Windows XP Hidden Applications

If you are not new with Windows XP, you must have noticed there are several applications which are available in C:\windows, and C:\windows\system32. Some of them are not available anywhere else, so many people dont know about them. If you learn to use them correctly, they can be very useful. Here are a few useful ones, in order of importance for the average user. Do try to experiment with them.

To run any of these apps go to Start -> Run and type the executable name, for example: charmap

WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS:


1. System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)

2. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)

3. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).

4. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)

5. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)

6. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)

7. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)

8. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)

9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).

10. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )

11. Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).

12. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).

13. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe

14. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the System Notification area).

15. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98)

16. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe

17. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available).

The complete list is longer, but most are useless, or have better substitutes, so I have included only the most useful ones. If you have any more, please share.