In an ideal world, an operating system is a collection of software that handles a computer's dirty work invisibly, quickly and, most of all, painlessly. For many of us, however, Microsoft Windows exists outside this ideal world. We are annoyed by personalized menus that keep changing, icons we don't use cluttering up our workspace, periodic crashes, unintelligible error messages, and inadequate documentation to help us figure it all out. This text provides the insider information needed for overcoming Windows' many annoyances and limitations. Whether you're looking to finally solve a nagging problem, dramatically improve system performance, or customize the interface to better suit your work habits, the Windows Me Annoyances solution-oriented format aims to make finding information and implementing solutions easy and pain-free. Based on the author's Annoyances.org Web sites, Windows Me Annoyances delivers a collection of techniques and tools for customizing Windows Me, including: several approaches and hidden tools for working with the Windows registry, the database of system- and application-specific configuration information; how to bypass Windows road-blocks such as the Home Networking and System Restore wizards, allowing you to take control of the processes; a tutorial and reference on automation with the Windows Scripting Host as a means of eliminating many Windows Me annoyances; using third-party software and utilities to handle some of the more complex workarounds and customizations; and dealing with software that overwrites your file associations and other settings without warning. Windows Me Annoyances is an intermediate and advanced Windows user's resource for turning Windows into the user-friendly, customizable interface it was meant to be, but does not always manage to be on its own.