In a previous post I gave seven tips on improving Windows performance. Since then I received a request asking how to actually perform the tasks I recommended. So here is a step-by step procedure.
Details vary, of course, depending on which version of Windows you are running. Rather than attempt to describe every possible variant, I’ll stay with Windows 7. If you are not already running that version but your computer is capable of handling it, I recommend that you upgrade now – it is the best Windows system I have used (starting with Windows 3.1!)
#1 Defragment Your Hard Disk
Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools. You will find two programs: Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter. I suggest you use Disk Cleanup first, then Disk Defragmenter. Choose a time when you will not be using the computer for a while (say just before bedtime), because the Defragmenter can take several hours to run! The good news is that it will test first to see if defragmenting is necessary.
Plan to run this at least once a month (once a week is better): you can use the Windows Disk Defragmenter to defragment the C drive weekly at night-time (Configure Schedule). If, like me, you also use external hard drives for routine backups, don’t forget to defragment those as well – the scheduler allows you to defragment them all.
It would be nice if you schedule the Disk Cleanup operation, but as far as I can tell, Windows doesn’t allow this. However, there is a good free tool you can use to clean up all the garbage that accumulates on your hard drive. It’s call CCleaner, and you can get the free version here. I recommend that you set a reminder to run it before you run your routine defragment – I use Google calendar to set my reminder. This program is also useful for some of the other recommendations.
#2 Disable the Search Index Service
Go to Control Panel -> Indexing Options -> Modify -> Show All Locations and remove the check marks. If there are locations in the lower panel, click on them and the check marks appear in the upper panel: clear them.
#3 Remove Start-up Programs
Most new software will attempt to start automatically, so you need to check this one regularly. Go to Control Panel -> System & Security: Find and Fix Problems -> System & Security: Check for Performance Issues -> Next -> Start System Configuration -> Startup. (Remove any programs you know you don’t need at startup.)
Here is another way: download a free application Soluto. This program will examine all your startup programs and advise you on how you can speed up your reboot. For me, it reduced boot time by over a minute (after I had already removed everything I knew about!)
#4 Cut Down on Background Applications
If you look in Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete) you will find a number of processes you don’t need. Here is a link to an article that may help you decide which to remove: http://vectrosecurity.com/content/view/31/26/. The article is based on Windows XP, so some of the background applications do not appear in Windows 7.
#5 Disable Your Wireless Internet and/or Bluetooth
These appear in the notification taskbar in the bottom right corner of the screen.
#6 Keep Your Computer Cool
With a laptop, ensure there is proper ventilation by placing it on a hard surface. With a desktop, make sure there is plenty of space around the air ducts. With both, remove dust regularly using a compressed air blower.
#7 Uninstall Unnecessary Programs (regularly)
Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a Program. The Disk Cleanup System Tool referred to earlier also gives a link to this.
Follow these seven tips, and you should find your Windows performance improves significantly.
Hi Alan,
I really need to learn more about the workings of my computer.
I recently did some cleanup and lost the link to the control panel in my start up menu.
I use vista at the moment but will be upgrading to 7 soon.
Great post.
Cheers
Bryan
Hi Bryan,
It’s really frustrating when one loses a link like that! You can try restoring to the point before you cleaned up, but apart from that I don’t know an easy way to get it back.
I avoided Vista after my wife had really bad experiences with it, so I went straight from XP to 7. (She finally bought a Mac!) 7 is not perfect, but it’s better than anything else I’ve tried, and the upgrade went smoothly. Make sure you have plenty of resources, though: I’m using 4GB of memory and that seems OK.
Thanks for the comment
Alan
Hi Alan,
I’m so thankful for TSA, because it gives me the opportunity to visit some great blogs. Your website is so professional. I decided to subscribe to your RSS feed because of the vast amount of valueable information on your site.
Your article on 7 Tips On Improving Windows 7 is excellent. Everyone always seems to need help with their computer issues. You managed to cover 7 really important practical tasks we can do to improve our computer’s performance which is a high priority in this business.
Incorporationg these tips will really help. I admit I do about 4 of the 7 regulary, but there are 3 that I can include in my maintenance.
You got right to the point and gave the exact path to take.
Thank You!
Hi Raena,
Wow! What an accolade – thank you so much.
Like you, I have tended in the past to ignore some of these and was so pleased to find a source I could work from that dealt with all the issues. I trust that you will see some of the same benefits that I have when you have completed the set.
One issue I have found is that Soluto doesn’t always give the best advice. I found that through being a bit too aggressive I created a few problems. Fortunately, with that program it’s really easy to restore the startup programs that you find you do need after all!
Thanks again for the good words – it’s people like you who make TSA so worthwhile for everyone.
Alan
Alan,
Thanks for sharing this information. I only use Windows through Parallels on my Mac, but I’ll definitely see if I can optimize it a bit.
Thanks again,
Adam
Thanks for the comment, Adam. I don’t know how all this applies to a Mac – I’m a total Macilliterate!
Alan
I went through my computer step by step and sped it up. Except for the defrag. Will do that tonight before bed. Thanks for the great tutorial. And so easy to follow.
Debbie
Debbie Lattuga recently posted..Vision Boards Do They Speed Up Manifesting
Excellent onformation Alan.
Yes people need to to be up on their computer and defrag and More!
I must admit I do not do some of things you mentioned.
I love your blog
Hi Alan,
Those are great steps for everyone to follow. Keeping your computer defragged and clean is very important. I’m so glad that you’re happy with Windows 7. I, on the other hand, have had nothing but problems with it. Also by updating the OS I had to update my MS office suite, which I didn’t expect. The suite has changed so much it’s a whole learning curve, too! Ugh. And with the cost of everything I had to update (including other software) I spent about half the cost of a new computer!
There’s a couple of things in your 7 tips I haven’t done, so I’m going to give them a try in hopes that it solves at least some of my problems. It’s very frustrating to go from a perfectly working computer to one with all kinds of glitches and stalls just because I wanted to stay up-to-date.
Thanks for your list and clearly written instructions!
Deb Augur recently posted..How many “Gurus” does it take to screw in a light bulb
Hi Alan,
I saw this post on someones Twitter, a fellow TSA member and I am glad I did.
You shared some very useful tips.
I never heard about Soluto.
Thank you so much for this!
To your Success!
Yorinda
Yorinda recently posted..Imagination Visualization Dreams
I’m beginning to have some reservations about Soluto, Yorinda. It seems to cause problems if you’re not really careful. Some of the startup programs it says you don’t need are actually helpful, and several of mine it doesn’t know about.
Thanks for the comment
Alan
Wow, Alan. What a comprehensive step-by-step. I am going to save this blogpost so I can perform all these task on a semi-regular basis. I am going to read it again and again, but this is just great. I really appreciate the time you took to put this together. I’ll be sure to share it with others.
Million thanks.
Sigal Zoldan
Clinical Hypnotherapist & Master Results Coach
Still Single? http://AttractYourTrueLove.com
http://blog.sigalzoldan.com
Sigal Zoldan recently posted..4 Free Guided Visualizations – Here Is Why Should You Get Them ASAP
Thanks for the comment, Sigal. Sorry to take so long to approve it – it was sitting in my Spam collection. Maybe because there were several links in it, Akismet blocked it.
Alan
I really notice the difference between Windows 7 and Windows XP. I really like the speed on 7. I even have 7 on an older machine.
These are all great tips. One thing I’d add is to ensure that you don’t go over 75% of of your available hard drive space.
There’s always the other alternative to speed up: Reformat the hard drive
Great tips thanks for sharing.
Jeremiah M. Wean recently posted..How The FHA MI Increase Affects Both Buyers and Sellers
I agree, Jeremiah: the speed difference is certainly noticeable, but I didn’t know it would show up so much on an older machine. Regarding hard drives, I agree with your comment: I generally try to stay around 50% or less usage.
By the way, since I wrote that I have discovered that Windows7 automatically defrags the hard drive once a week, so that advice is unnecessary (unless you’ve turned off the defrag.) I thought I had set it myself, but now find is the default. Maybe I need more memory … (LOL).
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