10 Simple Ways To Speed Up Windows XP
Update: If you are using Windows Vista then check out 10 Simple Ways To SpeedUp Windows Vista. If are feeling more adventurous I have also posted 10 Intermediate Ways To Speed Up Windows and also More Ways to Speed Up Windows XP
I’ve just finished setting up a new PC for a friend and I think some of you will be interested in some of the tweaks I make to all of my PCs to make them quicker. I’ve focused here on the ones which are simple to do and won’t cause problems if you get it wrong, rather than listing registry tweaks etc.
1. Disable Indexing Services
Indexing Services is a small little program that uses large amounts of RAM and can often make a computer endlessly loud and noisy. This system process indexes and updates lists of all the files that are on your computer. It does this so that when you do a search for something on your computer, it will search faster by scanning the index lists. If you don’t search your computer often, or even if you do search often, this system service is completely unnecessary. To disable do the following:
- Go to Start
- Click Settings
- Click Control Panel
- Double-click Add/Remove Programs
- Click the Add/Remove Window Components
- Uncheck the Indexing services
- Click Next
2. Optimise Display Settings
Windows XP can look sexy but displaying all the visual items can waste system resources. To optimise:
- Go to Start
- Click Settings
- Click Control Panel
- Click System
- Click Advanced tab
- In the Performance tab click Settings
- Leave only the following ticked:
- Show shadows under menus
- Show shadows under mouse pointer
- Show translucent selection rectangle
- Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
- Use visual styles on windows and buttons
3. Speedup Folder Browsing
You may have noticed that everytime you open my computer to browse folders that there is a slight delay. This is because Windows XP automatically searches for network files and printers everytime you open Windows Explorer. To fix this and to increase browsing significantly:
- Open My Computer
- Click on Tools menu
- Click on Folder Options
- Click on the View tab.
- Uncheck the Automatically search for network folders and printers check box
- Click Apply
- Click Ok
- Reboot your computer
Continue Reading This Post:123
Bookmark & Share
Comment by Windows XP Tips on 2 March 2007:
These are great tips for Windows XP Speedup. I did try all of them and they really work. I also did tell to my friend to try them and I hope he will also have same opinion.
Thanks@
Comment by Thomas Butler on 24 February 2007:
I just completed a quick check-over of your webpage; Most of these ideas sounded plausible, if needed. I run micrsoft’s malicious spyware removal program. along with Ad-Aware* I also have my internet and security settings
medium to high medium. If I were running a professional office, much of my PC set-up is very office friendly. Also, having automatic updates turned on,
keeps your system refreshed and up to date.
However, I shall review this information again and retain it in a separate file; if I should reconsider using any or all of these tips,… I might like to keep you apprised of changes/improvements/customer recommendations…
Thomas J. Butler
33 Brooklyn St. Apt 3
Warsaw, NY 14569
thms_btlr@yahoo.com
Pingback by Connected Internet | The Complete Guide To Optimising Windows XP on 6 February 2007:
[...] months I’ve had made several posts that list ways in which you can optimise XP, 3 of which (10 Simple Ways To Speed Up Windows XP, 10 Intermediate Ways To Speed Up Windows XP and More Ways To Speed Up Windows XP) even made it [...]
Comment by Microsoft promotional dept. on 5 February 2007:
These are all good tips and this site has proven to be trustworthy and safe as far as getting answers to questions… Staysecure is also another great site very close to this where you can get help with protection and maintainance.. The site is hosted by Jimmy Kolo who is a software and research developer from Redmond washington, home of Microsoft. Jimmy helped develope the new Vista and has also worked on and is working on several other Microsoft projects. Be sure to check him out.
Pingback by Useful Windows XP Tips Direct From Bill Gates! » OneTipADay.com on 26 January 2007:
[...] XP one last boost before switching to XP then you can’t go wrong by reading Everton’s 10 Simple Ways To Speed Up Windows XP Share This Thanks for reading this tip - Subscribe to the RSS Feed to get daily [...]
Pingback by OneTipADay.com on 24 January 2007:
[...] XP one last boost before switching to XP then you can’t go wrong by reading Everton’s 10 Simple Ways To Speed Up Windows XP Share This Thanks for reading this tip - Subscribe to the RSS Feed to get daily [...]
Comment by Fitri on 5 January 2007:
Thanks for your tips
Pingback by OneTipADay.com on 29 December 2006:
[...] If you are feeling adventurous and want to find more simple ways to speedup your PC then follow the steps in this guide [...]
Comment by Bob on 25 November 2006:
Did most of the tweaks .. great results …Thanks!!!
Pingback by Vault on 14 November 2006:
[...] 10 Simple Ways to Speed Up WinXP –A good beginner’s guide. Basically a simplified (and much smaller) version of the above two links. posted by Bobby Rockers • • [...]