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From the creator:
Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after the product
has been released to manufacturing, but before the next project has begun. These
toys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience!
We've taken great care to ensure that PowerToys operate as they should. These
programs run on Windows XP only. They provide additional value to some of the
great features in XP. However, the PowerToys were not subjected to the same
rigorous testing we provide for the operating system and are therefore not
supported. Microsoft Technical Support is unable to answer questions about
PowerToys.
The PowerToys are installed into the directory you specify during setup.
Typically this is the system32 directory (%windir%\system32).
Some of the PowerToys reside in the taskbar. Before resizing these PowerToys
you will first need to check and make sure that the taskbar isn't locked. Right
click the taskbar and ensure there is no check mark by 'Lock the Taskbar' menu
item.
To uninstall the PowerToys, open Control Panel and then launch Add/Remove
Programs. Find the PowerToys for Windows XP entry and choose Modify/Remove. From
here you can remove specific toys or all of them.
Toys included in the installer:
Super-Fast User Switcher
When using the regular Fast User Switching you must first go back to the Logon
screen to switch to another user but with this PowerToy you can switch users
without having to go back there. You simply press and hold the Windows key and
then press the Q key to cycle through available users. When the desired user
tile is showing on the screen release the Windows key to switch to this user.
Note: You cannot use this toy unless you are on a workgroup
and you have Fast User Switching enabled.
Open Command Window Here
This PowerToy adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file
system folders. This gives users a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe)
pointing at the selected folder. After installation, right click on the folder
you would like to have a quick launch command window for and select "Open
Command Window Here."
Tweak UI
Provides access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP
default user interface. There are many settings and options that you can only
set from Tweak UI. You can setup your mouse to your liking by setting click
speed, hover sensitivity, etc. You can also customize many Explorer settings,
taskbar settings, My Computer settings, and a wide variety of other settings.
Power Calculator
This calculator has the support to graph and evaluate functions as well as
performing many different types of conversions.
Task Switcher
This PowerToy enhances the existing Alt + Tab application switching mechanism of
Windows XP. It provides a thumbnail preview of windows in the task list and is
compliant with the new Windows XP visual style. You use this just as you do the
existing Alt + Tab mechanism. Press and hold the Alt key and then press the Tab
key to cycle through the running applications. When the desired application is
highlighted release the Alt key. You can move backwards through the task list by
pressing and holding the Shift and Alt key and then pressing the Tab key.
Image Resizer
This PowerToy enables you to resize one or many image files. When resizing you
can choose from one of four standard sizes or choose a size that you specify.
You can also choose to resize the original image or create a new one. Right
click any image(s) and select 'Resize Pictures' in the context menu.
CD Slide Show Generator
Enables you to view images burned to a cd as a slide show. Add only images to a
CD-RW drive using Windows XP Explorer and then write these files to a CD-R or
CD-RW disc. A new task is presented in the wizard for generating the autorun for
the slideshow. Now when you take this disc to another computer that isn't
running Windows XP you can still view your images as a slide show.
Virtual Desktop Manager
Manage up to 4 desktops from the Windows taskbar. You can choose a different
background for each desktop and run different applications on different
desktops. Right click on the taskbar, click toolbars, and then click "Desktop
Manager."
Taskbar Magnifier
Allows you to magnify part of the screen from the taskbar. This is very similar
to Magnifier that can be found under the Accessories menu on the Start Menu
except that this PowerToy remains in the taskbar and has a smaller viewing area.
Right click on the taskbar, click toolbars, and then click "Taskbar Magnifier."
HTML Slide Show Wizard
This wizard helps you create a slide show of your digital pictures. When you're
done, you can put your slide show on the Web so that your family and friends can
view it. Follow the steps of the wizard to select and arrange your pictures,
choose from a few simple options, and then save a Web-ready HTML slide show to a
folder.
Webcam Timershot
This PowerToy allows you to take pictures from one of the webcams connected to
your computer at specified time intervals. When a picture is taken it is saved
to a location and with a name that you specify. A simple save option allows you
to save all the pictures or only the last picture taken. You can save the
pictures to a network share, an ftp share, or an http webdav share.
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