CHANGE TEXT ON XP START BUTTON

Step 1 - ModifyExplorer.exe File

In order to make thechanges, the file explorer.exe located at C:\Windows needs to be edited. Sinceexplorer.exe is a binary file it requires a special editor. For purposes ofthis article I have used Resource Hacker. Resource HackerTM is a freewareutility to view, modify, rename, add, delete and extract resources in 32bitWindows executables and resource files (*.res). It incorporates an internalresource script compiler and decompiler and works on Microsoft Windows95/98/ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.

get this fromh**p://delphi.icm.edu.pl/ftp/tools/ResHack.zip

The first step is tomake a backup copy of the file explorer.exe located at C:\Windows\explorer.Place it in a folder somewhere on your hard drive where it will be safe. StartResource Hacker and open explorer.exe located at C:\Windows\explorer.exe.

The category we aregoing to be using is "String Table". Expand it by clicking the plussign then navigate down to and expand string 37 followed by highlighting 1033.If you are using the Classic Layout rather than the XP Layout, use number 38.The right hand pane will display the stringtable. We’re going to modify item578, currently showing the word “start” just as it displays on the currentStart button.

There is no magichere. Just double click on the word “start” so that it’s highlighted, makingsure the quotation marks are not part of the highlight. They need to remain inplace, surrounding the new text that you’ll type. Go ahead and type your newentry. In my case I used Click Me!

You’ll notice thatafter the new text string has been entered the Compile Script button that wasgrayed out is now active. I won’t get into what’s involved in compiling ascript, but suffice it to say it’s going to make this exercise worthwhile.Click Compile Script and then save the altered file using the Save As commandon the File Menu. Do not use the Save command – Make sure to use the Save Ascommand and choose a name for the file. Save the newly named file toC:\Windows.

Step 2 – Modify theRegistry

!!!make a backup ofyour registry before making changes!!!

Now that the modifiedexplorer.exe has been created it’s necessary to modify the registry so the filewill be recognized when the user logs on to the system. If you don’t know howto access the registry I’m not sure this article is for you, but just in caseit’s a temporary memory lapse, go to Start (soon to be something else) Run andtype regedit in the Open field. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ Winlogon

In the right pane,double click the "Shell" entry to open the Edit String dialog box. InValue data: line, enter the name that was used to save the modifiedexplorer.exe file. Click OK.

Close Registry Editorand either log off the system and log back in, or reboot the entire system ifthat’s your preference. If all went as planned you should see your new Startbutton with the revised text.[/b]