Overwhelmed and Overcustomized

I don't know how to reset my computer

Monday, January 22, 2007 by Neeznoodle | Discussion: New Users

Hi all,

I subscribed today to Object Desktop 2007 and WinCustomize and had a field day downloading and installing fun things. Now, though, my computer is a mess with a variety of themes, icons, skins, and whatnots.

Unfortunately, I am totally confused about how I got stuff on and how to remove it. There must be 20 different ways to add and remove things.

Is there a way I can reset my computer to before my subscription (aka Windows default settings), so I can start from scratch? If so, how do I do this?

Thank you,
Rochelle
11 Reply 1 Referrals
_02
Reply #1 Monday, January 22, 2007 8:35 PM
First return everything to the default mode. Don't delete any program with out doing that first or you will really mess up your computer. After returning everything you changed back to the default you can go about deleting things.
If you have a restore point before you did the customizing you can try and go back. You can delete the programs easy enough though through Stardock Central or through the add remove section of the control panel.

ZubaZ
Reply #2 Monday, January 22, 2007 8:49 PM
I haven't done it in a while, but if you have themeManager installed, you can fire it up and scroll to the very top and select Windows XP desktop.

Applying that should restore everything.

_02
Reply #3 Monday, January 22, 2007 8:52 PM
Geez Aaron, I wish I had known that!! hehe. I don't use theme manager though. Maybe I should start.

ZubaZ
Reply #4 Monday, January 22, 2007 9:01 PM
Like I said, it's been a while . . and I'd hate to try it and lose what I have.  LOL

LittleBearJason
Reply #5 Monday, January 22, 2007 10:54 PM
Just go into Theme Manager and select suites, select the Windows XP desktop one, and then start over again

Corky_O
Reply #6 Monday, January 22, 2007 11:28 PM

Here is a mini tutorial I wrote (it seems like a long time ago) outlining the manual procedure for restoring Windows XP defaults https://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=98650

You may also want to perform a 'Clearing the Cache' which will remove all user preferences and force the Stardock programs to load with the defaults. Here is another mini tutorial I wrote some time ago outlining this procedure http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=82461

Note - you simply delete the relevant programs folder in the user account hidden '...\Local Settings\Application Data\Stardock' folder referred to in the tutorial.

I hope this helps.


Neeznoodle
Reply #7 Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:59 AM
Oh my gosh, thank you! The Theme Manager comment did the trick. I really appreciate all your help and advise. This is a great way to tweak Windows, but it's sure easy to overdo it...

I've also found there are way too many programs (within WinCustomize and Object Desktop) to do the tweaking. Any suggestions, or tutorials I haven't found, for how to go about changing things, so I don't go so crazy and have to start over again? I like some of what I had done and now have to search deep to figure out how to redo it.

I'm almost tempting to keep a log of every step I take/do, so I can repeat it easily if I need to restart again.

Rochelle

Chasbo
Reply #8 Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:22 AM
Sounds like you have a customizing "jones" going on. Slow down. If I were you I'd play with one thing at a time. For instance, devote a day to learning about Object Dock. Once you know what you are doing with OD go on to another one. This way you aren't over whelmed.

Neeznoodle
Reply #9 Tuesday, January 23, 2007 12:54 PM
Oh yeah, I was jonesing big time!! Your advise is good. I will take it to heart and do ONE thing at a time. (At one point yesterday I had two clocks, two weather displays, rain was falling, snow was falling, my borders differed from my skins, and so on. Oh, it was a mess... This software is like candy for grownups and I WAY overindulged.    


Fuzzy Logic
Reply #10 Tuesday, January 23, 2007 1:07 PM

You can never have too much customization! Whatever you do, plain old Windows will never satisfy you again   

A good place to start would be to read some of Cordelia's customization articles http://cordelia.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?cid=19 There should be enough there to get you started.

And remember, if you have any questions, there's always someone around who can answer. Just ask away!   


NightTrainthedark
Reply #11 Tuesday, January 23, 2007 1:14 PM
Finally someone starts a beginners thread that nails down how we all fealt at first. Like getting 4 feet of snow in a half hour... in the summer.  


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