Advanced Windows XP Tweaks

Andrew Brooke - Email: abrooke@primus.ca

Updated July 15, 2007

If you're an advanced Windows XP user, try the following tweaks and adjustments to help boost performance.

By advanced user, I mean one who has worked with Windows XP at least one year and is comfortable getting into the "guts" of it.

Warning! Try these tweaks at your own risk! Although I've never had a problem, do not attempt any of these tweaks unless you are very familiar and comfortable working with Windows XP.

NOTE: Be sure you have done the basic maintenance first.

1. Install CCleaner

   Download and install CCleaner, an excellent cleanup utility.

2. Run the Systen Configuration Utility

   You may have many programs automatically loading up that you don't need. Run the Systen Configuration Utility to see what's loading, and stop any unneccesary programs fromloading.

   1. Click Start > Run and type msconfig.
   2. On the Services and Startup tabs, clear any check boxes of any programs you are sure you don't need to automatically load.

3. Remove Unnecessary Fonts

   Windows has to load up all of its fonts while it's booting up. By removing unnecessary ones, you'll help make your computer start faster.

   1. Click Start > Control Panel > Fonts.
   2. Select all the fonts you do not need and back them up in another folder, but do not delete the following fonts because Windows need them:
      • Arial
      • Microsoft Sans Serif
      • Tahoma
      • Times New Roman
      • Trebuchet
      • Verdana
   3. Go back into your fonts folder and delete the fonts you backed up.

   Note: You may not be able to delete certain fonts.

4. Uninstall the Indexing Services

   Indexing Services is a program that uses large amounts of RAM. This system process indexes and updates lists of all the files that are on your computer. It does this so that when you do a search for something on your computer, it will search faster by scanning the index lists. If you don't search your computer often, or even if you do search often, this system service is completely unnecessary.

   1. Click Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.
   2. Click Add/Remove Window Components.
   3. Uncheck the Indexing services
   4. Click Next.

5. Optimize Display Settings

   Displaying all the fancy visual items can waste system resources. To change this:

   1. Click Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced tab.
   2. In the Performance section, click Settings.
   3. Leave only the following items checked:
      • Show shadows under menus
      • Show shadows under mouse pointer
      • Show translucent selection rectangle
      • Show windows contents while dragging
      • Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
      • Use visual styles on windows and buttons

6. Speed Up Folder Browsing

   You may have noticed that every time you browse folders that there is a slight delay. This is because Windows XP automatically searches for network files and printers every time you open Windows Explorer. To fix this and to increase browsing significantly:

   1. In Windows Explorer, select the Tools menu, Folder Options, View tab.
   2. Uncheck Automatically search for network folders and printers.
   3. Click OK.

7. Optimize Your Internet Connection
   1. Download and install TCP/IP Optimizer.
   2. Click the General Settings tab and select your Connection Speed (Kbps).
   3. Click Network Adapter and choose the interface you use to connect to the Internet
   4. Check Optimal Settings then Apply
   5. Reboot when done.

8. Optimize Your Page file

   If you give your page file a fixed size, it saves the operating system from needing to resize the page file.

   1. Right click My Computer and select Properties.
   2. Click the Advanced tab.
   3. Under Performance, choose the Settings button.
   4. Select the Advanced tab again and under Virtual Memory select Change.
   5. Highlight the drive containing your page file, select Custom Size and make the Initial size the same as the Maximum size. These should both be set to the Recommend size.

9. Improve Shutdown Speed

   This tweak reduces the time XP waits before automatically closing any running programs when you give it the command to shutdown.

   Warning! Only do this procedure if you are experienced in editing the Windows Registry. If you make a mistake, your computer could stop working!

   1. Click Start > Run, type 'Regedit' and click OK.
   2. Click My Computer at the top of the left pane to return to make sure you are at the top of the registry list.
   3. Press Ctrl-F.
   4. In the Find what field, enter HungAppTimeout
   5. Make sure Keys and Values are checked. Match whole string only can be unchecked.
   6. Click Find Next.
   7. You will be taken to the next occurence of this key.
   8. Double-click each occurence and change the value to 1000, then click OK.
   9. Click F3 to go the the next occurence of this.
   10. Repeat these three steps until you have changed the value of all occurences of this key.
   11. Click My Computer at the top of the left pane to return to the top of the registry list.
   12. Repeat this process to look for WaitToKillAppTimeout and change the value of each of these keys to 1000.
   13. Exit the registry when you're done.

   14. Ensure Your Drives Are Using DMA Mode

       XP enables DMA for hard drives by default on most ATA or ATAPI (IDE) devices. However, sometimes computers switch to PIO mode which is slower for data transfer.. To ensure that your machine is using DMA:

       1. Right click My Computer, select Properties, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager.
       2. Double-click IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
       3. Double-click Primary Channel and click Advanced Settings.
       4. In Transfer Mode, select DMA if Available if the current setting is PIO Only.
       5. Repeat this for the Secondary Channel.

   15. Remove Unneeded Services

       Unnecessary services use up a lot of resources. Try disabling the following services, one at a time, to speed up your system.

       Warning: disabling any service can cause installed applications to fail, so you should disable unnecessary services one at a time, then test all of your applications to ensure they still work!

       To disable a service or set it to Manual

       1. Click Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
       2. Double-click the service.
       3. Change the Startup Type to Manual or Disabled. (Manual is safer and therefore recommended.)

       List of services:

       • Alerter - This service is only needed for sending administrative alerts. Used to notify admins when a server is in trouble. Set it to Manual on a home PC.

       • ClipBook - Allows you to access the Clipboard of a remote computer. If you have no need to access such data, set this service to Disabled.

       • Computer Browser - The browser service is used to maintain the list of computers you see in Network Neighborhood. This is normally a server function. A home user can set this to Manual.

       • DHCP Client - Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and DNS (domain name system) names. If you're connected to a network-including the Internet-leave this service set to Automatic. If you're using a standalone computer that's never connected to a network, set this service to Disabled.

       • Distributed Link Tracking Client - Maintains links between NTFS (NT file system) files within a computer or across computers in a network domain. If you're using NTFS as the file system on your hard drive(s), leave this service set to Manual. If you're using FAT32 (32-bit file allocation table), set it to Disabled.

       • Distributed Transaction Coordinator - Coordinates transactions that occur between resources such as databases, message queues, and file systems. Most home users don't need this service, so you can safely set it to Manual or Disabled.

       • DNS Client - Leave this service enabled.

       • Error Reporting Service - Allows information about errors and crashes to be sent to Microsoft. Although this is a positive service in theory, some people feel that receiving the Error Reporting pop-up message each time a program crashes is a major annoyance, so go ahead and set this service to Disabled.

       • Fast User Switching Compatibility - Lets multiple users log in to the same computer simultaneously. If you're the only person using your computer, you can set this service to Disabled; but if other users need frequent access to the computer, leave it set to Manual.

       • Fax Service - W2K/XP service. Set to Manual if you don't need fax services.

       • HID Input - Enables generic input to Human Interface Devices, which control hot buttons on keyboards, remotes, and other devices. Set this service to Manual if one of your devices uses HID technology. If you're not sure, set this service to Disabled, and if any related devices don't work as they should, set it to Manual.

       • IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - Enables Windows XP's CD-burning capability. If you don't have a CD burner, set this service to Disabled; otherwise, set it to Manual. (Note that Microsoft states this service doesn't support DVD media.)

       • Indexing - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers. This service helps speed up access to files, but it also can be a resource hog. If you have a powerful computer, leave this service set to Manual. If you have an old or underpowered computer, ditching this service can help your PC avoid frequent slowdowns. You can uninstall the Indexing component using the Add/Remove Windows Components tool in Add Or Remove Programs via the Control Panel.

       • Internet Connection Sharing - If you are want to share an Internet connection for your home network, then set this to Automatic. If not, leave this set to Manual.

       • Messenger - Transmits alert messages between clients and servers. This infamous service provides an easy way for spammers to send messages to your computer, so set this service to Disabled.

       • MS Software Shadow Copy Provider - Manages shadow copy functions. If you never use shadow copy features or the Windows Backup utility, set this service to Disabled.

       • NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing - Allows remote users to access your computer using NetMeeting. Unless you need such remote connections, set this service to Disabled.

       • Network DDE & Network DDE DSDM - Provides network transport and security features. Unless you're using the ClipBook service, set these services to Disabled.

       • NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes. A home user can set this to Manual

       • Performance Logs and Alerts - A home user can set this to Manual.

       • Portable Media Serial Number Service - Retrieves serial numbers from portable media players to allow the transfer of protected content. If you never connect a portable media player to your computer, set this service to Disabled.

       • QoS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets. A home user can set this to Manual or Disabled.

       • Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you never use the Remote Desktop feature, set this service to Disabled.

       • Remote Registry - Allows remote users to modify the Windows Registry. Although some network-based troubleshooting tools use this service, it's best to disable it to prevent rogue access to the Registry.

       • Routing and Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. A home user can set this to Manual.

       • Runas - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. A home user can set this to Manual.

       • Security Accounts Manager Stores security information for local user accounts. A home user can set this to Manual unless you are using Local Security Policy Editor.

       • Server - Supports file and print sharing over the network. If your computer isn't on a network, set this service to Disabled. If you have a DSL or cable modem, disable this service to stop Hackers.

       • Smart Card - Manages and controls access to a smart card inserted into a smart card reader attached to the computer. It is set to manual by default. Leave it there.

       • Task Scheduler - Leave this enabled.

       • TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Provides support for name resolution via a lookup of the LMHosts file. If you are not using LMHOSTS name resolution, you can set it to Manual.

       • Telephony Service - Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service. Normally set to Manual on workstations. Leave it on Manual.

       • Telnet - Allows remote users to access the computer and run programs. Unless you have a specific need to use the Telnet function, set this service to Disabled.

       • Volume Shadow Copy - Manages shadow copy functions. If you never use shadow copy features or the Windows Backup utility, set this service to Disabled.

       • Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides support for 802.11 adapters. If you don't use any wireless networking devices, set this service to Disabled.