50 ways to make Windows Vista faster (part 4)

Part 4 of our guide to make Windows Vista faster helps you streamline your startup, remove unwanted programs, and improve search so it doesn't hog your processing power.

31. Access Any CD or DVD Instantly

Fed up with swapping discs? CDs and DVDs can be stored as ISO image files – exact replicas of the disc – on your hard drive for super-fast access (they’re quicker to load from too). All you need to do is set up a virtual CD or DVD drive to access them – DAEMON Tools enables you to do this – download it from Daemon-tools - if you have privacy concerns, make sure you untick “DAEMON Tools Search Bar” during installation.

Virtual CD or DVD drives look and behave exactly like a DVD-ROM drive

32. Create your own ISO

It’s possible to convert a disc into a single ISO file that you store on your hard drive – download the free LCISO Creator tool from Lucersoft to do so (just select your disc from the drop-down menu and click Create ISO).

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33. Monitor System Demands

Resource Monitor gives you a detailed overview of how your system is working

Right-click the Taskbar and choose Task Manager, then switch to the Performance tab to see what the current demands are on your processor and memory (click Resource Monitor for more details). Switch to the Processes tab and click the CPU tab to see what’s currently hogging system resources.

34. Remove Unwated Programs

The more software you have installed on your system, the slower it will run. Even applications that aren’t currently running take up disk space and clutter up the Registry. Open the Control Panel and select Uninstall a program under Programs. Select the program you want to remove and click Uninstall/Change. Follow the uninstaller.

35. Streamline Your Startup

Every program that starts with Windows Vista consumes resources and extends the boot time. Some programs – like your security tools – are essential, but others aren’t. Discover how to trim back what loads with a free program called AutoRuns, which you can download from Microsoft TechNet.

a) Extract Program Files

Once downloaded, double-click Autoruns.zip and choose Extract all files. Choose a folder and click Extract. Once complete, double-click autoruns.exe to launch the program.

b) Logon Tab

A whole series of tabs will appear, each display start-up programs according to their category. Switch to the Logon tab. Untick those you think it’s safe to disable – right-click an entry and choose Search Online to find out more about it first.

c) Delete Entries Permently

Once you’ve ascertained a disabled entry isn’t important, you can opt to remove it completely - to do so, right-click it and choose Delete. Click Yes when prompted.

36. Disable Network Printer Search

If you’re on a network, but not sharing any printers, speed things up a little by disabling the network printer search. Click Start, type network and sharing center and press [Enter]. Under Printer Sharing, click the down arrow and select Turn off printer sharing before clicking Apply.

37. Speed up Start Menu Searches

There are various ways to speed up the search box on the Start menu by scaling back what it looks for when you enter your search terms. Right-click the Start button and choose Properties, then click Customize. Scroll down and consider unticking Search communications (for email and instant messaging chats), plus favourites and history (Web searches). Select “Don’t search for files” under Search files to restrict the Search box to the Start menu only.

Speed up searches by excluding chats and email from them

38. Scale Back Indexed Searches

Windows Vista’s indexed search technology means super-fast searches, but does impact on day-to-day performance. Exclude unwanted items from your indexes to boost performance – click Start, type indexing options and press [Enter]. A list of current locations will be displayed – click Modify followed by Show all locations, and then untick those areas you don’t want to index.

39. Advanced Index Options

Remove file types that you’re unlikely to search for from the index

Back in Indexing Options, click the Advanced button. This launches a dialog that enables you to change more indexing configurations. On the File Types tab, you can opt to add or remove certain file extensions from indexing. Consider removing executables and files that you’re unlikely to search for.

40. Disable Search Indexing

The minor performance hit brought about by indexing your hard drive for fast searches is acceptable to most people, but if you’re on a low-spec system you can disable this for slower search results, but better overall performance. Click Start > Computer, right-click your drive and choose Properties, then untick “Index this drive for faster searching” on the General tab before clicking OK.

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