Optimize Windows for better performance
Step:1
Clean up your hard disk
If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary
files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run
faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the
Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that
you no longer need. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this, see
Delete files using Disk Cleanup.
Step:2
Run fewer programs at the same time
Sometimes changing your computing behavior can
have a big impact on your PC's performance. If you’re the type of
computer user who likes to keep eight programs and a dozen browser
windows open at once—all while instant messaging your friends—don’t be
surprised if your PC bogs down. Keeping a lot of e‑mail messages open
can also use up memory.
If you find your PC slowing down, ask yourself
if you really need to keep all your programs and windows open at once.
Find a better way to remind yourself to reply to e‑mail messages than to
keep all of them open.
Step:3
Turn off visual effects
If Windows is running slowly, you can speed it
up by disabling some of its visual effects. It comes down to appearance
versus performance. Would you rather have Windows run faster or look
prettier? If your PC is fast enough, you don’t have to make this
tradeoff, but if your computer is just barely powerful enough for
Windows Vista, it can be useful to scale back on the visual bells and
whistles.
You can choose which visual effects to turn off,
one by one, or you can let Windows choose a bunch for you. There are 20
visual effects you can control, such as the transparent glass look, the
way menus open or close, and whether shadows are displayed.
To adjust all visual effects for best performance:
-
Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button
, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools.
-
Click Adjust visual effects.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. -
Click the Visual Effects tab, click Adjust for best performance, and then click OK. (For a less drastic option, select Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer.)
Step:4
Try restarting if there's a problem
This tip is simple. If your computer seems to be
running slowly and closing all the currently running programs doesn't
help, trying restarting your computer. Restarting can fix performance
problems where the exact cause is hard to pinpoint.
Step:5
Add more memory
This isn’t a guide to buying hardware that will
speed up your computer. But no discussion of how make Windows run faster
would be complete without mentioning that you should consider adding
more memory to your PC.
If a computer running Windows Vista feels too
slow, it’s usually because the PC doesn’t have enough memory. The most
sure–fire way to speed it up is to add more.
Windows Vista can run on a PC with 512 megabytes (MB) of
random access memory (RAM), but it runs better with 1 gigabyte (GB). For
optimal performance, boost that to 2 GB or more.
If you're going to the trouble of opening up
your PC case to add more memory, you might as well boost the total to at
least 2 GB. Especially if you're the sort of person who keeps a dozen
e‑mail messages, ten browser windows, and six other programs open at
once—all while instant messaging.
Another option is to boost the amount of memory
by using Windows ReadyBoost . This feature allows you to use the
storage space on some removable media devices, such as USB flash drives,
to speed up your computer. It’s easier to plug a flash drive into a
USB port than to open your PC case and plug memory modules into its
motherboard. For more information, see Using memory in your storage device to speed up your computer.
Step:6
Check for viruses and spyware
If your PC is running slowly, one dreaded
possibility is that it might be infected with a virus or spyware. This
is not as common as the other problems, but it is something to consider.
Before you worry too much, check your PC using antispyware and
antivirus programs.
A common symptom of a virus is a much
slower-than-normal computer performance. Other signs include unexpected
messages that pop up on your PC, programs that start automatically, or
the sound of your hard disk constantly working.
Spyware is a type of program that is installed,
usually without your knowledge, to watch your activity on the Internet.
You can check for spyware with Windows Defender or other anti-spyware
programs. For more information, see How to tell if your computer is infected with spyware.
The best way to deal with viruses is to prevent
them in the first place. Always run antivirus software and keep it up to
date. Even if you take such precautions, however, it’s possible for
your PC to become infected. For more information, see How can I tell if my computer has a virus?
Step:7
Check your computer’s speed
If you try these tips and your computer is still
too slow, you might need a new PC or some hardware upgrades, such as a
new hard disk, faster video card, or more memory. There’s no need to
guess the speed of your computer, however. Windows provides a way to
check and rate your PC’s speed with a tool called the Windows Experience
Index.
The Windows Experience Index rates your computer
on five key components and gives you a number for each, as well as an
overall base score. This base score is only as good as your
worst-performing component sub-score.
Base scores currently range from 1 to 5.9.
(There is no score yet of 6.0 or higher, although Microsoft plans to
raise the ratings in the future as hardware improves.) If your PC is
rated lower than 2 or 3, it might be time to consider a new PC,
depending on what tasks you want to do with your computer.
For more information, see What is the Windows Experience Index?
Step:8
Check for updates from the manufacturer
Have you visited the support website of your
computer manufacturer to see if the company has released any updates for
your specific model? Computer makers often issue software updates for
programs they shipped with a PC, especially if the PC is relatively new.
You might be surprised how much information you
can find by checking with the manufacturer. If other users are reporting
the same problem you are having, the manufacturer might have already
issued a fix, or at least provided information about the problem.