Win2K3 Conversion Guide

[AlphaReign]

I remember a while back on Neowin there was a guide to essentially convert all the media and gaming features into Win2K3 via a couple tweaks and installs, where is that guide now?

[Germano]

https://www.neowin.net/articles.php

Link to articles is in the top right of the frontpage.

Also, use search, as this has been asked many times before.

[DirtyScab]

Stuff I have found and collected to get it up and running

1. Auto Login

start > run > control userpasswords2
uncheck User must enter name and password
Apply and OK


2. Auto Shutdown

We will need to go into Group Policy Object Editor, 
go to Start -> Run -> and type gpedit.msc followed by enter. 
You should see the Group Policy Editor as shown on the left. 
Browse to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> 
now look in the right window pane and double click on Display Shutdown Event Tracker. 

This window will now appear, 
simply select Disabled and then proceed to click on OK. 
Now close the Group Policy Object Editor window.


3.IE security

Now, go to Tools -> Internet Options -> click on the Security tab, 
and adjust the slider on "Security Level for this zone" to Medium. 
You will be prompted with a warning box that the recommended security level for that zone is High, 
and that you have chosen a setting lower than this. Click on Yes. 

The common Workstation configuration is Medium, so this should suit most users.


4. Enabling Graphics Hardware Acceleration

Let's start with enabling the Hardware acceleration on our graphics card. 
Simply right click anywhere on your desktop and select 
Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced -> and finally, the Troubleshoot tab.

Now move the Hardware acceleration slider across to Full

Click OK

You may experience a monitor black out for a few seconds, this is normal.


5. Enabling DirectX

We now want to enable the full capabilities of DirectX. 
To do this, go to Start -> Run -> and type dxdiag followed by enter. 
You will get a dialog box asking if you want to allow dxdiag to access the internet 
to check for valid WHQL certificates - click on Yes. 

Let's click on the Display tab, now click on all three boxes to enable DirectDraw, 
Direct3D and AGP Texture Acceleration.
You can now install your Win2K/XP drivers for your Graphics Card 


6.Enabling Sound Acceleration 

Go to Start -> Run -> and type Services.msc followed by enter. 
The Services window will appear, scroll down until you find "Windows Audio". 
Double click on Windows Audio -> and change the startup type to Automatic -> then Apply -> Start -> OK

Lastly, we will need to go back into DirectX Diagnostics. 
Click on Start -> Run -> and type dxdiag followed by enter. 
This time, go to the Sound tab and move the slider on Hardware Sound Acceleration Level to Full Acceleration.

BTW you still need to install your sound card drivers


7. Enabling Themes

Go to Start -> Run -> and type Services.msc followed by enter. 
Scroll down until you find "Themes", 
now double click on Themes -> change the startup type to Automatic -> Apply -> Start -> OK.
Now close the Services window.

Replacing the UXtheme.dll

Boot into Safe Mode (F5 or F8 on startup)
Go to C:/Windowos/System32/
Rename uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.bak
Copy and Paste uxtheme.dll into C:/Windowos/System32/
Reboot into normal Startup and delete the uxtheme.bak
Done


8. Enabling Other Services

Camera, Webcam or Scanner, follow these instructions:

Go to Start -> Run -> and type in Services.msc and scroll down until you find 
the "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) ", double click on Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) 
and select startup type Automatic -> Apply -> Start -> OK.


9. Advanced Configuration

Go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> Advanced tab. 
Change Processor scheduling to Programs and lastly, change Memory usage to Programs. 
Now click on OK

Click on Error Reporting -> and then choose Disable Error Reporting

[Trust]

very useful DirtyScab

[NeoMayhem]

Who the hell replaces the uxtheme file in safemode? You dont even need to reboot to use it if you do it right :p

[uniacid]

uh auto shutdown? I don't got that on anyways...

[zeebaf]

Enabling Themes

Go to Start -> Run -> and type Services.msc followed by enter.

Scroll down until you find "Themes",

now double click on Themes -> change the startup type to Automatic -> Apply -> Start -> OK.

Now close the Services window.

reboot and windows start,right click on desktop,property, theme,winxp

you do not need Replacing the UXtheme.dll by doing above direction

[Warriors]

you'r right zeebaf, but if you want to use third party Visual Styles than you have to replace the UXtheme.dll with a hacked version of it

[kcsJ]

msfn got 1 good guide too..