18 Secret Weapons in Windows XP

In Windows XP, there are various tools we frequently use, such as the Disk Cleanup utility. But what exactly are their names, and where on the hard drive are they hidden? Here, I'll uncover them so that in the future, you won't have to navigate step-by-step to find these tools. Instead, you can simply click "Start → Run" and input the program name.

1. **Disk Cleanup Utility** – Cleanmgr

This tool automatically frees up a portion of your hard disk space and intelligently deletes unnecessary files.

2. **Clipboard Viewer** – Clipbrd

The Clipboard Viewer in Windows XP includes additional sharing functionality compared to older versions in Windows 9X/Me. It allows other network users to access the clipboard by setting permissions.

3. **Control Panel Launcher** – Control

A quick way to launch the Control Panel.

4. **Windows XP Diagnostic Tool** – Drwtsn32

Drwtsn32 is a program error debugger. After running, it captures and records information about program errors in the system and creates a text file named Drwtsn32.log, providing detailed explanations of the error causes and suggesting solutions.

5. **DVD Player** – Dvdplay

Windows XP provides a "free" DVD player, which is essentially Windows Media Player.

6. **Self-Extracting File Creator** – IeXPress

Using IeXPress, you can create two types of self-extracting files: standard self-extracting files and installation-style self-extracting files.

7. **Backup Tool** – Ntbackup

The built-in backup tool in Windows XP.

8. **IP Address Detector** – Nslookup

With this IP detection tool, you can easily obtain the true IP addresses of websites or servers by pinging them.

9. **Advanced Registry Editor** – Regedit32

An advanced tool for modifying registry settings.

10. **Windows Update Program** – Wupdmgr

After connecting to the internet, you can use this program to perform automatic updates for Windows.

11. **Shared Folder Setup Tool** – Shrpubw

Its function is equivalent to right-clicking on a folder and selecting "Share."

12. **Microsoft Signature Verification Tool** – Sigverif

"Signed files" are those granted with Microsoft's digital signature, indicating that the file is an exact copy of the original. Using the Microsoft Signature Verification Tool, you can search for signed and unsigned files on your computer and verify the authenticity of signed files to ensure they haven't been tampered with.

13. **Volume Control Program** – Sndvol32

The volume control program that appears when you double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar.

14. **Task Manager** – Taskmgr

With the Task Manager, you can quickly check the status of running programs, terminate unresponsive programs, and view CPU and memory usage.

15. **Remote Connection Program** – Telnet

The Chinese interface remote connection program included with Windows.

16. **System File Checker** – Sft

Using Windows inevitably leads to issues like damaged or missing system files. Reinstalling the system just for a few small files can be troublesome. With the System File Checker (Sft.exe), everything becomes much simpler.

All 16 of the above programs are located in the Windows\SYSTEM32 folder on the system drive.

17. **File Transfer Wizard** – Migwiz

Located in the Windows\SYSTEM32\usmt folder.

Through this tool, you can achieve system state backup and recovery.

18. **System Configuration Utility** – Msconfig

Located in the Windows\Pchealth\helpctr\binaries folder.

Similar to the System Configuration Utility in Windows, this program allows you to modify general settings in system.ini, win.ini, boot.ini, services, and startup items.