How to make Windows Vista run faster and perform better.

[Mitz]

This will be a collection of tutorials that show you how to make Windows Vista run faster. Please feel free to add any suggestions or tips of your own at http://pctipforum.com/index.php?topic=339.0
Please do not post here as this section is only for tutorials.

[Mitz]

Disable the Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC)

The next thing to help speed up Windows Vista is to disable the UAC which is the User Account Control. This is the annoying message that comes up if you try to do anything on your computer. Even if you want to install a program you must press cancel or allow to proceed with the process. If you feel confident enough and you do not need someone constantly looking over your should, then lets disable or turn off the UAC.

How to disable the Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC)

Go to the start menu on Windows Vista.
Double click on the user account picture at the top.
The user accounts window will appear.
Click on Turn user account control on or off.
Now untick the box that says use the UAC to protect your computer.






Should you disable the Windows Vista UAC?

If you are a new computer user you should leave this UAC enabled until you are confident that you know what you are doing. This feature can save you from doing the wrong thing sometimes. However if you know it is just an annoying popup and is slowing your computer then get rid of it.

[Mitz]

Disable the Windows Vista Welcome Center.

The Windows Vista Welcome center was the first thing I saw when I started Windows Vista and it was the first thing that had to go!!! Everytime I started the computer it was there on the screen...Anyway I left it for a few days until I had worked out how to use Vista...then goodbye Welcome Screen.

How to disable the Windows Vista Welcome screen?

In certain versions of Windows Vista you can un-tick a box at the bottom of the Welcomes Center to stop it from opening on startup. Derr how easy is that?

If this is not available try this:
Click the Windows Vista Start Icon in the bottom left corner
Type msconfig in the search box
Click Continue in the User Account Control (another annoying thing)
Click on the Startup Tab
Untick the Show welcome center as pictured below.
Click Apply, then OK

[Mitz]

Basically if you have enough memory you will not need to disable Superfetch, however it really makes a difference if you are scratching for memory and will almost always speed up your computer.

What is Superfetch?

Superfetch is a feature included in Windows Vista that is a lot like Prefetch that was in Windows XP, but only new and improved. In Windows XP Prefetch would remember which programs you opened regularly and would keep them available and an hand,  therefore opening them  quicker when needed. However when the computer was shut down or restated, this information would be lost. Now with Superfetch the information is remembered, and almost too well in most circumstances.

How does Superfetch work?

Superfetch is constantly working in the background; trying to anticipate what programs you will need the most.   It monitors which applications you use the most and preloads these into your system memory so they'll be ready when you need them.  The only problem is, can we trust Superfetch to pick the right programs?

Problems with Superfetch.

Obviously there are some problems associated with the Superfetch feature in Windows Vista.
1.   It puts unnecessary stress on your hard drive and memory. It has been known to thrash hard drives while searching for information it needs to make its choice.
2.   If you do not have enough memory to run Windows Vista, you do not want to waste it on this process. It is recommended that you have 2gb or more of ram installed to use this feature.
3.   Superfetch has been known to cause memory errors when playing games.

How to Disable SuperFetch on Windows Vista

Superfetch is a service in Windows Vista that can be disabled. Although there is no evidence from Microsoft that disabling this service can speed up your computer, there is plenty from the internet tech world. 
If you do not have a problem with Windows Vista and it runs to your standards then I would suggest you leave this service on. However if you are low on memory, startup takes a long time, or your hard drive is constantly working, then maybe you should disable it.
If your system is struggling for resources then when you disable this service you will notice a difference.

Here’s how to disable the Superfetch service:

1..Open the run box by pressing the WINKEY and R.
2..Type in services.msc and press ok.
3..A list of services will appear. Find the Superfetch service and select it by making it blue.
4..Then to the left you will see a link to stop or restart. Press the stop link to disable.
5..Restart your computer for the changed to take effect.

[247time]

Unless you’re running a dual-boot machine, you can save some start up time by turning off Vista boot options you don’t need and turning on options you do need. This also is not complicated.

Click on Computer, then Properties, and then “Advanced system settings” to open the System Properties dialog. Under “Startup and Recovery,” click the Settings button.




Un-check “Time to display list of operating systems.” (Unless, again, you have a dual-boot configuration.) While you’re here, it’s a good idea to set “Time to display recovery options when needed” to 15 seconds or more. Then click OK twice to close everything.