Change Remote Desktop Port

To change the default port for Windows Remote Desktop:

1. Start Registry Editor ("RegEdit.exe")
2. Locate and the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
   
   
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal
   
4. Type the new port number, and then click OK
   
5. Exit Registry Editor

See Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 306759 for additional details.

Fix Extremely Slow Firefox Localhost Connections

Dan Wahlin discovered why Firefox runs so slowly when connecting to localhost. The Firefox IPv6 localhost bug significantly impacts page load times for the integrated Web servers in Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, as well as local AJAX development. Dan explains the issue and outlines the resolution:

It turns out that the slowness is caused by an IPv6 issue with DNS and can easily be resolved by turning IPv6 support off in Firefox while doing localhost testing. To make the change, type about:config in the address bar, locate the network.dns.disableIPv6 setting and double-click on it to set it to true. This does the trick for the Firefox localhost issue on Vista and everything is running fast again.

 

Windows Home Server

Microsoft recently released Windows Home Server, which makes it easy for families to keep and share documents, photos, videos, and music.

Some of the key features include:

• Remote Access
• Media Sharing
• Drive Extender
• Home Computer Backup
• Home Networking

Learn more about Windows Home Server.

IT Budgets

According to InformationWeek, more than half of all IT professionals surveyed believe we are in or heading for a recession.

As the economy cools, many of the 374 business technology professionals in our poll are bracing themselves for trouble.

• 58% say we're either in or headed for a recession
• 57% are being asked to reduce or limit IT spending
• 37% are cutting IT staff, third-party consultants, or both

The InformationWeek report titled, "Recession And You" for IT professionals is currently available as a free download.

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

If you use Microsoft Outlook to check your e-mail and have a Hotmail or Windows Live e-mail account, I strongly recommend installing the Microsoft Office Outlook Connector. The Microsoft Office Outlook Connector uses MAPI to access HTTP mail accounts, which provides additional functionality and a much smoother experience.

Change Remote Desktop Port

Warning: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Start Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
   
   
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal.
4. Type the new port number, and then click OK.
5. Quit Registry Editor.

Note: When you try to connect to this computer by using the Remote Desktop connection, you must type the new port. The format is "IP Address:Port"

Avoid sending e-mail messages by mistake

Have you ever accidentally sent an e-mail before you were done? Or sent something that you immediately wished you hadn't?

Here's an article that explains how to configure Outlook to delay the delivery of messages, giving you an opportunity to stop them from being sent:

Avoid sending e-mail messages by mistake