Optimizing Windows Vista and Make it FASTER

Windows Vista Screen

Windows Vista comes with a lots of features. Some features make Vista looks pretty interesting, some features can help ease office tasks, and some essential features required to make Vista runs well.

Unfortunately, some of the features can slow down the computer . The Features that set to make Vista looks pretty will weigh down the graphics card. The office features that home users don’t actually need, will consume too much memory resource. So, how to make the computer runs faster? Of course by turning off the rarely used and unessential Features that you don’t’ really need.

Now what features should be turned off? There is no definite answer, depending on how the computer is used and the need of the computer owner. I myself only turned off some of the features.

Before you tweak the Vista, don’t forget to make a “restore point.” So, if there’s something going wrong after a feature is turned off, you can go back to the “restore points”. OK let’s get it on…

Sidebar
Sidebar contains small applications such as slide shows, a clock, photos, and RSS. Computer users must pay for the small things with declining the computer performance. When turned off, your PC can work more faster. the Speed will feel when Windows starts up (boot).

Here’s how to turn off the unnecessary features on the sidebar,

1. Right-click in the Sidebar (in any area), then click [Close Sidebar].
2. Remove the check mark [Uncheck Start Sidebar when Windows starts].
3. Click [OK].

Aero
Aero, which is a package that pimp the vista so it looks more charming. If it’s activated, it’ll create many impressive effects on Vista.

One effect is that Microsoft’s boasted is a Flip 3D, it switches between apps with a 3D effect by clicking [Alt] + [Tab]. The Flip 3D can be accessed with through [Windows] [Tab].

Sorry to say, for some computers especially with lower specs or with too much program installed, the Aero will just make computer significantly slow.

Here’s how to turn off Aero.

1. Right-click on the desktop, then click [personalize].
2. Click [Windows Color and Appearance].
3. In the box that appears, click [Open classic appearances properties for more color options]. Fail to find the option? Means, the Aero is not active. When the hardware specifications are not compatible, Aero is automatically inactive.
4. Select the [Windows Vista Basic].
5. Click [OK].

Not all effects come from Aero. There are some effects that are built in with Windows installation, for example, to shift from minimized windows or the tooltip effect.

They can also be turned off. Here’s how;

1. Click [Start], right-click on the [computer] and click [Properties].
2. Click [Advanced System Properties].
3. In the box that appears, click the tab [Advanced].
4. Click [Settings] in the box “Performance”.
5. Look at the options. She, turn off all or some of them, by removing the checkmark.

Internet Printing Client
Do you know that online printing service is now available? People can send photos to the service provider, got it printed, and then send to an address. If such service never used, just turn off the “Internet Printing Client” feature.

Here’s How to turn off the Internet Printing Client;

1. Open the Control Panel, and then click [Programs and Features].
2. Click [Turn Windows features on or off] on the left.
3. In the box “Windows Features”, click [Print Services].
4. Remove the check on [the Internet Printing Client].
5. Click [OK].
6. Restart the computer when prompted.

Windows Meeting Space
Meeting Space allows computer users to share a file with their colleagues in the same computer network. The file is not only divided, but can be edited together. If this feature is never used, just turn it off.

This is how to disable the Windows Meeting Space :

1. Open the Control Panel, then click [Programs and Features].
2. Click [Turn Windows features on or off] on the left.
3. Remove the check on the “Windows Meeting Space.”
4. Click [OK].

Features of Tablet PC
Windows Vista also comes with some features for the Tablet PC. If Vista is not installed on the Tablet PC, just disable the features.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Control Panel, then click [Programs and Features].
2. Click [Turn Windows features on or off] on the left.
3. In the box “Windows Features”, omit the check on the [Tablet PC Optional Components].
4. Click [Start], when “services” in the search box. When shown [Services] in the search results, click here.
5. Search [Tablet PC Input Services]. then double click.
6. In the drop-down menu “Startup type”, select [Disabled].
7. Click [OK].

ReadyBoost
Vista ReadyBoost is intended to for speedier Vista. But In some cases ReadyBoost just slow down the computer.

ReadyBoost can be disabled by:

1. Click [Start], type “services” in the search box. Click [Services] on the search results.
2. Double click [ReadyBoost].
3. In the drop-down menu “Startup type”, select [Disabled].
4. Click [OK].

Error Report
If a program suddenly hangs no matter it comes from windows’s or other program, Vista will offer users to report the error to Microsoft. Ideally, Microsoft will find out what caused the error. I myself rarely send the report. So if you think it’s unnecessary, just disable it.

Here’s how to disable the error report.

1. Click [Start], type “services” in the search box. Click [Services] on the search results.
2. Double click on [Windows Error Reporting Service].
3. On the drop-down menu “Startup type”, select [Disabled].
4. Click [OK].

Search Index
Search index is very useful to search for files, programs, or e-mail quickly. If this feature is turned off, searching files and others which should be available in seconds, will display the result in a few minutes.
But, if this feature is turned on, Vista will continue to create an index as long as the hard drive changes. Just turn it off if you think Vista is too heave\y for you computer specs.

Here’s how to disable the Search Index

1. Click [Start], type “services” in the search box. Click [Services] on the search results.
2. Double click on [Windows Search].
3. Select [Disabled] on the drop-down menu [Startup type].
4. Click [OK]

For additional resource, You can check my previous post on Improving Windows Vista Performance and How to Make Windows Boot Faster.

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Tagged as: Aero, Features of Tablet PC, Internet Printing Client, ReadyBoost, Vista Error Report, Vista Search Index, Vista Sidebar, Windows Meeting Space