WINXP - Cannot Disable Network Connections

I had a problem after the 2/10/2010 Microsoft Updates, I could NOT disable my Network Connection.

At home I normally disable/enable my Network Connection to provide increased security since I do not have a need to be online most of the time.

Note that this problem MAY not be caused by the updates themselves, since they did not cause this problem at work.


Disable Connection Error Dialog
(click for larger view)
I did find a fix via Google, rebuild of CatRoot2 folder, steps are....

1. Boot to Safe Mode (no networking)


2. Open Command Prompt, enter
   net stop cryptsvc
   and close dialog when stopped


3. Goto C:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2
   WARNING - NOT folder CatRoot


4. Rename folder CatRoot2 -> OLDCatRoot2


5. Reboot normally (forces rebuild of CatRoot2)


6. If you can disable/enable Network Connections, you can delete folder OLDCatRoot2

Hope this works if you have this problem.

WINXP - The BETTER Disk Cleanup Utility

On a previous post I recommended using Windows Disk Cleanup (in System Utilities menu) to clean excess files on your hard drive. Well there is a much better utility.

CCleaner (freeware)

(click for larger view)
What makes it better can be seen in the screenshot, the selection of WHAT you want to clean, which is remembered for the next run. The list is more extensive than what Windows Disk Cleanup offers.

CCleaner includes the Applications tab. Also note the sidebar utilities.

The Applications tab allows you to clean MRU (Most Recently Used) lists for applications.

Also (note the screenshot) that you select what to clean BEFORE you analyze or run. Which is much different than Windows Disk Cleanup, with it's long wait.

Works with WinXp, Vista, Win7, Win2003 Server.

CAUTION: You do have to be careful on what you select to clean.