When Windows XP lists a directory (Explorer, DIR command, etc.) on an NTFS volume, it updates the Last Access time stamp on each directory it detects. If there are a very large number of directories, this could effect performance. A new registry entry allows you to control this behavior.

To do this, follow the next steps:

1. To open the Registry Editor click on the Start button on your taskbar, then click on Run and type "regedit" and click on OK to start the utility (see picture 1).
   
   

   Picture 1

2. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem (see picture 2).
   
   

   Picture 2

3. Click on the Edit Menu. Inside this menu click New. New will expand. From the New menu choose DWORD-value (see picture 3).
   
    

   Picture 3

4. The new DWORD value name will contain: "NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate" with Data: 00000001 (see picture 4).
   
   

   Picture 4

5. The modifications you made will be in effect after you reboot your PC.