IT Answers

Those of us who like our gadgets and toys love to keep up to date and in with the latest technologies. So, when Windows Vista arrived, this seemed very interesting; the next step up for Microsoft with new features, better security, data safety, protection for your hardware and………. improved performance!

Can we say that Vista has proved to do any of these things?

Is it really any better than Windows XP?

I am sure that you agree that the majority of us wish we had not upgraded our system from XP or are already looking to use and try out the new Windows 7!

Despite all these points, there are ways in which we can grow to like and enjoy Vista, use it to the best of its ability and easily adapt to change (maybe I could be speaking for myself?!)

Getting the performance back by removing those annoying ‘are you sure’ pop ups or unnecessary components that are supposed to improve the system will lead you onto the road to forgive and forget!  Here are some tips that I am sure you will find useful:

1. Turn off windows Search Indexing

This feature is used to assist with quick searching, it constantly reviews all the files on your system to make the data more speedily available and it is this that slows the system down.  You can turn this off, but you will find file searching is not as quick as you would like, this will take you back to the original way of searching in XP. Speaking for myself, I didn’t complain about the search facility on XP, did you?

Here is what to do to disable:

• Click ‘Start’
• Go to ‘Computer’
• Right click c:\ drive
• Go to ‘Properties’
• On ‘General’ tab uncheck ‘Index this drive for faster searching’
• On the next dialog box select ‘Include subfolders and files’

2. Turn off Remote Differential Compression

This measures the changes in files over a network for minimal bandwidth rather than transferring the whole files. This service constantly checks for file changes and therefore hinders the performance. Turning this off will slow down the file transfer process, but in reality with a well managed network, with gigabit speed would you be sure to notice? I have not experienced much difference with file read\write since turning this feature off….. another pointless feature perhaps?!

Here is what to do to turn off:

• Open ‘Control Panel’
• Switch to ‘Classic View’
• Select ‘Program Features’
• Choose ‘Turn Windows features on and off’
• Scroll down and uncheck ‘Remote Differential Compression’

3. Turn off Automatic Disc Defragmentation

Ok, so we all need to defrag our system from time to time, but honestly does this have be a constant thing we have to do? Definitely not!!! This feature is not necessary to run constantly, this continuously works on rearranging and organising files on your hard drive reducing performance. Please, take some time out and give your PC the TLC it needs every now and then. Give it the service it needs while you put your feet up with a chocolate biscuit and that lovely cup of tea.

Here is what to do to disable:

• Click ‘Start’ then ‘Computer’
• Right Click the C:\ Drive
• Go to ‘General’
• Click on ‘Properties’
• Select the ‘Tools’ Tab
• Click on ‘Defragment Now’
• Uncheck ‘Run on a schedule’

4. Turn off Automatic Windows Defender Operation

Windows Defender real-time protection against malware continues to run despite having Automatic operation disabled. Ok, I would say for sure that you have an anti-virus & spyware product on your machine, but despite this being inbuilt it does not have full protection as regards malicious programmes.  What is my take on Windows Defender……? Pointless! Get yourself some decent protection, something that you know has it all as Windows Defender certainly does not!

To turn off:

• Open ‘Control Panel’
• Select ‘Windows Defender’
• Choose ‘Tools’ from the top menu
• Select ‘Options’
• Uncheck ‘Auto Start’ at the bottom of the window

5. Turn off Windows Hibernation

So you have a deadline with work, it’s 11pm, and you have so much more to do, you look again its 12am. Oops… now its suddenly 2am, you’re tired, the coffee don’t work, the wake me up music is becoming a drone, you feel your eye lids drooping but they must stay open, you shut your eyes again and it feels so good. ‘Snap out of it come on’, but no it’s too late, the couch is such a lovely place, eyes can’t stay open… zzzZZZZZZZ!

Thank you Mr Bill Gates for Windows hibernation, you saved my work, I just couldn’t stay awake to press that button! Are you this sort of person? If you are then do not turn off this off, if you’re not then what are you waiting for?!  Stop wasting those precious resources that hibernation uses to sit in the background.

If you don’t need it, here are the instructions:

• Select the ‘Control Panel’ then ‘Power Options’
• Click ‘Change Plan Settings‘
• Click on ‘Change Advanced Power Settings’
• Expand the ‘Sleep’ selection
• Expand the ‘Hibernate’ After selection
• Move the selector down to zero
• Click ‘Apply’

6. Turn off System Restore

Analysis and restore point creation by Windows Vista can eat a fair amount of system resources while it continuously collates your data to backup. Disabling this service will obviously mean the system restore feature in Vista will not be available in the event of a system crash. Would I turn this off? No, but it is at your discretion. Change this at your own risk!

If you still want to turn it off:

• Go to ‘Control Panel’ and select ‘System’
• Click ‘System Protection’ on the left panel
• Uncheck the main system drive
• Agree to the confirmation

7. Disable User Access Control (UAC)

Yes, the wonderful UAC, supposed to protect your system from Malware infection.  Performance is not directly impacted, but we must admit that it is annoying and very time consuming!

If you find this more hassle than its worth then do the following:

• Click ‘Start’ then ‘Control Panel’
• Select ‘User Accounts’
• Select ‘Turn User Account Control on or off’
• Uncheck ‘User Account Control Box’
• Restart as recommended

8. Disable excess Windows Services that Auto-Launch at Startup

Just like Windows XP, Vista runs with all kinds of services enabled which load at start up, a lot are just a simple waste of space and time!

It would be in your best interests to take a look yourself and disable the ones you are sure you will not need (they can always be started manually later):

• Click ‘Start’ then ‘Control Panel’
• Select ‘Administrative Tools’
• Choose ‘System Configuration’
• Click the ‘Services’ Tab
• You can safely deselect:
  • Offline Files (unless you’re using Offline File Sync)
  • Tablet PC Input Service (unless you have a tablet PC)
  • Terminal Services
  • Windows Search (If you have already disabled indexing)
  • Fax (unless you’re using a fax modem)

9. Disable Excess Windows Features

Once again there are even more features that just seem pointless or you will never use for as long as you use Windows.  Best bet is to just disable them. If you feel that you won’t benefit from any/some/all of these services, you can follow these instructions:

• Clicking ‘Start’ then ‘Control Panel’
• Select ‘Program Features’
• On the left panel, select ‘Turn Windows Features on or off’
• You can safely deselect:
  • Indexing Service
  • Remote Differential Compression
  • Tablet PC Optional Components
  • Windows DFS Replication Service
  • Windows Fax & Scan (unless you use a modem for faxing)
  • Windows Meeting Space (unless you use the Live Meeting Service)

10. Turn off Visual Effects

You can adjust Vista’s mode so it will focus on performance rather than how it looks. I know that the glossy look goes a long way as far as marketing is concerned, but do you really need it? This setting will only slightly alter how Vista looks and will help improve general performance. If you use 3D software or high resolution applications, then adjusting may not suit this kind of work.

If adjusting the mode helps you:

• Go to ‘Control Panel’ and select ‘System’
• Select ‘Advanced system settings’
• Click ‘Advanced’ tab
• In ‘Performance’ section select ‘Settings’
• Then click ‘Adjust for best performance’
• Click ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’

11. Altering Menu Look

Bring back the XP feel please!!!!  Never mind about the Vista Start Menu where you have huge icons or you struggle to browse through Explore or My Computer, you can give the XP feel ‘partially’ back. This does not necessarily enhance the performance, but may take you back to the ‘good ol’ days’!

To do this:

• Right click on ‘Start’
• Go to ‘Start Menu’
• Select ‘Classic Start Menu’
• Click ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’