http://www.jsware.ne...ware/xpfix.php5
Introduction
When Windows XP was first released it was bloated, slow, subject to Windows Product Activation, hobbled by numerous security problems, and destabilized by the constant stream of update patches meant to fix those problems. It required more RAM and faster CPUs to do the same tasks as earlier Windows versions. That was over 6 years and 3 Service Packs ago. The update patches are still coming on a regular basis. Windows XP is virtually on a drip-feed of patches. It is also spyware, in the sense that Microsoft feels free to upload information and download changed files without asking or notifying you. All in all, Windows XP is arguably not a very attractive product, in any sense. It might be aptly named "Windows Xtra Problems".
But now Windows Vista has arrived, and the new Windows 7 is just a minor Vista update. Windows Vista/7 makes Windows XP seem lean, speedy, sensible, secure and private by comparison. People who forsook Windows 98/ME/2000 for XP may now be saddled with Windows XP for many years to come. So one might just as well make the best of it. With that in mind, the following information and download is aimed at helping people quickly clean up some of the most glaring security, privacy and bloat problems on Windows XP.
What is XPFix and who can use it?
XPFix is a utility meant to provide convenient configuration of a number of Windows XP's more esoteric settings that normally require Registry edits or arcane operations. XPFix is not a full-scale tweak program with "thousands of settings!". It just provides a set of specific options that can go a long way toward making Windows XP more well-behaved generally - without you needing to do a lot of research and Registry editing.
XPFix is not intended for everyone using Windows XP. It is for people who are inclined to manage their own PC. For the most part, the options and information provided here require some work. They are not just one-click improvements. For example, the XPFix Utility can be used to help greatly reduce the bloat and security risk caused by unneeded services running in Windows. But anyone who wants to adjust Windows services must be willing to do a bit of research. There are no universal settings that are optimal for everyone.
Wonko