| Part of the responsibility of support personnel is to assist users in configuring and customizing their desktop to support applications. Windows XP allows users to configure various aspects of their computing environment including the Start menu, regional settings, and folder settings. For example, users can configure their Start menu to display certain programs that they use on a regular basis, making them more accessible and quicker to open . The following sections address different ways Windows XP can be configured and customized to support applications. Answering End- User Questions Related to the Customizing Operating System to Support an Application As a desktop support technician, you need to be ready to answer questions from end users. This task may include answering questions for users who want to customize a certain aspect of their computing environment or troubleshooting problems that can arise due to misconfigurations. Customizing the Start Menu and Taskbar The Start menu and taskbar are two components located on the Windows desktop. By clicking the Start button on the desktop, you display the Start menu, which can be used to gain quick access to different areas or different programs installed on the computer. For example, you can launch a favorite program or open the Control Panel. By default, the taskbar is located along the bottom of the desktop. The taskbar serves many purposes, one of which is fast switching between open programs. Each program that is currently running has a button on the taskbar, making it easy for a user to switch between programs. The taskbar also contains the Start button, the Quick Launch area, and the notification area. Windows XP allows you to customize both the taskbar and Start menu to suit specific needs. In terms of troubleshooting, assisting end users with problems is easier if you have a general understanding of the different options for customizing both components. Customizing the Taskbar You can begin customizing the taskbar by right-clicking on the Start button and clicking the Properties option. Doing so opens the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box (see Figure 1.4). Using the settings available from the Taskbar tab, you can configure the appearance of the taskbar and notification area. Table 1.2 summarizes the different options available for customizing the taskbar appearance. Figure 1.4. The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box. 
Table 1.2. Options for Customizing the Appearance of the Taskbar | Option | Description | | Lock the Taskbar | The taskbar is locked in its current position on the desktop, so it cannot be moved. | | Auto-hide the Taskbar | The taskbar is hidden on the desktop. The taskbar reappears when you point to the area of the desktop where the taskbar is located. | | Keep the Taskbar on Top of Other Windows | This option ensures the taskbar is always visible. | | Group Similar Taskbar Buttons | If the taskbar becomes too crowded with buttons, buttons for the same program are combined into a single button. | | Show Quick Launch | The Quick Launch bar is displayed on the taskbar. |
The remaining options are used to configure the notification area of the taskbar (the taskbar area that displays the clock). If you do not want the clock displayed, simply clear the Show the Clock option. You can also keep the notification area less cluttered by hiding inactive icons (those icons you have not recently clicked). After you select the Hide Inactive Icons option, you can use the Customize button to specify which items you want hidden when inactive. Customizing the Start Menu The Start menu in Windows XP is divided into distinct sections. The left side of the Start menu consists of pinned programs, recently used programs, and All Programs (see Figure 1.5). Figure 1.5. The Windows XP Start menu. 
Pinned programs must be manually added to the Start menu. Your default email program and Web browser always appear, and additional programs can be added. Beneath the pinned programs are the recently used programs. The programs displayed here change as the most recently used programs replace those that have not been used. The All Programs option contains a submenu displaying all the programs currently installed on a computer.  | You can pin a program to the Start menu by right-clicking the specific program and selecting Pin to Start menu. The program appears as a pinned program for the user who is currently logged on to the computer. You can also unpin a program by right-clicking the program on the Start menu and selecting Unpin . |
Using the Start Menu tab from the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, you can customize the appearance and behavior of the Start menu. After you click the Customize button, the Customize Start Menu dialog box appears (see Figure 1.6). Figure 1.6. Customizing the appearance of the Start menu. 
Using the General tab, you can change the size of the icons for programs displayed on the Start menu. You can also change the number of programs that appear on the frequently used list (the programs located below the separator line on the Start menu) and specify which programs are used to access the Internet and email. For example, if you use Internet Explorer for Web access, you will more than likely want this program displayed on the Start menu as opposed to a Web browser that you use less frequently. Selecting the Advanced tab presents you with a number of other options you can use to customize the Start menu. Table 1.3 summarizes the various settings available. Table 1.3. Advanced Options for Customizing the Appearance of the Start Menu | Option | Description | | Open Submenus When I Pause on Them with My Mouse | If the item contains a submenu, it is immediately displayed when pointed to. | | Highlight Newly Installed Programs | New programs are highlighted in a different color on the All Programs list. | | Start Menu Items | This option allows you to specify which items should be displayed on the Start menu. | | List My Most Recently Opened Documents | If this option is selected, an item called My Recent Documents is displayed on the Start menu. Any documents recently opened are displayed on this list. |
| | If you customize the Start menu using the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, the changes are applied only to the user who is currently logged on to the computer. |
Changing the Start Menu for Users The Start menu can be customized for an individual user or for all users who log on to the computer. For example, if multiple users who require the same programs to perform their job functions share a computer, you can create a submenu off the Start menu containing shortcuts to all required programs. Conversely, you can perform the same procedure for an individual user. To customize the Start menu for all users, follow these steps: -
Right-click the Start button and click Open All Users.
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Open the folder in which you want to create the submenu, such as the Programs folder.
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Click File, point to New, and click Folder.
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Type a name for the folder and press Enter.
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Drag any programs that you want to appear on the submenu into the folder.
 | To add a shortcut to the Start menu for all users, right-click the Start button and click Open All Users. From the File menu, point to New and click Shortcut. Browse to the location of the program and click OK. Click Next, type a name for the shortcut, and click OK. |
To customize the Start menu for a specific user, follow these steps: -
Right-click the Start button and click Explore All Users.
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Locate the folder of the user for whom you want to customize the Start menu.
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Click the Start menu.
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Right-click the program or item for which you want to create a shortcut and select Create Shortcut. You can also drag or cut and paste the item into the user's Start menu or Programs folder.
Customizing Regional Settings Regional settings affect how Windows XP and different programs display information such as numbers , currency, times, and dates. You can change regional settings by using the Regional and Languages Options applet within the Control Panel (see Figure 1.7). Figure 1.7. Customizing regional settings. 
Using the Regional Options tab, you can select your specific locale, such as English (United States), to determine how certain items are formatted. Using the Customize button, you can manually configure how the different regional options are displayed. Customizing Folder Settings The Folder Options applet (see Figure 1.8) within the Control Panel can be used to change the behavior of folders and alter how information within folders is displayed. For example, you can change the program used to open files with a certain extension. Figure 1.8. Configuring folder options. 
The General tab allows you to configure the behavior and appearance of folders within Windows XP. Under the Tasks section shown in Figure 1.8, you can configure whether common folder tasks are displayed in folders. By default, common tasks are displayed in folders. If you select the Use Windows Classic Folders option, the list of tasks are not displayed. Under the Browse Folders section, you can specify whether each folder is opened in a new window or in the same window. From the General tab, you can also configure how items are opened, using a single mouse click or a double mouse click. The View tab contains a number of advanced settings used to control the behavior of folders and files. Some of the more common settings are summarized in Table 1.4. Table 1.4. Advanced Options for Customizing the Behavior of Folders and Files | Option | Description | | Automatically Search for Network Folders and Printers | Windows periodically searches the network for shared folders and printers and displays them in My Network Places. | | Display Simple Folder View in Explorer's Folders List | When a folder in the Folders List is selected, the contents and subfolders are displayed. All other folders are closed when another folder is selected. | | Display the Contents of System Folders | The contents of system folders are displayed. By default, the contents are hidden. | | Display the Full Path in the Address Bar | The complete path to an open folder or file is displayed on the address bar. | | Display the Full Path in the Title Bar | The complete path to an open folder or file is displayed on the title bar. | | Do Not Cache Thumbnails | Folder thumbnails are not cached. This can increase the amount of time required to open folders that contain thumbnails. | | Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders | Program and system files are not displayed in the file list for a folder. | | Show Hidden Files and Folders | Program and system files are displayed in the file list for a folder. | | Hide Extensions for Known File Types | File extensions are not displayed. | | Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended) | Operating system files are not displayed in the list of files for a folder. | | Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process | Each folder is opened in a separate part of memory. This can increase stability but slow down performance. | | Show Control Panel in My Computer | The Control Panel icon is displayed in My Computer. | | Show Encrypted or Compressed NTFS Files in Color | Encrypted or compressed files and folders are displayed in different colors. | | Use Simple File Sharing (recommended) | When simple file sharing is enabled, you can share folders with all users in your workgroup and make folders in your profile private. However, if you want to prevent specific users and groups from accessing your folders and files, simple file sharing must be disabled. |
The Offline Files tab enables you to configure settings that apply to working with offline files (this way, you can work with files and programs stored on the network when a network connection is not present). The File Types tab, shown in Figure 1.9, displays all the registered file types on the local computer. Each file extension listed is associated with a file type. Figure 1.9. Configuring file types. 
When you highlight a specific extension, such as DOC, detailed information is displayed, including the type of program used to open any files with that particular extension. For example, Microsoft Word is used to open any files with the .DOC extension. You can alter this by selecting the Change button. The Open With dialog box appears (see Figure 1.10). Here, you can select which program you want to use to open all files of that particular type. Figure 1.10. Changing the program used to open specific file types. 
Customizing Fonts Windows XP allows you to customize the way fonts are displayed on your desktop. For example, if you find a font is too small and difficult to read, you can increase the font size. You can customize the way fonts are displayed by using the Display Properties dialog box. To do so, right-click the Windows XP desktop and click the Properties option. From the Display Properties dialog box, select the Appearance tab (see Figure 1.11). Figure 1.11. Using the Appearance tab to customize Windows XP fonts. 
As you can see in Figure 1.11, three options are available. The first two options enable you to change the look of windows and buttons as well as select a color scheme. The third option allows you to configure the size of the fonts. | | If you are working from a laptop or using a flat panel monitor, you may notice that text outlines can look blurry. You can fix this problem by selecting the Effects button available on the Appearance tab of the Display Properties window. Change the method used to smooth edges of screen fonts from Standard to ClearType. |
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