Methods of getting Windows to original performance

Richeh · 11 Apr 2006 at 10:53

Hey all,
As many of you know when you first install Windows it's very fast, smooth and everything runs great.
But after a while performance deteriorates. I have found this with my install and do not want to format as everything is set up nicely.

So far I have, defragmented, run anti-virus, run spybot, run ad-aware and although things are better it still doesn't feel as nippy.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions?

AJUK · 11 Apr 2006 at 10:57

I would disagree with WIndows running smooth at first install. WIth a couple of tweaks you can speed things up no end, turn off useless services, themes and effects and tune your internet. Look at the sticky for Baddass's guide.

As for restoring to the default values, download the trial of Tune Up Utilities 2006 which can enable you to restore most of the default Windows settings. However, get TU to clean your system, tweak your settings and desktop and clean/compact yuour registry. After that reboot in safe mode and defrag. Lurverly jubbly!

MR_Punk · 11 Apr 2006 at 11:07

Ive never tried a Defrag in Safe Mode, is it any quicker?

+44

AJUK · 11 Apr 2006 at 11:45

Probably not but it is able to organise the files that would be in use if Windows was in normal mode. I have just always done it that way, although nowadays I use PerfectDisk.

NathanE · 11 Apr 2006 at 12:47

AJUK said:
Probably not but it is able to organise the files that would be in use if Windows was in normal mode. I have just always done it that way, although nowadays I use PerfectDisk.

The only file that can't be defragmented at runtime is the page file. ALL others can. There is no difference between safe mode and a normal boot when it comes to defrag'ing.

AJUK · 11 Apr 2006 at 12:50

NathanE said:
The only file that can't be defragmented at runtime is the page file. ALL others can. There is no difference between safe mode and a normal boot when it comes to defrag'ing.

I knew you were going to say that.

marc_howarth · 11 Apr 2006 at 13:49

NathanE said:
The only file that can't be defragmented at runtime is the page file. ALL others can. There is no difference between safe mode and a normal boot when it comes to defrag'ing.

That is if you're running NTFS

NathanE · 11 Apr 2006 at 14:08

marc_howarth said:
That is if you're running NTFS

Yup, but who isn't these days?

AWPC · 11 Apr 2006 at 19:14

You can even defrag the pagefile by scheduling the job for next reboot then it does the lot before auto restarting again without entering XP then finally going into XP on the 2nd reboot.

Biggest performance gain is when you defrag the MFT as that is what hurts the most speedwise because everytime you install something or load XP it writes to it in some way.