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Windows Environment Rebuild

Notes for the Nth iteration of "rebuild Windows laptop / virtual machine":

Thinkpad Initial Setup

• Windows Update
• Thinkpad System Update
• Create Recovery Media (3 DVDs)
• Bloatware removal
  • Symantec removal tool
  • Client Security Solution (password manager)
  • Disable Rescue & Recovery backups (Manage Settings - Set Schedule And Preferences - uncheck "schedule your backups"). Otherwise, defaults to weekly backups on T61, which will rapidly use up all available hard disk space ( http://blog.keeme.net/archives/1 ).

Windows XP Configuration

• Reduce System Restore space allocation per drive
• Control Panel - Mouse
  • Enable Clicklock (good for scrolling, ergo feature avoids sustained button press)
  • Automatically move pointer to default button in dialog box
  • Pointer Scheme - Windows Black Extra Large (inverted pointer is more visible)
  • Pointer Speed - 90% fast

Windows Applications

• ZoneAlarm: firewall
• ESET NOD32: efficient antivirus
• Ecco Pro: classic PIM
• WinDirStat: disk usage cleanup tool
• UnxUtils: Windows versions of Unix utilities (add install directory to system path via My Computer -> Properties -> Environment Variables)
• TweakUI: MS PowerToy - cascading menu speed, change system folders, prioritize start menu layout, other tweaks
  • Mouse > Menu Speed > make faster than default (test before committing!)
  • Mouse > X-Mouse > check "Activation follows mouse" (less clicking)
  • Logon > uncheck "Show unread mail on Welcome screen"
  • Logon > select users to be displayed on Welcome screen
• Windows Desktop Search (v2) for Outlook 2003

Data Management

• Moving Outlook 2003 offline file for Exchange email account: improve space management, backup
• Load existing Firefox profile: use saved passwords, bookmarks

Registry Tweaks

• Fast shutdown
  
  • [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
    
    “HungAppTimeout”=”1000"
    “WaitToKillAppTimeout”=”1000"
    “AutoEndTasks”=”1"
    
  • [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
    
    “WaitToKillServiceTimeout”=”1000"