speed-up o/s

[johnyb98]

Hi everybody.

I would like your help/opinion on my (kind of) problem.
It's about Windows 7 on a laptop. The fact is that I do not have any operating problem.
Target is to make Windows run faster, but without any h/w upgrade.
What I have in thought is with:

a. HDD defragmentation
b. disable some startup programs that do not need

What is your opinion about all that?
Does it worth it?
If I improve speed, about what % will speed be upgraded?
Is there something else apart from a. and b. that I could make for an improvement?

Thank you!

 

[Megahertz07]

Buy a SSD. You have no idea what a SSD can do for your computer.
SSD is 6 times faster than a HDD. Boots ins +- 30 sec.
See how much space you have used on your actual HDD (disk properties) and buy the SSD not very bigger than that.
I have one of these. Fast and cheap. PNY CS1311 2.5" 240GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SSD7CS1311-240-RB - Newegg.com.

How much memory you have?
Do you have installed Win 32 or 64 bits?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi
Use Clean boot,
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
Click Start and type in the search box,
msconfig
Click on the suggestion on top or hit the Enter key,
Go to the Startup section and take some screen shots for a complete list,
Go to the Services section and on the bottom left Check the box to Hide All Microsoft services,
Repeat the screen shots,
See the links above my signature on how to take and upload screen shots here although now people have to use the Go Advanced button to see the paperclip symbol on the reply editor to upload stuff.

Agreed a ssd is the best way to speed up a slow machine but indeed it is hardware but the easiest upgrade for the objective at hand.

 

[DavidE]

What I have in thought is with:

a. HDD defragmentation
b. disable some startup programs that do not need

What is your opinion about all that?
Does it worth it?
If I improve speed, about what % will speed be upgraded?

It depends on how fragmented your HD is and what startup programs you have.
The only way you will know for your PC is to defrag and turn off all unneeded start-ups.

Is there something else apart from a. and b. that I could make for an improvement?

Work through this tutorial:
Optimize Windows 7


ALSO imho,

Run a regularly scheduled defrag/optimize.
Periodically check start-ups, installing/updating programs can add new start-ups.
Create a system image backup before making system changes, and create a backup periodically.
I prefer Macrium Reflect free for system image backups.
Macrium Reflect Free

 

[AddRAM]

You will never speed up a 5400 RPM laptop hard drive.

The best thing you can do as already mentioned is install windows on a solid state drive.

And if the laptop can support more then 4 GB of memory, install Windows 64 bit, not 32 bit and max out the memory.


Other then that the only thing you can do is clean install windows and keep it as light as possible.