14 DAY TRIAL // For newbies, XP can be a real menace. There is nothing you know for sure, all the settings and options may be confusing and most of the times, your work with the computer is time consuming and you can't make the most of it.
Having all the options out into the open seems like a good idea but gathering them all in one place is a pretty difficult task and there are few softwares that can provide this service for free. And yet, XP Edit manages to make the most common and used options accessible for every user.
The interface is as easy as can be and displays the options and settings directly. The list of features running down in the left part of the main window is also present in the toolbar, but here, you will only get information about the content of the folder. Every Windows related option is included in folders. The folders are General, Input, Folders, Taskbar, Internet, Logon and Accessibility. Each of these folders can be renamed to whatever the user desires. My advice is to leave them as they are because otherwise, you run the risk of getting confused. The same is available for the name of the options.
General tab comprises Windows Information (general details about the current install of Windows XP), Explorer (make changes of Windows XP Shell) and Startup (change the startup and logon screen). The description of the folder says that you can change and set a password. This feature is actually missing, but maybe it would be implemented some time in the future. Explorer feature enables Net Send service available in Windows (quite hidden from view) and Show Hidden Files and Folders.
Input section lets you edit the settings for the mouse and keyboard. Mouse hand can be changed for left/right handed people and you can set the level for mouse trails and sensitivity. Keyboard settings deals with rate and delay repetition. Repeat Delay is how long it takes for the letter to start repeating once the key is pressed and Repeat Rate means deals with how long it takes for the letter to repeat itself once it is pressed.
The default locations for personal folders (Application Data, Cookies, Desktop, Favorites, History, My Pictures, My Videos, etc.) are included under Documents and Settings on drive C:. These locations can be changed from this section. It may be a very good idea to do this as they are stored on C: which is prone to virus attacks and the data may be lost easily.
The number of items enabled in the Start Menu can also be changed with XP Edit and the user can decide what should go in there and what not. The list of items is rolling down and all you have to do is check the boxes you want to add to the Start Menu.
Internet section comes with setting up the Internet Options and Caching options. For general Internet options, you can enable/disable full screen on startup, use Search Assist, play animations, allow printing backgrounds, get notifications when downloads are complete, etc., and set the home page of your web browser and the default download directory. Caching can be used for cleaning a little the Internet default directories. This way you can clear history, delete the cookies and the temporary files. The downside resides in the fact that you cannot select a number of cookies to keep from erasing.
Logon section comes in very handy if you want to manage your startup items. The flexibility of the software allows the user to remove and add any items in both Current User Start Up items and Local Machine Startup items. The drawback of the option is that there is no indication to what software a certain process belongs to.
Accessibility Options are not forgotten by the developer as you can enable the magnifier, narrator and the on-screen keyboard on startup of Windows.
Now, having all the desired options checked or unchecked will not result in changes taking effect on the spot and a message will warn you that if one of the features is enabled and not working, then restarting the machine will fix the problem.
All in all, the application does not go deep inside Windows but manages to bring in front some of the most used options in Windows XP.
The Good
The application is designed for newbies and it is structured accordingly. There is no confusing option available and the tips scattered between the options will briefly explain every one of them.
It provides a fast way of making some settings to your Windows without having to go into registry editing.
The fact that it is free only adds to its value.
The Bad
You cannot choose the cookies and URLs that should not be deleted by the application.
The interface is a bit too plain in my opinion, but does not hinder in any way working with the software.
The Truth
The application is a good start to learn about how configurable Windows XP can be. Despite the list of options being so short and evasive, the XP Edit is a good software that manages to bring some of XP's options closer to you.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
