How to Make Vista Faster Without Adding RAM

Make your Vista computer faster.

Over time, your Windows Vista computer may run slowly. This may be the result of installing a lot of programs, download files that you do not use and having programs and applications that run in the background and take up a lot of resources. Do not fret, however, since there is plenty you can do without spending money on hardware upgrades such as more memory.

Instructions

Defrag hard drive

1. Close all applications and restart your computer.

2. Click the "Windows" button in the lower right corner of the desktop.

3. Enter "defrag" in the search box that appears.

4. Hit the "Defragment now" button. Let the system do its work.

5. Restart your computer. It is recommended that you do this once a month.

Disable startup programs

1. Click the "Windows" button in the lower right corner of the desktop. Scroll up and hit "All Programs."

2. Find and click "Windows Defender." Hit the "Tools" button and then the select "Software Explorer."

3. Find and select "Startup Programs" in the "Category" window.

4. Scroll through, find and highlight a program that you do not need to run automatically when Windows begins. Click the "Disable" button.

5. Hit "Yes" to confirm. Repeat Step 4 and 5 for each application that you do not want to run at start up.

6. Close all windows and restart your computer.

Disable Superfetch, Windows Defender

1. Hit the "Windows" button in the lower left corner of your desktop.

2. Type "msconfig" in the search box. A window will appear.

3. Select the "Services" tab. Scroll through the list and find "Superfetch." Hit the check mark next to it if there is one so it disappears.

4. Hit the "Startup" tab. Remove the check next to the "Windows Defender" selection.

5. Hit the "OK" button. Restart your computer.

Uninstall programs

1. Hit the "Start" button in the lower left corner of your desktop.

2. Scroll up and click "Control Panel." Hit the "Programs and Features" selection.

3. Scroll through the list of programs. Find the ones that you do not use. Highlight them and click "Uninstall."

4. Decide whether you need anti-virus programs, Microsoft Office and Adobe programs on your computer. Since these applications are resource hogs, it would speed up your Vista system if you got rid of them. Follow Step 3 if you decide to uninstall these programs.

Disable Windows components

1. Right-click on the Windows Sidebar icon found in the system tray. Your system tray is in the lower right corner of your desktop.

2. Scroll up and click "Properties."

3. Remove the check mark next to "Start Sidebar When Windows Starts."

4. Right click on an empty spot on your taskbar.

5. Scroll up and hit "Properties."

6. Remove the check mark next to "Show Windows previews (thumbnails)."

7. Close all windows and restart your computer.

References

• Microsoft: Optimize Windows Vista For Better Performance
• Divs Are Dumb: 11 Ways To A Faster More Lean Vista (In Black and White)
• Microsoft: Stop A Program From Running Automatically When Windows Starts