How to Make a Windows XP Computer Faster

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Has your Windows XP computer become slow? With the passage of time and normal use, installed programs, files accumulated on disk and other problems can be the cause of an annoying slowdown in the normal functioning of a computer. Your current hardware may not be up to standard by modern standards, but the fact remains that you most likely don't need to install a new version of Windows, replace computer hardware, or even buy a new machine to fix the problem. The solution is to follow the instructions in this article.

• If you need to upgrade to a newer version of Windows or want to replace your computer hardware with more modern items, please refer to the other wikiHow articles.
• The instructions listed in this article are also compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 systems, although some procedures may be slightly different.

Steps

Step 1. Create a restore point in case something goes wrong

This step will allow you to restore the configuration of the operating system and the programs installed on the computer to the one present on a specific date. If by mistake you damage Windows system files or a problem arises while carrying out the procedures described in the article, you can solve the situation by starting the computer in start-computer-safe-mode = windows-7 safe mode and perform a restore the configuration using the restore point you just created.

To create a restore point, click the "Start" button, select the "Control Panel" item, choose the "Performance and Maintenance" category, then click the "System Restore" link located within the See Also section. Follow the instructions that will be given to you by the appropriate program

Step 2. Choose which solution to adopt

In this article, you will be given two methods to improve your computer's performance. If you are an experienced user, you can follow both methods, but if you don't want to take the risk of damaging your PC, just use the solutions described in the first.

Part 1 of 2: Basic Optimization

Step 1. Use an automatic system optimization program

There are free and paid tools, such as CCleaner or Tuneup Utilities. Many antivirus software, such as Norton 360, also come with tools for optimizing the salient aspects of a system. Even Windows XP itself comes with some system maintenance programs. Refer to the steps Delete unnecessary system files and Defragment your hard drive in this section of the article.

Step 2. Defragment your hard drive

With normal use of the computer, the contents of the hard disk inevitably tend to fragment, with the consequence that file access times are longer than normal. Windows XP, however, is equipped with a tool specially designed for defragmenting memory units. Open the "Start" menu, click the "All Programs" item, select the "Accessories" option, click the "System Tools" icon and finally select the "Disk Defragmenter" item. Click the "Analyze" button to determine whether or not the computer disk needs to be defragmented. If the data fragmentation rate is very high, press the "Defragment" button. Multiple drives can be defragmented.

Step 3. Uninstall any programs you don't use

There will certainly be several programs on your computer that you know you don't use or that you don't even need. Access the "Start" menu, select the "Control Panel" icon, then choose "Add or Remove Programs". Uninstall all unnecessary programs to free up disk space. This step also helps reduce CPU usage, as the number of active background processes will decrease as those related to the programs you have removed will be deleted.

Step 4. Delete unnecessary system files

Windows can perform this step automatically. Click the "Start" button, choose "All Programs", select the "Accessories" option, click the "System Tools" icon and finally select the "Disk Cleanup" option. Select the hard drive to be scanned (usually indicated by the drive letter "C:") and click the "OK" button. At this point, wait for the disk scan to complete, then choose the category of files to delete. Normally you will need to select the following options: "Downloaded Programs", "Temporary Internet Files", "Offline Web Pages", "Recycle Bin", "Installation Files", "Temporary Files" and "Previews". You can also select the "Windows Error Reporting System File" item related to the Windows automatic debugging system.

Step 5. Delete personal files you no longer need

Examine old documents stored on your computer, images you no longer need, videos, and so on. Also, delete any files you have downloaded and no longer use, such as program installation files that are already on your computer. All these files are stored on the disk and, over time, will accumulate until the available space is exhausted.

Step 6. Remove the programs that start automatically when you turn on your computer

These applications are configured to run when Windows starts. The automatic execution of these programs inevitably slows down Windows startup and, consequently, also the normal functioning of the computer, since the number of processes running in the background will be higher than normal. To fix this, click the "Start" button, choose the "Run" option, type the msconfig command and click the "OK" button. Click the "Start" tab, then uncheck the check button to the left of the name of any programs you don't normally use. Do not deselect programs that you have not installed yourself, that you do not recognize, or that you know are essential components of Windows. Preventing these programs from starting automatically could affect the normal functioning of the operating system.

• If after disabling the automatic start of known programs of malfunctions or problems, run the "msconfig" command again and select the Normal Startup option located in the "General" tab.
• Optimization applications such as CCleaner are able to disable the automatic execution of unnecessary programs.

Step 7. Uninstall unnecessary Windows features

Click the "Start" button, select the "Control Panel" item, click the "Add or Remove Programs" icon, then choose the "Add Windows Components" option. Click the check button for the component category you want to remove, then click the "Details" button. Uncheck the features you want to uninstall and click the "OK" button. After choosing what you want to remove, click the "Next" button in the main window.

If you think that in the future you will need to reinstall some Windows components that you are now removing, make sure you have the Windows XP installation disc handy

Step 8. Change your computer's power management configuration by choosing the "High Performance" option

Click the "Start" button, choose the "Control Panel" item, select the "Performance and Maintenance" link, then click the "Power Options" icon. In the "Power Options" window, choose the Always active combination.

• Note that if you are using a laptop, the "Always On" power saver combination may significantly reduce battery life compared to normal. In this case, do not adopt this configuration if you are using a laptop.

  

  Step 9. Remove viruses and malware from your computer

  If you haven't installed anti-virus software yet, your computer may be infected with web-based malware and viruses. These programs not only harm your system and can violate your privacy, they usually slow down the normal functioning of your computer as well. If you haven't chosen an antivirus yet, you have several free options available. Alternatively, you can opt for a paid solution like Kaspersky or Norton. If you don't intend to purchase a paid program, you can download and install Malwarebytes and Avast, update virus definitions, and run a full system-wide scan to eliminate any viruses or malware that are detected. If you prefer to use a program other than those indicated, the important thing is that you respect the sequence of steps indicated. If you have already installed anti-virus software on your computer, update it and run a full computer scan.

  • If you know that the antivirus program on your computer is known to slow down normal system operation a lot, uninstall it after the scan is complete. However, from time to time, reinstall it and run a full computer scan.
  • The herdProtect program is a very good and totally free alternative. It is a software that can scan your computer using multiple antivirus and is cloud-based, so it is the ideal choice in the case of an already slow computer.
  • To keep your computer safe, you can scan the files you have downloaded from the web using the VirusTotal online service. VirusTotal will scan the files you have uploaded to the site using various antivirus software and provide you with the results of the analysis.

  

  Step 10. Disable the File Indexing Service

  This program scans your computer's hard drive with the aim of indexing its contents and speeding up searches for files and documents. It is a process that runs in the background and takes up a large amount of valuable RAM. It is not recommended to keep the indexing service active, especially if you do not regularly search for files on your computer. To disable this Windows service, click the "Start" button, choose "Computer", select the system disk icon (normally it is indicated by the drive letter "C: \") with the right mouse button, choose the item "Properties" and deselect the check button Index disk for a quick file search. Click the "OK" button. This step may take some time to complete.

  

  Step 11. Reduce the visual effects

  By default, Windows XP uses a number of visual effects to emphasize user interface graphics, such as window animations when minimized or maximized, or menu or mouse pointer shadows. These are functionalities of the operating system whose purpose is only aesthetic and which in reality are not necessary, especially if they slow down the normal functioning of the computer. To disable these graphic effects, click the "Start" button, select the Computer icon with the right mouse button, select the "Properties" option from the context menu that will appear, click the "Advanced" tab, click the Settings button within the Performance box and, finally, select the Adjust item in order to obtain the best performance. If you wish, you can customize the configuration of these settings to disable the graphic effects you deem unnecessary.

  

  Step 12. Remove programs that belong to the "bloatware" and "adware" categories

  Some computer manufacturers pre-install a number of programs ("bloatware") on their devices that are not normally needed and take up a lot of disk space. Instead, the term "adware" refers to all those programs that are installed on the system without the direct consent of the user, but as add-ons to other software. Examine the list of all programs installed on your computer using the "Add or Remove Programs" application (click the "Start" button, select the "Control Panel" item, then select the "Add or Remove Programs" option) for any software that you did not intentionally install and proceed to remove it.

  

  Step 13. Empty the system recycle bin

  When you delete a file from your computer, it is moved to the Windows Recycle Bin by default, but it is not physically deleted from the disk. To complete the deletion of the files you have chosen to delete, you will need to empty the system recycle bin. You should get into the habit of regularly emptying the Windows Recycle Bin, provided you don't already. Select the Windows recycle bin icon with the right mouse button (it is located directly on the computer desktop) and click the Empty recycle bin option from the context menu that will appear.

  

  Step 14. Delete the image you have set as your desktop background

  Select an empty point of the latter with the right mouse button, click the "Properties" item, then access the "Desktop" tab. At this point, select the "None" item in the list of the "Background" section.

  Part 2 of 2: Advanced Optimization

  

  Step 1. Adopt "NTFS" format for hard drive file system

  If your computer's main storage drive is using a "FAT16" or "FAT32" file system, you can improve overall system performance by adopting an "NTFS" file system.

  To perform this change, press the "Windows + R" key combination to access the "Run" dialog, type the command convert C: / fs: NTFS and click the "OK" button. Follow the instructions given to you and the hard drive file system will be converted to "NTFS"

  

  Step 2. Set program execution priority

  This variable allows you to change the amount of CPU computing power reserved for each process running at each clock cycle. If you usually use a specific program or it often happens that a particular application crashes while it is in use, increasing its execution priority often helps in solving the problem. To change the priority of a process, press the key combination "Ctrl + Alt + Del": the "Task Manager" window will open, click the "Applications" tab, select the name of a program with the right mouse button, click the "Go to process" item, select the highlighted process with the right mouse button, click the "Set priority" option and choose a value between "High" or "Real time".

  

  Step 3. Disable the GUI at startup

  When Windows starts you should see the operating system logo and a loading bar appear on the screen. This screen is the graphical startup interface. This is a superfluous and unnecessary aspect that can lengthen Windows startup times. Press the "Windows + R" key combination to open the "Run" system window. Type the command "msconfig" in the "Open" field of the "Run" window and click the "OK" button. Click the "BOOT. INI" tab of the "System Configuration Utility" dialog box and select the / NOGUIBOOT check button.

  

  Step 4. Speed up the consultation of the contents of the Windows "Explorer" window

  Click the "Computer" icon, go to the "Tools" menu, select the "Folder Options" option and go to the "View" tab. Uncheck the checkboxes "Automatically search for network folders and printers" and "Run folder windows in a separate process". Now click the "Apply" and "OK" buttons in succession.

  

  Step 5. Speed up loading contextual menus

  By default, these elements have a fade graphic effect both when they are opened and when they are closed. This effect could lengthen the opening and closing times of the menu, especially if the menu is made up of a large number of items. Press the key combination "Windows + R", type the command "regedit" in the "Open" field of the "Run" window and press the "Enter" key on the keyboard to display the Windows Registry Editor. Access the HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Control Panel / Desktop registry key, click the Desktop item, double-click the "MenuShowDelay" item displayed in the right pane of the Registry Editor, reduce the number shown in the Value data field to a value close to 100 (but not too small) and click the "OK" button.

  

  Step 6. Disable automatic execution of unnecessary services

  Windows "services" are essentially all the processes that allow the operating system to run and guarantee all its functions. Think of these elements as if they were the mechanical parts of an engine. Windows services manage various functional aspects of the operating system, such as the ability to search the computer, access the internet, use a USB device, run a program, etc. Many of the Windows services are basic and essential, but some of them take up valuable hardware resources and are not necessary for the normal use of a computer. To disable the execution of a service, press the key combination "Windows + R" to open the "Run" dialog box, type the command services.msc in the "Open" field and click the "OK" button to open the "Services" window. At this point, double-click the name of the service you want to disable, then select the Disabled option from the "Startup type" drop-down menu. When you are done making changes, click the "OK" button. Below is a list of services that can normally be disabled without any problem: Alerts, Clipbook, Computer Browser, Client Distributed Link Maintenance, Indexing Service, IPSEC Service, Messenger, Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing, Mobile Device Enumerator Service, Desktop Window Manager Session Management, Remote Procedure Call, Remote Registry, Login secondary, Routing and remote access, Server (do not disable this service if you habitually share files and folders with other Windows systems within the local network), SSDP Discovery Service, Telnet, TCP / IP NetBIOS Helper, Upload, Universal Plug and Play Device Host, Windows Time, Wireless Zero Configuration (Do not disable the "Zero Configuration Wireless Networks" service if you are using a wireless network connection).

  Never disable services that you do not know the function of or that you think may be essential for the functioning of Windows or a specific program

  

  Step 7. Increase the speed of your hard drive by disabling updating the "Last Accessed" data field

  This Windows feature keeps track of the date and time a file was last accessed. This is an unnecessary option that slows down the normal functioning of the computer, so it can be disabled without any problem. Press the key combination "Windows + R" to open the "Run" window, type the command "regedit" in the "Open" field and click the "OK" button to open the Windows Registry Editor. Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Control / FileSystem registry key, select the FileSystem item, click the "Edit" menu at the top of the window, select the "New" option and then click on "DWORD Value". At this point, rename the new value to "NTIS Disable Last Access Update" (it is located in the main window pane), double-click the icon of the new value just created and enter the number "1" in the "Value data" field. When done, save your changes.

  

  Step 8. Increase the speed at which Windows XP shuts down your computer

  At this stage, you must wait for the operating system to complete the controlled shutdown of all active background processes. When the computer shutdown takes a long time, it means that there are several processes that are not stopping properly, so Windows is forced to perform a forced shutdown of those programs. The change described in this step reduces the time the operating system waits before automatically closing any running program when the command to shut down the computer is given. Press the key combination "Windows + R" to open the "Run" window, type the command "regedit" in the "Open" field and click the "OK" button to open the Windows Registry Editor. Locate the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Control Panel / Desktop, click the Desktop item, double-click the Wait To Kill App Timeout icon visible in the right pane of the Registry Editor window, enter the value "1000" all inside the "Value data" field and click the "OK" button. At this point, locate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Control, click the Control item, double-click the Wait To Kill Service Timeout icon visible in the right pane of the Registry Editor window, enter the value "1000" in the "Value data" field and click the "OK" button.

  Advice

  • Most of the changes described in this article will take effect only after the system is restarted.
  • To the term of all the steps described it is definitely an excellent idea to perform disk defragmentation.
  • The Wireless Zero Configuration Service can be disabled if there is a program other than Windows that is managing the wireless connection of the computer.

  • If the steps described in the article didn't solve your problems, try following these instructions:

    • Reinstall Windows XP.
    • Add more RAM].
    • Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7.
    • Install a more modern motherboard.
    • Install a new GPU.
    • Buy a new, better performing hard drive.
    • As a last resort, consider buying a new computer.

    Warnings

    • Be careful not to use tools made available by fraudulent and counterfeit sites that promise to significantly speed up the normal operation of a computer. Only install and use programs that are reputed to be safe and reliable, and always check the authenticity of the website before using the tools offered. If you are new to computers and do not know what the precise purpose of a particular procedure is, it is best to avoid it so as not to run the risk of damaging the computer.
    • Follow all the instructions given in the article very carefully.
    • Always make a backup copy of your computer's memory drives.
    • Install safe and reliable antivirus software, then try to avoid so-called "rogues": fraudulent programs that are passed off as antivirus. Also, do not use "cracks" (programs created to bypass the protections of a program allowing it to be used even when it has not been purchased regularly), as they very often contain viruses that can damage your computer.
    • Before editing the Windows registry, always make a backup copy.