Several powerful utilities are included with your Windows XP setup, including disk cleanup and disk defragmenter, etc. Here's a breakdown of XP Utilities to increase the responsiveness of your computer.
1. Disk Cleanup -- Click the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen, highlight All Programs, then Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Cleanup. Give it a few minutes to run, then inspect the results. You should see something like this--
Files to Delete:
Downloaded Program Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin
Temporary Files
Compress Old Files
Catalog Files for the Content Indexer
Put a check in the boxes next to Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, the Recycle Bin, and Temporary Files. Don't compress old files.
Next, click the More Options tab.
At the bottom, you should see the option to delete all but your most recent system restore point. This can save large amounts of disk space. Click Cleanup, then return to the Disk Cleanup tab. Make sure the correct boxes are checked, and click OK.
Run this Utility approximately once per week to keep your system free of clutter and junk files.
2. Disk Defragmenter -- Click the Start button, highlight All Programs, then Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. Click Defragment and allow your system several minutes to inspect our hard drive for bits and pieces of saved files scattered across the drive. These fragmented files slow your system down and reduce response time, so the defragmenter finds them and attempts to move the files closer together and reduce delays encountered when you access those files. Once it's finished running, it should display a report detailing the results of your defragmentation. Your system should run much more smoothly after running this powerful Utility.
Try to run the defragmentation utility at least once per week, and immediately after you install a new program. This helps clean up the fragmented files and clutter from the installation.
3. Disk Check -- This is another powerful tool that checks your hard drive for errors and attempts to fix them. This helps prevent errors and system failure. Click the Start button, then choose My Computer. Right click Local Disk and select properties. Click the Tools tab and notice the section labeled Check for Errors. Click Check Now... and reboot your system. Allow the Disk Check utility to run for several minutes and inspect your drive for errors.
Run Disk Check once per month or so to repair errors on your hard disk.
4. Reduce the disk space used to save system restore points -- Windows XP is set to allow the system restore utility a large chunk of your hard disk to save restore information. This clutters your disk and slows you down. Here's what to do: Click the Start button, then right click My Computer, and choose Properties. Click the System Restore tab, and move the slider down to 2%. Click Apply, then Ok.
5. Disable the Windows XP Interface -- I have to admit, the cool blue, rounded edges of the Windows XP Interface is an attractive feature, but it uses valuable memory to operate. I'd recommend going back to the older Windows Interface to save on memory and response time. To do this, right click on a blank portion of your desktop (your screen) and choose Properties. Under the Themes tab, choose Windows Classic. Click Apply, and Ok.
Next, go to Control Panel, and click on Performance and Maintenance. Click Adjust Visual Effects. Under Visual Effects, click Custom. Check only the following options:
-- Smooth edges of screen fonts
-- Use common tasks in folders
Click Apply, and then Ok.
6. Turn off your Wallpaper -- The complex backgrounds people use to make their desktops more attractive may slow down your response time, especially on slower systems. Your best bet is to choose a solid blue or black background and leave it at that.
7. Disable Any Unneeded Services -- Click the start menu on the lower left-hand side of your screen, and click Run. Type in Services.msc. and click Ok. You should see a list of services, some marked Automatic, some Manual, and others marked Disabled.
Right click on the following services and choose Properties, then set the startup type to Disabled. (Warning: Disabling some of these services may lead to system instability and/or programs/services failing to function, depending on your system and internet connection type. Please create a restore point and make a note of any changes you intend to make before proceeding.)
--Clipbook Viewer
--Computer Browser
--Distributed Link Tracking Client
--Error Reporting Service
--Fast User Switching
--Help and Support
--HTTP SSL
--Indexing Service
--Logical Disk Manager -- if you aren't planning on installing any new hard drives or USB storage devices, this is safely disabled.
--Machine Debug Manager
--Messenger
--Network DDE
--Network DDE DSDM
--Network Location Awareness
--Portable Media Serial Number Service
--Routing and Remote Access
--Server
--SSDP Discovery Service
--Task Scheduler
--Terminal Services
--WebClient
--Windows Time
--Wireless Zero Configuration -- if you do not have any wireless hardware installed, you may safely disable this service.
1. Disk Cleanup -- Click the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen, highlight All Programs, then Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Cleanup. Give it a few minutes to run, then inspect the results. You should see something like this--
Files to Delete:
Downloaded Program Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin
Temporary Files
Compress Old Files
Catalog Files for the Content Indexer
Put a check in the boxes next to Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, the Recycle Bin, and Temporary Files. Don't compress old files.
Next, click the More Options tab.
At the bottom, you should see the option to delete all but your most recent system restore point. This can save large amounts of disk space. Click Cleanup, then return to the Disk Cleanup tab. Make sure the correct boxes are checked, and click OK.
Run this Utility approximately once per week to keep your system free of clutter and junk files.
2. Disk Defragmenter -- Click the Start button, highlight All Programs, then Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. Click Defragment and allow your system several minutes to inspect our hard drive for bits and pieces of saved files scattered across the drive. These fragmented files slow your system down and reduce response time, so the defragmenter finds them and attempts to move the files closer together and reduce delays encountered when you access those files. Once it's finished running, it should display a report detailing the results of your defragmentation. Your system should run much more smoothly after running this powerful Utility.
Try to run the defragmentation utility at least once per week, and immediately after you install a new program. This helps clean up the fragmented files and clutter from the installation.
3. Disk Check -- This is another powerful tool that checks your hard drive for errors and attempts to fix them. This helps prevent errors and system failure. Click the Start button, then choose My Computer. Right click Local Disk and select properties. Click the Tools tab and notice the section labeled Check for Errors. Click Check Now... and reboot your system. Allow the Disk Check utility to run for several minutes and inspect your drive for errors.
Run Disk Check once per month or so to repair errors on your hard disk.
4. Reduce the disk space used to save system restore points -- Windows XP is set to allow the system restore utility a large chunk of your hard disk to save restore information. This clutters your disk and slows you down. Here's what to do: Click the Start button, then right click My Computer, and choose Properties. Click the System Restore tab, and move the slider down to 2%. Click Apply, then Ok.
5. Disable the Windows XP Interface -- I have to admit, the cool blue, rounded edges of the Windows XP Interface is an attractive feature, but it uses valuable memory to operate. I'd recommend going back to the older Windows Interface to save on memory and response time. To do this, right click on a blank portion of your desktop (your screen) and choose Properties. Under the Themes tab, choose Windows Classic. Click Apply, and Ok.
Next, go to Control Panel, and click on Performance and Maintenance. Click Adjust Visual Effects. Under Visual Effects, click Custom. Check only the following options:
-- Smooth edges of screen fonts
-- Use common tasks in folders
Click Apply, and then Ok.
6. Turn off your Wallpaper -- The complex backgrounds people use to make their desktops more attractive may slow down your response time, especially on slower systems. Your best bet is to choose a solid blue or black background and leave it at that.
7. Disable Any Unneeded Services -- Click the start menu on the lower left-hand side of your screen, and click Run. Type in Services.msc. and click Ok. You should see a list of services, some marked Automatic, some Manual, and others marked Disabled.
Right click on the following services and choose Properties, then set the startup type to Disabled. (Warning: Disabling some of these services may lead to system instability and/or programs/services failing to function, depending on your system and internet connection type. Please create a restore point and make a note of any changes you intend to make before proceeding.)
--Clipbook Viewer
--Computer Browser
--Distributed Link Tracking Client
--Error Reporting Service
--Fast User Switching
--Help and Support
--HTTP SSL
--Indexing Service
--Logical Disk Manager -- if you aren't planning on installing any new hard drives or USB storage devices, this is safely disabled.
--Machine Debug Manager
--Messenger
--Network DDE
--Network DDE DSDM
--Network Location Awareness
--Portable Media Serial Number Service
--Routing and Remote Access
--Server
--SSDP Discovery Service
--Task Scheduler
--Terminal Services
--WebClient
--Windows Time
--Wireless Zero Configuration -- if you do not have any wireless hardware installed, you may safely disable this service.
