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Everybody wants their computers to be as fast as new or even a little bit faster. That’s why a lot of users still prefer Windows XP – it’s a fairly light operating system and is particularly good for netbooks and older computers. Even though it’s pretty fast as it is, there are many ways to speed up XP even more – from upgrading your hardware (adding RAM is the easiest solution) to applying various registry tweaks. But if you are looking for a fast and easy solution, here are 5 simple tips which really help if you want to know how to speed up your computer running Windows XP.
1. Cleanup and defrag
Yes, I know, the good old cleanup and defrag. But seriously, you can’t expect your computer to be fast if it’s cluttered with junk and has file fragments scattered all over the hard drive.
Windows XP has built-in disk cleaner and disk defragmenter. To access the Disk Cleanup tool, go to Start –> (All) Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools –> Disk Cleanup. And if you want to use the Disk Defragmenter, go to Start –> (All) Programs –> Accessories –> System Tools –> Disk Defragmenter.
However, a lot of people prefer using third-party defrag utilities, like Auslogics Disk Defrag or Piriform Defraggler, because the built-in XP one is pretty slow and doesn’t do a very thorough job.
2. Uninstall programs you never use
A lot of people love trying out new software. So, they download programs, install them, run them a couple of times, and… sometimes never use them again! Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Having too many programs can make your computer really slow, not to mention the amount of hard drive space they take up.
To see currently installed programs, go to Start –> Settings –> Control Panel –> double-click Add/Remove Programs. Review the list and uninstall programs you never use.
3. Optimize XP appearance settings
If speed is your top priority, it’s recommended to adjust XP appearance settings for best performance. Visual effects that we are so used to waste system resources. And if you think that it’s only the graphics card that has to deal with them, you’re wrong – CPU and RAM are affected as well.
Luckily it’s very easy to optimize XP for best performance by turning off unneeded visual effects:
- Go to Start –> Settings –> Control Panel;
- In the Control Panel click System and go to the Advanced tab;
- In the Performance Options window select Adjust for best performance;
- Click OK and close the window.
This will turn off all visual effects, which is especially good for less powerful PCs and netbooks. But if you want Windows XP to look sleeker, leave the following boxes checked:
- Show shadows under menus;
- Show shadows under mouse pointer;
- Show translucent selection rectangle;
- Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop;
- Use visual styles on windows and buttons.
4. Speed up Windows Explorer
If you feel that Windows Explorer takes too long to start, there is a way to speed it up. Windows automatically looks for network files, shared folders, and devices every time you open Explorer. Disabling this option will speed up access to Windows Explorer. To do it:
- Open Windows Explorer;
- Click on the Tools menu;
- Then click on Folder Options;
- Click on the View tab;
- Find Automatically search for network folders and printers check box and uncheck it;
- Click Apply, then click OK;
- Reboot your computer.
5. Disable indexing
Indexing can be useful, but it can also make your computer slow and loud, as it takes up RAM and makes the hard drive thrash. The indexing service is used to update the lists of all files on your computer to speed up file search. Disabling indexing will make your search a bit slower, but overall it will speed up computer running XP. Here’s how:
- Go to Start –> Settings –> Control Panel;
- Double-click Add/Remove Programs;
- Click Add/Remove Windows Components;
- Uncheck Indexing Services;
- Click Next and then click Finish.
To gain an even better speed improvement, you should consider using third-party programs, like Auslogics BoostSpeed. The program allows you to easily tweak hundreds of hidden Windows setting, as well as perform crucial system maintenance tasks to speed up your computer.
ty 4 speed up advise, greatly needed
I think and can see that this brand cleaning software works even better than Advanced System Care which I consider one of the best ones out there.
Using these tips like use folder browsing, do not use index services, effectively use your memory & page file optimization etc, user can improve our window speed. Thanks to share.
lesson wonderful and very helpful I’m also work of lessons in the same area
i have only the basic program in my system window 7 and office and my conpigration is 2g ram 2.86 prosiser but the speed as low then p3.
thank you so much for your help..
Thanks for sharing this…helped a lot in speeding up my old Windows XP PC..
very good suggestion but we have tried so many times that is ccleaner toolit is not remove several problems. kindly send some good idea to me
thanking ypu,
subbuji
Muy buenos sus Tip salu2
Liz thank you for this .its very helpful for me.
THNX
Facebook is just so slow for me, it is the only problem I have with speed. It pops up close page, because of virtual memory. How do I increase virtual memory so the page loads faster? Thanks
very use for this
I did but now my computer do not open FOLDER OPTION.
now what can I do….
thankx
Good for help
I want to write my name place of start on desktop ..
Dear Sir/Madam, I have benefited frm your guidance, thanks. Will you kindly guide me how to enhance the brightness of my PC BUT BRIEFLY
Reduce Startup Apps to Speed up starting.
Close unless application when not in use.
Defrag the disk(s) every one month.
Convert your disks to NTFS (If they are in Fat32).
Disable useless services.
Use trusted softwares.
I’m having a problem running high quality(HD) videos.Problems Such as pause-play & audio not matching with to video.I’d appreciate any help.
thanks for the info 🙂
Thank u so much