10 Intermediate Ways To Speed Up Windows

Everton | Dec 05, 2005 | View Comments


Tip: Click here to Improve Windows Speed & Performance with Free Scan

Update: If you are using Windows Vista then check out 10 Simple Ways To SpeedUp Windows Vista.

Given how successful my Simple Guide to Tweaking Windows XP has been I’ve decided to post some more complex tweaks. The effectiveness of each of these tweaks will vary from machine to machine.

I’ve tried to focus on tweaks that I’m confident can be made on any XP machine regardless of the individual setup. Please do not make any of these changes if you are not sure what you are doing, and remember to make backups first and good luck!

1. Disable Unnecessary Services
Because Windows XP has to be all things to all people it has many services running that take up system resources that you will never need. Below is a list of services that can be disabled on most machines:

  • Alerter
  • Clipbook
  • Computer Browser
  • Distributed Link Tracking Client
  • Fast User Switching
  • Help and Support – (If you use Windows Help and Support leave this enabled)
  • Human Interface Access Devices
  • Indexing Service
  • IPSEC Services
  • Messenger
  • Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security)
  • Portable Media Serial Number
  • Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
  • Remote Procedure Call Locator
  • Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
  • Remote Registry Service
  • Secondary Logon
  • Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
  • Server
  • SSDP Discovery Service – (Unplug n’ Pray will disable this)
  • Telnet
  • TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
  • Upload Manager
  • Universal Plug and Play Device Host
  • Windows Time
  • Wireless Zero Configuration (Do not disable if you use a wireless network)
  • Workstation

To disable these services:

  1. Go to Start and then Run and type “services.msc”
  2. Doubleclick on the service you want to change
  3. Change the startup type to ‘Disable”

2. Turn Off System Restore

System Restore can be a useful if your computer is having problems, however storing all the restore points can literally take up Gigabytes of space on your hard drive. To turn off System Restore:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click on Performance and Maintenance
3. Click on System
4. Click on the System Restore tab
5. Tick ‘Turn off System Restore on All Drives’
6. Click ‘Ok’

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About the Author: Everton is based in London and has worked in the internet and mobile space for over ten years now, and before that worked in corporate strategy and consulting. He has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University.He also writes for Windows 7 News, Windows 8 News and One Tip A Day.

  • Sometimes we tend to Shutdown the computer by pushing the power button directly. We have to avoid this which might affect the services closing down properly which might results in slow boot
  • Thanks for the tips! Much inproved system speed. :)
  • My windows has been lagging for some time im hoping all these tips will kick it back into gear, thanks!
  • TheOneEd
    Good but you should NEVER turn off system restore, especially if you frequent the internet or screw around with windows.
  • any help for windows vista it can't seem to be working with vista
    http://www.hazarawatan.com/
  • I think it's complex for common users, software can help with these tweaks. I recommend to use Boost Windows 2009, the download link is: http://www.windowsfaster.com/dlds/bwsetup.exe
  • joliemar
    I need help! after following all the directions on how to speed up windows xp. My DEEP FREEZE software suddenly cannot start with its BOOT FROZEN menu.. I just cannot seem to know what have I altered. Pls. Help I need my DEEP FREEZE To be started in frozen mode again.
  • It does work but i have to remove the peripherals attached to my pc as some of them use the services on your list, but it works for me as i disable the ones i don't need :)
  • Thanks for the tips.
  • Larry
    Turning off System Restore is not a wise move, I suggest reducing the size of disk space it holds in reserve from 12% to 6%.
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