Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, Second Edition [Paperback]

Woody Leonhard (Author), Justin Leonhard (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764578839 | ISBN-13: 978-0764578830 | Publication Date: January 13, 2005 | Edition: 2

Computers were supposed to save us time, but Windows XP users know how often the opposite seems to be true. What if you could get a list of shortcuts that would save you time every single day? Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes 70 of them, great tips and tricks that make Windows work faster, more reliably, and more like the way you work.

Collected and tested by Windows guru Woody Leonhard, these timesavers are organized into groups of related tasks so you can quickly find the ones that will help you at any given time. You can set up your desktop and launch your programs in the way that makes sense for you, take back control of the Internet and e-mail, manage your music and visual media, and protect your system in a few simple steps. You’ll find no-nonsense advice on

• Eliminating irritating programs that start automatically
• Speeding up the restart or shutdown process
• Streamlining searches, the Start menu, and Outlook Express
• Strengthening your firewall and zapping scumware
• Adjusting your monitor to reduce eyestrain
• Reducing download time for photos
• Enhancing the performance of your network
• Making online shopping faster as well as safer
• Scheduling maintenance chores to run while you sleep

From the most basic to somewhat advanced tricks designed for power users, this grocery list of timesavers has something for every Windows XP user— including you!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Improve security, find files faster, and post pictures online

Over 70 techniques that help you save time by:

• Customizing the desktop and Start menu
• Speeding the restart or shutdown process
• Preventing automatic program launches
• Streamlining Outlook® Express
• Strengthening your Windows XP firewall
• Decreasing download time for pictures
• Zapping spyware, adware, and unwanted cookies

About the Author

Woody Leonhard: Curmudgeon, critic, and perennial “Windows Victim,” Woody Leonhard runs a fiercely independent Web site devoted to delivering the truth about Windows and Office, whether Microsoft likes it or not. With up-to-the-nanosecond news, observations, tips and help, AskWoody.com has become the premiere source of unbiased information for people who actually use the products.
In the past decade, Woody has written more than two dozen books, drawing an unprecedented six Computer Press Association awards and two American Business Press awards. Woody was one of the first Microsoft Consulting Partners and is a charter member of the Microsoft Solutions Provider organization. He’s widely quoted — and reviled — on the Redmond campus.

Justin Leonhard: Lives with his dad in Phuket, Thailand. Justin contributed to Windows XP All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. He frequently helps Woody with various writing projects and keeps the office network going. Justin is an accomplished scuba diver, budding novelist, and the best video game player for miles. He was admitted to Mensa International at the age of 14.

Product Details

• Paperback: 590 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764578839
• ISBN-13: 978-0764578830
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading

More About the Author

I've written a whole lotta computer books over the years, starting with "Windows Programming for Mere Mortals" in 1991, going through the "Hacker's Guide to Word for Windows" (with Vince Chen and Scott Krueger), the "Mother of All Windows Books" and "Mother of All PC Books" series (all with Barry Simon), then the "Underground Guides" to Word, Office, Telecommuting, and many more, "Word Annoyances", the "Woody Teaches Office" series, and the "Special Edition Using Office" series (with Ed Bott). I'm probably best-known for my "Dummies" books, which tell the straight story (whether Microsoft likes it or not!) in a way that won't put you to sleep.

My books have been translated into dozens of languages, and are widely available at bookstores, computer shops and warehouse chains all over the world. I've edited several series of books for various publishers. I've also written hundreds of magazine articles, most recently for PC World and the late, lamented PC/Computing magazine. I used to publish a handful of electronic newsletters, and print newsletters before that, but now confine myself to dispensing news, advice, and a wee bit o' insight, at www.AskWoody.com and my column in the Windows Secrets newsletter, www.WindowsSecrets.com.

I started in the computer book biz in a very odd way. I wrote a novel. An action-adventure novel, no less, set in Saudi Arabia. I never found a publisher, although I keep threatening to dust the novel off and submit it again. But along the way, I came to know - and love and hate - a brand new word processor known as Word for Windows. I wrote a lengthy electronic book about all of WinWord 1.10's bugs, which were legion, and how to work around a whole bunch of 'em. Posted it on CompuServe. Andrew Schulman (who wrote "Undocumented DOS" and "Undocumented Windows" among many others) stumbled into my "Hacker's Guide to the Univers", and he asked me to write a book for him. It all went downhill from there.

My writing has won an unprecedented eight Computer Press Association awards and two American Business Press awards - more than any other computer book author, I think. I was one of the first Microsoft Consulting Partners, and a charter member of the Microsoft Solutions Provider organization.

I still think of computers as a "means", not an "end". I wonder when people lost sight of the fact that PCs were invented to make life easier, to get your work done and get home early. I firmly believe that PCs make passable slaves but horrible masters.

I'm impressed with much of what Microsoft is doing to Windows, although the continuing security screw-ups really leave me shaking my head. I'm much less impressed with what's happening to Offfice. In my opinion, Microsoft is using its monopoly on the desktop to sell more server software, making Office updates less and less compelling for the individual or small business user. Like me. And I'm appalled that Microsoft is now selling a "service" that protects us from the flaws in their own product.

Yes, indeed, the gods must be crazy.

I went to grad school in Boulder, Colorado (M.S. and A.B.D. in CS/Software Engineering), worked in Saudi Arabia for five years, then spent 15 years on top of a mountain in the Rockies. I moved to Phu ket in 2000, with my teenage son, Cocker spaniel and beagle. I live in the hills above Patong now, with my long-time girlfriend, Add. If you ever get to Phu ket, drop me a line! It's an incredibly beautiful place to visit. Or to live, for that matter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful Things to Make Life Easier, February 23, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

The machine I'm using to write this review is the slowest machine to shut down that I've ever seen. When I was first flipping through this book, I saw Technique 6: Shut Down, Restart, and Switch Users Quickly. It turns out that there is an undocumented feature built into XP called shutdown. The book says that the machine will shut down in half the time. I found that it shuts down much faster than that.

It's clear that this fellow knows an awful lot about windows that I didn't know. I suspect no one is going to use all the techniques that he describes, but some of them are really helpful. His discussion of SPAM, for instance, is excellent.

Unlike most of the For Dummies books, this one isn't for the absolute beginner. While his techniques are not difficult, they do presume that you have just a bit more knowledge than trying to find the on switch. This is a very helpful book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource and help, December 14, 2008

By 

Susan Thompson "TN traveler" - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

I found this book to be very helpful in getting my computer set up to run faster and safer. I enjoyed Woody's humor throughout, as I'm not a "technogeek", and the humor helped to lighten the instructions and echoed a lot of my sentiments when encountering messages or other steps in a process of Windows. I would recommend this book to anyone for its insightful and relevant tips. I bought a copy and sent it to my son to have on hand for his computers.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WINDOWS XP TIMESAVING TECHNIQUES, March 20, 2008

By 

Rudolph J. Antalek (LISLE NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, Second Edition (Paperback)

BOUGHT THIS BOOK TO COMPLIMENT THE OTHER BOOKS I HAD. TO SHOWS WAYS TO CUT DOWN THE TIME IT TAKES YOU TO PROCESS ALL THE GARBAGE YOU HAVE RUNNING AROUND IN YOUR BOX. THE TIPS ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND GIVE YOU THE DIRECTION YOU NEED TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING.