Operating Systems & This Book

This manual is written under the premise that you are using a Windows 2000 or Windows XP. This manual covers the following operating systems (OS):

Windows 2000 Professional
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Professional Edition

Many have asked us why we do not cover Windows Legacy OS (95, 98, 98SE, ME) and the answer is quite simple. Very few people are using them anymore, and besides, we had to draw the line somewhere. For general usability, functionality, and security, users that are connected to the Internet should seriously consider upgrading.

As if covering 3 operating systems wasn't enough, we are now faced with the fact that Windows XP has two separate and distinct ways of viewing its GUI, or Graphical User Interface. The GUI, or Graphical User Interface is what you see on your computer screen. The GUI is the way that the entire operating system, as well as the programs you use, appears to the user. Windows XP has two of these. They are the Classic GUI and the Luna GUI. If you are just getting into computing, you are probably unfamiliar with the Classic view, but are familiar with the neat little pictures that are assigned to each user as you sign on, and the rolling meadow with the clouds on your desktop, and the bubble-like Start menu with its cartoonish appearance. For the rest of us that were dragged kicking and screaming into Windows XP from other Windows operating systems, the general consensus seems to be that we hate it.

This manual is primarily written with the Classic View in mind. There are some references to the Luna GUI, however, due to its ever changing settings based on an individual's usage, we can't possibly hit every situation.

At the risk of seeming disjointed, and for the benefit of old school Windows users, before we even get started I am going to outline how to change your Windows XP system to a Classic view. For those of you that have only ever known Windows XP, give it a try. You can always reverse it, and who knows. You just might like it. It certainly standardizes a great many things, as well as making otherwise invisible icons visible, and otherwise invisible programs and settings visible. It is time to take over your computer instead of settling for what it feeds to you.

These setting changes will follow a two-pronged approach. First, we will outline how to change your desktop, taskbar (the thing at the bottom of your screen), and Start menu to the Classic view. We will then outline how to do the same to your Login screen.

Switching From Luna View to Classic View (XP Only)

Desktop

1. Right click on an empty spot on your desktop. A drop down menu will appear.

2. Left click on Properties. A window will open with tabs across the top.

3. Make sure the Themes tab is selected. You will see a small box below the heading "Theme" that says Windows XP. Left click on the arrow immediately to the right of the small box and a drop down list will appear.

4. Left click on Windows Classic.
5. Left click on Apply, then OK.

Now the desktop has a "classic" view.

Taskbar and Start Menu

1. Right click on an empty portion of your taskbar. This is the bar at the bottom of the screen.

2. Left click on Properties. A window will open with tabs across it.

3. On the Taskbar tab under Taskbar appearance, I suggest you perform the following functions:

a. Lock the taskbar (UNCHECK)
b. Auto-hide the taskbar (YOUR CHOICE)
c. Keep the taskbar on top of other Windows (CHECK)
d. Group similar taskbar buttons (UNCHECK)
e. Show Quick Launch (CHECK)

4. Under the Notification area, I suggest you have "Show the clock" checked, and "Hide inactive icons" unchecked.

5. Click on the Start Menu tab.

6. Click in the radio button titled Classic Start menu, then click on the Customize button. The Customize Classic Start Menu dialog box appears.

8. For now, don't worry about any of the buttons listed under Start menu.
9. Under "Advanced Start menu options", I suggest the following settings:

a. Display Administrative Tools (CHECK)
b. Display Favorites (UNCHECK)
c. Display Log Off (CHECK)
d. Display Run (CHECK)
e. Enable dragging and dropping (CHECK)
f. Expand Control Panel (CHECK)
g. Expand My Documents (CHECK)
h. Expand My Pictures (UNCHECK)
i. Expand Network Connections (UNCHECK)
j. Expand Printers (UNCHECK)
k. Scroll Programs (UNCHECK)
l. Show Small Icons in Start menu (UNCHECK)
m. Use Personalized Menus (UNCHECK)

10. Click OK. The window will disappear.
11. Click Apply, then OK. Now you have a Classic taskbar and Start menu.

You may ask yourself why I have suggested the settings above. First of all, if you already have all of the settings set to something different for your own particular reasons, then leave them that way. My suggestions are what I like and are a good baseline for those of you that didn't know the difference before now.