| The default install of Windows XP includes | | | | Select: Properties > 'Automatic Updates' tab. |
| features and processes most users don't need. If | | | | Select: Turn off automatic updates. |
| you're involved in gaming or multimedia, and you | | | | Click: Apply. |
| can't afford a top-of-the-range PC, here are a | | | | What it does: Stops Microsoft messing with your |
| few tips to get the most out of your machine. | | | | computer at inconvenient times. You can |
| For beginner users: | | | | re-enable this when _you_ feel like an update. |
| 1. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > | | | | 8. Go to: Start > Run. |
| Settings. | | | | Type: msconfig |
| Select: Resolution 800 x 600 pixels and Colour | | | | Select: 'Startup' tab. |
| Quality Medium (16 bit). | | | | Action: Untick all boxes, except those you are |
| Click: Apply. | | | | certain you need to start when XP boots up. |
| What it does: Reduces system overhead. Less | | | | Click: Apply. |
| work for your CPU. | | | | What it does: Stops programs starting when XP |
| 2. Go to: Start. | | | | does. Frees up system resources. |
| Right click: My Computer. | | | | For Advanced users: |
| Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > | | | | 9. Run your favourite program. |
| Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Visual effects' | | | | Click these buttons on your keyboard |
| tab. | | | | simultaneously: ctrl + alt + del (Control + Alt + |
| Select: Adjust for best performance. | | | | Delete). |
| Click: Apply. | | | | Click: 'Processes' tab. |
| What it does: Removes unimportant cosmetic | | | | Right click: The process of your favourite |
| effects, thereby reducing system overhead. | | | | program. |
| 3. Go to: Start. | | | | Select: Set priority > Realtime. |
| Right click: My Computer. | | | | What it does: Diverts CPU resources to the |
| Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > | | | | selected program. |
| Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Advanced' tab. | | | | 10. Go to: Start > Run. |
| Select: Processor scheduling > Programs. | | | | Type: services.msc |
| Select: Memory usage > Programs. | | | | Right click: Any service you are sure you won't |
| Click: Apply. | | | | need, like 'Automatic Updates', 'Help and Support' |
| What it does: Prioritises _your_ programs over | | | | or 'Indexing Services'. |
| those that XP _thinks_ are important. | | | | Select: Properties > 'General' tab > Startup type > |
| 4. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > | | | | 'Manual' or 'Disabled'. |
| Themes. | | | | Click: Apply. |
| Select: Windows Classic. | | | | What it does: Stops processes starting when XP |
| Click: Apply. | | | | does. Frees up system resources. |
| What it does: Cleans up the desktop. | | | | Warning: Change one setting here a day. Reboot |
| 5. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > | | | | your system after each one. Run your most |
| Desktop. | | | | popular programs. If they're running normally, try |
| Select: Background - None. | | | | disabling another service the next day. This is to |
| Click: Apply. | | | | make sure you don't turn off something |
| What it does: Cleans up the desktop. | | | | important. If you're not sure, leave them alone. |
| 6. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > | | | | Related programs: |
| Appearance. | | | | Tune XP |
| Select: Windows Classic Style. | | | | This is freeware and simple to use. |
| Click: Apply. | | | | X-Setup Pro |
| What it does: Cleans up the desktop. | | | | This has a 30 day trial, and is for more advanced |
| For Medium Users: | | | | users. |
| 7. Go to: Start | | | | Enjoy! |
| Right click: My Computer. | | | | |