Need to improve and speed up Windows 7 performance? Let's talk about how you can do this by customizing and tuning some Windows features. Some of these options are also available in Windows 8 and Server Editions; that's why I think this article is a good starting point in improving all Windows OS performance.
4. Need to improve and speed up
Windows 7 performance? Let's talk
about how you can do this by
customizing and tuning some
Windows features. Some of these
options are also available in
Windows 8 and Server Editions;
that's why I think this article is a good
starting point in improving all
Windows OS performance.
Optimize Windows Performance
I don’t know how many of you encountered slow performance, errors or
even blue screens when running Windows platform, but I’ve been
working with Windows 7 and previous editions for quite a while now and
I can definitely say that the default settings of this OS can be tuned so
that better results in terms of performance can be achieved.
5. I won't talk about improving your hardware components because you
may already know that without a proper hardware configuration, your
tuning may have no effect. Consider improving your physical memory,
CPU and Video Card where necessary. Check out the recommended
Windows 7 configuration and compare it with yours.
My home computer has around 4 Gb of RAM and Intel I3 processor and
I have no problems running this version of Windows. Of course, when
running applications that use of lot of resources (rendering software,
Video games) I sometimes encounter slow performance.
You should choose your hardware configuration according to your needs
(what applications are you going to use on your workstation). I advise
you buy and install an SSD hard-drive for your computer’s OS. After
installing Windows 7 on the SSD drive, my computer performance
increased significantly that's why I recommend this upgrade to anyone.
Optimize Windows Performance
6. These tools are used to speed up the
performance of your hard disk. To
achieve this, right click on the desired
partition (where the OS is installed) and
then click “Properties”. Now select the
“Tools” tab and click on one of the tools
listed here.
#1. Run disk cleanup, Defrag and check disk
The “Disk defragmentation tool” will align data blocks written on
your hard drive in order to make them easier to be accessed by the
OS. The “Error-checking” tool will fix any bugs from your hard-disk.
7. #1. Cont’d.
I prefer running the command line tool rather than using the GUI. Open
“command prompt” and type the following:
The “/r” parameter will locate bad sectors and will recover readable data,
but also will fix disk errors.
Note that these tools will take a while to finish their operation.
8. The “Disk Cleanup” tool is used to
delete unnecessary data stored
on your computer, such as
temporary internet files,
thumbnails, debug dump files, etc.
To open this tool simply type “Disk
Cleanup” in the search bar. You
will then be prompted to enter a
disk partition on which the tool will
execute. After calculating the disk
space gained, you will be
redirected to the following screen.
Check all the things that you want
to remove and then click the “OK”
button.
#1. Cont’d.
9. As you may already know,
Windows comes by default with
some visual effects activated.
Features like Windows Aero,
shadows or thumbnails can be
disabled to boost your
computer’s performance. Right
click “My Computer” and then
select “Properties”.
#2. Disable unnecessary visual effects
After the window opens, click the “Advanced system settings” button
from the right side. You will then be prompted to the following screen:
10. In the “Performance tab”
click the “Settings” button.
Next, select an option
from the ones available.
You can adjust your
settings for “best
performance”, “best
appearance” or select the
features that you want to
activate one by one:
#2. Cont’d.
11. One important step in optimizing your computer’s performance is by
installing the latest updates. At least, critical and security updates must
be applied so that you can better prevent and fix bugs, errors,
malicious software installation or intrusions. Note that Microsoft often
releases updates to fix some known bugs that exist on a fresh
Windows installation. Some of these updates can even fix and optimize
performance issues.
To install the latest updates go to “Control PanelSystem and
SecurityWindows Update” and then click “Check for updates” button.
Wait until Windows finds all available updates and then select the ones
that you want to install. In the end, you will probably have to restart
your workstation.
#3. Update Windows with the latest definitions
12. Remember that your computer may probably run software that is not
needed all the time. Some of these programs can be disabled to
increase speed. For achieving this, I prefer using the Microsoft System
Configuration Utility tool. You can run it by typing “Msconfig” from the
run prompt:
#4. Disable unused programs that run at startup
13. Navigate to the “Startup” tab and then deselect the programs that are
not mandatory. For instance, iTunes, QuickTime and Adobe Manager
can be disabled to improve your computer’s performance. Remember
that these programs may run in the back, so as a user you may not be
aware of the running processes.
#4. Cont’d.
15. You can also optimize computer’s performance by disabling unused
Windows services. By disabling them you increase the available RAM
memory and CPU. Open the "Services" console in any way you prefer
(I’m used to open the Services console by typing Services.msc from the
run prompt):
#5. Disable unused Windows Services
16. Select the services that you want to disable, right click them and then
select "Properties". From the following window you can set the service
"Startup type" to "Disabled". Check the following image:
Services like Tablet PC input Service or Windows Indexing Service can
be disabled if you don’t need them.
#5. Cont’d.
17. In many occasions, your computer can have low performance because
it may be infected with viruses. The best method of dealing with viruses
is by installing an antivirus program and run it on a regular basis.
In Windows 7, you can install Microsoft Security Essentials for free and
it will do the job perfectly. You can always choose another security
software such as AVG, Nod32, Kaspersky, etc.
I also use “Malwarebytes” to scan for malware. This tool can be used for
free a period of time before registering or buying it. I’ve worked with this
software and I would it recommend to anyone. Many of the malware
existed on my computer were detected and cleaned using this tool.
#6. Scan your computer for malware
18. Fountain Geyser
How about a break?
You’ve been working
pretty hard! Why don’t
you take a minute to
watch this cool video of a
geyser and relax for a bit?
If you’d like, you can
continue reading this
article at our blog,
NetworkWrangler. Just
click the link and check
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19. This tool is very powerful and can be used to significantly improve your
computer’s speed. It is a freeware software available for download from
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner. This program will scan all areas of
your computer and will clean and fix things like registry keys, temporary
files, recycle bin, history and cookies etc.
#7. Use CCleaner or any other optimizing software
20. I recommend that you uninstall any unused programs from your
computer. By doing this, registry keys are cleaned, hard disk space is
increased, running processes are reduced and overall computer’s
performance is increased.
You can uninstall software from your computer by using any third party
programs like “Revo Uninstaller” or simply by using the “Uninstall”
feature available in Windows 7.
To do this, open “Control Panel” go to “Programs” and then Click
“Uninstall a program” from the available options. From the list select any
software that you do not use and click uninstall. Be careful because
uninstalling any software used by your OS may result in a system crush.
#8. Uninstall any unwanted program
21. You can turn off these
visual effects if you
don’t need them. To
achieve this, right click
your Desktop and select
“Properties”. You can
select a solid color as a
Wallpaper and disable
the Screen Server from
running on your
computer.
#9. Disable the Screen Server and the Wallpaper
22. Remember that Windows
audio effects use your
computer’s resources so if
you disable some of them,
you can increase the
performance of your
workstation. Open
“Control Panel” navigate
to the “Hardware and
Sounds” menu and then
click the “Sound” button.
Select and disable the
desired sounds from the
list:
#10. Disable unnecessary Windows sounds
23. Bet you just can’t wait to see how fast your
computer is going to run after you’re done!
Just a few more…
Hang in there, you’re almost finished.
24. If you are a computer
Administrator, you should
disable UAC for boosting
performance. UAC is a
notification mechanism
used to prevent malicious
changes to your system.
NOTE: This is only for
advanced users.
#11. Disable UAC
25. You can choose how the processor allocates resources by selecting the
“Background service” option rather than “Programs”. You can also opt for
increasing the size of the page file.
#12. Increasing page file & allocating memory
26. The page file is used by
Windows similar to RAM so
increasing it would probably
increase your computer’s
performance (if needed).
I usually don’t change the size of
the page file because Windows
will select the required size
automatically. Check the
“Automatically manage paging
files for all drivers” feature from
the Virtual Memory menu.
#12. Cont’d.
27. After covering these steps, your overall computer performance should
increase. I hope this article will serve you well and will help you achieve
faster speeds.
Comment or leave any questions that you have. Also, if there is something
more to add to this article don’t hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy Poweradmin.com and stay tuned for future articles.
I wish you all the best in this wonderful day folks!
Author: Popescu Dan-Alexandru
Email: dancb10@gmail.com
Website: www.ittrainingday.com
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