Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Windows

Synopsis

These settings affect the look and feel of application function;windows.

Windows, background of multiple document interface (MDI) windows

Control Panel → Display → Appearance tab → Advanced → choose “Application Background” from the “Item” list

Windows, background of non-MDI windows

Control Panel → Display → Appearance tab → Advanced → choose “Window” from the “Item” list

Windows, cascade all open application windows

Right-click on Taskbar → Cascade Windows

Windows, closing crashed applications

Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) → Applications tab

Windows, closing hidden applications

Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) → Processes tab

Windows, color of borders

Control Panel → Display → Appearance tab → Advanced → choose “3D Objects” from the “Item” list

(You can also use “Active Window Border” and “Inactive Window Border,” but it will only affect a tiny stripe.)

Windows, minimize all open application windows

Windows Logo Key + D

Windows, show outline or full window when dragging

Control Panel → Display → Appearance tab → Effects → Show window contents while dragging

Windows, tile all open application windows

Right-click on Taskbar → Tile Windows Horizontally or Tile Windows Vertically

Windows, titlebar font, color, and size

Control Panel → Display → Appearance tab → Advanced → choose “Active Title Bar” or “Inactive Title Bar” from the “Item” list