How to increase Windows' Performance safely


  1. Posts : 28
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
       #1

    How to increase Windows' Performance safely


    Giving good, detailed recommendations on Services settings is nearly impossible. I do not know what your computer experience level is, what sort of privileges you run under, how many people use the computer, or what Operating System you are running. With that in mind...

    These recommendations are how I would set up a computer in my house. Most of them (except the first table) assume you are running under an Admin account. Before you security nuts get on my back...Yes I know, but I and most Geeks run under Admin in Windows and in truth most home users do too. Though running as a Standard User in Vista is better than previous Windows versions it is still a PITA, unlike Linux.

    One of the first things i do with a new installation of Windows is turn off "UAC". I believe it is one of the most annoying and pointless feature Microsoft has come up with. I would have assumed "UAC" would have been removed in Windows 7 or atleast given the option to uninstall it. Although it is possible to turn it off in Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safelty > User Accounts > Change "User Account Control" Settings > select "Turn Off" > finally a restart is mandatory. Thus i also recommend you do the same before we continue.

    NOTE
    --------------
    A change in the recommendation for the ReadyBoost service. ReadyBoost, ReadyBoot, and Vista and 7's new prefetching scheme are all tied together. To take advantage of all these options you should leave the ReadyBoost service enabled even if you do not have a ReadyBoost drive. If not the basic scheme defaults back to an XP-like setting. During testing the biggest effect I noticed was a 10-15 second difference in boot times (faster after re-enabling ReadyBoost).


    FIRST THING TO DO IS "UNINSTALL" ALL PROGRAMS THAT YOU DO NOT NEED AND REMOVING ANY "WINDOWS' COMPONENTS" NOT NEEDED .. THIS MAY VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS .. DEPENDING ON HOW YOU USE YOUR COMPUTER ..

    BUT HERE ARE MY SETTINGS:










    Step 1
    ---------------
    - Click Start > Run > enter "services.msc"
    - Alternatively you can press the "Windows Button" + "R" Key, then enter "services.msc"

    - Maximize the window.

    - You'll see a column labeled Status. Double-click it so that all the services that are started are up top.

    *These are the only ones you need to worry about. If it isn't started, leave it alone.*












    I AM NOT ONLY PREACHING THIS.. BUT I AM A SATISFIED END-USER !

    HERE ARE THE SERVICES I HAVE RUNNING OR DISABLED (I WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "EXTREME GEEK" WITH MY SETTINGS)













    NOTE
    -------------
    - Now what services you Disable is dependent upon how you use your computer.

    - My laptop is for home use.

    - I use it for basic needs like surfing the net, playing music, playing dvds, pirating, uploading & download files, games, etc ..

    - I do not use it for business or work.. so i am able to disable the majority of services that are Enabled by default.

    - My laptop is lightning fast... even though my Processor is out-dated!

    - If there is a service listed on your computer that you are unsure about or has not been listed here. .. do a search on Google but make sure you add the word "service" at the end of each process if it doesn't already have it ....

    Here are a few sites that are quite reliable that i personally use for this
    Code:
    http://tweakhound.com
    Code:
    http://www.theeldergeek.com/
    Code:
    http://www.blackviper.com/
    Code:
    http://www.speedyvista.com



    ADDITIONAL TIPS
    ----------------------------
    - You should also download "Spybot Search & Destroy" .. not only is it FREEWARE and one of the best for protection against Malware.. but it comes with "Startup Manager" .. with "Startup Manager" you will be able to monitor & limit which programs start up with Windows.. and of course .. the least amount of programs that start up with Windows .. the faster it will load to the Desktop ..

    You can download here for FREE
    ---------------------------------------------
    Code:
    http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html




    - You should also use Window's Built in "Startup Manager" by going to Start > Run > enter "msconfig"..



    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TWEAK FOR INCREASING YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Internet Explorer 8

    Increase Max Connections

    This tweak may be able to increase your page loads and possibly your download speed.

    1 - Folks were in such a hurry to post this tweak when ie8 came out that the vast majority of places are using the wrong registry keys, making their so-called tweak useless. (most were trying to use the old 1/2 open connections tweak)

    2 - Every post I've seen seems to mention that 10 is the max for this setting. Other than the fact that that is the number that Microsoft suggest you use I do not know where this came from as I've seen no Microsoft documentation to suggest this is the max. So, I tested the vales 10, 16, 24, and 50 under both XP and Vista. Under Vista I was able to establish 10 and 16 connections but not 24 or 50. Under XP I was able to establish 10, and 16. Under the setting of 24 and 50 I was able to max out at 20. Now there can be a variety of reasons for this which are too in depth for this article. Today in real world browsing and downloading, I don't know that you'll se a difference after 10 connections which is what the below tool sets it at. I'm going to set mine at 16. Keep in mind that too many connections could possibly get you banned or disconnected from web sites (and others may limit your number).

    If you want to do a quick test yourself try this link and hit refresh several times to hit your max:
    Code:
    http://www.spasche.net/files/parallel_connections
    See here for the default settings and more info:
    Code:
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc304129(VS.85).aspx


    THE EASY WAY
    -------------------------
    Go here and click on the Fix It icon: How do I configure Internet Explorer to download more than two files at one time?
    Code:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282402
    At that site.. you will see this icon..


    Clicking on that icon will download the file EnableTenIEDownloadSessions.msi.

    Double-click it to run it.



    This changes adds the following to the registry (I know because I monitored it):

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
    "MaxConnectionsPerServer"=dword:0000000a
    "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=dword:0000000a




    THE HARD WAY
    -------------------------
    Below are the registry keys. You'll notice it is different than the one above (decimal value of 16 vs. 10 above)

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
    "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=dword:00000010
    "MaxConnectionsPerServer"=dword:00000010



    If you like.. you can copy & paste the text below into Notepad, save it as "maxconn".reg, then double-click to add it to the registry.

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
    "MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server"=dword:00000010
    "MaxConnectionsPerServer"=dword:00000010

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    OPERA BROWSER
    ----------------------------
    - Launch Opera
    - In address bar: Type "opera:config"
    - Check "Show All"
    - Enter "connections" for the search
    - "Max Connections Server" = 4
    - "Max Connections Total" = 64
    - Click "Save"





    IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS.. FEEL FREE TO ADD ON TO THIS POST BY LEAVING COMMENTS..

    * PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TIPS YOU OFFER HAVE BEEN TESTED BY YOURSELF TO TRULY HELP OR MAKE A DIFFERENCE *
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    RudeBoySes said:
    One of the first things i do with a new installation of Windows is turn off "UAC". I believe it is one of the most annoying and pointless feature Microsoft has come up with. I would have assumed "UAC" would have been removed in Windows 7 or atleast given the option to uninstall it. Although it is possible to turn it off in Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safelty > User Accounts > Change "User Account Control" Settings > select "Turn Off" > finally a restart is mandatory. Thus i also recommend you do the same before we continue.
    The UAC system isn't something that Microsoft came up with....it has been used for a number of years in Unix/Linux systems as well as OSX.

    The implementation of UAC however in Windows "seems" really annoying most because Windows users aren't used to it. Prior to Vista...the user account in Windows was an admin, had full admin controls over every aspect of the box. And not surprisingly, this led to a TON of security problems, with boxes being demolished with trojans, malware, viruses, spyware, keyloggers, bots, rootkits and the like.

    Without the use of the UAC system, your user account has the ability to silently gain full admin rights and make configuration changes to your machine without your knowing. I don't see in any way shape or form how this is a desired action. Removing UAC from Windows 7 would have been a massive step in the wrong direction as far as security is concerned for Microsoft....and with their huge strides in improving in this area...that is just something that they wouldn't do.

    Personally, I don't find after the initial OS install and app install that UAC is really bothersome at all. So, for 2 or 3 days you often see it...after that you almost forget about it.

    And I realize the common response is, "Well, I'm a power user and I know exactly what I am doing, so what good does this do me....because I'm going to just hit ok anyway when I am installing something?". The key is to protect in those scenarios when you didn't actively start an install...or something launches without your knowing. With all the software that people obtain both legally and illegally, that contains who knows what....I'd rather have this extra level of protection...even being a systems admin for a living with Microsoft certifications.

    I just in good faith cannot see why so many people want to disregard history and the plethora of security vulnerabilities that Windows has experienced in the past...and turn off a new feature that is there for their protection. Making newer versions of MS OS's run just like Windows 95, 98, ME or XP is not always the best course of action.
      My Computer


 

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