Change the Default Directory of Software Installation

You may want to change the location of your system default folder (C:\Program Files) from C drive to another system drives (D or E drive). By default software setup will attempt to install program in C:\Program Files directory. It is good practice to make the backup of the installed programs, if you installed all your programs in other than C drive. If you have little knowledge about editing windows registry then you can configure your computer for this purpose.

Follow the given steps to configure windows registry:

1. Click on Start button then type Regedit in Run option.

2. Here navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

3.  In right side panel, double click on ProgramFileDir.

4. Now modify the value to any other drive (for example D:\Program Files).

Now close the registry editor and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

ACCESS DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THROUGH RUN COMMAND

• appwiz.cpl — Used to run Add/Remove wizard
• Calc –Calculator
• Cfgwiz32 –ISDN Configuration Wizard
• Charmap –Character Map
• Chkdisk –Repair damaged files
• Cleanmgr –Cleans up hard drives
• Clipbrd –Windows Clipboard viewer
• Cmd –Opens a new Command Window
• Control mouse –Used to control mouse properties
• Control –Displays Control Panel
• Dcomcnfg –DCOM user security
• Debug –Assembly language programming tool
• Defrag –Defragmentation tool
• Drwatson –Records programs crash & snapshots
• Dxdiag –DirectX Diagnostic Utility
• Explorer –Windows Explorer
• Fontview –Graphical font viewer
• Fsmgmt.msc — Used to open shared folders
• Firewall.cpl  — Used to configure windows firewall
• Ftp -ftp.exe program
• Hostname –Returns Computer’s name
• Hdwwiz.cpl — Used to run Add Hardware wizard
• Ipconfig –Displays IP configuration for all network adapters
• Logoff — Used to logoff the computer
• MMC –Microsoft Management Console
• Msconfig –Configuration to edit startup files
• Mstsc — Used to access remote desktop
• Mrc — Malicious Software Removal Tool
• Msinfo32 –Microsoft System Information Utility
• Nbtstat –Displays stats and current connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP
• Netstat –Displays all active network connections
• Nslookup–Returns your local DNS server
• Osk —Used to access on screen keyboard
• Perfmon.msc — Used to configure the performance of Monitor.
• Ping –Sends data to a specified host/IP
• Powercfg.cpl — Used to configure power option
• Regedit –Registry Editor
• Regwiz — Registration wizard
• Sfc /scannow – System File Checker
• Sndrec32 –Sound Recorder
• Shutdown — Used to shutdown the windows
• Spider — Used to open spider solitaire card game
• Sfc / scannow — Used to run system file checker utility.
• Sndvol32 –Volume control for soundcard
• Sysedit – Edit system startup files
• Taskmgr –Task manager
• Telephon.cpl — Used to configure modem options.
• Telnet –Telnet program
• Tracert –Traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host
• Winchat — Used to chat with Microsoft
• Wmplayer — Used to run Windows Media player
• Wab — Used to open Windows address Book.
• WinWord — Used to open Microsoft word
• Winipcfg –Displays IP configuration
• Winver — Used to check Windows Version
• Wupdmgr –Takes you to Microsoft Windows Update
• Write — Used to open WordPad

Getting an Older Program to Run on Windows XP

1.Right–click the executable or the program shortcut to the executable, and then click Properties.

2.Select the Run this program in compatibility mode check box.

3.From the list, select an operating system that the program runs in comfortably.

If necessary, also change the display settings and/or resolution, or disable the Windows XP visual themes.
Run the program again when you’re finished changing the settings. Adjust the compatibility settings again if the program is still not running smoothly: a program that’s unhappy on Windows 2000 may flourish on Windows 98.