HOME  >>  VISTA OPTIMIZATION (Updated: February 10th, 2009)      
SPEED UP VISTA:

Disable resource-hogging bells and whistles:
  • Aero - set to "Windows Vista Basic"
  • Power Options - set to "High performance"
  • Personalize Window Color and Appearance - uncheck "Enable Transparency" unless you want to use high-end graphics just to view translucent toolbars
  • Personalize Theme - select a non-Aero theme unless you have a high-end graphics card and prefer eye candy over performance
  • Remote Assistance - I know you've never used it, so shut it off
  • User Account Control - dump this annoying, nag screen and get good security software instead
  • Windows Sidebar (Active Desktop's eccentric relative) - dump it, unless you like gadgets that slow you down, compromise security, and crash your computer.

Improve performance and still look good:
  • ControlPanel... Performance Information and Tools... Adjust visual effects... Adjust for best performance... check items below:
  • Show thumbnails instead of icons
  • Smooth edges of screen fonts
  • Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop
  • Use visual styles on windows and buttons

Disable Unused Windows Features:
  • ControlPanel... Programs and Features... Turn Windows features on or off:
  • Expand "Print Services".... uncheck "Internet Printing Client"
  • uncheck "Windows Meeting Space"
  • Expand "Windows Ultimate Extras".... uncheck "Bitlocker Drive Preparation Tool"
  • Expand "Windows Ultimate Extras".... uncheck "Secure Online Key Backup"

Disable Unused Services:
  • Start... type: services.msc... ENTER
  • Desktop Window Manager - not required, unless you want to thrash your hard drive to death
  • NMIndexing - not required, Nero Media Indexing Service, has known problems
  • Offline Files - not required, unless you use it
  • ReadyBoost - not required, unless you use an external flash drive to "improve performance", has known problems
  • Superfetch - not required, unless you want to thrash your hard drive to death
  • Windows Search - not required, unless you want to thrash your hard drive to death, searches will take longer



VISTA SFC:
  1. With the computer running, put your Vista DVD in and exit from any install that may start
  2. Click: Start... All programs... Accessories
  3. In the Accessories menu, Right Click on the Command Prompt option
  4. From the drop down menu that appears, Click on the 'Run as administrator' option
  5. If you have the User Account Control (UAC) enabled, click Continue button or insert the administrator password etc.
  6. In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow and then press Enter
  7. A message will appear stating 'the system scan will begin'
  8. Take a break. If any files require replacing, SFC will replace them.
  9. When the scan is finished, if everything is okay you should see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"
  10. Close the Command Prompt window