Thread: Optimizing Windows XP

Two Windows on the same computer
Windows XP, and Windows 2000, can be set so as to preserve the previous OS - such as Windows 98 - and then at the initial stage of downloads each time you want to choose the operating system.
To do so, in the early installation Windows XP should reject proposals to upgrade and specify a different directory for installing XP instead of the proposed default (which already faces previous Windows).

However, it must be remembered the following restrictions:
Windows XP is better placed in a separate section of the hard disk. While installing it in the same section, which is already in Windows 9 * / Me, XP replace some of the newer files, resulting in some applications Windows 9 * / Me - for example, Outlook Express - stop functioning;
Installation of a second Windows XP operating system is possible only in case the installation CD is designed to install Windows XP from scratch, and not to update the operating system.
Remove the extra folders

You can also disable System Restore mode, thereby removing information from the System Volume Information folder.
I have one folder, you can remove -% SystemRoot% \ system32 \ dllcache \. It kept protected system files used for the automatic recovery in case the originals to be damaged. By default, the folder size - 400 MB. He wondered in the registry parameter SFCQuota (0xFFFFFFFF) in the vein HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Winlogon). With the command sfc: sfc / cachesize = 0 it can be reduced to zero (or to any other desired value).

BIOS Setup
In the motherboard BIOS can be installed more appropriate value to the work of memory. The value parameter Bank 0 / 1, 2 / 3, 4 / 5 DRAM timing, the default is usually equal to 10ns, can be changed to 8ns, Normal, Medium, and Fast Turbo - depending on the model of the motherboard. 10ns - the slowest mode, Turbo - the speed. But remember: the higher the speed, the lower the stability of work. Memory type RIMM could "disperse" as any screen by increasing frequency. Typically, the memory of having a 800 MHz, works stably at 900 MHz (450x2).

Optimizing Windows XP Embedded
The most interesting thing is that Windows XP is constantly "samooptimiziruetsya." The operating system monitors the order which applications the user launches, and record these observations in layout.ini file. Every three days, choosing a time when the computer is free OS changes the location of some programs on the hard disk to accelerate their launch and work.

Icons and wallpapers
The best desktop - is a pure desktop. Never put wallpaper! I find it difficult to imagine a more bizarre act. Do not be found and the processor, memory and better use than played with a beautiful backdrop and sort hundreds of icons? As in previous versions, Windows XP, in too many icons, and spent a lot of wallpaper on the system memory. A particularly heavy burden falls on the system of animated desktop.

Better - without effects
The new appearance, and GNOME-like support for Windows XP skin looks beautiful all previous versions of Windows.

Some settings are performed tab Design (Appearance) in the properties of the monitor. Options, which offers access to the Effects button (Effects), you can customize the menu transitions, shadows and font, including new technology improve readability of the font - Microsoft ClearType. In my opinion, ClearType good for laptops and LCD monitors, but CRT text looks too bold and blur. However, even in the LCD monitor is not like ClearType all. So choose to taste.

Quick change of the user
This feature is available in both versions of Windows XP, unless the computer is not within the domain. It allows computer users to switch from one account to another without a session ends. This excellent feature - especially if your computer uses a mom, dad and sister all brothers. However, this requires a great deal of expenditure switching RAM.

Automatic Update
Instead recent DirectX version fixes and other updates should be on time. By default, XP does it automatically. To do this in the background gets a small special program by checking updates.

Restore system files
Restore system files - a useful feature (unless your computer is used for very demanding tasks, such as games). It is better to leave.



This feature works well. PC periodically creates "pictures" important system files (files registry database COM +, user profiles, etc.) and saves them as a "point of return." If an application podvesit "isportit computer or sensitive data, you can return to the status saved at that point.

At the core functions of the system files is restoring service background, which in itself is minimal impact on performance, but her "snapshots" took place on the disk. You can manually limit the amount of disk space for a given service or even completely disable this service to all disks.

Defragmentation
DOS and Windows versions are not included in the NT family, cared little about optimizing file system. This leads to the formation of "holes" in different places of disk space during installation and removal programs. As a result of the free sites instead of forming a solid block, scattered everywhere. In filling the available space files are also scattered in several sectors, which greatly reduces the efficiency - from accessing your accounts read not one coherent plot disk, and a few perhaps even located arbitrarily.

The regularity of the procedure depends on the nature of your activities on a computer if you often and installing or deleting program constantly create, move or delete files, it is recommended to perform defrag once a week. If you use a long time the same application, not too often with moving files, the gap between defragmentatsiyami may be increased up to one month.

Superfluous Service
In order to expedite the work of the system can turn off unnecessary system services. At the same time, and little memory free. Below are the services which can usually be safely deactivated.



System Event Notification. Monitors system events. If everything is already set up and working properly, you can turn off.
SSDP Discovery. Provides work peripherals that support UPnP (universal Plug & Play system, which in idea must connect a computer with a variety of home appliances such as vacuum cleaner or a refrigerator).
Scheduled tasks (Task Scheduler). Provides launch applications at a specified time. If this feature is not used, it can be disabling.

Wireless zero configuration. The service automatically setting the standard 803.11 wireless networks and 803.11b.
Stress that the following list - is not the truth at last. The need for a system service is defined tasks that run on this computer. Everyone must decide himself that it is possible to disable and what does not. Main pereborschit not: the consequences of hasty action can be quite unpredictable.

Optimization of the interface
The next phase - Acceleration of the interface. Login to System Properties, open the Advanced tab, click in the Performance Settings button to open the window Visual Effects intensify regime Adjust for best performance, thereby disrupting everything effects. They can be disabling and separately, leaving those without which you can not live well ...

Also in the registry, there is another option, which some change will accelerate work interface - MinAnimate incorporating animation with the decommissioning and razvorachivanii windows. It is located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ ControlPanel \ Desktop \ WindowsMetrics. If the value of this parameter 1 - includes animation, 0 - off. If this key in the registry does not, create it (type - String). And do not forget: the entry into force of such changes need to restart the computer.

To optimize the system can also take advantage of special programs, such as Tweak-XP - a set of two dozen utilities for configuring Windows XP.

Removing hidden components
Unlike Windows 9 * / NT, with the installation of Windows XP may not select necessary components. In my opinion, this is the right decision Microsoft - should first be an operating system with all its vagaries, and then, porabotav, decide what to keep and what does not.

However, the window Add / Remove Windows Components remove virtually nothing: many of the components are hidden from Windows handles shalovlivyh not too experienced users. To solve this problem, open the System folder% SystemRoot% \ Inf, find it sysoc.inf file and remove all lines of the word HIDE. Main at the same time - to maintain the file format. That is only HIDE be dismissed, leaving the commas before and after the word.