Home

Hardware

Network

Game

Tools

Graphics

Tweaking your Operating System

Windows isn't the best OS around, but it is the most popular.  If you're like me, you don't really have the choice of choosing otherwise.  So knowing the ins and outs of it can be very helpful.  Maybe users of other GUIs can benefit from what I've outlined.

The following should be handled like a snowball rolling downhill - one thing inevitably affects another.  If you don't know, take it slow.

• Backups, backups, backups
  • If you have a 2nd HDD, make it easy and use it.  Most computers allow for it, so learn to install one.  If not, use a burner.
  • System restore does wonders.  Most techs hate it thanks to ME, but I've saved more systems than I care to admit.
  • Backup your registry.  System restore does this, but it can become corrupted.  Never hurts to export it.
  • Use a backup program, or better yet, a sync program with your 2nd HDD.


• Fresh install of OS
  • As you install and uninstall programs over time, your registry tends to get clogged up.  Removing programs won't always remove those entries.  Programs aren't always nice about cleaning themselves up, especially nowadays.  Services get left behind.  Files get strewn throughout your hard drive.  The only way to take out the trash is to dump the whole thing and rebuild.


• NTFS with small cluster size
  • While installing your OS, format NTFS.  There are a lot of reasons, but mostly because it uses less space.  Less space equates to a more efficient as the OS can find files that much faster.


• Don't install what you don't need
  • - Remove unused Windows components


• Run wupdmgr - patch that OS


• Turn off driver signing - WHQL - System properties -> Hardware tab


• Update all your drivers - the ones that ship with your box are out-of-date as soon as they are package


• Set your OS for Best Performance - turn off those silly effects - System properties -> Advanced -> Performance settings


• Turn off System Restore - only if you want to save HDD space; I use it all the time


• Turn off Auto Updates - what's so hard about doing it manually?


• Change Security Center Alerts - turn off those stupid warnings about Windows not being protected


• Turn off Windows Firewall - I have a hardware firewall making the OS firewall superfluous; only necessary if you brave the free sites


• Turn off Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop - do you need to remote your system or let others in? - System prop's -> Remote tab


• Set Power to Always On - system suspend never works for me; learn to turn your monitor off


• Disable Hibernation - again, never works for me


• Change Recycle Bin to use less space - Recycle Prop's


• Customize your Start Menu - remove unnecessary links


• Delete everything in the Program Files -> Startup folder


• Turn off background processes - start with the systray and then check Task Manager; usu. under Tools -> Preferences


• MSConfig - not necessary, but a safe way of editing the registry


• Regedit - Always backup!  HKLM -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Current version -> Run


• Enable pop-up blocker - nothing more annoying


• Keep your desktop clean - the wonders of the Quick Launch toolbar


• Disable unused services.msc


• Lower your Internet cache - a large cache not only takes up space, it can slow your machine and force frequent defrags


• Maintain your machine - delete temp files, scandisk, defrag, disk cleanup, spybot, regclean, ccleaner

Insert links or go to Tools?

This page was last updated on April 25, 2007