Win XP Speed Tips

The phone rings it’s a friend of yours and he/she wants you to check something out online. Just a minute you say, let me fire up my computer, after which there is that long quiet pause while you wait for your computer to boot up. 

How many times has this happened to you?  There is hope.  With a few simple steps, your computer startup time could be a LOT faster, shortening that akward silence while you wait.

Defrag Windows XP

Defragmenting will help oragainize computer stored information.  It rearranges information so it can be found quicker.  This process takes some time, and you will not be able to use your computer during this period, but has been proven to shorten Start Up time. 

You will need to open My Computer, right click disk to defragment, select Properties, click Tool tab to where you see the Defragmentation option, click and wait for the process to finish.  This process is the same idea as color coding your closet wardobe, so that you can dress for work more efficiently in the mornings.

Uninstall Programs You Don’t Use

Cleaning up your Schedule Task Folder will also help increase start up time.  You will need to remove programs that you do not need to run at start up time on an automatic schedule. C:\Windows\Tasks.

Delete programs one at a time as some may affect computer start up.  If after you have removed a program and shut off the computer, and you discover at restart it does not work properly, you will know which programs need to be there to function.

Disable Programs From Autostarting

Stopping certain programs from running at start up time, will also increase speed.  Many of these programs you may not even realize are running, prolonging your start up.  To remove these your need to go to Start,
click Run, type “msconfig”, hit Enter. 

Double click on Services to Remove, and change Start Up to Disable.  Be cautious when removing items. Maximize the window so that you can see the full name, to help deceide whether it should to kept or not.  Google search any programs that you maybe unsure of.

Run Windows Scandisk 

By using Windows Scandisk to repair any damage that may have occured in hard disk, preformance will be enhanced.  Just as you would replace an air filter in a car, to get more speed and better performance. This operation will do the same.  Begin by clicking Start button, My computer, and right click on drive to test.

Click on Properties, click Tools at the top Tab, click on Check Now in Error Checking section.  Finally check Automatically Fix Errors, and click OK.

Scan For Viruses & Spyware

Checking for viruses, and spyware are also benificial to your computer.  Viruses can be transfered through the internet, and spyware can deposit viruses through the pop up ads that show up.

Using antivirus and antispyware software will solve this problem.  If this is ignored it may potentialy destroy your computer.  A sick computer can not preform to its full ability.

Download a Free Virus Scan | Download a Free SpyWare Scan

Empty The Start Up Folder

Programs that start at boot up, such as Shortcuts, slow down computer processing, as too much information is gathered at one time.  To remove these programs you need to clean the Start Up Folder.  Begin with the Start button, Programs, Startup, right click to delete shortcuts.

Remove programs that you do not need or use at all. You will free up more space and energy in your computer.  Why be a pack rat throw out things that take up space!

Clean The Registry

Finally if you clean your registry, your computer speed will again benifit.

Manually: To do this you need to run “Registry Editor”.  Begin by clicking Start, click Run, type “regedit”, go to the path lisited:

HKEYLOCALMACHWESYSTEMCurrentControl-
SetControlSessionManagerMemoryManagement

Change value of ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 0, close Registry and restart computer. 

*This is another process that needs careful attention, as alot of damage can be done if not executed correctly.

Automatically: Use RegCure to have this done automatically for you. Don’t risk it and let this software handle your registry cleaning tasks.
 
With all the steps that have been given to you,  more speed should be expected during the start up of Windows.  Some of these steps will need to be repeated periodicly.  Remember to keep your computer clean and clutter free.  The less information it needs to process, the faster the system will go!