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How to Speed up Windows XPHow to Improve Windows XP Speed Windows XP remains one of the most popular operating systems in use today. While Windows Vista and Windows 7 have introduced improvements, many users remain loyal XP fans. However, XP is an older operating system, typically installed on older machines. With age comes sluggishness. If you want to speed up Windows XP, take advantage of some of its built-in System Tools before springing for a PC performance utility. The Windows XP System Tools Folder First, let’s get familiar with the Windows XP System Tools folder. This folder is accessed via the Start button. Click Start, click Programs, click Accessories, and then click on System Tools. Here you’ll find the Disk Defragmenter and the Disk Cleanup utilities, both of which you can use to speed up Windows XP. The Disk Defragmenter should be run at a time when you do not need to use your computer because it needs exclusive access and it takes a long time for the process to complete. It works by realigning the files on your hard drive for more efficient access by the operating system. When a disk is fragmented, files are split with fragments placed wherever they happen to fit. This requires Windows to figure out where all the bits and pieces for each file are located – thus sluggish performance. When the Defragmenter tool realigns files, Windows doesn’t have to go on a deep search for each process it – thus performance improves.
The Disk Cleanup utility lets you see how much space temporary files such as temporary downloaded Internet files, Recycle Bin files, hibernation files, memory dump files, and other unnecessary files are taking up on your computer. Once you see the display, you can then opt to remove these files and recover valuable disk space. By freeing up disk space, not only will you have more room for your personal files and programs, Windows will have more room to use as “swap” space or virtual memory. MSConfig Windows XP can also be speeded up by using MSConfig, or the System Configuration utility, to remove unnecessary programs from starting up each time Windows boots up. The reason you should reduce the number of programs launching with Windows is because each program, whether you use it or not, eats up valuable system resources. By restricting startup items to the bare essentials, your computer will run more efficiently and you will have more resources available. To open the System Configuration utility, go to Start > Run and type in: msconfig. Once launched, click on Startup and disable programs that are not necessary. This does not remove the programs; it just stops them from auto-loading. Limit Special Effects Using special Windows themes and special visual effects can adversely affect performance as can using a large photo as a desktop wallpaper. To adjust the visual effects, go to My Computer and right-click it. Choose Properties followed by clicking the Advanced tab. Now look for Performance and click the Settings button. Click the Visual Effects tab and adjust your settings. You can either pick and choose the effects to remove or you can allow Windows to adjust them for you for “best performance.” If you know that you are using a large file as the wallpaper, changing the wallpaper to a photo with a smaller file size will improve performance. Other changes to the desktop that can improve Windows XP’s speed include removing unwanted shortcuts and turning off any “active desktop” content like gadgets and sidebars. Speed-up Windows, Downloads and Internet Performance - Download!
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Our Comments
Windows tune-up tool, works wonders ... Id appreciate more simple software programs like this, sure makes life easier ... Microsoft probably has a function to do a cleanup like this too, but like everything else- good luck finding it ... And another one bites the dust, You'll want to keep this great program and dump all those other Windows speeder upper tools ... WOW!!! As soon as you reboot, you could see a night and day difference in start-up and program loading speed ... COMPANY AWARDS
SCREENSHOTSFind duplicate files, clean up disk space |
