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Windows XP is a good operating system, not the best, but a good one [especially when compared with Vista]. However there are quite a few tweaks that you can do to speed up your computer.
Below I will list the three best tweaks that I know will speed up your computer. There are more tweaks and tips you can implement, however for this article I will list the three I believe will make the most difference and at the same time, are quite easy to put into action.
No.1 Optimize XP Visual Performance
Windows XP gives you various options how the visual settings can be applied on your computer. If you have a powerful computer and like all the shadows and fade in and outs then you can turn all on all the visual effects. If you don't have a particularly powerful computer, or just don't want all the graphical options on then you can turn them off.
With XP optimized for best performance you will see an increase in speed. The desktop theme will revert to Windows 2000, and will not be in the classic XP theme. In my opinion this is no bad thing. I prefer the Windows 2000 theme. However if you prefer to keep the XP theme and increase your computer's performance then you can opt to choose custom visual options.
- Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop or in your start panel and select properties.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance, click Settings.
- Click the Visual Effects tab, and then use one of the following methods:
- Click Adjust for best performance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best performance.
- Click Adjust for best appearance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best appearance.
- Click Custom, and then select the check boxes for those items that you want to turn on.
- Clear the check boxes for the items that you want to turn off.
No.2 Disable Indexing Service
Windows XP keeps a record of all files on your hard disk[s] to try and improve searching speeds. The drawback to this is that your computer will be indexing all of the files. If you don't use the search facility very much, then you can safely turn this feature off.
- Open my computer
- Right click on one of your hard drive icons and then select properties.
- At the bottom you should see "Allow indexing service to index this disk for faster searches," uncheck this then click ok.
- A new window will pop up and select apply to all folders and subfolders.
- Once complete, it takes a few minutes to ensure that indexing is switched off.
No.3 Disable System Restore
System restore is quite a handy feature of XP, although it uses large amounts of disk space. System restore allows your computer to "roll back" system files, registry keys, and installed programs to a previous state in the event of computer infection or other issue. To turn off System restore:
- Open Control Panel
- Double click on system
- Click the System Restore tab
- Check "Turn off System Restore on all drives
- Click Apply
- You can now delete the System Volume Information folder.
Be warned, if you turn system restore off you will not be able to use system restore for your computer in case of failure. You can reduce the amount of disk space system restore uses if you do not wish to disable it.
- Open Control Panel
- Double click on system
- Click the System Restore tab
- Click the drive you wish to change
- Click settings
- Click Apply
- Move the slider to your preferred setting
- Click ok, then ok again
By following and implementing the three easy to follow procedures above you will increase the speed of your Windows XP computer.
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