Windows runs faster using Netscape shell

Caution! Do so at your own risk and don't trash your main machine

A reader of The Register has come up with a way of installing Communicator instead of IE 4, resulting in a significant speed boost on the platform. Just before Christmas, we wrote a story about the substitution. (Story: Windows speeds up if Netscape shell used instead)

But a word of caution to our readers. We haven't been able to test the method yet in the office, because we're using stinking NT here. So watch you don't completely trash your machines. And if your machines are trashed, please don't blame us.

This, according to the reader, is what you have to do: Fernando Rivera wrote: "I figured out how to change the shell setting. All the files that are related to Netscape have to be changed into the Windows directory.

"The Netscape files are usually under program files. The main program Netscape must be with its files in the Windows directory by itself. This is so the change can occur. Under the Notepad editor, open the SYSTEM.INI file, which is also located in the Windows directory. Edit line shell=explorer.exe to shell=netscape.exe. Save the file and restart Windows. "

Instead of booting Windows into the start menu, Windows will boot into Netscape. The performance of Windows does improve dramatically as barely any drivers are loaded for any other programs that might load at the beginning of Windows."

Let us know how you get on....®

First reader response Well, of course, I tried this as soon as I saw it... and it works :). But I'm not sure if it runs faster, because I seem not able to start any program (except Netscape and gozilla). It was fun trying anyway.