Help! Do I really need a dual boot?

HI all!

As my old desktop rig is starting to die slowly, I have to rely on my laptop even more. I use it for two main activities: DJ and work. I just did a system restore to factory settings because the performance of my dj software/hardware was being affected by the rest of my applications installed (which I also need). Of course, I performed optimization with win7, so I can't really blame the machine's performance.

Now with a fresh restore, first thing I did was perform win7 optimization (with the helpful tutorials found here) and then installed only my dj software and hardware drivers for it. All worked perfectly with top performance.

My issue is, that I need to reinstall the rest of my applications for my work, and I know by experience that my dj performance on the machine will be affected again.
I need an user with as win7 barebones as possible running only my dj applications with no extra processes, background programs or services (from other non-dj applications), and another user with all the rest of my needed software and respective processes and services, that run on that user only and not affecting my dj profile.

Is setting up user accounts throught a simple acount creation on the Control Panel/Manage another account really doing to help me on this? Do I need to make special profile with other method? Or do I must make a dual boot?

I have Windows 7 Home Premium and some features might not be available.

Help Please! Thanks in advance for any given support!

If you want Win7 as barebones as possible you should clean reinstall without the factory bloatware using a Win7 installer for your version.

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean-copy DVD of their OS version and reinstall using the OEM Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Any installer can also have all versions unlocked using the ei.cfg removal tool. Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Make your Recovery DIsks or save a Win7 backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Win7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thanks for the reply Greg! Now, what about my main concern on doing my 2 separated activities (dj and work)? Do I create account users on the Control Panel/Manage another account or make a dual boot? If I create account users and no dual boot, will they run separated apps, sevices, procceses separatedly from one user to another?

Thanks for the reply! Another question: Do I just need to create it from User accounts from the control panel? Now, if I create a standard user (this could be only for my dj profile), can I choose what services, applications programs and processes are used with this account from msconfig without affecting the ones of the admin account (the one that has all apps both for dj and work)?

The full hidden admin is the one that appears or dissapears with the net user <username> /active:<yes,no> command of the prompt?

So are you suggesting that I should use two quasi-admin accounts to manage my 2 main working profiles for my machine? Or one quasi-admin and another standard user?

By the way, is it correct what I said, that can I choose what services, applications programs and processes are used with each account from msconfig without affecting the other??

Thanks again.

I would even question the need for two user accounts. Simply having other apps installed on your system shouldn't slow down another app. What do you have installed that you think is conflicting with your dj software?

The best advice is to keep it simple. As mentioned, do a fresh install without the OEM bloat. Update the OS and drivers, and then load all the apps you need. Stop any non-necessary apps from running at boot, such as IM apps, etc, and you'll be getting the best performance possible.

I agree with DeaconFrost.

What conflicts with my dj apps and hardware? I can't say for sure, but without a doubt the more I need to install the more the performance is reduced. I try to keep my boot start trimmed as possible, installing simple apps and always checking for any malware. Maybe the thing is that the use of my dj app and hardware are a bit demanding on the machine.

What I hate is that there are some apps like itunes that have various services or background processes running, and have to manually turn them off and on, that's why I was thinking about having different users as the solution... and believe me, having audio dropouts due to any lack of machine's performance on a dj show is fatal...

Again, you shouldn't really need to add user accounts, then. Just use something like msconfig or ccleaner to disable the start up apps you don't need, like iTunes Helper, Quicktime, etc. If having those apps installed is really making a perfomance affect, I would seriously consider a hardware upgrade, or additional memory.