Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Tweaking Windows XP

Black Viper's Top tweaks for a much faster PC

The following is what I do directly after a clean install of Windows XP. This does not mean that everything I do will work for you. Keeping that in mind and ensure you are fully aware of the risks of tweaking your system before doing so.

Points to note:

  • If you do only one thing on this page, make it "Number One."
  • Ensure that you are logged in as an "Administrator" or have Administrator rights before performing any of these steps.

Even though that I do these steps directly after a clean install, all of them with the exception of renaming the Owner and Administrator accounts can be done at any time.

Number One

Note: If you have previously used the "Owner" or "Administrator" account for "general purpose," your account options could be affected if you rename the accounts. I do not recommend to rename your account in this case. However, if you have not already, you should password them now!

  • Most, if not all, games and applications require you to have "Administrator Privileges" to install them.
  • Most, if not all, games require you to have "Administrator Privileges" to use them.

Why should you do these things? Crackers need 2 things to access your PC:

1) A user name
2) A password.

  • If you do not password your Administrator account, 100% of their work is done.
  • If you do not disable your "Owner" account, 50% of their work is done.
  • If you do not password your "Owner" account, 100% of their work is done.

The following is only valid for Windows XP Pro. For XP Home, skip down below the horizontal line:

Disable the "Guest" account. Where?

Administrator Tools --> Computer Management --> Local Users and Groups --> User folder --> Right click "Guest" and select "Properties." In the General Tab, check "Account is Disabled."

This is only valid for Windows XP Home: Do this NOW!!

Everyone on XP Home, by default, has Administrator privileges and the User name is "Owner." If I know that, so does everyone else on the planet. Change the name and / or password your account. If anything, password it. NEVER have an account unprotected! EVER!

How?

Start --> Control Panel --> User Accounts --> Choose "Owner" --> Select "Change my name."

Also, you should (will) place a password on your account.

How?

Start --> Control Panel --> User Accounts --> Choose "Owner" (or what ever account you named it above) --> Select "Create a password."

If you choose not to rename the Owner account, you should always password them. The next time you install Windows, create a new user account and do not use Owner and Administrator for "general computing." The new account can have Administrator rights, though.

Number Two

This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro.

If you are experiencing "random" slowdowns and "high" CPU usage for no reason, these two services are the most likely cause of the problem. These services are also a major cause of "missing" disk space. System Restore Service could be taking up 3 GB of space, just on it's own.

For an easy method of creating multiple Service Configurations, please check out my Windows XP Services Profile Guide.

System Restore Service creates system snap shots or restore points for returning to at a later time. Every time you install a program or new driver, plus on a schedule, this service creates a "restore point" to roll back to if a problem occurs. This service would have been nice in the Win95 days due to plenty of problems occurring (new DirectX version every 15 minutes) but not required for the "much" more stable WinXP. This is the FIRST thing that I get rid of on a clean installation. If you use this and enjoy it, good for you. I never will. I feel it is faster and less hassle to just install clean. A rather GOOD (and possibly the only) reason to use this "feature" is to roll back your OS after installing an unknown program or testing software. For example: BETA software of any kind or new, or before installing Service Pack 1. NOTE: If you disable this service, your previous "restore points" will be deleted. If, for what ever reason, you do not want this to happen, do not disable this service.

Get rid of System Restore Service and Indexing Service. I disable both, plus check the box, just in case it may decide to fire back up. This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro. Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select System
  5. Select System Restore Tab
  6. Check "Turn off System Restore"
  7. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select System
  4. Select System Restore Tab
  5. Check "Turn off System Restore"
  6. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

Screen shots of the process are also available.

After that, Disable and Stop the System Restore Service:

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select Administrator Tools
  5. Select Services
  6. Select "System Restore Service" (Double Click)
  7. Select General Tab
  8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  9. Select the Ok button to close the panel

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Administrator Tools
  4. Select Services
  5. Select "System Restore Service" (Double Click)
  6. Select General Tab
  7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  8. Select the Ok button to close the panel

Screen shots of the process are also available.

While you are there, you can disable and stop the Indexing Service:

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select Administrator Tools
  5. Select Services
  6. Select "Indexing Service" (Double Click)
  7. Select General Tab
  8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  9. Select the Ok button to close the panel

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Administrator Tools
  4. Select Services
  5. Select "Indexing Service" (Double Click)
  6. Select General Tab
  7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  8. Select the Ok button to close the panel

Screen shots of the process are also available.

Number Three

I turn off Automatic Updates. I disable the service and also check the "disable" box. This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro.

I highly recommend you DO NOT disable this function.

After the installation of Service Pack 1, you may configure how "often" updates are checked. Using default values, WinXP "Automatically" downloads the updates and asks to "install" them.

A few reasons why you may think this is unacceptable in your situation:

  • You still have a dial-up connection. If XP feels like downloading when ever it wants, it just may not allow you to do what "you" want.
  • You may want to know:
    • What, when and how an update is installed before using any bandwidth.
    • About the update before downloading.
    • Why you need it and what it fixes.

It is very important that if you decide to disable the Automatic Updates service, you check the Windows Update site often to ensure the latest critical updates and security patches are installed.

Again, I highly recommend you DO NOT disable this function.

Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select System
  5. Select Automatic Updates Tab
  6. Select "Turn off automatic updating."
  7. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select System
  4. Select Automatic Updates Tab
  5. Select "Turn off automatic updating."
  6. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

Screen shots of the process are also available.

After that, Disable and Stop the Automatic Updates service.

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select Administrator Tools
  5. Select Services
  6. Select "Automatic Updates" service (Double Click)
  7. Select General Tab
  8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  9. Select the Ok button to close the panel

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Administrator Tools
  4. Select Services
  5. Select "Automatic Updates" service (Double Click)
  6. Select General Tab
  7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  8. Select the Ok button to close the panel

Screen shots of the process are also available.

I highly recommend not to disable this function.

It is very important that if you decide to disable the Automatic Updates service, you check the Windows Update site often to ensure the latest critical updates and security patches are installed.

Number Four

Remove Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop Sharing.

Take note: Remote Desktop Sharing is NOT available with Windows XP Home. You may request assistance from someone ONLY using Windows XP Pro.

Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select System
  5. Select Remote Tab
  6. Uncheck both "Remote Assistance and Desktop Sharing" options
  7. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select System
  4. Select Remote Tab
  5. Uncheck both "Remote Assistance and Desktop Sharing" options
  6. Select the Ok button to apply the settings

Screen shots of the process are also available.

Number Five

Adjust the Page File to a respectable level. This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro.

Can you get rid of the page file? Yes and no. If you have a boat load of memory (greater than 512 MB, but I recommend 2 GB) you may be able to function just fine. Some games REQUIRE a certain amount of swap space to be created to even run, no matter how much RAM is available. Also, under certain conditions, my sound card goes crazy (or does not function) in some games with no swap file (oddly enough, Age of Empires 2). If you decide to test your luck with no swap space or page file, you are on your own. :) Please do not E-Mail me with your war stories about no swap. Every system is different. I usually do not have one "unless something requires it that I am running that day."

Where do you find it?

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select System
  5. Select Advanced Tab
  6. Under Performance, select the Settings button
  7. Select Advanced Tab
  8. Under Virtual Memory, select the Change button
  9. Adjust as needed, or select "No paging File," then select the Set button
  10. Select the Ok button to apply the settings
  11. You must reboot for the changes to take effect

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select System
  4. Select Advanced Tab
  5. Under Performance, select the Settings button
  6. Select Advanced Tab
  7. Under Virtual Memory, select the Change button
  8. Adjust as needed, or select "No paging File," then select the Set button
  9. Select the Ok button to apply the settings
  10. You must reboot for the changes to take effect

Screen shots of the process are also available.

If anything, create (preferably on a separate partition), a swap space of constant size. For example, select Custom Size and place 1000 in "Initial" and 1000 in "Maximum" Size boxes, then click Set Button. This will reduce the amount of work needed to dynamically resize the page file, usually when you need it most.

Some deffinitions need to be explained:

Physical RAM ~ The amount of Memory installed on a system. Physical RAM is "way" faster than a "swap file" or "swap space."

Swap File ~ The file that is located on your hard drive that "acts" like Physical RAM but is way slower.

Virtual Memory ~ The name used for the sum of Physical RAM and the Swap File. In other words: Physical RAM + Swap File = Virtual Memory. You cannot "disable" Virtual Memory even if you disable the Swap File. Meaning, 2 GB RAM + 0 MB Swap File = 2 GB Virtual Memory.

From Fastest to Slowest, these are the configuration you can try:

  • No swap file at all. Some software may fail. You also need "much" memory to do this. Greater than 512 MB, but I recommend 2 GB.
  • A static swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
  • A dynamic swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
  • A static swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
  • A dynamic swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
  • The Default: A dynamic swap file on the same partition and physical hard drive (usually C:) as Windows.

Many factors affect performance of the I/O and Hard Drive system. Namely, "where" on the drive the particular swap partition is located, as well as fragmentation of the swap file itself.

Benchmark using Unreal Tournament 2003 "Benchmark.exe" and various swap configs:
System = P4 1.8 w/768 MB PC-133 Memory and a GF3
No Swap FileSystem ManagedStatic (1150MB)
No Swap File System Managed Static (1150 MB)
Benchmark using Unreal Tournament 2003 "Benchmark.exe" and various swap configs:
System = P4 3.06 w/512 MB PC-1066 Memory and a ATI 9700 Pro
No Swap File No Swap File
No Swap File Static (1150 MB)

As you can see, graphics card benchmarks are "not affected" by the status of a page file in these configurations. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you during game play and on your system.

If you have not already, reboot now.

Number Six

Reduce the overhead associated with WinXP's new Themes. This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro. I have observed between 4 MB to 12 MB of RAM used for the new themes.

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select System
  5. Select Advanced Tab
  6. Under Performance, select the Settings button
  7. Select Visual Effects Tab
  8. Select "Adjust for best performance."
  9. Select the Ok button

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select System
  4. Select Advanced Tab
  5. Under Performance, select the Settings button
  6. Select Visual Effects Tab
  7. Select "Adjust for best performance."
  8. Select the Ok button

Screen shots of the process are also available.

After that, Disable and Stop the Themes service.

With the default Category Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Performance and Maintenance
  4. Select Administrator Tools
  5. Select Services
  6. Select "Themes" service (Double Click)
  7. Select General Tab
  8. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  9. Select the Ok button to close the panel

With the Classic Control Panel:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. Select Administrator Tools
  4. Select Services
  5. Select "Themes" service (Double Click)
  6. Select General Tab
  7. In the Startup type: select "Disabled"
  8. Select the Ok button to close the panel

Screen shots of the process are also available.

I also remove the desktop picture. Why? Usually, back in the old days, the desktop picture was a ".bmp" which is very uncompressed. Since I do not like a bit map taking up so much memory (from 1.2MB to 3 MB per image) I make them go away. Small tiles are better if you just HAVE to have a desktop pattern and not a blank color.

Number Seven

Adjust for any additional unneeded services. This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro. Read all about that HERE.

Do NOT adjust your service configurations using msconfig.

For an easy method of creating multiple Service Configurations, please check out my Windows XP Services Profile Guide.

If you have not already, reboot now.
If you have rebooted, do it again.

Number Eight

This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro. Go to the "Add Remove Programs" and click the "Windows components." Here, take out all the crap you do not need. Such as "MSN EXPLORER" and such.

After Removing the unused Windows components, ensure that you check back up on the services that you disabled. Some like to go back to Automatic after playing with the Windows components (namely COM+ and Help and Support).

You may also adjust a file to "allow" you to remove other Windows components, such as MSN Messenger. Here is how:

TAKE NOTE: You will need to enable "hidden file" viewing to see the inf files.

IF YOU ARE SCARED, DO NOT MODIFY THE FILE... Also, you may experience a delay of around 30 seconds or more when loading up Outlook before you can do anything. Putting Messenger back will allow Outlook to function properly again. If you use MSN Explorer, Messenger will also be running in the background. It is how Bill is getting to the ".NET" stuff. "Software as a service" is coming soon.

Go to your Windows\inf folder. The default is ~ c:\windows\inf

edit the file called "sysoc.inf"

Remove the reference of "hide" in this line:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

To make it look like this:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7

You may also remove all references to "hide" in all of the other lines as long as you KEEP the commas. Some components you cannot "uncheck" in the add/remove programs GUI. If you do get them to uninstall, I do NOT support it. You are on your own.

Number Nine

This is valid for Windows XP Home and Pro. Download and install ALL updated drivers from the hardware manufacture sites. I cannot tell you what site you need to go to, but do your computer a favor and get updated drivers for everything.

Reboot again.

Number Ten

After updating all my drivers, I remove any excess icons (all of them, basically) from the system tray (lower right) and recheck the services to ensure nothing else was installed (like NVIDIA's "driver helper." Contrary to popular belief, those little "quick access" icons take up a lot of room.

For example, MS messenger takes up about 3.6 MB just sitting there... not even logged in... Bring it up, select tools, options, then uncheck "load at startup" and "allow to run in background."

Also, Creatives "AudioHQ" running is REALLY not required.

Turning off "AudioHQ"

AudioHQ
Uncheck "Load on Startup" and "Show icon on Taskbar" in AudioHQ's Options menu.

ICQ's little "Net Detect" sucks up WAY to much memory. Make it go away. Various Quick Tweak icons and even EZCD creator's icon annoys the hell out of me. Make them all go away. If you just HAVE to have that quick access to those programs, place them in the "quick launch bar" (located in the lower left by default, where IE and "Show Desktop" buttons are). The icons will not clutter your desktop and you can easily hit them from any normal windows application. To top it all off, they do not take up memory or resources constantly running in the background. Another plus, this will reduce your boot up time.

Number Eleven

I run msconfig and get rid of any annoying startup programs that may be hiding from me. If you are not familiar with the operation and features of msconfig, I am not going to go into them here. Do NOT adjust your service configurations using msconfig.

To use msconfig:

  1. Head to Start
  2. Select Run
  3. Type "msconfig" without the quotes
  4. Select OK or hit Enter

Number Twelve

Defrag the hard drive. Even if XP tells you that it does not need to, do it anyway. It has much tolerance for what "needs" to be done and what should be done. After all, if it was really efficient, there would be no need for you to read this page.

Defrag again after installing your applications and games. After that, there should be little need to do it again for awhile unless you delete/uninstall/reinstall a lot of stuff.

This listing is by no means complete, but it does hit on the high points.

posted by voila at 5:35 PM