Windows XP, known by the overly-zealous Linux zealots as Ex Pee, has been around for what appears to be ages: In fact so long that many people who use a computer now have, fortunately for them, only heard of Windows ME, 2000, 98SE, etc. – In fact a few were still toddlers when XP was RTM’d. Although later in the month of writing this article, October 2009, Windows 7 is due to be RTM’d, (This is a re-published article. ) there are no doubt those who will stick to XP – Home or Professional – as well as those who buy netbooks and have XP preinstalled on them even after Windows 7 is in full swing.

(Interestingly, an online associate of mine from Tampa, Florida, by the name of Rich Menga, installed Windows 7 RC onto a netbook he bought with XP preinstalled and it worked a treat… But that’s another story.)

We’ll be right back after this short commercial break: -

So, for those who are still using Old Faithful, there are ways to make XP better, faster, stronger than before; without having to spend six-million dollars on making technological improvements to it. (That loose reference to the “Six Million Dollar Man” shows my age again.) There are many XP tips and tweaks contained on this blog. In fact it would be useful if I were to index them all on a separate page. – I might get to starting that in due course. – For now, though, to add to the count, here’s another one for the record: -

In Windows XP, the Start Menu has been set by default to give a built-in delay between the time you click the start button and the point at which the Start Menu appears. It’s less than half a second; but time is money, and getting rid of the delay could save you a few bucks in the long run.

The following is how to increase the response time of your Start Menu. – In fact how to make it appear instantly when you click the Start button: – (This can’t be done (in this way) with Windows 7 by the way.)

This tweak does include editing the registry; and so, to be on the safe side of cautious, it would be a good idea to take a registry backup before attempting this, just in case.

Open a Command Prompt by clicking Start>Run. Type “regedit”, press OK, and navigate to the key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Look for the substring

MenuShowDelay

and set its value to zero.

Exit the Registry Editor.

Now click the Start button. You’ll notice that the Start Menu appears instantly when you click it.

Target neutralised.

- Another time-saving XP tweak from Kkomp.com – Beyond.

- Oh yes… Just in case you’ve moused-over the Start-button image at the top of the page, and you’re wondering WTF the HmmXP theme is, click here for more info and installation instructions.

Please comment if you wish.