Tweaking software ?

Since WinXPproSP2 has only 3 internet-activations, I stopped using nLite.
What is the top-notch tweaking software for WinXPproSP2 at this moment ?
Money doesn't count.

Collection list :

FileMenuTools for Context Menu changes
Microsoft TweakUI
miTweak XP
ShellExView v1.17 by Nirsoft.com
SpeedXP
TuneUp Utilities
TweakAll
Tweakexp
TweakGuides Tweaking Companion
Tweaking Toolbox XP
TweakXP
Tweak-XP Pro by TotalIdea
XP Smoker Pro
XdN Tweak
XP-AntiSpy for light OS changes
XPLite for removal of components (alot more than nLite).
X-setup
X-Setup Pro
VistaTweaker acts also as XPTweaker.
WinXP Manager

 

Hello Erik

You colud give a try to X-Setup Pro payware, very feature-rich. A bit complex though. I am not using these utilities anymore, so I am currently not very familiar with good (or better) alternatives. I have just TweakUIXP (MS PowerToys) freeware installed at the moment (through Autopatcher), but as I said, I don't use it. Exactly why I installed it, I am not sure... (Just for the heck of it, I presume )

Cheers!

 

XdN Tweak is a nice little freeware. For a paid software I like XP Smoker Pro.

 

Tuneup utilities 2007,the best in my opinion

 

ErikAlbert,
Have you considered making a disk image of an activated installation? (Perhaps even before applying security updates)

 

Erik, What is it you're looking to do / accomplish?

...screamer

TU 2007 for Styles
XP-AntiSpy for light OS changes
FileMenuTools for Context Menu changes

 

Of course and I was planning to in September, but I'm just one activation TOO LATE. I have to call first and then I will install Windows, ACTIVATE IT and create an image with ShadowProtect and store that image FOREVER.
Nevertheless, thanks for the advice.

 

Well, I'm not sure yet, it depends on what can be tweaked, but I have a few ideas and noticed things that are bothering me for quite some time and I know via nLite that it can be changed.
I can't use nLite anymore, because I like to experiment and once it is activated, I can't go back to create something else, because 3 activations isn't much and I certainly don't like to call M$ in Brussels.

I just don't like to go through the entire WinXPproSP2 to find ALL these possible tweakings and these tweaking software give me at least a global idea of what can be tweaked.

Once Windows is tweaked, I can create another image and store that forever.
If something goes wrong, I can restart all over again as many times I want without reactivating Windows.
I also can use FDISR archives to store situations.

 

Another Utility you may be interested in is: ShellExView v1.17 by Nirsoft.com

The ShellExView utility displays the details of shell extensions
installed on your computer, and allows you to easily disable and enable
each shell extension.

...screamer

 

nLite lets you remove Windows components before installation.
Another program, XPlite, offers you similar functionality (remove components from Windows), but after installation.
You can also easily undo the changes.
Try, try, try!!!

 

Thanks screamer, these utilities will be usefull to me.
Thanks everybody, I made a list in my original post, in case somebody is also interested.

Question : if I uninstall a tweaking software are the tweakings also GONE ?

 

To the best of my knowledge, maybe, it depends on the software

I was foolin' w/ some Context Menu handler tools and when un-installed, so were the changes.

...screamer

 

OK. I will test this myself then per software.

 

Yes, that is a good tip, especially AFTER installation.

My experience with nLite and removing components was not so good.
Each time I installed a software, like ATI/NVIDIA/CREATIVE-drivers, etc. I was asked to insert the original WinXP CD, which I didn't like and sometimes the software wasn't even installed, because it didn't wait long enough for the WinXP CD. In the end it was all good, but I like things to go NORMAL.
Somebody advised me to install the folder C:\I386 first, but that didn't help either.

So I will try your suggestion.

 

here's some tweaking stuff -
http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page5.html#X-Setup
http://www.codeforge.co.uk/tweakall.php
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1758.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download700.html
http://www.winxp-manager.com/
http://www.tweakxp.com/
http://windowsxp.homedns.org/asp/tweaks/tweaks.asp

this is my favourite, it's called the tweaking experience it shows you 1000s of manually tweaks you can do.
http://bink.nu/Article3095.bink
the site is normally down so here's the download link
http://www.osnn.net/downloads/tweaks/tweakexp4.msi

 

I´ve not tested it yet, but you may also want to check out VistaTweaker (works on XP too), it gives you an option to run Windows Installer even in safe mode, soundes cool to me, because I often had this problem when trying to uninstall certain tools. The GUI also is nice and clean.

http://www.ajuaonline.com/

 

Thanks again everybody, I know how much time it takes to write posts and do research. So I'm very grateful, you gave me also alot of work. LOL.

 

Just one thing about "TweakXP" - there is the ORIGINAL Tweak-XP PRO by TotalIdea that is excellent. I tried many of them before deciding on their software. It is very comprehensive and in a very intuitive interface.

 

I ditched X-Setup Pro : too pro.

 

i used registry tweaker. its free. and more option find in tuneup utilities...

 

Well I try all the ones they gave me in this thread, one by one.
No uninstall problems either because FDISR removes everything.
The one iceni gave me is quite extensive, but you have to do it yourself without making mistakes. A real tweaking software is safer, quicker and is just a matter of marking or unmarking boxes.

 

Erik - in your first post it says: XPLite for removal of components (alot more than nLite)

What can XPLite remove that nLite cannot?

 

Sorry, I was to quick with my conclusion and I will remove it.
I have to compare them and frankly I don't have much time anymore to do this.
I'm also not interested in nLite anymore, so the comparision doesn't make me any wiser, because I will use XPLite anyway.

EDIT:
I can't edit my original post anymore, so this post will rectify it.

 

"Hacking Windows XP" by some guy first named Steve. Ebook is available freely on the web. Mostly registry hacks...few freeware programs needed, organized by sections e.g. UI / Security/ Performance tweaks..etc...

 

I use xplite and its pretty similar to nlite, however i'd be inclined to say that nlite is a bit more powerfu and can tweak/remove a bit more. Xplite has the advantage of being able to do it on an installed system and is able to revert the changes if needed.