Making Windows XP Run Smoother

[IR_Efrem]

I originally went through my own services and modified them myself without help and with a LOT of experimenting to get it right. Well I do not really want to explain it all especially since some one else already has LoL.

Windows XP Services - By Gene Goldring

This site gives good recomendations. One small note here this fellow has marked Wireless Zero Configuration as disabled. Keep in mind to read the notes provided, it states it's ok to disable this if you aren't using a wireless setup (this is for Wireless Networking not wireless mouse and keyboard and such)

Another small thing is to goto your display properties (right click on an open spot on the desktop and select PROPERITES) click on the Appearance tab and then click the Effects button, UN-CHECK the top 2 boxes (transition effects and smooth edges of fonts).

Click the OK button. While still in the Appearance section of Display Properties (THIS IS COMPLETELY OPTIONAL) change the Windows and Buttons to Windows Classic Style. The old style User Interface actually runs quite a bit smoother than the XP style. If you have a fairly quick PC that is up to date you might not even notice a difference.

While still in Display Properties click the Desktop tab then click the Customize Desktop button. At the bottom UN-CHECK Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard..........

I have tried many combinations of Pop-up blockers, Anti-Virus software, and other security software. I like the features of Firefox (internet browser), AVG Free (Anti-virus), and Zone Alarm Pro (Firewall and anti-spyware). Been running without a single virus, malware, and pop-up for a long time now. Not to mention they seem to run really well together and smoothly. I also disable the windows firewall when using Zone Alarm.

Firefox Firefox web browser | Faster, more secure, & customizable
AVG Free AVG Free Advisor - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
Zone Alarm Pro ZoneAlarm Pro - Secure Firewall with Identity & Privacy Protection plus Anti-Spyware.
Zone Alarm Free (no anti-spyware) still preforms as a firewall Very well
ZoneAlarm - Proactive Firewall protection with multiple layers of security that stop inbound, outbound, and program attacks

Please be aware that these are programs that I recommend because I like them and they work well for me.

There are a few other things that can be done according to any specific hardware you have but I cannot guess everyones hardware configuration. So if you would like to know what else you may be able to do Post your complete system specifications and what software you have loading at start up.

Just using what I have mentioned greatly increases the responsiveness
of most computers. If you make these changes, I can guarantee that you will notice a difference.

[jonbey]

Good post. I also use AVG, ZoneAlarm, and also run Adaware and Spybot every now and then too. And Firefox helps keep those nasty bugs at bay too. One other simple way (sorry, I did not read the link...) to boost your XP performance, or any operating system, is to install more RAM. Most pc's can take more RAM, and it all helps. My PC is old, and used to have 256Mb, and upping it by 512 mad a big difference, and the extra RAM only cost 20 quid (about 40 dollars I guess).

Other PC tips that I have learnt (that hard way) is to back up important files (photos, videos etc) as hard drives can die (mine did... ). I now have an external hard drive to back everything up to, and put the most previous photos on DVD. Running the disk checks and defrags helps too (but back up before running a disk check - not sure if this is required, but it worries me...)

[__RavErz__]

Alternative to the above:

Uninstall Windows, install Linux.

[IR_Efrem]

I have Arch Linux running in a dual boot environment on my desktop. Debian 4.0 on a laptop. I never have real issues with any of my linux installs.

[__RavErz__]

Well with linux you don't really get viruses, spyware, crashes, and it is generally more efficient albiet a bit harder to use than Windows for a new user.

[TKDLady]

Originally Posted by __RavErz__

Well with linux you don't really get viruses, spyware, crashes, and it is generally more efficient albiet a bit harder to use than Windows for a new user.

The "harder to use" part is why I don't go there.

[IR_Efrem]

I installed Debian - it detected everything, all hardware worked flawlessly including the wireless network card. Set up the appropriate security settings for my wireless network, it had all the software already installed: Open Office, CD/DVD burning software, Mozilla, etc etc etc....

I went to a few websites that need specific plugins and just click-installed them. Haven't needed to change anything since then.

After that I installed virtualbox (virtualization software) and installed XP so that she would use the laptop, she refuses to use Linux btw, even though all she does is browse the web, use MS office, and read PDF files.

I can't agree that XP is easier to install or use. If I install XP on ANY of my systems I have to download drivers and reconfigure services so that it behaves semi-decently. In Linux I can install and go, on every system.

If I could say anything about Linus it would be that it looks different and people hate change (my Fiance for example). With the proper distribution of Linux use and installation can be as simple as pie.

[__RavErz__]

When I say harder to use I mean harder to use your normal programs. It would take people who are used to Windows and its programs to get used to the Linux versions. Even MS word to openoffice can be a big change for some people.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by __RavErz__

Well with linux you don't really get viruses, spyware, crashes, and it is generally more efficient albiet a bit harder to use than Windows for a new user.

Thats not always true, i've seen some badly hacked systems like webservers and smoothwall boxes that you could never do to Windows in the same manner. I'd agree as whole your less prone to virus' and spyware but its the same reason your less likely to suffer on a Mac, because the majority of people own Windows PC's with Norton anti virus so the majority of hackers and virus writers focus on PC and Norton and beating them. To say you don't really get virus' is slightly misleading though.

[__RavErz__]

Originally Posted by Mondo

Thats not always true, i've seen some badly hacked systems like webservers and smoothwall boxes that you could never do to Windows in the same manner. I'd agree as whole your less prone to virus' and spyware but its the same reason your less likely to suffer on a Mac, because the majority of people own Windows PC's with Norton anti virus so the majority of hackers and virus writers focus on PC and Norton and beating them. To say you don't really get virus' is slightly misleading though.

True. I don't rule it out. The thing is though that the majority don't run linux therefore no one wants to write a virus for it. This, and that most people who run linux would hopefully be a bit more than the average user so it is quite a lot harder to make them open up an email attachment from an unknown source, or download a file from a non reputable source then forget to check it.

More windows users = more virus'. Not that you can't get a virus on linux, but it is still safer than windows. Then again an advanced user on a Windows PC wouldn't have to many issues. Most virus' are caused by people doing silly things like opening attachments from bob in nigeria who is offering you a million dollars.

[Vautrin]

Originally Posted by __RavErz__

Most virus' are caused by people doing silly things like opening attachments from bob in nigeria who is offering you a million dollars.

I thought it was Bob (Mugabe) from Zimbabwe. Not that a million Zim dollars buys you anything.

Also filesharing networks are prone to spread viruses. That is probably the biggest cause of virus and spyware issues. People are simply not aware that "free" stuff can be dangerous stuff.