Automatic Logon to Windows XP

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.

Data Type: String Value // Value Name: DefaultUserName
Setting for Value Data: [Enter the account name to be automatically logged on]

Data Type: String Value // Value Name: DefaultPassword
Setting for Value Data: [Enter the account password]

Data Type: String Value // Value Name: AutoAdminLogon
Setting for Value Data: [0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled]

Exit Registry and Reboot

Create Password Reset Disks

Domain Password Reset Disk

Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to open the Windows Security dialog box.
Click Change Password.
Click Backup to open the Forgotten Password Wizard.
Click Next and then follow the instructions as they appear on the screen.

Non-Domain Password Reset Disks

Administrator Password Reset Disk

[Start] [Control Panel] [User Accounts]
Select the account name.
Click [Prevent A Forgotten Password] under Related Tasks on left of screen.
Follow the instructions in Forgotten Password Wizard.

Limited Account Password Reset Disk

[Start] [Control Panel] [User Accounts]
Click [Prevent A Forgotten Password] under Realted Tasks on left of screen.
Follow the instructions in Forgotten Password Wizard.

Adjusting Visual Effects

Windows XP calls the property sheet [Performance Options] where these settings are adjusted, and to a certain degree that’s true, but the changes you can make here seem to impact the visual more than the performance. At any rate, to make the changes:

1. Click [Start] [Control Panel] [Performance and Maintenance] [System] then [Advanced] tab.
2. In [Performance] section, click [Settings]. The property sheet below will open.
3. The settings and items are self explanatory. Select/deselect according to preference.
4. The [Advanced] tab allows fine tuning of processor and memory settings.

Enable/Disable Active Window Tracking to Mouse Movements

When the mouse is moved over an open window it automatically sets the focus to that particular window. It does not bring the window to the foreground of the open windows.

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse
Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.
Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value] // Value Name: ActiveWindowTracking
Setting for Value Data: [0 = ActiveWindowTracking Disabled / 1 = ActiveWindowTracking Enabled]
Exit Registry and Reboot