Configuring Windows XP Pro SP2

[cool skill]

Does anybody have any additional advice on configuring SP 2?

Here are my configurations:
Log on as administrator.
Turn off welcome screen and logon box so that the computer starts up normally with no user accounts or logon boxes.
Allow sharing of C drive and and Administrators Documents on my network.
Turn off Automatic updates.
Turn off Windows Firewall.

In Administrative Tools/Services. Stop and disable the following:
Automatic Updates
Security Accounts Manager
Security Center

Install latest versions of Direct X, Media Player, and IE.
Pleas give me advice about configuring IE so it runs as smooth as the older versions without those rediulous popup warnings everytime I check my email.

QUESTION
About items in MSCONFIG/startup.
What are these for?:
1. Adobe Reader Speed Launch (I have Adobe Reader installed).
2. Java jusched.exe (I have the latest Java VRM installed.)
3. VCDDaemon (I have Virtual Clone Drive installed.)

[clocker]

Turn off System Restore.

Go to My Computer and open the Properties for each partition/hard drive> uncheck "Allow indexing service...".

You can delete/remove the Adobe Speed launch and Java update scheduler from startup.

Use Firefox/Opera instead of IE.

There are about a million other tweaks that may/may not help depending on your hardware and usage habits.

[Skiz]

1. Adobe Speed Reader speeds up the time it takes for Reader to load, it does have it's downfalls though - link

2.

jusched.exe is a process installed alongside Sun Microsystem's Java suite and checks for Java updates which involves usage of the Internet. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer's Internet browsing and Java usage and should not be terminated.

3.

vcddaemon.exe is a process belonging to Elaborate Bytes Virtual CloneDrive which offers a virtual CD system which can mount CD images. This program is a non-essential process, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems.

[nizrulesall]

http://www.tweakxp.com/

give this site a look..bunch of cool tweaks

[peat moss]

http://www.tweakxp.com/

give this site a look..bunch of cool tweaks

This is a very good site ,I see their updating again . Another one is Paul 's site.

http://www.winsupersite.com/default.asp

[cool skill]

Thanks alot to every post here. This was very helpful.

More questions if you don't mind:
1. I'm trying to run windows without users so that it runs normally has the sole administrator. Therefore, I have it log on automatically as administrator.
When I go to Documents and Settings, there is another folder that says "All Users". Am I correct to assume that is the Guest User Account? If not, what is it?

2. I have made the decision to get rid of Adobe Speed Launch, and keep the Java updater. Just wondering if others shut it down, and if so, why?

3. I use Virtual Clone Drive. When I right click an image file, I get the option to mount it to Virtual Clone Drive. I'm assuming the vcddaemon.exe needs to run at startup in order for me to do this. Is this correct?

4. I have never used System Restore. I opened Scheduled Tasks in the Control Panel. Does this run by default? If so, How do I disableit?

Thanks for the great links. I browsed through them, and got some good info.

[lysine]

I've had good success with this guide:
http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html

[david02]

I found this site very usefull with a lot of info

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

[peat moss]

I found this site very usefull with a lot of info

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

That is a nice find ,I just browsed it but did bookmark . I see its pinned in the guide section . Good one Dave .

[4play]

Does anybody have any additional advice on configuring SP 2?

Here are my configurations:
Log on as administrator.
Turn off welcome screen and logon box so that the computer starts up normally with no user accounts or logon boxes.
Allow sharing of C drive and and Administrators Documents on my network.
Turn off Automatic updates.
Turn off Windows Firewall.

In Administrative Tools/Services. Stop and disable the following:
Automatic Updates
Security Accounts Manager
Security Center

does anyone else think that this really is not a way to setup a system even if it is just a home machine?