How To: Improve Windows Vista Performance

18th Sep, 2007

How To: Improve Windows Vista Performance

It is a fact that Windows Vista is almost similar to Windows XP at base system properties. Hence, many of the tips that was useful for improving XP system performance works on vista too.

5 Steps to Speed Up Windows Vista

Step: 1 - Optimize Hard Disk Policies for Better Performance.

Windows Vista comes with a new hard disk policy for improving disk performance. You can enable it by checking “Enable Advanced Performance” in disk policies.

Vista Hard Disk Performance

For getting there, right click Computer => Manage => Disk Manager => Properties => Policies (Tab)

Step: 2 – Optimize System Startup

Many of the installed programs automatically sets itself to start running at system start. In reality, you don’t need to allow any programs other than system programs and security software to run at system startup.

You can disable ‘less required’ programs from system startup and save loading time. Remember, most of the time you can enable these programs when we want to use it. By disabling start-up programs, you are freeing up system resources for other things. Usually by disabling some start-up programs you should see improvement in performance.

To edit system start-up, go to run (Win Key + R) and type ‘msconfig’; a window opens with number of options. Go to the startup tab and you will see a similar screen.

Vista System Startup

Laptop/Notebook users: Special care should be taken while doing this step. Since laptop uses custom drivers, some may be required to be run with Windows startup. Hence if you see some crash message after disabling startup programs, don’t blame me.

Step: 3 – Edit Performance Settings

Windows Vista can be customized to speed up the system performance. To get to the performance options, right click computer icon, select properties, and select Advanced System Properties link. Click on the Settings button. You will see a similar screen.

Windows Vista Performance Setting

Select the properties of Window Vista that you really found useful. Please note that some setting will remove the visual styles and make you windows look like old Windows 2000. But again, it is faster than fully loaded Windows Vista!

Step: 4 – Use ReadyBoost.

If you are lacking RAM, you can use your Flash drives for improving your system performance. Insert you high speed Pen drive and you will be greeted with similar screen.

Windows Vista ReadyBoost

Select “Speed up my system” option and your USB flash drive will be used for transferring page file.

For those of who do not use auto run feature, you can got to disk properties (Right click disk icon and select properties) and select ReadyBoost tab. Check to use this device. You will see a significant improvement in system response times.

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18th Sep, 2007