Tweaking and speed tricks (Windows Settings)
Windows Settings:
1. Visual Effects. This is especially helpful on older machines (low RAM and bad videocards) and the difference isn't noticeable for most people. Right-click on My
Computer, and choose Properties. Click Advanced-> Performance Settings-> Visual Effects tab. Select Adjust for best performance (clears all), but then add back the
following options: Show translucent selection rectangle, Show windows contents while dragging, Smooth edges on screen fonts, Use common tasks in folders, Use drop
shadows for icons labels on desktop, and Use visual styles on Windows and buttons. Click apply. See any difference?
2. Automatic Updates. turn the Automatic Updates off. Don't Panic; you can still
manually check/start Windows updates whenever you want from the Start menu shortcut. I recommend weekly or biweekly.
3. Security Center. Microsoft has decided that no one can live without a Firewall, anti-virus, and Automatic Updates. XP therefore harasses you about it, and most users
don't know how to make the pop-ups go away. Here's how. In Control Panel, open Security Center. Click 'Change the way Security Center alerts me,' and uncheck all
three options. Click OK. The annoying little shield in your taskbar is now gone! Decide for yourself if Windows Firewall is essential or not.
4. Network folders and printers. In some cases, this would be a good thing- but it does often cause some delay when opening Explorer. If you don't care about
automatically discovering network folders and printers (most average home users don't) then open My Computer-> Tools-> Folder Options-> View tab-> uncheck
Automatically search for network folders and printers-> OK. This in no way stops you from accessing remote shares or printers. It just keeps Windows from checking for
new ones since most users' network likely won't change between now and the last time you opened My Computer ;)
5. Remove Windows Components. Certain things are installed standard with XP which you will never, ever use. In Control Panel, open Add/Remove programs and select
Add/Remove Windows Components. I feel MSN Explorer is a standard useless item, as is Windows Messenger. If you actually use these or other items, by all means
leave them... but most of us have discovered better, newer alternatives than what originally shipped with XP.
6. Power / Performance. This is mostly for laptops, but is very important. Ever notice that your game runs better when your laptop is plugged in? Check your power
settings. Today's laptops often deliberately slow the cpu speed to conserve battery life. Normally that's wonderful... until you can't even play that flash game without
lagging. Start-> Control Panel -> Power Options gets you where you can adjust this. Max Battery will almost certainly slow things down. Portable/Laptop is better, but for
when you need full processing power, set it to Home/Office desk. Don't forget to change it back, or your battery life will suffer!
Tweaking and speed tricks (Registry Settings)
Registry Settings:
IMPROVE XP SHUTDOWN SPEED*. Sometimes when you're shutting down, XP will sort of just sit there and twiddle its thumbs, so to speak. That's because it is
waiting for applications or services to stop hanging and shut down. Eventually it will do something about it, but why not get to it quicker? Here's how to make XP force a
quick shutdown:
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Locate 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Control Panel\Desktop\'
3. Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'
4. Right click and select 'Modify'
5. Change the value to '1000'
6. Click 'OK'
7. Now select 'HungAppTimeout'
8. Right click and select 'Modify'
9. Change the value to '1000'
10. Click 'OK'
11. Now find 'HKEY_USERS\ .DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop'
12. Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'
13. Right click and select 'Modify'
14. Change the value to '1000'
15. Click 'OK'
16. Now find 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\CurrentControlSet\Control\'
17. Select 'WaitToKillServiceTimeout'
18. Right click and select 'Modify'
19. Change the value to '1000'
20. Click 'OK'
D. Start Menu Delay. Did you know there's an actual programmed delay when you click the Start Menu, or navigate the Programs therein? To speed things up and make
it snappier, just adjust the values described below to where you like them.
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Find 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Control Panel\Desktop\'
3. Double-click the MenuShowDelay icon on the right, and change 'Value data' from its default of 400 (milliseconds) to something speedier- even 0. I recommend around
200, but you can experiment to find what you're comfortable with.
Notes : i've tried this myself and it is very helpful.but only for XP.NOw i'm using Seven.
