How to Make Windows Vista Load and Run Faster

Many computer manufactures load their new PCs with shareware and programs that you may never use, but they will slow your computer down.

Sometimes, just removing the programs will help speed the PC up. But there are many programs that will still load when you start the computer that you may not need.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Windows Vista Computer.

1. Navigate to the "Start" menu and select "Run." In the Run dialog, type "msconfig" (without quotes) and click "OK." The System Configuration dialog opens.

2. Select the "Startup" tab from the System Configuration tool. This will show you a list of programs that load when the computer starts.

3. Uncheck any program that you do not want to load at startup. Note that you can uncheck all items in this list and your PC will still start. Some things may not work correctly, but the PC will start.

4. Select the "General" tab on the System Configuration Tool and select the "Selective Startup" radio button. Windows will subsequently load the programs that are selected in the list (if any) when the computer boots.

5. Click "OK." You will be presented with an option box to "Restart Now" or "Restart Later." The changes you just made won't take effect until you restart, but this option let's you save and close anything you may have been working on prior to making the changes.

6. After rebooting, you may get a prompt to inform you that the system configuration has changed. Click "OK" to acknowledge the changes.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find something not working correctly after making changes, you can always go back to System Configuration and recheck the program that isn't working correctly.

• Windows Vista will load all programs necessary for it to start.

• Many printers use the startup to load their programs for scanning, printing and faxing at startup. If disabled, some of these function may not work until you allow them to load at startup.

• If you are running Spybot Search & Destroy, you may get a warning when you make changes (depending on the version that you're running). Select "Allow change" and select the "Remember" option so the change can take effect.

References

• Windows: Optimize Windows Vista for Better Performance