Group Policy Editor
[Note: Group Policy Editor is only available in XP Professional]

I suspect that moments after the first copy of Windows was fired up on a desktop way back in 19-whatever, someone was already thinking about how it could be changed. An entire industry has grown around the desire to tweak and personalize the user interface. The advent of the registry made tweaking not only more possible, but also dangerous. One of the least touted but most useful tools for tweaking is found in XP Professional; The Group Policy Editor.

Warning admonitions aside, to fire up the GPE, click [Start] [Run] and type [gpedit.msc] in the data input line. If all is well. you’ll see the GPE as shown below.

Items to note are the left pane which gives you access to the Local Computer Policy for both Computer Configuration and User Configuration. The right panel follows normal explorer protocols, displaying the folder views. At the bottom of the right pane are tabs for [Extended] and [Standard] views.

Drilling down to the [Desktop] folder in the left pane displays the options in [Standard] view in the right pane which may be altered. There are two methods to arrive at the screen where the actual modifications to the individual settings are accomplished. Click on the [Extended] tab in the right pane and the screen shown below will open with an explanation of the individual setting you have highlighted. For this illustration I have highlighted [Remove Recycle Bin Icon from Desktop]. To display the properties sheet where the actual changes to the setting are made, click the [Properties] link in the upper left hand side of the right pane.
Immediate access to the property sheet from [Standard] view is available by double clicking on the property you wish to change in the right pane.

The [Extended] view shown above lists the operating system minimum requirements to facilitate the intended change. Along with a description of what the change will accomplish, there may be notes which give further info such as if a reboot is required to make the change effective.

If you had double clicked the item you wanted to change rather than click the [Extended] tab on the previous screen, this is what would have opened. Whatever method of arrival you choose, this is where the change is made and finalized. If you didn’t click the [Extended] tab to see the explanation, use the [Explain] tab above to see a description of the change you are considering. (See screenshot below)

Three choices are available for your selection
Not Configured: No change to the current setting.
Enabled: The setting will be applied to users of this computer group.
Disabled: The setting is not applied to users of this computer group.

Important Information

The Elder Geek sites contain many articles and suggestions for modifying the Windows operating system. I've tried these tweaks and tips on many systems. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. The point is, ensure you have a current, tested backup of all system and data files and understand how to restore the system in case something goes very wrong. You can still yell at me, but I assume no responsibility for your actions and use of the information and disclaim any legal responsibility for any consequences of such actions.

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