Win xp default programs. Replace default Windows XP font (Tahoma). Advanced Windows Settings with XP Tweaker

I started using the computer recently and I can’t figure out one question, maybe it will seem easy to you. Why, in the process of working with the operating system, the same files are opened first by one program, then by another. If earlier disk images were opened by Nero, now for some reason UltraISO. I watched movies with Windows Media Player, and now Media Player Classic opens them. How can you assign Windows default program for certain types of files? My younger brother also uses a computer. You can answer shortly, I will not be offended. Olga

Default Programs in Windows

This article is suitable for the Windows XP operating system, if you have Windows 7 installed, read a similar one. When you install any program on your computer, it immediately aims to work with certain types of files for which it was created, attaching them to itself and it is not at all interested in similar programs already installed on you, it behaves as if it were on your computer. one, and what you want is competition and not always fair.
Many programs during installation ask you whether to open the files associated with this utility by default? And some do not ask and immediately associate with the file types they need, but this is not a problem and can be fixed, although it is configured manually. In general, advice to you for the future, read all our articles about data backup and system recovery in Windows, I personally always create before installing any program.
Let's take for example all the same Nero, pay attention to how many types of files it wants to have default program in Windows and if we agree, we will work in the future, only with the Nero program. I do not argue that the program is good, but it only works professionally with video files and is mainly used when recording information on portable media, in particular dvd discs, so do not rush to press the next button.

What to do if, for example, our younger brother installed some application on the computer and now this program opens all our files by default, can it delete it? Getting rid of will not always help your files, perhaps now no program will open, even the one that worked with them before. The fact is that many applications, when uninstalled, do not clean up the system registry. Let's fix everything with you and assign default programs for the file types we need.
Start->Panelmanagement->Folder properties->File types, in this dialog box you need to select the required file type. We find, for example, one of the most common format AVI and we see, as in the case of Olga, for these files default program is Media Player Classic,

to change it, for example, to a program on Windows Media Player, you need to click on the button Change, a window will appear Choose a program to open this file don't forget to check the box Use it for all types of this type.

Next click OK and Apply. That's basically it. Now you can safely double-click the left mouse button on any file with the AVI extension you need and the program you have assigned by default will open it. If in this dialog box no program suits us, then you need to click Review

Setting up Windows XP after completing its lengthy installation is the most routine and annoying stage in preparing a computer for operation. And it is necessary not only to improve the convenience of work, but also to configure the equipment for maximum performance.

The configuration of the old lady XP is to edit certain keys of the system registry using the tools provided by the developer or third-party utilities. Such programs are called tweakers and give you the opportunity not only to quickly configure your computer, achieving high performance, but also open access to hidden functions that can only be accessed directly - by changing the value of the keys in the registry editor.

All system settings are stored in several files, which are a Windows database - the registry, and now we will consider how Windows XP is configured by changing key system parameters in the registry editor manually or using third-party utilities.

Built-in optimization engine

During the development of XP, Microsoft introduced a self-optimization mechanism into it. During the launch of any applications, they are entered into the "layout.ini" file. Periodically, during downtime, Windows performs a partial defragmentation of the system partition, transferring the most used programs to sectors that are closer to the center of the magnetic disk, thereby increasing computer performance.

Prediction mechanism - the OS remembers which programs the user launches immediately after the PC boots up, and also records which files are used by certain programs, including system ones. And if such a situation occurs in the future, the files required by the definition of Windows XP will be ready for immediate loading into the system's RAM.

Graphic design

Having a weak computer with no more than 256 MB of RAM and a processor with a frequency of up to 1200 MHz, it is better to turn off all visual effects and animations that add beauty to the appearance of the system.

First of all, we delete the picture from the desktop, especially if it is dynamic. We go to the "Properties" of the desktop, on the tab of the same name, select the background color and apply the changes.

Then we turn off, if not all, then most of the visual effects, which will further increase the performance of the computer.

Go to "System Properties".
In the "Advanced" tab, we call "Performance Options".
In the "Visual effects" section, move the checkbox to the last position and turn off unnecessary animations and other visual effects that devour system resources.

Let's go to "Advanced".
Click "Change" to open a window for changing the amount of virtual memory, having previously checked the "programs" parameter in both frames with checkboxes to increase the priority of applications during the allocation of processor resources.

We select the system disk, move the trigger to the "Special" position, enter the minimum and maximum values of the virtual amount of RAM and click "Set".

Save all changes by clicking "Apply".

To evaluate system performance after disabling visual effects and adjusting the paging file, you must restart Windows XP.

OS Recovery

The Windows XP operating system, by default, creates system rollback points when making critical changes to its configuration. This operation is carried out both before performing actions that Windows determines to be a threat to its security, and periodically.

Having low performance, the shadow copy operation should be disabled by manually creating restore points or by creating an image of a healthy XP immediately after installing it and configuring it for maximum performance, for example, through the bootable version of ATI.

To disable the function in the properties of "My Computer", switch to the "System Restore" tab, check the "Disable ..." option and save the new settings.

autorun

To improve system performance, it makes sense to edit the list of components automatically launched with Windows after installing all related software.

Click "Run" in Start.

We write "msconfig" and execute the command.

In the "Startup" tab, remove the checkboxes opposite the applications that are unnecessary in autorun.

Leave computer security programs, layout switches and other constantly used utilities so as not to run them manually.

In the "Services" tab, you can deactivate even more unnecessary components, which is what we are doing.

For information about which services are not critical for the operation of the system, and they can be disabled without harming the PC, look at the Microsoft website.

Advanced Windows Settings with XP Tweaker

The utility is a universal product for configuring almost all aspects of XP that are not available through a graphical interface in the operating system itself. The program does not require installation and can be launched from anywhere.

Once XP Tweaker is launched, go straight to Settings and back up all the registry entries that can be changed through the application.

We now have the so-called "God's tool" for Windows XP. The buttons located on the left will be called bookmarks (marked in red), and the tabs located at the top (blue) will be called tabs, respectively, so as not to be confused in the future.

Let's briefly go over the parameters that directly affect the speed of the computer. We will not describe each of them, for those who are interested - move the mouse cursor to the item - a brief description of the function will be displayed at the bottom of the window.

System - System

This is where key Windows XP settings that affect its performance are stored. Their correct configuration allows you to tune the OS for maximum performance.

The paging file is not cleared to increase the speed of shutting down the computer.
Dr. Watson must be deactivated - this is a useless component.
We disable SFC, recording the last access to files and tracking the user.
We allow unloading of unused dll-libraries from RAM.
We prohibit sending reports to Microsoft servers so as not to be distracted from work when errors occur.
Activate boot defrag to keep system files up to date before starting Windows.

We disable automatic updates due to the end of support for XP.
We activate Windows Prefetcher only for running applications by specifying the maximum available amount of L2 cache memory.
We forbid the system to store the kernel in the paging file - let it always remain in RAM.

System Explorer

Disable low disk space alerts.
Animation when minimizing windows and visualization of window elements when moving it is prohibited, if you have not done this before when you disable visual effects.
We prohibit saving the state of the windows in the explorer.
Disable saving small copies of images in the cache.

System - Start Menu

We turn off the record of the history of open documents and let the program clear it.

Internet - IE

We prohibit automatic updating of the Internet browser.

Uninstall section

The first tab allows you to remove programs, including some unnecessary system components, in the last one, we remove the MSN Messenger integrated into XP.

defragmentation

After installing all applications and setting up Windows XP, it is imperative to defragment the system partition.

The defragmenter is launched through the "Properties" of the disk on its "Service" tab.

Click on the system disk and click "Defragment".

Instead of a standard utility, it makes sense to use a more advanced program with many additional features, such as PerfectDisk or SmartDefrag. Such programs allow you to optimize the file system and defragment any system files, which cannot be done from under a running Windows. Optimization means moving the most used files to the first tracks to reduce the access time to them, increasing the performance of the HDD.

After all this, you can use the bootable media with Acronis True Image to create a copy of a working Windows XP. So you can deploy the image in a matter of seconds and get a completely ready-to-use XP.

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Sometimes, due to the action of viruses or improper configuration, Windows XP services are disabled or change the startup type from automatic to manual. As a result of these changes, the system starts to work with errors - the sound does not play, the firewall does not work, the time and date are not synchronized, etc.

To fix this kind of system crash, you need to set all service applications to the default startup type. The problem is that the mode of operation of different components is different - the service can be disabled, manually enabled, or started when you log on to Windows.

Restoring the system configuration

The first option to restore the default components that you should apply is to change the Windows XP configuration settings

Open Start and launch the Run menu.
Enter the "msconfig" command. Click OK or Enter.
Select "Normal Startup" on the "General" tab and click "Apply". If Windows prompts you to restart the system, refuse to perform this action.
Go to the "SYSTEM.INI" tab and make sure all options are enabled. Click Apply.
Open the "WIN.INI" section and check that all options are enabled here as well. Click Apply.
Go to the "BOOT.INI" tab and disable all options. Click Apply.
Open the Services tab and click Enable All. Apply the new configuration and restart your computer.

After restarting Windows XP, all services should be restored to default. If this method did not help restore the system to working capacity, then proceed to the next method.

Using a special tweak

There is a registry tweak on the Internet, the use of which allows you to quickly restore Windows services. Using this method, you will set the default startup type of XP services, which will return the system to a normal state. The necessary changes to the registry can theoretically be made manually, but there are so many utility applications in Windows XP that it will take too long to restore them. Tweak, after launch, will independently make the necessary changes.

I want to replace the default Tahoma font in Windows XP with the same font from Windows 7.

The reason is that the Unicode characters for the national alphabet I use (Armenian) are terrible in Tahoma on Windows XP, but are fine on Windows 7.

I have a custom WinForm application written in C# that uses national characters from Tahoma on hundreds of screens and controls. It looks good when running on Windows 7, but ugly on Windows XP.

However, Windows XP does not allow you to replace the font. It says that the font must be uninstalled before installing a new one with the same name, and of course doesn't allow you to remove the default font.

5 Solutions collect form web for “Replace the default Windows XP font (Tahoma)”

No one seems to have actually answered the question you asked, instead trying to help you find an easier way to do what you wanted. If you really want to replace the Tahoma font from Windows XP with Windows 7, read on.

You can do this from a Linux or WinPE boot disk, but there is another way that doesn't involve booting another operating system. You must do all this from an administrator account.

Make sure Tahoma is not in use by disabling all programs. Right click Desktop > Properties > Appearance tab > click Advanced > Pass through each item and if so change all fonts to something other than Tahoma.
Download a program called Unlocker. Google for it. When you install it, be sure to ask about creating a Start Menu Group.
Open Start > All Programs > Unlock > Run Unlock Assistant.
Open Windows XP fonts folder (in control panel) and try uninstalling Tahoma (truetype). At first you will get an error, but then you will get an Unlocker window.
In this window, click the drop-down list and select Delete. You should receive another dialog confirming the deletion.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for Tahoma Bold (truetype).
Drag and drop the Windows 7 font files (tahoma.ttf and tahomabd.ttf) into the Windows Fonts folder.
Right click on Desktop > Properties > Appearance tab > click Advanced > Go through each item and change everything to Tahoma.
If the fonts appear empty, you may need to reset the font cache. Change the font to something else, then use the method in steps 4-5 to delete C:\WINDOWS\system32\FNTCACHE.DAT. After restarting your computer, repeat step 8.

If you prefer to use WinPE or Linux, do step 1 but replace steps 2-6 with a boot disk to remove the font. You need to delete two files: tahoma.ttf and tahomabd.ttf from C:\WINDOWS\FONTS. To be safe, also go ahead and delete the file in step 9. Then go back to Windows XP and follow steps 7 and 8. And yes, step 7 must be done inside Windows XP - it won't work if you copy the files using any other operating system, since it won't actually install the font.

Right click on desktop > Properties > Appearance tab > click Advanced > Step through each item and if available change font to new font

In Vista, the default font is called Segoe UI.

Source

How to Change the Windows XP Default System Font

On Windows XP, this all uses MS Sans Serif as the default font. In fact it's not a pretty font when compared to other oses. Also, they didn't give any manual method to change the default system font. This font is identified by the system as MS Shell Dlg. But don't worry, I'll tell you an easy way to change the default system font Tutorial

Go to the start menu

Click "Run..."

Now type "regedit" in the text box of the Run dialog box (See image as below)

Now click OK.

You will see the Windows Registry Editor

Now do the following

HKEY_LOCALMACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > Current Version > FontSubstitutes

After entering the top path, you will see some font options

Find MS Shell Dlg and MS Shell Dlg2 from there

Now edit the default font value in these lines to your favorite font

It's all right now, restart your computer and see

I had the same problem and found a more technical one, but on the other hand, simplified the solution by doing a manual install...

Copy the new font files somewhere on your system (e.g. C:\Temp\)

Then use the command line (Windows-Explorer won't work here as it automatically starts the installation procedure) to copy the files to c:\Windows\Fonts under a different name:

Copy c:\Temp\tahoma.ttf c:\Windows\Fonts\tahoma_0.ttf copy c:\Temp\tahomabd.ttf c:\Windows\Fonts\tahomabd_0.ttf

After that, use the Registry Editor to redirect font names to new files:

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts and find the entries Tahoma Regular (TrueType) and Tahoma Bold (TrueType) and change their values from "tahoma.ttf" to "tahoma_0.ttf" and "tahomabd.ttf" To" tahomabd_0.ttf "respectively.

Now you need to flash your system and then use the new font files.

It will not be replaced as Tahoma is not used by default in WinXP so it is always used.

Reboot to safe mode and try replacing it. It still doesn't work because it can still be used.

You can then try using something like BartPE to boot your PC and then try replacing.