String value named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set it to no

Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings

2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in
another or future installation of XP we don't have to go through the
rigmarole all over again?

Which settings ?

 

[Ayush]

Open Tweakui
Click Explorer (Left side)
Scroll down, "Use Classic Search in Explorer" is 4th item from bottom.

My Tweakui version is 2.10.0.0 (For windows xp sp1 and higher)




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Gerry Cornell]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

Ayush

I can't see any reference to "Use classic search in explorer" in
TweakUi!

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------

1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change
its value to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make
a new String value named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set
it to no Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings

2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in
another or future installation of XP we don't have to go through the
rigmarole all over again?

Which settings ?

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Found it now. Thanks.


--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Open Tweakui
Click Explorer (Left side)
Scroll down, "Use Classic Search in Explorer" is 4th item from bottom.

My Tweakui version is 2.10.0.0 (For windows xp sp1 and higher)




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Gerry Cornell]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

Ayush

I can't see any reference to "Use classic search in explorer" in
TweakUi!

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------
1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens when
searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst", change
its value to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist then make
a new String value named "Use Search Asst" (without quotes) and set
it to no Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings


2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in
another or future installation of XP we don't have to go through the
rigmarole all over again?


Which settings ?

 

[Ayush]

You are welcome.

--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Gerry Cornell]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

Found it now. Thanks.

Open Tweakui
Click Explorer (Left side)
Scroll down, "Use Classic Search in Explorer" is 4th item from
bottom. My Tweakui version is 2.10.0.0 (For windows xp sp1 and higher)




--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [Gerry Cornell]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------

Ayush

I can't see any reference to "Use classic search in explorer" in
TweakUi!

"Ayush" <ayushmaan.j[aatt]gmail.com> wrote in message

Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message {INLINE}:
-----------------------------------------------------------
1) i.e., how can we turn off that trotting puppy in the search?
Also, is there a way to not have to go through so many screens
when searching? That drives me nuts. I much prefer the search in
Win98SE; it's utilitarian and functional and gets the job done. I
often have to click through several options in XP's and that, too,
drives me nuts! <g>

Method 1:
1. Click Start > Run
2. Type regedit > Click OK
3. Navigate to
<HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState>
4. On right side, if there is a item named "Use Search Asst",
change its value to "no" (without quotes). If that doesn't exist
then make a new String value named "Use Search Asst" (without
quotes) and set it to no Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"


And take a look at :
Right click My Computer,
Properties,
Advanced tab,
1st settings button
Lots of settings


2) Can we save or export Explorer settings somehow so that in
another or future installation of XP we don't have to go through
the rigmarole all over again?


Which settings ?

 

[StargateFanFromWork]

[snip]

[snip]

Well, took the plunge. I got such a good deal because it's near Xmas and my
new store card comes with 6 months to pay with no interest at this time so I
was able to take the plunge. I have a new computer after 7 years! <vbg> So
would like to really get XP to be less "fluff" and more utiliarian and user
friendly.

To that end, do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is the
latest one the best?


*********************
Also, there is one very important question I've never seen asked and was
wondering about. The biggest thing that gets me as a single-PC user is the
concept of profiles. Great if you have more than one person that needs to
use the same computer but a real pain in the neck for single PC owners. I
don't need 'em and can't stand 'em because of that. My boyfriend has his
own computer so I don't need all the involved pathnames and hassles, etc..,
all over the place. Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows, etc.,
like Win98SE does? That's my biggest pet peeve after the search (which this
thread says we can do something about). If I can get simpler paths to work,
I'll be very happy with the new box.

Pls advise and thanks. D

 

[Pappion]

Profiles in OE is great if your OE crashes for some unknown reason. You can
then merely "Import" your mail, Address Book, folders and all from the
"seemingly" corrupt OE. It happened to me, and scared the life out of me.
Prior to learning how to create a new Profile on OE, I was saving my .dbx
and Address Book (.mwv???) monthly to a folder on my hard drive, because I
organize my mail so it all goes to Folders when it arrives. That which is
not in a folder is rarely opened.

[snip]

[snip]

Well, took the plunge. I got such a good deal because it's near Xmas and
my
new store card comes with 6 months to pay with no interest at this time so
I
was able to take the plunge. I have a new computer after 7 years! <vbg>
So
would like to really get XP to be less "fluff" and more utiliarian and
user
friendly.

To that end, do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is the
latest one the best?


*********************
Also, there is one very important question I've never seen asked and was
wondering about. The biggest thing that gets me as a single-PC user is
the
concept of profiles. Great if you have more than one person that needs to
use the same computer but a real pain in the neck for single PC owners. I
don't need 'em and can't stand 'em because of that. My boyfriend has his
own computer so I don't need all the involved pathnames and hassles,
etc..,
all over the place. Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows,
etc.,
like Win98SE does? That's my biggest pet peeve after the search (which
this
thread says we can do something about). If I can get simpler paths to
work,
I'll be very happy with the new box.

Pls advise and thanks. D

 

[Ayush]

1. Get the latest version that suits your Windows (according to Service Pack).
If you have Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 :
<http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe>


2. No.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Pappion

User Profile ( or User Account ) for when you log on! Not and Outlook
Express
identity!

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Profiles in OE is great if your OE crashes for some unknown reason. You
can then merely "Import" your mail, Address Book, folders and all from the
"seemingly" corrupt OE. It happened to me, and scared the life out of me.
Prior to learning how to create a new Profile on OE, I was saving my .dbx
and Address Book (.mwv???) monthly to a folder on my hard drive, because I
organize my mail so it all goes to Folders when it arrives. That which is
not in a folder is rarely opened.

[snip]

Method 2:
Get Tweakui
Click Explorer
Tick "Use classic search in explorer"

[snip]

Well, took the plunge. I got such a good deal because it's near Xmas and
my
new store card comes with 6 months to pay with no interest at this time
so I
was able to take the plunge. I have a new computer after 7 years! <vbg>
So
would like to really get XP to be less "fluff" and more utiliarian and
user
friendly.

To that end, do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is the
latest one the best?


*********************
Also, there is one very important question I've never seen asked and was
wondering about. The biggest thing that gets me as a single-PC user is
the
concept of profiles. Great if you have more than one person that needs
to
use the same computer but a real pain in the neck for single PC owners.
I
don't need 'em and can't stand 'em because of that. My boyfriend has his
own computer so I don't need all the involved pathnames and hassles,
etc..,
all over the place. Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows,
etc.,
like Win98SE does? That's my biggest pet peeve after the search (which
this
thread says we can do something about). If I can get simpler paths to
work,
I'll be very happy with the new box.

Pls advise and thanks. D

 

[StargateFanFromWork]

Thanks, Ayush! I don't know which version of XP I have and whether or not
they installed the service packs at the store. I'll probably be able to
connect to the internet tonight as I'll have hopefully finished transferring
all the data from old computer to new one. I'll find out then.

Thanks. D

1. Get the latest version that suits your Windows (according to Service Pack).
If you have Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 :
<http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb
2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe>


2. No.

--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.

do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is
the latest one the best?



2.
Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows, etc., like Win98SE
does?

 

[Gerry Cornell]

There only one TweakUi for Windows XP.

See the Downloads on the right side of the page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

You must have two User Accounts. One, the Administrator, will only be seen
if you
boot up in Safe Mode. Do not enter passwords unless you wish to deny others
physical access. They can be a nuisance. Give your personal profile
administrative
powers. You will need to access Administrator in Safe Mode to do this.

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151/en-us

There is a section in TweakUi for login.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[snip]

[snip]

Well, took the plunge. I got such a good deal because it's near Xmas and
my
new store card comes with 6 months to pay with no interest at this time so
I
was able to take the plunge. I have a new computer after 7 years! <vbg>
So
would like to really get XP to be less "fluff" and more utiliarian and
user
friendly.

To that end, do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is the
latest one the best?


*********************
Also, there is one very important question I've never seen asked and was
wondering about. The biggest thing that gets me as a single-PC user is
the
concept of profiles. Great if you have more than one person that needs to
use the same computer but a real pain in the neck for single PC owners. I
don't need 'em and can't stand 'em because of that. My boyfriend has his
own computer so I don't need all the involved pathnames and hassles,
etc..,
all over the place. Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows,
etc.,
like Win98SE does? That's my biggest pet peeve after the search (which
this
thread says we can do something about). If I can get simpler paths to
work,
I'll be very happy with the new box.

Pls advise and thanks. D

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Be prepared for Windows Update to offer you updates. Currently IE7 is the
largest
and it can cause users problems if they are not prepared.

This suggestion may be appropriate.

Start, Control Panel, Automatic Updates. Uncheck Automatic Updates
(Recommended) and check option to Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them. Note this means you get a reminder in the
Notification Area of the Task Bar.

When you are ready to download try Start, Help and Support, Keep your
computer up-to-date with
Windows Update. Opt for a Custom install.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Ayush! I don't know which version of XP I have and whether or not
they installed the service packs at the store. I'll probably be able to
connect to the internet tonight as I'll have hopefully finished
transferring
all the data from old computer to new one. I'll find out then.

Thanks. D

1. Get the latest version that suits your Windows (according to Service Pack).
If you have Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 :
<http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb
2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe>


2. No.

--
Ayush [ Be ''?'' Happy ]
-------------
Search - www.Google.com | Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org
Snip your long urls - http://snipurl.com/
-------------


Replid to [StargateFanFromWork]s message :
-----------------------------------------------------------
1.

do you recommend any particular version of TweakUI or is
the latest one the best?



2.
Any way to get XP to just work out of C:\Windows, etc., like Win98SE
does?