How To Increase Windows 7 Performance

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10 More Ways To Increase Windows 7 Performance

 

*Disable Aero Snap and Aero Peek*
Windows 7's impressive visual performance and additional features will slow down your computer. This is particularly true if you've installed the new software in your existing machine, with an older graphics card. Turn off the bloat by going to Start -> Control Panel -> Ease of Access, and choose Make it easier to focus on tasks. Next, uncheck the box that says 'Prevent Windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen'. Then right click your taskbar that runs along the bottom of the screen, select Properties, and uncheck the box that says 'Use aero Peek to preview the desktop'.

*Boost Power and Performance*
Windows 7 is shipped with default power settings to balance between energy consumption and performance. Get optimal performance by maximizing your power plan. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Power Options -> Show Additional Plans and select High Performance.

*Use Sleep and Hibernate*
Instead of shutting down and restarting your computer every time you use it, why not quickly resume where you left and have your PC running in just seconds? Sleep mode switches your machine to low power so you can leave documents and programs open, come back to it hours or days later, and have your same session open and waiting for you. Initiate Sleep mode from the shutdown menu.

If you do want to close your computer down for a longer period, the Hibernate feature saves your current session to the hard drive, and your programs and files are restored next time you boot the computer up. Hibernate is not a default feature in Windows 7 so you need to configure it manually. Here's how:
 

1. Open Start -> Run and enter cmd.exe in the dialog box
2. Right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator
3. You will see a black text 'Command' box popup. Type powercfg /hibernate on and press enter
4. Next, open Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options. You will see your current power option selected. Click 'Change Plan Settings' next to it.
5. Click Advanced Power Settings
6. Select 'Sleep' from the list, then Allow Hybrid Sleep, and Select Off, then click OK

Now you will notice Hibernate in the shutdown options on your start menu.

*Disable Thumbnail Preview*
Thumbnail view displays the contents of folders when you scroll over the folder icon. Along with the visual improvements in Windows 7 compared with XP, the thumbnail view feature is cute to look at, but not a good use of memory space if you're after performance. Turn it off by opening My Computer and select Organize -> Folder and Search options. Under Files and Folders, click View and then select the check box 'Always show icons, never thumbnails'.

*Disable startup programs*
Windows 7 has a host of programs that open automatically when you boot up. Most of them are important, but some of them you don't need right away when you start the computer. Open Windows Defender and select Tools -> Software Explorer to reveal the programs Windows opens automatically at start up. Those you're sure you don't need to open overtime, click and select Disable.

*Streamline your sounds*
Trim a little bit more fat from Windows 7 by turning off the sounds and alerts. Go to Start -> Run and enter mmsys.cpl into the search box. When the popup window appears, open the Sounds tab and under Sound Scheme, select No Sounds. Then click Apply and OK.

*Customize & Tweak Your Settings*
WinBubble is a free software download that will easily allow you to change your Windows settings for optimum performance. These just five of the tweaks you can make:

* Edit Owner Information - speed up file and program opening
* Customize the Context menu - one click to change visual settings
* Copy/Move to - organize files, fast 
* Add Disk Cleanup to right-click menu - quicker access to scrub your PC
* Customize Shortcut Icons - to easily identify your files

*Performance Updates*
Keeping your software updated will maintain the best performance from your Windows PC. Software updates will install bug fixes and extra security on your machine. Bookmark windowsupdate.microsoft.com in Internet Explorer. Also, you'll notice periodic updates for your system drivers (audio, video etc), so also bookmark those manufacturers' sites.

*Check your firewall*
It's always prudent to check your firewall settings. If you've noticed a change in performance with Windows 7, it's a possible sign of a malicious program or virus, sometimes called 'malware' or 'spyware'. Spyware keeps tabs on the information on your computer and may transmit it to thieves to use your credit card data or similar personal information. Check now if your firewall is turned on. Follow Start - Control Panel - Network and Internet Connections - Windows Firewall.

Spyware will slow your PC down significantly and if you've got it, you should get rid of it immediately with an antivirus program. .

*Clear your registry*
The registry is like your computer's library that stores your programs. With time, as some programs are added and removed, and everyday programs opened more frequently than others, your registry ends up disorganized with files scattered everywhere. An old or cluttered registry will cause crashes and blue screen lags. Download a recommended hard disk scan and check for free if hackers have targeted your browser.
 

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