Improving the work of windows 7. Changing the display of Service Pack. Changing the appearance of windows
One of the most important criteria that characterizes a computer system is its performance. Let's see how to increase this Windows 7 desktop or laptop baseline.
Before we get down to the question of how to improve performance, let's figure out what it is and what, in fact, we are going to improve. In Windows 7 there is such a system indicator as "Performance Index". It is based on the assessment of individual components of the PC: processor, RAM, graphics, graphics for games and hard drive. The overall index is set according to the weakest link. But for a number of reasons, this assessment cannot be called unambiguous, and many experts are rather critical of it.
Undoubtedly, the power of the above components directly affects the performance of the PC, that is, the volume of processes that the computer can process per unit of time. Next, we'll take a closer look at ways to increase the value of these components to improve the performance of the OS as a whole.
Method 1: Improve hard drive performance
One of the important factors in improving the performance of the operating system is the optimization of the hard disk. Many users pay secondary attention to this factor, believing that, first of all, the amount of RAM and processor power are important for Windows performance. But in vain, because a slow hard drive slows down the computer as a whole, since other OS components constantly access it to process files and other objects located on it.
First of all, you can clean the hard drive from garbage and unnecessary files, which will speed up its work. This can be done both by means of the system and with the help of third-party specialized programs, such as .
To increase the speed of the HDD, and hence the performance of the system as a whole, the hard drive defragmentation operation helps. It can be performed using a special system utility or third-party.
In addition, you can increase the performance of the HDD by properly configuring it in "Device Manager".
- click "Start" and go to "Control Panel".
- Go to section "System and safety".
- In the block "System" click on the caption "Device Manager".
- In the opened interface "Device Manager" click on item "Disk Devices".
- A list of physical hard drives connected to the PC will open. It can be either one device or several. Double-click the left mouse button ( paintwork) by the name of one of them.
- The hard drive properties window opens. Move to section "Politics".
- This is where the performance policy is specified. For hard drives from different manufacturers, the items in this section may differ. But, based on the general logic, look for the position that should help increase performance. For example, "Allow caching" or " Optimal performance". After checking this item, press OK in the current window.
Method 2: Increase the amount of RAM
You can also increase system performance by increasing the amount of RAM. The most elementary and at the same time effective method to achieve such a result is to purchase an additional or larger RAM bar. But unfortunately, this is not always possible, both for financial and technical reasons, because 32-bit Windows 7 supports no more than 4 GB of RAM. But there is a way to get around this limitation.
In order to increase the amount of RAM without changing the hardware configuration, a paging file is created on the hard disk, which forms the so-called virtual memory. When there is a shortage of RAM resources, the system accesses this allocated area on the hard drive. Therefore, to increase PC performance, you must enable the specified file if you have it disabled.
- Click "Start", and then right-click on the item "A computer". In the menu that opens, select "Properties".
- The OS properties window will open. On the left side, click "Extra options…".
- In the shell that opens, click on the button "Options…" in the block "Performance".
- The performance settings window will open. Here move to the section "Additionally".
- In the block "Virtual Memory" click the button "Change…".
- The virtual memory throttling window opens. At the top of it, you can check the box next to the parameter "Automatically select..." and the system itself will select the settings for the paging file.
But we advise you to set the parameters manually. To do this, first of all, uncheck the checkbox "Automatically select..." if it is installed there. Then, in the partition selection window, select the logical drive where you want to place the paging file. Move the switch below to the position "Specify Size". After this field "Original Size" and "Max Size" will become active. Put there the same value of the desired amount of virtual memory in megabytes. Then click on the button "Ask" and OK.
- In order for the entered settings to take effect, you need to restart the computer.
It must be remembered that too large a paging file should not be created either. First, you thus lose workspace that could be used to store files. Secondly, the speed of accessing the hard disk is much slower than accessing hardware RAM. Therefore, when increasing virtual memory, it is possible to process more processes at the same time, but the speed decreases, which negatively affects the performance of the system as a whole. It is believed that the optimal size is one and a half times the amount of PC hardware RAM. We recommend setting the size of the paging file based on this calculation. If you already have it installed, we advise you to change its size to the optimal one.
Method 3: Disable graphic effects
It's no secret that graphic effects consume a significant part of the power of the video card, processor and use a considerable amount of RAM. You can turn off certain visual effects to free up the resources of these objects for other tasks and thus improve overall system performance.
In addition, you can also optimize the resource consumption on the graph using the control panel of the video adapter. The algorithm for setting the required parameters differs depending on the manufacturer and model of the video card, but the point is to choose performance between performance and quality, or at least to establish the optimal balance between these two criteria for you.
The timely updating of its drivers and the installation of special software designed to optimize the operation of the video card will also help to increase the performance of the video adapter.
Method 4: Disable apps in autorun
Quite often, during installation, programs are written to autorun, thereby not only slowing down the system boot, but also consuming resources throughout the entire working session. But at the same time, the user does not always need these applications to work, that is, they often consume OS resources for nothing. In this case, you need to remove such items from startup.
- Dial combination Win+R. In the window that opens, enter:
Apply button click OK.
- The system configuration editing window opens. Move to section.
- The autoload section will open. The next steps depend on whether you want to disable the automatic launch of all items or only some of them. The first option will bring a greater effect, but keep in mind that there are programs that, to solve your specific tasks, it is preferable to leave them in autorun. So the decision is yours.
- In the first case, just click on the button "Disable All". After that, the marks in front of all list items will be removed, then click "Apply" and OK.
In the second case, uncheck the boxes next to those elements that you are going to remove from startup, but do not touch the checkboxes opposite the names of programs left in startup. Then, as before, press "Apply" and OK.
- After that, a dialog box will open, where you will be prompted to restart the PC. Close all active programs and click .
- After restarting, the selected applications will be removed from startup, which will free up system resources and improve its performance.
Method 5: Disable Services
The load on the system is also carried out by various running services. At the same time, not all of them are needed by the user, and the actions of some of these objects have even more negative consequences than positive ones. It is advisable to disable such elements to improve PC performance. The principle of deactivation is approximately the same as the principle of removing programs from startup. But there is one important caveat: you need to be more careful about disabling services, since deactivating an important element can lead to incorrect system operation.
- Click "Start" go to "Control Panel".
- Next go to "System and safety".
- click "Administration".
- In the list that opens, select "Services".
- opens "Service Manager". Highlight the service you want to deactivate, and then on the left side of the window, click "Stop".
- The deactivation procedure will be performed.
- After that double click paintwork by the name of the same service.
- The service properties window will open. Drop "Startup Type" choose a position "Disabled". Then press the buttons "Apply" and OK.
- You will return to the main window "Dispatcher", and the service itself will be completely deactivated. This will be indicated by the lack of status "Works" in a column "State" opposite the disabled element, as well as the status "Disabled" in a collumn "Startup Type".
After performing these manipulations to disable all unnecessary services, the speed of the system should increase due to the release of resources. But, we repeat, be very careful about which service you disable. Before performing the procedure, please read our separate material, which tells which services can be disabled without significant negative consequences for the OS.
Method 6: Cleaning the Registry
Another way to speed up your PC is to clean the system registry of obsolete and erroneous entries. Thus, the system will not access the specified elements, which will increase not only the speed of its operation, but also the correctness of its functioning. For these purposes, special ones are used. One of the most popular applications for performing this task is the already familiar to us Method 1 CCleaner.
Method 7: Power settings
The next option to increase the speed of the OS is to properly configure the power supply.
For desktop PCs, this method is especially suitable, since it has almost no negative consequences. But if you use a laptop, you need to consider whether to use it, as it can significantly increase the battery drain rate.
Method 8: Processor Overclocking
By default, the processor is not configured to use its maximum capabilities. It always has a reserve of power, and therefore there are ways to release this power to improve the performance of the OS. As a rule, they are carried out using special software. But it is worth remembering that overclocking the processor is a rather dangerous procedure, which, if performed incorrectly, can lead to PC failure. In any case, overclocking the processor leads to an increase in its wear and tear, and if done incorrectly, even to failure in the shortest possible time.
As you can see, improving system performance in Windows 7 is carried out mainly by reducing the load on individual components. In this case, you often need to choose what is more important for you, speed of work or visual appearance. Although there are methods where such a dilemma is not worth it, for example, cleaning the PC from garbage. In this case, the optimization is only positive, provided that you do everything right.
Computer performance depends on the power of the hardware components, and on the properly configured operation of the operating system. There is little benefit in increasing the amount of RAM if it is clogged with useless programs. A powerful processor won't speed things up if it's limited to conserve battery power. Tweaking Windows can significantly optimize system performance at no additional cost.
What affects system performance
The performance of Windows 7 is determined by many factors, some of which are the result of a trade-off between power, convenience, and battery life, and others of which depend on how well-groomed your computer is. Therefore, in order to increase performance, it is necessary to tune the system to maximum performance and remove all obstacles for its normal operation.
Perhaps an experienced user will want to independently debug each element of the system and customize the computer to suit their needs. For the rest, the best solution would be to use special programs for fine-tuning the system (tweakers), which show problems in a convenient and understandable way and help to fix them.
Optimization programs (free and paid)
There are many programs on the market whose main purpose is to improve the operation of Windows 7. There are universal large applications and small specialized utilities, programs with many customizable options and with one "red button". Most programs have additional features that are not directly related to performance, but are also important for the user, for example, protecting personal data.
Universal
As a rule, universal programs have a large set of optimization utilities, but at the same time they are paid. Packages with limited functionality or outdated versions are distributed free of charge.
Advanced System Care
Advanced SystemCare is a comprehensive suite of Windows fine-tuning, anti-malware, anti-spyware and anti-adware tools. Special utilities fix problems with the registry, security settings and operations with intermediate files. To date, the application is one of the best in this category.
Three acceleration modes available
The interface of Advanced SystemCare stands out from the background of other programs with a futuristic design. But at the same time, it remains simple, convenient and intuitive.
Futuristic style and big start button
Acceleration is activated with one button
The free version of Advanced SystemCare also has good functionality, but the program's capabilities are truly revealed in the full paid package.
Many features are not available in the free version
The popular CCleaner package primarily specializes in cleaning the operating system, drives and RAM, hence its name. But many other Windows 7 optimization features are available to the user.
The functionality of CCleaner is narrower than that of Advanced SystemCare, however, special cleaning utilities are much more powerful:
The registry is carefully analyzed
For 35 passes, any information will be erased
Uninstalling programs is organized very conveniently
Autoload is edited with one click
The package interface is very simple and intuitive, does not require deep knowledge of the system.
Analysis is very fast
Can be backed up before patching
Older versions of CCleaner are distributed for free. To get more powerful upgrade packages, you will have to pay.
AusLogics BoostSpeed
The BoostSpeed package from AusLogics, a company with Australian roots, has an impressive set of utilities and a user-friendly interface. The stated main purpose of the package is to increase the speed of the system.
The list of utilities is impressive
The functionality contains utilities for repairing the registry, system settings, and hard disk care:
Tips even apply to hardware
Acceleration has many options
Protect your personal data too
The interface is friendly, convenient, typical for programs in this category:
Can assess future benefits
The first analysis is always bad
To unlock all the features of the package, you will have to buy a paid version. Free has much less functionality.
Mini-programs for your computer or laptop
Small, compact, sometimes not even requiring installation programs usually have limited specialized functionality and are distributed free of charge. These two qualities make them a good addition to a versatile package.
The SpeedUpMyPC package is positioned by the developer as a system accelerator. Cleaning up garbage and system errors is considered as part of the performance improvement procedures.
The functionality of SpeedUpMyPC contains utilities standard for this category of programs, as well as our own developments aimed at improving performance:
Registry optimization is laconic
The package interface is original and colorful, quite convenient:
Background mode available, but registration required
You can fix the found problems with one click
The program belongs to the category of shareware, offers a free limited version with the ability to add utilities for a fee.
There is also technical support
Another free Comodo System Cleaner app with a strong set of cleaning utilities. The package also contains the functionality of fixing Windows crashes and errors, taking care of the hard drive.
The functionality of the package has a pronounced "shift" towards cleaning, but some utilities are related to the optimization of work by other methods.
The summary also does not provide much information.
You can choose the cleaning depth
Removal can be forced
Permanent deletion can also be different
The interface of Comodo System Cleaner is made in the usual "matrix" style, it is intuitive and simple:
Not a lot of settings
An additional advantage of the app is that it is free.
A small, free, installation-free utility for optimal system tuning by cleaning the Windows registry.
There are also optimization utilities in the package
The functionality of the package is focused on operations with the system registry:
Registry defragmentation is not always necessary
The interface of Wise Registry Cleaner is simple and intuitive. 
Cleaning can be with different depths
Good to see there are no more bugs
The absolute advantage of the package is its free distribution.
Easy Cleaner
The free EasyCleaner program cleans the system of unnecessary information, fixes the Windows 7 registry and presents disk information in a convenient graphical representation.
The functionality of the package is a little poorer than that of CCleaner, but it has its own characteristics:
The program interface is very simple and clear, the design is classic:
Disk status is presented very clearly
Since the program is free, it can be a good addition to the universal package.
red button
The developers of the Red Button program put the simplicity and convenience of the interface in the first place. Even the name of the application is not accidental - you can start the optimization with one click on the big red button.
This button is hard to miss.
Red Button has a very good functionality, consisting of utilities that optimize the operation of the processor, RAM, hard drive and registry:
Cleaning the registry is also modest
You can edit the list of what is considered garbage
CPU and RAM settings available
The program interface is very clear and simple, in the style of Windows 7 system services:
Hard drive care is a little modest
Until recently, the program was distributed free of charge, but the popularity of the package inspired the manufacturer to release paid versions. But past free modifications show good results.
Glary Utilities
The small program Glary Utilities also claims to be universal, but its strength can be considered a system analysis toolkit.
The Glary Utilities functionality contains tools for checking and optimally configuring the system, privacy, caring for the hard drive, and updating existing drivers.
Utilities are not so many, but there are rare
Download speed is shown very clearly
The application interface is friendly, very similar to the built-in system utilities of Windows 7:
Many problems are fixed with one click
Programs can be sorted by several criteria
The somewhat limited functionality of the package is justified by the fact that it is distributed free of charge.
The nCleaner application, due to its small size and functionality, can be classified as a mini-program for optimizing the system. The main emphasis of the program is on cleaning.
The functionality of nCleaner is focused on removing unnecessary information, but there are also additional tools:
- Cleaning. Tools for cleaning the system, registry, personal data.
- Trash. A separate utility for finding and deleting intermediate and extra files. The modes of cleaning the main folders (faster) and scanning all disks (slower, but full) are preset.
You can scan individual folders or the entire drive
- Optimization. Tools for optimal tuning of Windows and various services to increase the speed and stability of the computer.
- Autoload. Editing the list of automatically launched applications during Windows startup.
- Confidentiality. Deleting information with the impossibility of recovery and cleaning up unallocated hard disk space.
- Clearing RAM. A separate utility for unloading unused blocks from RAM.
Separate utility for unloading RAM
The interface of the mini-program is very simple and clear:
There are few cleaning options, but everything is very clear
- One page. The main functions are collected on the main page, which is very convenient.
The main functions are collected in one window
- Schedule. It is possible to automatically run according to a user-specified schedule.
nCleaner lacks the traditional option to undo changes made or create backup copies of the system registry, which is justified given the small size of the application.
Of course, this mini-program is distributed free of charge.
Comparison table: which program to choose
| Function/program | Advanced System Care | Easy Cleaner | red button | AusLogics BoostSpeed | Glary Utilities | |||||
| Cleaning and repairing the system registry | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Editing the startup list | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | |||
| Remove unnecessary applications and disable Windows services | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | ||
| Disk Defragmenter | + | + | + | + | ||||||
| Antivirus protection | + | + | ||||||||
| Performance settings | + | + | + | + | + | |||||
| Network optimization | + | + | + | |||||||
| Confidentiality | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | |
| Garbage removal | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | |
| System Restore | + | + | + | + | ||||||
| System startup control | + | + |
As expected, the largest number of utilities necessary for optimizing the system operation is contained in universal packages. But mini-programs also have their strengths. They are more compact, easy to use, have advanced special features and, as a rule, are free.
Specialized programs greatly simplify the fine-tuning of Windows, automate optimization processes and work with many options. The user can easily choose the program for their own needs.
The operating system has a rather complex structure. Its work is provided by a huge number of different programs - services and processes. There are many factors that affect the speed and performance of a Windows 7 system. This article describes how you can increase the speed of your personal computer.
The physical part of the computer (processor power, amount of RAM, solid state drives) is not considered in the article. Obviously, the better the PC, the more tasks it can solve, and the faster it copes with them. This guide describes the process of fine-tuning the system, which will bear fruit on any hardware.
General information
First you need to understand what exactly affects the performance of Windows. The guide covers only those factors that can be influenced by any user without help from computer specialists:
defragmentation
This feature allows you to increase the speed of the hard drive and, therefore, the entire computer. Using a special utility, the system sorts all the information on the media, optimizing the path of the reading head. 
Over time (as a result of deletion, new files, copying and editing), the data becomes fragmented again, and the process must be started again.
Defragmentation is performed both by standard Windows tools and with the help of special third-party programs. Also in the OS, you can set up a schedule for regular operation at a convenient time for you. 
Note! Only the hard drive (HDD) needs regular defragmentation. Solid-state (SDD) from such a procedure only wear out, without receiving any increase in performance.
swap file
The function of the paging file is to compensate for the lack of free RAM on the computer. Part of the contents of RAM is transferred to the hard disk, freeing up space for tasks of paramount importance. If you have a lot of physical memory installed, for example, 16 or 32 gigabytes, these settings do not make sense.
To increase the swap size in Windows, you need to do the following:
Performance settings
In the Windows settings there is a special section dedicated to increasing the performance of your computer. How to open it is described in the previous section of the manual.
In addition to setting the swap volume, users may be interested in the following options:
autorun
If you want to reduce Windows boot time and improve performance, it is recommended to disable unnecessary applications from autorun. For example, if you rarely use the Skype program, you can disable its automatic launch at the same time as the system starts, and turn it on only when necessary.
You can manage autorun in the configuration menu of the applications themselves. Torrent trackers, cloud storage clients, instant messengers and other utilities that work in the background have a special item in the settings.
But it is much more convenient to work with a single list for Windows:
Registry optimization
To avoid any inconsistencies in the registry, you must correctly install and remove all applications. If any problems still arise, use the CCleaner program to clean the registry of "garbage" and restore performance to the previous level.
A new powerful computer pleases users with its performance, but over time, its speed is steadily declining. In this case, many have a reasonable question, how to speed up a Windows 7 computer, but at the same time not spoil anything in the system.
Considering the question of how to configure Windows 7, we have already touched on the problem of using various programs and archives with settings. It was about tweaks - small tricks that help increase system performance. However, you can do without third-party software.
You can really affect the speed of a PC or laptop using the usual system optimization.
Many Windows features are not in demand among ordinary users, so they can be safely disabled, increasing the performance of the machine.
Disabling visual effects
The beautiful interface of Windows 7 is a great advantage and at the same time a serious disadvantage when it comes to optimizing your computer.
Various visual effects place high demands on the hardware, slowing down the execution of some more important processes.
If you have a low-power laptop or a computer with old hardware, then performance drops with visual effects enabled cannot be avoided. To fix this flaw in Windows 7, you can use the built-in tools and remove all unnecessary "chips".
To bring the interface back to normal, you must leave the four effects marked in the screenshot turned on. After that, click the "Apply" button and restart your computer for the new configuration to take effect.
HDD Optimization
Files written to the hard disk are divided into fragments that are scattered over the entire surface of the media. This was done primarily for the rational use of free space, but as a result it often turns out that when the user accesses a specific file, the computer is forced to collect fragments scattered over the entire surface of the disk. 
A huge number of fragments of already unnecessary (or deleted) files are also added here. The result is a decrease in the performance of the hard drive and, as a result, the system as a whole. There are two ways to fix this problem:
- Periodic cleaning of the disk from temporary and simply unnecessary files.
- Defragmentation of the hard drive.
Remove from the computer all unnecessary files and programs that take up a lot of space, but are not used for their intended purpose. Leave only the essentials that you can't do without.
To delete temporary files:
After cleaning the system of debris and uninstalling unnecessary programs, you can proceed to disk defragmentation, which is performed by standard Windows tools:
Optimizing your hard drive is one of the most effective ways to increase the speed of your computer. This will be especially noticeable if you have not defragmented for a long time and have not destroyed "computer junk" for a long time.
Increasing the paging file
The lack of RAM and the inability to install an additional bar often leads to the fact that users cannot qualitatively improve the performance of the machine and are forced to put up with a low system speed.
You can increase the paging file using a USB drive and the ReadyBoost technology built into Windows.
As a drive, you can use a regular flash drive or SDHC / SD / MS memory card. Even a regular smartphone or any other device with built-in memory that meets the following requirements will do:
- Support for USB0/3.0 technology.
- Availability of free space (minimum 64 MB, but usually more than 200 MB is required).
There are still some restrictions on the data transfer rate, but they are quite democratic: any modern drive has much better characteristics than you need for ReadyBoost technology to work.
If you want to provide all free space for the paging file, select the "Give for ReadyBoost" option.
Startup cleaning
Even on powerful new computers, after some time after the start of continuous operation, the user notices a decrease in the speed of starting the operating system. First of all, this is due to a large number of unnecessary programs in autorun, which are added there without the knowledge of the owner of the machine.
Various messengers, applications for automatic updates, social network agents and other similar programs, during installation, must be registered at startup and run along with the system, taking up resources.
The best solution is to remove all applications from startup except those that are vital for the system. The latter include antivirus with its services and system utilities. You can clean autoload using CCleaner:
If there is no CCleaner utility, then use the standard tools:
In Windows 8 and 8.1, this operation can be performed from the Startup tab in the Task Manager.
Checking the registry and RAM
The tails left after the removal of programs in the registry negatively affect the performance of the system, which leads to a decrease in the speed of the computer. The solution is simple - periodically cleaning the registry using the CCleaner utility already mentioned above.
If you have never cleaned the registry, then after the first “cleaning” you may notice a serious acceleration of the system.
Do not forget about the RAM, which may also have various failures that affect the final performance. To check the RAM, use the built-in tool "Diagnostics of computer RAM problems". 
Choose the first option, which means reboot and check. Don't forget to close all programs. 
The scan can be quite long, so do not schedule any tasks related to the computer during it - it is not recommended to interrupt the diagnostics, as this can lead to serious errors.
Power Options
The minimum number of users remembers to adjust the power settings, although this is one of the important components of adjusting computer performance. Typically, the power management scheme has three modes:
- Maximum savings - minimum productivity.
- Balanced energy consumption.
- Maximum energy consumption - maximum performance.
Switching the power mode is especially important for laptop owners. By default, the system is set to balanced mode, but as soon as the battery runs out, power saving mode is automatically activated, which reduces performance.
When you turn on the laptop to the network for charging, the economy mode does not switch, although there is no need for it anymore. On such trifles, users lose moments, which then add up to a noticeable slowdown of the computer.
If you are working on a computer or laptop that is constantly connected to the network, then be sure to configure the power scheme:
If necessary, you can adjust the scheme for yourself by clicking on the link “Setting up a power plan”. On the "Advanced Options" tab, you can set your own values.
Enable all processor cores
It is now almost impossible to find a working computer that has only one core; modern machines have 2 or more cores available.
Usually, the operating system automatically checks the type of processor installed, but it often happens that only one core is used at boot.
You can fix this deficiency on your own:
Now, when starting the operating system, all processor cores will be used, which will significantly speed up loading.
Another useful tip that can seriously increase the speed of your computer is to replace the thermal paste on the processor. 
Because of the dried substance between the processor and the cooler, machines even with the most powerful configuration start to slow down, so do not be lazy at least once every 2 years. A more accurate replacement time can be determined by measuring the temperature of the processor - if the value significantly exceeds the norm (about 65 degrees), urgently remove the cooler, clean off the old paste and apply a new substance in an even layer.
The Windows 7 operating system pleasantly pleased users with its speed. Compared to the previous version, Windows Vista, the new operating system from Microsoft shows better performance results. However, there is no limit to perfection - and many users under this slogan decided to further optimize Windows 7 and speed up its work. Let's try to figure out what Windows 7 optimization is.
The performance of any operating system, as a complex software package consisting of many components, depends on a number of factors. It is impossible to turn off any one function or change a couple of settings and, thereby, seriously increase system performance. Setting up Windows 7 is a rather complex and multifaceted process, so if you want to optimize the operation of the operating system as much as possible, you need to approach this process comprehensively, from all sides.
Windows Aero
The Windows Aero GUI has been criticized more than once for wasting system resources. In fact, this is just a visual decoration of the system, which does not carry practically any useful functions, but simply serves as a treat for the user's eyes. However, Windows Aero can be optimized to significantly reduce the system resources it requires to run. As a rule, setting up the desktop in Windows 7 begins with this. First of all, you can disable the almost invisible elements of Windows Aero, which, nevertheless, create a load on your hardware. To do this, go to Control Panel - System - Advanced System Settings - Advanced - Settings.
- Menu fading after a command is invoked is a subtle feature that can still reduce the smoothness of the menu experience.
- Dropping shadows with icons on the table and Displaying a shadow under the mouse pointer - you hardly see them, but they take away system resources.
- Animated controls and elements inside the window - disabling will add smoothness when working with windows.
- Displaying the contents of the window while dragging is a resource-intensive feature, disabling it makes a significant contribution to optimization.
If you have a rather weak computer, the performance gain will be noticeable after disabling the above features. In addition to them, the effect of transparency has a very strong effect on performance, disabling it gives a tangible result. If you are indifferent to all the decorations and want to get the maximum speed, you need to select the setting item Ensure the best performance.
Windows 7 Services
As you know, Windows 7 is a complex multi-component system designed to perform a wide range of tasks. To implement various functions as part of the operating system, many services work, many of which are often simply not needed by the user. However, each of the services eats up precious resources on your computer. Accordingly, if you disable unnecessary functions, you can increase the overall performance of the system.
To get access to work with services, you need to go to the following path: Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services. After that, select the service that is unnecessary for us in the list, click the Stop button, set the Startup type setting to Disabled. Please note that many services are vital for the smooth functioning of the operating system, so you should only disable them if you are confident in your actions and know exactly what you are doing. Here is a list of services that are recommended to be disabled:
- Windows Card Space
- Shadow Copy Software Provider (Microsoft)
- Windows Search
- Print Manager (if there are no printers)
- Offline Files
- Network Access Protection Agent
- Network logon
- Configuring a Remote Desktop Server
- smart card
- Adaptive brightness control
- Windows Backup
- IP Helper Service
- Grouping network members
- Performance counter library host
- Tablet PC Input Service
- Remote Access Automatic Connection Manager
- Diagnostic System Assembly
- Network Member Identity Manager
- Performance Logs and Alerts
- Secondary login
- Secure storage
- Smart Card Deletion Policy
- Homegroup listener
- Windows Defender
- Windows Event Collector
- Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
- Diagnostic Service Host
Windows 7 registry
The Windows 7 registry is a database that contains information about operating system settings, startup options for programs and services. Windows 7 accesses the registry several hundred times per second, as do various installed programs. If the registry is littered, it contains many obsolete entries from once installed programs, then this can seriously slow down the operating system. Optimizing the Windows 7 registry consists of two stages: at the first stage, we will look at a number of important settings that speed up the system, and then we will give tips on removing unnecessary entries from the registry. Before performing any operations with the registry, it is highly recommended to make a backup copy of it, as the result of incorrect actions can cause serious system failures.
Improving the performance of the NTFS file system
Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem, set the NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate and NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation parameters to 1. This will disable the creation of the last file access time entry.
Forced storage of kernel codes in RAM
In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management section, change the LargeSystemCache parameter to 1. This will allow the system not to unload the kernel from RAM.
Forced storage of drivers in RAM
In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management section, change the DisablePagingExecutive parameter to 1. This will allow the operating system not to unload driver files from RAM.
Forced unloading of unused libraries from RAM
In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer section, create the AlwaysUnloadDll DWORD parameter and assign it a value of 1. This will allow you to unload unused DLLs from RAM.
The Windows 7 registry contains a wide range of settings, some of which seriously affect system performance. Above, we examined only some of them, which are the basis for optimizing the operation of the Windows 7 system using the registry. In addition, it is useful to periodically clean the registry of unnecessary and obsolete entries. Doing this manually is problematic, it is better to use special utilities for these purposes.
Windows 7 startup
It's no secret that when you start Windows 7, a number of programs automatically load. Many of them, such as antivirus, firewall, various device drivers, are useful and necessary. But, at the same time, some of these programs got into the startup list without your knowledge. We can see the shortcuts of some of these programs in the system tray, in the same place, as a rule, you can go to the utilities settings and disable the autorun function. At the same time, some programs are not visible to the user and work in a hidden mode, thereby consuming system resources.
In order to see the full list of applications that run with Windows 7, you need to open the startup menu. You can do this using the command line, open it with the Win + R key combination, enter the msconfig command at the command line. The System Configuration window will appear on the screen, in which we are interested in the Startup tab. On this tab, we see a complete list of programs that run with Windows 7, and this list can be easily edited by yourself. Please note that the startup list contains a number of important applications, the disabling of which may cause problems with the operating system. Therefore, before disabling any program, make sure you know exactly what it is responsible for.
Temporary files and folders Windows 7
During its operation, the operating system creates a number of temporary files and folders. In addition, the programs you work with often create temporary data and "forget" to delete it. Over time, this can slow down Windows 7, as well as take up a fairly large amount of space on your hard drive. You can fight this by regularly deleting temporary folders and files if you know exactly where they are and that they are no longer needed. However, for inexperienced users, there is another way that simplifies the cleaning process and minimizes the risk of deleting important files. Windows 7 has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup. Thanks to it, you can clean up the operating system from temporary files and folders in a short time.
To run this tool, you need to go along the path Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup. With this utility, you can delete temporary Internet files, temporary system files, unused Windows components and a number of other unnecessary files. The program interface is intuitive, working with it will not cause difficulties even for a novice user.
Windows 7 paging file
The swap file or swap-file is necessary for the system to partially unload RAM. As the system works, some of the data contained in RAM becomes unnecessary, and Windows frees up computer resources by uploading this data to the paging file. If after some time these files are needed again, they are loaded into RAM.
As a rule, Windows 7 adjusts the page file size automatically, depending on the needs of the system. However, for best performance, it's best to set the size manually. You can do this by going to Start - Control Panel - System - Advanced - Performance - Settings. Select the Change button in the Virtual memory sector and set the paging file size equal to the amount of RAM in the computer.
