Windows XP Hidden Applications

Microsoft has kept many useful applications hidden in Windows XP for reasons they know better. Today I will give you a list of such applications. You may know or have used them but there are some you may don’t even know they exists. Depending on the version of Windows XP you are using not all the commands will work, some needs Administrator privileges to run properly. These applications can only be accessed using the Command Prompt or by using the Run dialog box or by double clicking on the .exe file of the application.

Run any of these applications: go to Start > Run and type the executable name

• Account Manager
Command to run: syskey.exe
Use: It encrypts Windows XP account database.
Disclaimer: Use with caution, may cause slow performance if enabled.

• Clipboard Viewer
Command to run: clipbrd.exe
Use: To view or delete clipboard contents.



• Character Map
Command to run: charmap.exe
Use: To view and insert special characters.
You can also access it by clicking on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map

• Disk Cleanup
Command to run: cleanmgr.exe
Use: To clean downloaded program files, temporary internet files, recycle bin, temporary remote desktop files, setup log files, backup files, offline files and also compresses old files.
You can also access it by clicking on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

• Driver Verifier
Command to run: verifier.exe
Use: Verifies drivers and helps create settings, delete settings and display information about currently verified drivers.
Disclaimer: Use with caution.

• Dr. Watson Tool
Command to run: drwtsn32.exe
Use: It is used to configure crash log dump settings

• DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Command to run: dxdiag.exe
Use: Provides DirectX version information and also system information, also used to troubleshoot directx components.

• Group & Policy Manager
Command to run: gpedit.msc
Use: To manage user and computer permissions and privileges.
Disclaimer: Use with caution, if you do not know what a setting does, read its description given there, if you don’t understand leave the setting as it is.

• iExpress Wizard
Command to run: iexpress.exe
Use: It helps to create and open self-extracting installable packages.

• Microsoft Synchronization Manger
Command to run: mobsync.exe
Use: It allows synchronization of offline web pages.

• Microsoft Telnet Client
Command to run: telnet.exe
Use: Used to connect telnet networks.

• Network Shared Folder Wizard
Command to run: shrpubw.exe
Use: Helps create shared folders for a network.

• Object Packager
Command to run: packager.exe
Use: Helps packaging objects for insertion into files.

• ODBC Administrator
Command to run: odbcad32.exe
Use: Helps configuring local and network database options.
Can also be accessed from Control Panel > Administrative Tools.

• Private Character Editor
Command to run: eudcedit.exe
Use: Creates and edits new characters for using into documents.

• Performance Monitor
Command to run: perfmon.exe
Use: Monitors CPU hard disk quota and provides detailed logs and reports.
Can also be accessed from Control Panel > Administrative Tools.

• Registry Editor
Command to run: regedit
Use: Helps to create, view and modify registry values.
Disclaimer: Take caution when modifying the registry, always backup the registry before any modifications.

• File Signature Verification Tool
Command to run: sigverif.exe
Use: Helps to check and verify file signatures.

• System Configuration Editor
Command to run: sysedit.exe
Use: Helps to modify SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT
Disclaimer: Take caution when editing any of these files. If you do anything wrong while editing them you may not be able to start Windows.

• System Configuration Utility
Command to run: msconfig
Use: Helps editing SYSTEM.INI, BOOT.INI, WIN.INI. Also helps to control services and startup programs and configure startup modes.
Disclaimer: Use with caution, if you do not know what a setting does, read its description given there, if you don’t understand leave the setting as it is.

• Windows Media Player 5.1 (Retro)
Command to run: mplay32.exe
Use: It is a very basic and plain version of Windows Media Player. Helps to play basic formats of music.

• Windows Workgroup Chat
Command to run: winchat.exe
Use: Helps to chat with other computers in your workgroup.

I hope that it will help a lot to newbies!!!
If I left any or you know any more hidden utilities, feel free to leave your comment!