Andrews Family

Here are some things you can do to optimize Windows XP so that it performs well but doesn’t sacrifice functionality. There is also a section of customizations that I prefer to have done which may not make Windows more efficient but I still find useful. There are also optimizations that can be done to clear up space on your hard drive, but since hard drives are so cheap if you are trying to squeeze ever last drop out of your drive you probably should just save yourself the hassle and get another hard drive.

Recommended

Uninstall Unused Programs - Control Panel>>Add Remove Programs; then select the unused programs and remove them. While recently setting up a brand new computer I was amazed at how much ‘crapware’ comes on a new PC.

Stop Unnecessary Startup Items - This is a little advanced but SysInternals (a well-know site by tech geeks) has a handy utility called AutoRuns which is very useful and easy to use. There will be a lot of things listed so don’t worry, but most of the things you’d be interested in would be on the Logon tab. Often times it isn’t clear from the name of the program whether it is something you need (like virus scan) or something you don’t want taking up resources. In AutoRuns you can just right-click to google-search for it on the web to give you advice. Then you can simply uncheck it if you don’t need it. If you find out you do need it just add the check back. I’d probably error on the conservative side if you aren’t sure, or just go to File>>Save and send me the file and I can help you out.

Disable File Indexing - Open “My Computer” and right-click on the hard drive and select Properties. Uncheck the “Allow Indexing Service…”. File Indexing is used so that when you search for something Window can just look it up in the ‘index’ without having to look at every file. But Windows file searching is still slow even with it on so I’d recommend using Google Desktop if you are interested in indexed file searching.

Uninstall Unused Windows Components - Control Panel>>Add Remove Programs; then click on the “Add/Remove Windows Components”. De-select unnecessary items like, Indexing Service, MSN Explorer, Outlook Express (if you aren’t going to use it for email).

Customization (Optional)

Optimize System Settings - Control Panel»System; Advanced Tab»Performance; deselect everything and then add checkmarks for:

• Show shadows under menus
• Show shadows under mouse pointer
• Show translucent selection rectangle
• Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
• Use visual styles on windows and buttons
• Use Common tasks in folders

Disable Language Bar

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Regional and Language Options. 
2. On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
3. Under Preferences, click Language Bar. 
4. Deselect the Show the Language bar on the desktop check box.

Folder Views

• Set folder View>>Details
• Right-click on toolbar and select Customize. Set icon size to small.
• Right-click on toolbar and select Address.
• Then Folder Options Tools>>Folder Options, then View select "Show Hidden Files"
• Disable "Hide extensions for known file types"
• Click the "Apply to All Folders" button

Change Desktop background and appearance - Right-click on the desktop and select Properties. Then you can select your own preference. I like the Silver color scheme.

Customize Task Bar

• Right click and unlock, move the address bar under the task bar, right-click remove title, lock taskbar
• Right-click and add the Quick Launch toolbar.  

The address bar is the same as the address bar in Internet Explorer. I find it useful to have handy on the task bar because then you can just start typing an web address and go to it without opening a window first. It also will auto-complete sites you’ve visit previously. You can also use it to quickly go to places on your hard drive by typing a location such as "C:\data" or "My Computer". Or just type "calc" to launch the calculator. The quick launch bar is a bar where you can drag shortcuts to commonly used programs to make the easier to get to without cluttering up your desktop.

Internet Explorer

• Delete links and add your own. You can do this in IE or on the file system at c:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Favorites\Links\”
• Make www.google.com your homepage (I prefer the personalized homepage with RSS feeds)
• For cleaning up: Internet Explorer, Tools>>Internet Options, Delete Cookies, Delete Files, Clear History

Delete Unwanted Shortcuts and Files from the Desktop

Clean Up the System Tray - The System tray (a.k.a. Sys Tray) is in the lower right and usually has the clock. Often time programs will put icons in there with usually means they are starting processes running when you computer starts up and you probably don’t need it. Usually you can click or right-click on them and select them to not start when the computer boots, but they are all different and sometimes don’t easily give you that option. There are a few things you may want there like anti-virus and MSN Messenger. There may also be icons that are just wasting space like disconnected network adapters. If a disconnected network connection icon shows up in the Sys Tray, double click it, then right-click>>Properties on that connection, deselect "Notify me when this connection has limited or no connectivity"

Empty Recycle Bin

Disk Utilities - Start>>Programs>>Accessories>>System Tools

• Disk Cleanup
• Disk Defrag

Change Monitor update rate to 75 Hz - If you have a CRT monitor (as opposed to a flat pane LCD) it has an update rate at which it refreshes the screen. Typically this is set to 60 Hz which matches the frequency of fluorescent light and can be annoying. To change this, right-click on the desktop and select properties. Then on the Settings tab click the advanced button. On the Adapter tab you can change the frequency. 60 Hz is hard on the eyes, I prefer 75 Hz.