Sometimes in Vista, the TrustedInstaller.exe service will start up and eat up all of your cpu power. Here is how to eliminate this process bug.

#1. Method One - Remove the file

Deleting TrustedInstaller.exe is not a simple task. It is a system file and needs to have its rights modified first. Browse to C:\Windows\servicing. Right click on the TrustedInstaller.exe file and select “Properties”.

In the properties dialog box, select the “Security” tab and click “Edit”.

In the permissions screen that appears, give the current user full rights and remove rights from everything else, save for the TrustedInstaller user. This ensures that the settings will stick. Click “OK” and you may now delete the TrustedInstaller.exe file.  If the file will still not delete, open the task manager and check if the TrustedInstaller.exe process is running in the processes area. If it is, right click on the process and select “Kill Process Tree”. You may now try deleting the file again.

#2. Method two - Kill the file 

If the current user is unable to modify the permissions for TrustedInstaller.exe, you can have an application called Killbox (download here) remove the file for you. Open Killbox and click the browse button. Point the browser to C:/Windows/servicing/TrustedInstaller.exe. Select “Delete on Reboot” and click the delete button.

#3. Method three - Disable automatic updates 

If the file remains undeletable, The problem can be resolved by disabling the Automatic Updates service. Under the start menu, right click on “Computer” and  select “Services”. In the services menu, find the “Windows Update” service. Right click on it and select “Properties”. In the properties dialog box, set the “Startup Type” to “Manual”.

Under the “Recovery” tab, set “First Failure” to “Take no Action”.

Click “OK” and the problem should be resolved. Be aware that you will have to manually check for updates from now on.

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You can tweak the visuals in XP according to your system. Here’s how to turn XP’s graphics to optimal settings:

#1. Open visual settings.
Right click on “My Computer”. Select “Advanced” and click the “Settings” button under the “Performance” section.

#2. Adjust settings.
In the “Visual Effects” tab, leave only the following options checked:

“Show shadows under menus”
“Show shadows under  mouse pointer”
“Show translucent selection rectangle”
“Show window contents while dragging”
“Smooth edges of screen fonts”
“Smooth-scroll list boxes”
“Use common tasks in folders”
“Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop”
“Use visual styles on windows and buttons”

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When moving users from a workgroup to a domain or from one domain to another, you may want to transfer their user profiles to their new login. Windows XP provides a quick function to do so…

#1. Open advanced user management.
Make sure that you are logged on as an Administrator. Right click on “My Computer” and select “Properties”. In the system properties window select the “Advanced” tab. Click the “Settings” button under the “User Profiles” section.

#2. Copy user data.
Find the old user profile that you wish to copy FROM, select it and click “Copy to”. In the copy window, click the “Browse” button.

You will be prompted to find the domain login profile. It should be called something like YourName.YOURDOMAIN. After you browse to the correct folder, click “OK” and the documents and settings will be moved over.

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Are you tired of always having to confirm deletes and empty out your recycle bin? Here is a quick work-around…

#1. Open recycle bin properties.
Right click on the recycle bin and select “properties”.

#2. Change recycle bin settings.
Check the box labelled “Do not move files to the recycle bin…” and un-check the box labelled “Display delete confirmation dialog”. Click “OK”.

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Want to personalize your system information in XP? Here is how you add a logo and support information to your system properties in XP.

#1. Make an image.
Create an image in your favorite imaging program. Save it in bitmap format with the filename “oemlogo.bmp”. The image can be a maximum size of 180×120.

#2. Install your image.
Copy your logo and paste it into the “C:\windows\system32″ folder.

#3. Set support information.
Open notepad. In notepad, paste the following text, changing information as you see fit. Remember that you have limited room in the properties dialog box. Save the file as “oeminfo.ini”, with the quotes, in the “C:\windows\system32″ folder.

[General]
Manufacturer=Your name
Model=Your model

[Support Information]
Line1=”"
Line2=” In here.”
Line3=”"
Line4=” You put.”
Line5=” Your text.”
Line6=”"
Line7=”"
Line8=” And contact”
Line9=” Information!”
Line10=”"
Line11=”"
Line12=”"

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Are you finding that Windows XP will not stop asking you for a password on boot? Here is a quick and simple fix for this annoying problem.

#1. Open user control dialog.
Click on “Start, Run”. In the run box type “Control Userpasswords2″ without the quotes. Click “OK”.

#2. Adjust login settings.
In the user control dialog, uncheck the box labeled “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer”. Click “OK” and reboot the computer.

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If you are having problems getting your drives to show up in “My Computer”, then you may just need to assign the drive a letter. Here’s how.

#1. Open drive management console.
Right click on “My Computer” and select “Manage”.

In the management console, select “Disk Management”.

#2. Change drive properties.
Right click the disk in question in the lower pane. Select “Change Drive Letter and Paths”.

Select the disk and click “Change”. You may now assign the drive a letter and click “OK”.

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Do you get the “Your security setting level puts your computer at risk” warning every time you adjust your Internet Explorer settings? This problem has a very simple fix.

#1. Open Group Policy Editor.
Click on “Start”, then “Run”. In the run box, type “gpedit.msc” without the quotes and click “OK”.

#2. Enable bypass option.
In the Group Policy Editor, browse to “User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Internet Explorer”.

Right click on the “Turn off the Security Settings Check feature” and select “Properties”.

Select the option labelled “Enable” and click “OK”.

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Is Outlook sending more than one copy of your emails? Good, here’s an easy fix.

 #1. Go to your account properties.
Open Outlook. Go to “Tools”, and then to “Accounts”.

In the “Mail” tab, find your mail account, select it and press “Properties”.

#2. Change mail options.
Go to the “Advanced” tab. Uncheck the box labelled “Break apart messages larger than…” and click “OK”.

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Are you tired of always having Firefox ask if you want it to remember your logins for sites? Here is a quick and easy way to disable this annoying reminder.

#1. Open browser options.
Click “Tools”, then “Options”.

#2. Disable feature.
Select the “Security” tab at the top. Uncheck the box labeled “Remember passwords for sites” and hit “OK”.

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