Top 7 Windows Vista Speed Tweaks
December 20, 2007 – 7:11 amWindows Vista is the latest version of Windows by Microsoft. With several exclusive features, the operating system is gaining wide popularity which makes it a little expensive.
Outlined Below Are Some Tips to Speed Up Windows Vista in Order To Lighten the Load:
1. Disable UAC
One of the most talked about technology in Windows Vista is ‘User Account Control (UAC)’. It aims at improving the security of the operating system by limiting applications to standard user privileges till an administrator authorizes an increase in privilege level. Although UAC is an excellent security component but it slows down the normal computer usage.
Following steps will let you to disable the UAC:
- Click ‘Start’. Go to ‘Control Panel’
- Open ‘Administrative Tools in Control Panel’.
- Double Click on ‘System Configuration’
- Click ‘Continue’ to Accept the UAC Prompt
- Select the Tools Tab
- Scroll Down and Click on ‘Disable UAC’
- Click on ‘Launch’
- Restart Your Computer.
2. Disable Aero
AERO, an acronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open, is an effective user interface which includes new designing features, live thumbnails, live icons, and attractive animations. However, it will only work with a high powered video card and uses both RAM and CPU. It does not work during gaming but starts showing its effect during normal computer usage. It is believed to use 15% of your CPU. You may enhance your computer’s productivity:
- Open ‘Start’ menu and go to ‘Run’
- Enter ’systempropertiesperformance’
- Uncheck ‘Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing’ in the Visual Effects tab.
3. ReadyBoost
ReadyBoost is one of the exclusive features of Windows Vista. It allows using solid state memory as a secondary memory cache. However, it needs a certain level of speed from the USB or flash drive. You may buy any of the fastest USB flash drive from the Internet. To start ReadyBoost, follow the steps given below:
- Plug in a fast flash drive. You will see a dialog allowing you to use it for ReadyBoost.
- In case, you have disabled it, go to properties for the drive. Select it under the ReadyBoost Tab.
The steps will help you to avail several GB flash drive for little. You just require finding the best drive for random reads/writes.
4. Tweak Indexing Service
Indexing service in Windows Vista allows instant searching of computer and corporate computer networks. Its main advantage lies in its ability to list most of the files on a computer followed by updating them automatically. It is recommended to disable the indexing service as it tends to consume a lot of CPU on machine.
Follow the steps given below to disable the feature completely:
- Go to ‘My Computer’
- Right click on C: drive
- Go to the General tab followed by unchecking Index this drive for faster searching.
5. While you are at it, fix the rest of your search options
Windows Vista offer limited file extensions flagged for full text searching, thereby leading to ‘No Results’. Follow the steps given below to fix search options:
- Go to ‘Control Panel’
- Enter ‘indexing’ into the start menu search box to start indexing options.
- Click on ‘Advanced’ Button. It will give you a UAC prompt.
- Click the ‘Rebuild’ button, and the search index will be regenerated.
6. No Sidebar
Sidebar looks odd. In addition, it is heavy. That’s why it is better to get rid of it.
7. Disable Defender
Windows defender is a software product used to prevent, remove or quarantine computer viruses in MS Windows.
- Click the ‘Start’ menu.
- Go to ‘All Programs’, then ‘Accessories’ and finally ‘Run’.
- Enter ‘msconfig’ and click ‘OK
- Click ‘Continue’ when Vista’s security warning appears
- Select the Startup tab and uncheck the box which states ‘Windows Defender’. Click ‘OK’
- Restart your computer when prompted.
