Copyright: Copyright © 1995-1997 Imaginary Software
Citation: More Properties 2.0


System Icons

The system icons are My Computer and Network Neighborhood.   You can rename these items, and change their icons.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.

To rename this item, select Rename from the menu.


Recycle Bin Icons

The icons for the empty and full Recycle Bin can be changed.   If you wish to rename the Recycle Bin, you need to do so under the shell folders group of icons.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.


Special Folders

The special folders are Control Panel and Printers. You can rename these items, change their icons and create them as a file anywhere on your hard drive.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.

To rename this item, select Rename from the menu.

To create this item as a file in any folder, select Create as File… from the menu.


Shell Folders

The shell folders are not fixed on all computers, but the most common shell folders are Dial-Up Networking and Inbox.   These folders can be renamed, their icons changed, they may be created as a file at any location on your hard disk, or you may specify whether they appear on the Desktop or in My Computer.   Please note that not all shell folders can be successfully created as files, or displayed on the Desktop and/or My Computer.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.

To specify whether this item is displayed on the Desktop or in My Computer, clear or check the menu item.

To rename this item, select Rename from the menu.

To create this item as a file in any folder, select Create as File… from the menu.


Overlay Icons

The overlay icons for shortcuts and shared resources may be changed.   If you don’t want an overlay, I have provided an icon called BLANK.ICO which can be used as an overlay, in which case shortcuts and/or shared resources will not appear to have an overlay.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.


Start Menu Icons

All Start menu icons may be changed.   This excludes shortcuts on the Start menu.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.


Explorer Icons

All Explorer icons may be changed.


To change the icon for this item, select Change Icon… from the menu.


Contents

More Properties 2.0 Help


Overview of More Properties

More Properties allows you to customize features in Windows 95 that are not accessible from the standard interface.   Some of these features may improve system performance, some may make your life with Windows 95 a little easier, and others are purely cosmetic.

More Properties was originally inspired by a shareware program I saw on the internet which had a large proportion of its features disabled until the US $11.95 registration fee was paid.   Since I already knew how to make most of these changes manually, I decided to write More Properties for my own satisfaction and distribute it for free.

Please send all comments, bug reports, etc. to me at donovan@global.co.za

http://home.global.co.za/~olivierd/imaginary/

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/3865/


What's New in More Properties 2.0?

What’s New in More Properties 2.0?

•	The interface has been totally redesigned.

•	Wallpaper origin.

•	Use large icons.

•	Icon horizontal/vertical spacing.

•	“ Shortcut to” prefix on new shortcuts.

•	Explorer save settings on exit.

•	Explore From Here on folder context menu.

•	MS-DOS Prompt From Here on directory context menu.

•	Quick View on context menu for all files.

•	Notepad on context menu for all files.

•	Animated “Click here to begin” on the taskbar at startup.

•	Clear Run/Find/Printer Ports/Recent Documents histories at startup.

•	Randomize wallpaper at startup.

•	Hide Desktop icons.

•	Hide Network Neighborhood.

•	AutoRun for various drive types.

•	Change Windows Help colors.

•	Change system icons, including Overlay, Start menu and Explorer icons.

•	Add/remove shell folders to/from the Desktop and My Computer.

•	Rename shell folders

•	The Control Panel, Dial-Up Networking, and Printers folders on the Desktop and Start menu options have been incorporated into the ability to create shell folders at any location.

•	Clear last user name at logon.

•	Show/hide drives in My Computer.

•	Change the default Windows 95 setup source path.

•	Disable logging to BOOTLOG.TXT while booting.

•	Add, edit and delete Add/Remove Programs entries.

•	Add, edit and delete Run entries.

•	Edit Tip of the Day entries.

•	Rebuild Icons.

•	Add More Properties to the My Computer context menu.

•	More Properties will load at Windows 95 startup if it was open at last shut down.


Using More Properties

To set an option which is either on or off, double click the item, or click the check box to change the state of the check box.   To change the value of an option, click the item and adjust the value in the space provided.

To get help on a specific option, click [image] at the top of the dialog, and then click the item for a brief explanation.


Disclaimer

This software is provided “as is”, without warranties of any kind.   The author accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any damage incurred directly or indirectly as a result of using this software.   Use this software entirely at your own risk.


Distributing More Properties

More Properties is freely distributable, except for the following limitations:

1. The following files must be included in the distribution:

MORE.EXE	Executable file

MORE.CNT	Help contents file

MORE.HLP	Help file

MORE.TXT	Readme file

2. If you wish to include More Properties in a software collection, such as on a CD-ROM, you must inform me at donovan@global.co.za.

3. More Properties is free software.   Therefore, you may not charge more for it than the cost of the distribution media.

In addition to the files specified above, the following run-time files are required in order for More Properties to work:

COMCTL32.OCX

MFC40.DLL

MSVCRT40.DLL

OLEPRO32.DLL

VB40032.DLL

VEN2232.OLB


The Competition

Alternatives to More Properties

What?!   You don’t like More Properties?   Here are the alternatives:

•	Tweak UI (Free).   Available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/software/PowerToy.htm

•	WinHacker 95 by Wedge Software (Shareware US $17.95).   Available at http://www.wedgesoftware.com/wh95/

•	ShellWizard (Shareware US $15.00).   Available at http://www.shellwizard.com/


No help topic is associated with this item.


Closes this dialog box and saves any changes you have made.


Closes this dialog box without saving any changes you have made.


Saves the changes you have made without closing this dialog box.


Click this to display an overview of this dialog box.

For help on an item, click [image] at the top of this dialog box, and then click the item.


Add/Remove Programs

This section allows you to add, edit and remove entries in the Add/Remove Programs dialog found in the Control Panel.


Allows you to add, edit and remove entries in the Add/Remove Programs dialog.


Run (Current User)

This sections allows you to add, edit and remove programs that run when you start Windows 95.


Allows you to add, edit and remove programs that run when you start Windows 95.


Run (Local Machine)

This section allows you to add, edit and remove programs that when any user starts Windows 95.


Allows you to add, edit and remove programs that when any user starts Windows 95.


Run Services


Tip Of The Day

This section allows you to edit the Tip of the Day entries.


Allows you to edit the Tip of the Day entries.


Add More Properties to My Computer Context Menu

This option allows you to specify that More Properties should appear on the context menu when you right click the My Computer icon.


Specifies that More Properties should appear on the context menu when you right click the My Computer icon.


Restore Active Tab

This option allows you to specify whether More Properties remembers the active tab and item between sessions.


Specifies whether More Properties remembers the active tab and item between sessions.


Restore Window Position

This options allows you to specify whether More Properties remembers its window position between sessions.


Specifies whether More Properties remembers its window position between sessions.


Reload At Startup

This option allows you to specify whether More Properties will reload at startup if it was running when Windows 95 last shut down.


Specifies whether More Properties will reload at startup if it was running when Windows 95 last shut down.


Expand All Items

This option allows you to specify whether all items should be expanded when More Properties starts up.


Specifies whether all items should be expanded when More Properties starts up.


Always On Top

This option allows you to specify whether More Properties remains on top of all other windows, even when inactive.


Specifies whether More Properties remains on top of all other windows.


Animate Message Box

This option allows you to specify whether the icon on the message box is animated or not.


Specifies whether the icon on the message box is animated or not.


Window Animation

This option controls whether minimize, maximize and restore window operations are animated.   Disabling window animation may improve performance if you don't have a fast video card.   Window animation is enabled by default.


Controls whether minimize, maximize and restore window operations are animated.


Wrap Icon Titles

This option controls whether icon titles are wrapped or appear on one line, truncated with “…” if necessary.    Icon titles are wrapped by default.


Controls whether icon titles are wrapped or appear on one line, truncated with “…” if necessary.


Beep On Errors

Turns the warning beep on or off.   The warning beep is on by default, and the sound which is played can be customized under Sounds in the Control Panel.


Turns the warning beep on or off.


Bitmap Thumbnail As Default Icon

This option controls whether the icon displayed for bitmaps in Explorer or My Computer is the Paint icon, or a thumbnail of the bitmap itself.   This option is not available if bitmaps are not associated with Paint.   Enabling this option may decrease performance if you have a slower computer and/or there are a lot of bitmaps in the folder being viewed.   This option will take effect the next time you open Explorer.


Controls whether the icon displayed for bitmaps in Explorer or My Computer is the Paint icon, or a thumbnail of the bitmap itself.


"Shortcut to" Prefix On New Shortcuts

This option controls whether new shortcuts are prefixed with “Shortcut to”.   Shortcuts are prefixed by default.


Controls whether new shortcuts are prefixed with “Shortcut to”.


Save Settings On Exit

This option controls whether Explorer saves its settings on exit.   For example, turning this option off will mean that Explorer will not reload at startup if it was running when Windows 95 shut down.   Explorer saves its settings by default.


Controls whether Explorer saves its settings on exit.


Hide Desktop Icons

This option controls whether Desktop icons are displayed or not.   If you enable this option, all Desktop icons will be hidden, including shortcuts.   Desktop icons are displayed by default.


Controls whether Desktop icons are displayed or not


Hide Network Neighborhood

This option controls whether the Network Neighborhood is available or not.   Hiding the Network Neighborhood will disable shell support for Universal Naming Convention (UNC) notation.   In order to access network resources from Explorer, they will have to be mapped to a drive letter.   In addition, Direct Cable Connection will be unable to display the contents of the host computer.   Network Neighborhood is displayed by default.


Controls whether the Network Neighborhood is available or not.


Animated "Click here to begin"

Animated “Click here to begin”

This option controls whether the “Click here to begin” animation appears on the taskbar when you log on.   This only appears to happen when you close all programs and log on as a different user.   The taskbar animation is enabled by default.


Controls whether the “Click here to begin” animation appears on the taskbar when you log on.


Tip Of The Day

This option controls whether the Windows 95 welcome dialog with the tip of the day is displayed at startup.   The welcome dialog is displayed by default until the Show this welcome screen… check box is cleared.


Controls whether the Windows 95 welcome dialog with the tip of the day is displayed at startup.


Clear Run History At Startup

This option controls whether More Properties will clear the run history list at startup.


Controls whether More Properties will clear the run history list at startup.


Clear Find Files History At Startup

This option controls whether More Properties will clear the find files history list at startup.


Controls whether More Properties will clear the find files history list at startup.


Clear Find Computer History At Startup

This option controls whether More Properties will clear the find computer history list at startup.


Controls whether More Properties will clear the find computer history list at startup.


Clear Printer Ports History At Startup

This option controls whether More Properties will clear the printer ports history at startup.


Controls whether More Properties will clear the printer ports history at startup.


Clear Recent Documents History At Startup

This option controls whether More Properties will clear the recent documents history at startup.


Controls whether More Properties will clear the recent documents history at startup.


Randomize Wallpaper

This option controls whether More Properties will randomize wallpaper at startup.   If the Tile box is checked, the wallpaper will be tiled, otherwise it will be centered.   More Properties looks in the folder you specify for bitmaps, and if none are found, it will not attempt to set the wallpaper.


Controls whether More Properties will randomize wallpaper at startup.   If the Tile box is checked, the wallpaper will be tiled, otherwise it will be centered.   More Properties looks for bitmaps in the specified folder.


Menu Drop Alignment

This option sets the drop alignment of menus.   Menus are left aligned by default


Sets the drop alignment of menus


Menu Show Delay

This option sets the delay after a menu is selected before the menu is opened.   The default delay is 400 milliseconds.


Sets the delay after a menu is selected before the menu is opened.


Menu Delay Until Clicked

This option controls whether a menu must be clicked before its opened.   Enabling this setting will disable the menu show delay.   By default, menus do not delay until clicked.


Controls whether a menu must be clicked before its opened.


AutoPlay Audio CD's

AutoPlay Audio CD’s

This options controls whether audio CD’s are played automatically when inserted into the CD-ROM drive.   For this option to work, auto-insert notification must be enabled for the CD-ROM drive.   Audio CD’s are played automatically by default.


Controls whether audio CD’s are played automatically when inserted into the CD-ROM drive.


AutoRun Data CD's

AutoRun Data CD’s

This option controls whether data CD’s are run automatically when inserted into the CD-ROM drive if there is an AUTORUN.INF file in the root folder.   For this option to work, auto-insert notification must be enabled for the CD-ROM drive.   Data CD’s are run automatically by default.


Controls whether data CD’s are played automatically when inserted into the CD-ROM drive.


AutoRun Floppy Drives

This option controls whether floppy disks are run automatically when accessed if there is an AUTORUN.INF file in the root folder. Floppy drives are not run automatically by default.


Controls whether floppy disks are run automatically when accessed.


AutoRun Hard Drives

This option controls whether hard drives are run automatically when accessed if there is an AUTORUN.INF file in the root folder. Hard drives are run automatically by default.


Controls whether hard drives are run automatically when accessed.


AutoRun Network Drives

This option controls whether network drives are run automatically when accessed if there is an AUTORUN.INF file in the root folder. Network drives are not run automatically by default.


Controls whether network drives are run automatically when accessed.


AutoRun RAM Drives

This option controls whether RAM drives are run automatically when accessed if there is an AUTORUN.INF file in the root folder. RAM drives are run automatically by default.


Controls whether RAM drives are run automatically when accessed


Double Click Width & Height

Double Click Sensitivity (Width & Height)

This option sets the width and height of the rectangle in which two clicks must fall (within the double click time) to be considered a double click.   The default width and height is 4 pixels.


Sets the width and height of the rectangle in which two clicks must fall (within the double click time) to be considered a double click.


Double Click Time

This option sets the time that may pass between clicks for a double click to be registered.   Double click time is 500 milliseconds by default.


Sets the time that may pass between clicks for a double click to be registered.


Drag Width & Height

Drag Sensitivity (Width & Height)

This option sets how far an object must be dragged horizontally and vertically before Windows 95 recognizes that it is being dragged.   Drag width and height is 2 pixels by default.


Sets how far an object must be dragged horizontally and vertically before Windows 95 recognizes that it is being dragged.


Full Window Dragging

This option controls whether the entire contents of windows are displayed when moving or resizing them, as opposed to just an outline of the window.   This option is only available if Microsoft Plus! has been installed.


Controls whether the entire contents of windows are displayed when moving or resizing them


Font Smoothing

Smooths the jagged edges of large fonts on the screen.   This only works if you monitor is capable of displaying 256 colors, for best results, high color is required.   This option is only available if Microsoft Plus! Is installed.


Smooths the jagged edges of large fonts on the screen.


Jump Color

This option sets the color of jumps in help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Sets the color of jumps in help files.


Popup Color

This option sets the color of popup links in help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Sets the color of popup links in help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Macro Color

This option sets the color of macro links in help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Sets the color of macro links in help files.


Jump To Another Help File Color

This option sets the color of jumps to topics in other help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Sets the color of jumps to topics in other help files.


Popup To Another Help File Color

This option sets the color of links to popup windows in other help files.   The default color is dark green (Red = 0, Green = 128, Blue = 0).


Sets the color of links to popup windows in other help files.


Large Icons

This option allows you to specify whether Windows 95 should use large icons (48X48 pixels) in Explorer and on the Desktop.   The default icon size is 32X32 pixels.   The icon size can be adjusted in the Control Panel, under the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog, but Windows 95’s optimal display sizes are 32X32 or 48X48 pixels.


Specifies whether Windows 95 should use large icons (48X48 pixels) in Explorer and on the Desktop.


Explore From Here

This option allows you to specify whether Explore From Here appears on the context menu for all folders, which launches a new instance of Explorer with the selected folder as the root.


Specifies whether Explore From Here appears on the context menu for all folders.


MS-DOS Prompt From Here

This option allows you to specify whether MS-DOS Prompt From Here appears on the context menu for all directories, which opens an MS-DOS prompt in the selected directory.


Specifies whether MS-DOS Prompt From Here appears on the context menu for all directories.


Quick View

This option allows you to specify that Quick View should appear on the context menu for all files.   Quick View does not work on all file types.


Specifies that Quick View should appear on the context menu for all files.


Notepad

This option allows you to specify that Notepad should appear on the context menu for all files.   This allows you edit all files as text, including unassociated files, bypassing the Open With… dialog.


Specifies that Notepad should appear on the context menu for all files.


Wallpaper Origin

These options allow you to specify an offset at which the wallpaper is painted on the Desktop.   If your wallpaper is tiled, the offset area will contain a clipped portion of the bitmap.   These values may be positive or negative.


Allows you to specify an offset at which wallpaper is painted on the Desktop.


Icon Spacing

These options allow you to adjust the horizontal and vertical spacing of icons.   These options are also adjustable under the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog in Control Panel.   The default spacing is 43 pixels.   Icons on the desktop can only be refreshed automatically if Auto Arrange is selected on the context menu.


Adjusts the spacing of icons.


Enable Startup Function Keys

This option controls whether the function keys (F4, F5, F6 & F8) are enabled at startup.   If you disable the function keys, the boot delay, startup menu and dual boot settings have no effect.   Function keys are enabled at startup by default.


Controls whether the function keys are enabled at startup.


Boot Delay

This option allows you to specify the delay after the Starting Windows 95... message appears before Windows continues loading.   This delay gives you a chance to press the function keys.   If the startup function keys are disabled, this delay has no effect.   The default boot delay is two seconds.


Specifies the delay after the Starting Windows 95... message appears before Windows continues loading.


Display Windows 95 Splash Screen

This option controls whether the animated logo is displayed while Windows 95 is loading.   Turning this option off also prevents hooking a variety of interrupts that can create incompatibilities with certain third party memory managers.   The splash screen is displayed by default.


Controls whether the animated logo is displayed while Windows 95 is loading.


Boot Into Windows 95 Graphical User Interface

This option controls whether the system boots into the GUI or a command prompt.   The system boots into the GUI by default.


Controls whether the system boots into the GUI or a command prompt.


Enable Dual Boot

This option controls whether the system is able to boot into your previous operating system. Pressing F4 with this option enabled boots into your previous operating system.   If Windows 95 is not the default operating system, pressing F4 boots Windows 95.   Dual boot is disabled by default.


Controls whether the system is able to boot into your previous operating system.


Enable Windows 95 As Default Operating System

This option allows you to specify whether Windows 95 or the previous operating system is the default operating system.   This setting has no effect if dual boot is not enabled.   Windows 95 is the default operating system by default.


Specifies whether Windows 95 or the previous operating system is the default operating system.


Disable Logging To BOOTLOG.TXT

This option allows you to specify whether logging to BOOTLOG.TXT is disabled.


Specifies whether logging to BOOTLOG.TXT is disabled.


Always Boot Into Startup Menu

This option allows you to specify whether Windows 95 always boots into the startup menu.   Windows 95 does not boot into the startup menu by default, except after a system crash.


Specifies whether Windows 95 always boots into the startup menu.


Default Startup Menu Item

This option allows you to specify the default item on the startup menu.   Select (Default) to allow Windows 95 to control this.   The default is Normal if your system is running correctly, and Safe Mode if the system has just crashed.


Specifies the default item on the startup menu.


Startup Menu Delay

This option allows you to specify the delay before the default menu item is automatically selected.   The default delay is thirty seconds.


Specifies the delay before the default menu item is automatically selected.


Enable Safe Mode

This option allows you to specify whether the safe mode warning after a system crash is enabled.   The safe mode warning is enabled by default.


Specifies whether the safe mode warning after a system crash is enabled.


Always Boot Into Safe Mode

This option allows you to specify whether Windows 95 always boots into safe mode.   Windows 95 boots into safe mode only after a system crash by default.


Specifies whether Windows 95 always boots into safe mode.


Enable Safe Mode Network Support

This option allows you to specify whether the “Safe mode with network support” option appears on the startup menu.


Specifies whether the “Safe mode with network support” option appears on the startup menu.


Enable Support For SyQuest Removable IDE Drives

This option enables support for SyQuest removable IDE drives.   If you enable this, make sure that there is a disk in the drive when you boot up.   You must restart your computer for this change to take effect.


Enables support for SyQuest removable IDE drives.


Double-buffering

This option controls whether double-buffering is enabled for SCSI controllers that need it, or regardless of whether they need it.   Double-buffering is disabled by default.   You need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.


Controls whether double-buffering is enabled.


Use Name Numeric Tail When Truncating Long File Names

This option controls whether Windows 95 uses ~1 style truncation of long file names (default).   Checking this box makes Windows use the first eight characters when truncating the file name.   For example, "More Properties.txt" would be truncated as "MOREPROP.TXT".   The system will only start using numeric tails when a conflicting file name would result.   You need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.


Controls whether Windows 95 uses ~1 style truncation of long file names.


Clear Last User Name At Logon

This option controls whether the previous user’s name is cleared at logon.   The last user name is not cleared by default.


Controls whether the previous user’s name is cleared at logon.


Legal Notice

The Legal Notice Caption and Text define the message box that appears during logon.


Defines the message box that appears during logon.


Drives

These check boxes allow you to specify which drives are displayed in My Computer.   A checked drive will only appear if it exists.   All drives are displayed by default.


Allows you to specify which drives are displayed in My Computer.


Auto-load DoubleSpace

This option controls whether Windows 95 loads the DoubleSpace driver at startup.   Clear this check box only if you are not using DoubleSpace.  The DoubleSpace driver is loaded at startup by default.


Controls whether Windows 95 loads the DoubleSpace driver at startup.


Auto-load DriveSpace

This option controls whether Windows 95 loads the DriveSpace driver at startup.   Clear this check box only if you are not using DriveSpace.  The DriveSpace driver is loaded at startup by default.


Controls whether Windows 95 loads the DriveSpace driver at startup.


Load COMMAND.COM & XXXSPACE.BIN At Top of 640kb

This option controls whether COMMAND.COM and DBLSPACE.BIN/DRVSPACE.BIN are loaded at the top of conventional memory (default).   Clear this check box if you are running Novell® NetWare® or you have compatibility problems with software that makes assumptions about the amount of available memory.


Controls whether COMMAND.COM and DBLSPACE.BIN/DRVSPACE.BIN are loaded at the top of conventional memory.


Default Setup Source Path

This option allows you to specify the default Windows 95 setup source path.


Specifies the default Windows 95 setup source path.


Registered Owner & Organization

This option allows you to change the registered owner information for this copy of Windows 95.   When selecting Help|About... in Explorer, etc., the new information will appear.   Some [registered] shareware programs may rely on this information to work correctly, and changing these details may cause problems with such programs (an example is Clock Talk).


Changes the Windows 95 registered owner information.


Registry Editor

The registry is where most Windows 95 and application settings are stored.   The Registry Editor allows you to edit the registry directly.   Please exercise caution when editing the registry.


Opens the Registry Editor.


System Configuration Editor

The System Configuration Editor allows you to edit files such as AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS.


Opens the System Configuration Editor.


Make Compatible

Make Compatible allows you enforce compatibility with Windows 95 for 16-bit applications.


Opens Make Compatible.


TCP/IP Configuration

IP Configuration displays advanced TCP/IP information.


Opens IP Configuration.


Control Panel

Opens the Control Panel.


Opens the Control Panel.


Clear Documents Menu

Clears the contents of the Documents menu. You can specify that More Properties clear the contents of the Documents menu at startup by checking the option under Startup in the Shell settings.


Clears the contents of the Documents menu.


Add File to Documents Menu

Allows you to add files to the Documents menu.   This only works if the file you attempt to add is associated with an application.


Adds a file to the Documents menu


Rebuild Icons

Rebuilds the icon cache.   You can use this option to correct the Start menu displaying incorrect icons.   If you change any icons under the Icons/Folders tab, this icon cache is automatically rebuilt.


Rebuilds the Windows 95 system icon cache.