Operating system updates and other helpful files for your system.

Bug Patrol - Updates and Fixes from this month's Bug Patrol column

3D Game Patches

Windows 95
Windows NT 4.0

Need more space on your drive? Microsoft Windows 98 has an enhanced file system called FAT32. It's more efficient than the original FAT file system in Windows 95 because the minimum space needed to store a file (ie, the `cluster size') has been reduced to 4Kb from 32Kb in most Windows 95-based PCs. This means those using the original Windows 95 can expect as much as 28 percent more hard drive space using FAT32.

But don't take Microsoft's word for it. With their free FAT32 utility, you can see just how much space you could gain by using Windows 98 and converting to the enhanced FAT32 file system.

Install Fat32
\utils\win95\fat32\fat32win.exe

Microsoft's extensions for Windows 95. Required for many Win95 games.

Install DirectX 5.0
\patches\win95\directx5\dx5eng.exe

DirectPlay 5.0a update
URL: http://www.microsoft.com/directx5/download.asp

DirectPlay 5.0a includes fixes for a few minor bugs found in DirectPlay 5.0. The new version is completely backward compatible with earlier versions of DirectPlay.

Install DirectPlay 5.0a
\patches\win95\directx5\dplay50a.exe

These files are required by any program written in the Visual Basic programming language. Because over the years there have been several versions of Visual Basic, diffeent programs may require a different version of the runtime file. Apart from VB Runtime 4.0, which comes with a setup routine, you'll need to copy the other VB Runtime files into your Windows directory.

Install VB 5.0 Runtime files
\patches\vbrun\Win95\vbr50\vb5rtsp3.exe

Install VB 4.0 Runtime files now
\patches\vbrun\Win95\vbr432.exe

Download other VB Runtime files to your Hard disk
\patches\vbrun\vbrun200.dll

\patches\vbrun\vbrun300.dll

\patches\vbrun\msvbvm50.dll
When prompted select "save to disk" and browse to the Windows\System folder on your hard disk (usually C: drive), then select SAVE. This will copy the files into your computer so any program that needs them can use them.

32 bit version of the Quicktime runtime files required for playing Quicktime for Windows .MOV video and audio files.

Install Quicktime for Windows 95
\patches\win95\qtw32\qt32.exe

Many of the Windows 95 PowerToys will play with NT4, as Link Harris explains.

Seven of the more serious Microsoft PowerToys, unofficial freebies originally intended for Windows 95, have been enhanced for spiffing up NT4. Here is the line-up.

Tweak UI v1.1 (Tweakui.inf). If it bugs you having to press Ctrl+Alt+Del and enter a password every time you start NT4, head straight for the Network tab. Note that this won't work properly with a <null> password (one containing no characters). Clicking Tips on the Mouse tab opens an NT4 Help file for all the tabs, and it's worth spending some time studying how each can tweak your user interface (UI). The Mouse tab also incorporates the features of XMouse, a separate PowerToy for Windows 95. To find the icon that starts Tweak UI, click Start, Settings, Control Panel.

Desktop Menu (Deskmenu.inf). Have you ever been frustrated by needing to access an icon on your desktop only to find it's smothered by a stack of open windows? If so, you'll adore this menu alternative, which you pop up by clicking its icon next to the clock on your Taskbar. Desktop Menu is installed into the Startup group in the top part of the Programs section of the Start menu, which ensures the icon appears each time you reboot.

Send To Extensions v1.4 (Sendtox.inf). This PowerToy should placate anyone who feels ripped off by the meagre choices on the native File, Send To menu. New options include opening an e-mail message with the selected file attached. To configure the options, double-click Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. Then on the Install/Uninstall tab, click to select Send To Extensions PowerToy, and click Add/Remove. The only online documentation is at the beginning of the file \winnt\System32\ShellExt\Sendtox.inf.

Find Extensions v1.2 (Findx.inf). Extending the reach of your Find menu is now only limited by your imagination -- and your software. As with Send To Extensions, this PowerToy is configured from Add/Remove Programs. After selecting PowerToy-Find . . . Extensions, and clicking Add/Remove, click Help for documentation and tips, or Open to customise the Find menu.

Command Prompt Here v1.1 (Doshere.inf). Opens a Command Prompt window with the selected folder as default. Similarly, Explore From Here (Explore.inf) opens Windows NT Explorer with the selected folder as the root folder -- a nifty feature for networks. In addition to appearing on the File menu, both features are included on the context menu when you right-click on either a folder in a window or the open folder at the top-left corner.

Shortcut Target Menu v1.2 (Target.inf). Adds a link to the context menu of a shortcut's target program, giving you quick access to the target's Properties screen.

Installing PowerToys
You can pick up the PowerToys at http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/info/powertoys.htm

Install each one by right-clicking the information (*.inf) file shown above following the name of the PowerToy. The readme.txt file that accompanies the installation files lists more features for each PowerToy. However, ignore the instructions it gives to use install.inf, which tries to install all of the PowerToys -- even those that clobber NT4.

You will find the PowerToys for Windows NT in the \patches\winnt\powertoy folder on the CD

Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3

View the readme file for Windows NT4 Service Pack 3

Microsoft regularly releases enhancements and fixes for Windows NT in the form of service packs. Service Pack 3 focuses on the current curse of Microsoft operating systems: security.

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/NTServerSupport/Content/ServicePacks/Where.htm

You will find the NT 4.0 Service pack in the \patches\winnt\nt4sp3 folder on the CD