Improve System Performance

Two of the most frequently changed settings I adjust on a computer are the virtual memory size and the visual preferences for the Windows Operating System. Those two settings can make a night and day difference in the performance of your computer especially if you have lower than the recommended amount of RAM installed. I have noticed that these settings make more of a difference on the Windows XP operation system in large part because in Windows Vista and Windows 7 the visual settings are tested the first time you start up the machine and the operating system will set the visual settings based on the hardware capabilities. In Windows Vista I still would recommend at least checking out the visual settings. As far as the virtual memory is concerned Windows Vista and 7 both have the virtual memory set to automatically detect what is needed on the machine as opposed to Windows XP which is normally auto set based on the amount RAM initially installed in the PC when Windows is first loaded.

To change your visual settings in Windows XP right click on My Computer and select Properties. Once the System Properties windows comes up go to the Advanced tab. You will then see the area that says Performance and then click Settings. Here I would suggest selecting the option to adjust for best performance at first. Then once it changes you could play around with some of the visual options by checking a box and hitting apply.

 

In Windows Vista click on the Window start button and right click on Computer and select properties. On the left toolbar of that next window you will need to click Advanced System Settings. You should see the category of Performance, like in Windows XP, and then click settings. Again, I would suggest selecting to adjust for best performance at first and then clicking a few check boxes to see a few of the nicer looking options.

To change your virtual memory settings it is almost exactly the same process as adjusting your visual settings. In both operating systems, XP and Vista, get to the performance window again and this time go to the advanced tab. Under the Virtual Memory category click on Change. In Windows XP I would suggest allocating at least 1GB (1024MB) as the minimum amount of virtual memory and for Windows Vista I would suggest at least 1.5GB-2GB allocated for the minimum amount of virtual memory.