MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows Super Fast

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MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows Super Fast

11/15/2006 3:38 PM

Vishal Gupta

www.AskVG.com
Joined: 8/9/2006

Posts: 6662

MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows Super Fast Modified By Vishal Gupta on 8/5/2011 12:05:44 AM

ORIGINAL SOURCE ARTICLE: Speed Up Windows XP – Master Tutorial to Make Windows XP Super Fast

Guys!

This tutorial is meant for increasing the performance of Windows XP, either it can be a fresh installed windows or an old windows.
Actually these r some tips/tricks, which I always apply whenever I do a fresh installation of windows. So here I’m sharing many of those tips-n-tricks:

1.) First I’ll tell some Registry tricks, which can be applied without any problem or doubt and I believe these tricks will surely help in increasing the performance of your windows. Copy the following code in Notepad, save the file with name "Vishal.reg" (including quotes) and then run the file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Copy To]
@="{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Move To]
@="{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell\DosHere]
@="Command &Prompt Here"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell\DosHere\Command]
@="%windir%\\System32\\cmd.exe /k cd \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\Shell\DosHere]
@="Command &Prompt Here"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\Shell\DosHere\Command]
@="%windir%\\System32\\cmd.exe /k cd \"%1\""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"Link"=hex:00,00,00,00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
"MenuShowDelay"="8"
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="2000"
"LowLevelHooksTimeout"="1000"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoLowDiskSpaceChecks"=dword:00000001
"ClearRecentDocsOnExit"=dword:00000001
"NoRecentDocsHistory"=hex:01,00,00,00
"LinkResolveIgnoreLinkInfo"=dword:00000001
"NoResolveSearch"=dword:00000001
"NoResolveTrack"=dword:00000001
"NoInternetOpenWith"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="2000"

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RemoteComputer]

OR you can download following ZIP file, extract it and run extracted .Reg file:

Make_XP_Super_Fast_Reg_Code.zip

2.) Right-click on Desktop and select Properties, Now in the new window goto Appearance tab and click on Effects button. Now in the new opened window uncheck the following options:

a.) Use the following transition effect for menus & tooltips.
b.) Show shadows under menus.
c.) Show window contents while dragging. (you may remain this option checked as I hv in my screenshot. It depends upon ur choice.)
d.) Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts. You may select “Standard” for this. I hv selected “Clear Type” coz I hv a TFT, it doesnt work properly for CRT monitors.

3.) Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Properties (or press key + key), now goto Advanced tab in new window and click on Settings button in Performance section:

Now uncheck all the options in Visual Effects, but u can remain following options checked acc. to ur choice:

a.) Show window contents while dragging.
b.) Smooth edges of screen fonts.
c.) Use common tasks in folders (If u use the left side pane in My computer, I don’t use it.)
d.) Use drop shadows on icon labels on the desktop. (to make the desktop icons label transparent.)
e.) Use visual styles on windows and buttons. (If u use XP themes.)

4.) Open Tools -> Folder Options and click on View tab:

Now uncheck following options:

a.) Automatically search for network folders & printers.
b.) Display file size information in folder tips.
c.) Display simple folder view in Explorer’s Folders list.
d.) Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color. (I don’t use this option.)
e.) Show pop-up description for folder and desktop icons.
f.) Use simple file sharing.

Other remaining options are totally based upon user’s requirements, they usually don’t affect the performance! So u can enable/disable them acc. to ur requirements.

5.) Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select Manage. Now goto Services & Applications -> Services. Here you can set many services to Manual, which u don’t want to start as soon as the windows starts. Following is a thread, in which I posted a small tutorial for knowing about which service should be set to MANUAL and which should be set to AUTOMATIC:

Windows XP Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL

6.) Start -> Run and type msconfig, now goto Startup tab and uncheck the entries, which u don’t want to start automatically with the windows, like u can get display settings utility entry there, and many more.

7.) Open Sound & Audio Devices in Control Panel (or type mmsys.cpl in RUN), goto Sounds tab and select No Sounds in Sound Scheme section. Or u can remain some of ur favorite sounds there but set Exit Windows, Start Windows, Windows Logoff, Windows Logon to (None).

8.) For more options/tips-n-tricks for better performance, u can use TweakUI, Tuneup Utilities 2006 and gpedit.msc (Windows XP Professional built-in tool)!

11/15/2006 6:16 PM

vasu

Joined: 8/7/2006

Posts: 1730

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!! Modified By Vishal Gupta on 8/17/2007 6:02:10 PM

Yes, vishal, that's a nice compilation of XP tweaks, I also always apply majority of them.

vasu

follow me on

meraTechPort

Live Messenger Status, Click to talk !

1/4/2007 11:35 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

If you can't remember some of those useful shortcuts, all you have to do is the following.

1. Go to Start -- Run

2. Type this: "C:\Windows\Helpkeyshort.chm"

You should now see a useful help document with expandable lists.

1/4/2007 11:39 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

give each hd its own icon.

1) create a file called "Autorun.inf" in the root of the drive

2) put this text in the file

[autorun]

ICON=drive.ico

*where drive.ico is the icon file you want to use*

reboot. thats it.

not really a great tip but seen people asking for it

1/4/2007 11:43 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Increase your internet bandwidth by more than 20% in XP (for broadband users)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.make sure your logged on as actually "Administrator".

2. start - run - type gpedit.msc

3. expand the "local computer policy" branch

4. expand the "administrative templates" branch

5. expand the "network" branch

6. Highlight the "QoS Packet Scheduler" in left window

7. in right window double click the "limit reservable bandwidth" setting

8. on setting tab check the "enabled" item

9. where it says "Bandwidth limit %" change it to read 0

10. go to your Network connections (start->connect to->show all connections).

right click on your connection then under the General or the Networking tab

(where it lists your protocols) make sure QoS packet scheduler is enabled.

11. reboot if you want to but not necessary on some systems your all done.

Effect is immediate on some systems. some need re-boot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/5/2007 10:52 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

To run a program from the RUN command .... start menu -> run / windows key + r

just copy the .exe and paste in $root$\windows\systems32\

then just type the application name and it will run !!

1/5/2007 10:54 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

This is directly off of TweakXP.com, i posted it cause it helped me so much:

If, like I had , you have a 3min+ or slower boot time where Windows XP seems to sit for 2+ or so minutes with the XP logo doing nothing before everything comes to life, then do the following.

Download Bootvis from www.microsoft.com and run it the next time you boot. Do a 'Trace'
If it shows a very long 'HDD init' time of minutes rather than seconds then this is how to fix it.

This example assumes you have 1 Hard drive on your primary IDE channel and a DVD-ROM(or CD)
and CD-R on your two secondary IDE channels.

Go to start > right click on my computer > click properties. Click Hardware > Device Manager.

Go to IDE/ATAPI Controllers. Select primary channel. Right click properties. Click the Advance settings tab. Then on the device (0 or 1)that does not have 'device type' greyed out select 'disable' instead of 'autodetect'. This should stop windows trying to find a drive that isn't there.

If you have your IDE channels set up differently simply repat the above for the secondary IDE channel settings.

When I did this my boot time went from 3mins 20 to 35 seconds.

1/5/2007 10:55 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Blocking Unwanted Content From the Net

This can be done by editing a file called Hosts used by MS TCP/Ip for locating IP addresses for typed urls ..
What happens is Windows keeps tracks of IP address of sites visited by you in this file so it wont have to query the DNS service every time you open the website .. When you put an address in the address bar the address is first resolved to an IP address .. So Window keeps this file to list known IP addresses . ..
What we will do is to put a 127.0.0.1 for each site you wanna block .. like common ad servers and spysites .. When request to this site is found Windows will search for their entry in the Hosts file and it will found this (127.0.0.1) address and it will try to connect this site which is your Localhost address .. So it wont find the ad images and ad popups and the like .. Your computer will then give up calling the ad server and no ads will be loaded, nor will any tracking take place. Your choices for blocking sites are not just limited to blocking ad servers. You may block sites that serve advertisements, sites that serve objectionable content, or any other site that you choose to block...

This HOSTS file is located here:

Windows 95/98/Me c:\windows\
Windows XP c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\
Windows NT/2000/ c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\

This Hosts file doesnt have any extension .. You may find Hosts.sam in Win 98 but it is only a dummy file ... You should save the Hosts file corresponding to ur Operating System ...

So a small example Hosts file :

Code:


# localhost: Needs to stay like this to work
127.0.0.1   localhost

127.0.0.1 123banners.com
127.0.0.1 ad.adsmart.net
127.0.0.1 ad.ca.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.de.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.es.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.fr.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.free6.com
127.0.0.1 ad.it.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.iwin.com
127.0.0.1 ad.jp.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.kr.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1 ad.linkexchange.com
127.0.0.1 ad.linksynergy.com
# and so on ...

The # sign denotes a comment ..

You can find a sample Hosts file here ..
(The file contains many entries I found at www.mvps.org)

PS .. When ad image is blocked a red cross box is visible (page not found messages) .. There is a program called eDexter availible to replace the error message with transparent image ..

And yes .. I have read that putting 0.0.0.0 instead of 127.0.0.1 also works but it creates problem with proxy servers thats why I am not suggesting it ..

1/5/2007 10:57 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Small Trick !!!

1) U Guys must be using the Up arrow key in the windows explorer ToolBar (To Move to the parient Directory). Now try Clicking It With Ur Ctrl Key Pressed (U get the parient Directory In a new Window)

Wanna More.... Later!
If U Knew it.. Spread It, If U Don't.. nJoy !!!

1/5/2007 11:00 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Fast Shutdown and/or Restart From Quick Launch Buttons
------------------------------------------------------------
This tip will enable you to create buttons in your quick launch toolbar to quickly and easily shut down and/or restart your computer.

1. Right click on your desktop, scroll to new..... shortcut
2. In the location line, for shutdown type; shutdown -s -t 0 ie: shutdown(space)-s(space)-t(space)number zero
3. Name the shortcut "Shut Down PC" or whatever u want
4. The new shortcut is now sitting on your desktop, right click on it and go to properties, then click on "change icon". Click OK, then pick a suitable icon, there is a red "off button" icon available, then click apply and ok.
5. Now drag the icon from your desktop into the quick launch toolbar, resize the toolbar so all the buttons are visible, then delete the shortcut from your desktop.

To create a restart button the location line should read shutdown -r -t 0 name it restart pc and give it a suitable icon for restart.

Now you can shut down or restart your pc in 1 mouse click without having to go through the startup menu.

1/5/2007 11:12 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

!******!Quick Scanning!******!
(for XP)

When you are running an antivirus scan, you are probably doing nothing else, waiting for the scan to complete. Same happens for the Ad-Ware scans or Registry Scans. If you don't intend to work on heavy programs in your computer during scans, you can speed up the scan by setting its priority to high. If you intend to scan on background and do something else when the scan is going on, DON'T DO WHAT I'M SAYING!

>> Ok, to speed your scan, start the scan as usual and run the task manager.
>> In task manager, under the applications tab, look for the program that is sacnning the system.
>> Right click the program and select "Go to Process".
>> Now, right click the process and set its priority to "Very High" or "Realtime". Some antivirus do not allow to change their priority,however, but if you can change the priority, you get speed boost and that's for sure. But if other programs are running, then they will respond very slow. Moreover, it may cause a crash, so do this ON YOUR OWN RISK.

How does this work??
>> If you set the programs priority to "realtime", it will get to use the CPU the most and whenever it wants, hence increasing speed.

1/5/2007 11:17 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPLICATIONS:

Microsoft has hidden many small and big utilities deep down in XP. Most people even donâ€™t know that there is a small SFX creating utility in XP. Letâ€™s discover all these utilities.

To run any of these utilities go to Start > Run and type the executable name, for example: charmap

1. Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)
2. Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe
3. Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)
4. Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)
5. DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)
6. Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)
7. IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)
8. Mcft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe (appears to allow synchronization of files on the network for when working offline. Apparently undocumented).
9. Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).
10. ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe (something to do with databases)
11. Object Packager = packager.exe (to do with packaging objects for insertion in files, appears to have comprehensive help files).
12. System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )
13. Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).
14. Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).
15. Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).
16. Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network).
17. File siganture verification tool = sigverif.exe
18. Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the System Notification area).
19. System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in Win98! ).
20. Syskey = syskey.exe (Secures XP Account database - use with care, it's virtually undocumented but it appears to encrypt all passwords, I'm not sure of the full implications).
21. Mcft Telnet Client = telnet.exe
22. Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (seems to be a utility for monitoring the actions of drivers, might be useful for people having driver problems. Undocumented).
23. Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat sessions over a LAN, help files available).
24. System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)
25. Group Policy Editor = gpedit.msc used to manage group policies, and permissions.
26. Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc Useful in renaming Administrator.
27. Certificate Manager = certmgr.msc used for encryption and certificate management.
28. Device Manager = devmgmt.msc

1/5/2007 11:19 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Many times you really get bugged up if you had to reformat your HDD and lose all your updates installed and you have to redownload them and reinstall for which you waste your time and money.
Now I will show you how to save all Windows updates to your HDD.

There are several methods and we will discuss all of them.

1st Method: Easiest and only for Windows XP with SP2.
Firstly you have to configure your Automatic Updates Settings through MyComputer(right click)>>properties>>Automatic Updates.

Choose the option shown in the above shot and click ok. Your SP2 Security Center may warn you but ignore or disable it. Now connect to the net and wait for some time. You will get a notification in the system tray that Updates are available for download. Now double click on the System Tray Icon and it opens up a window and now you can see all the updates listed with their KB Article Numbers. Here is a screenshot.

Now copy all the numbers to your notepad and now use the link
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=XXXXXX or click the link given in the box above.
Here XXXXXX is the 6 digit number you copied earlier. From the support page you will find a link to the patch and now you can download it convieniently.

2nd Method: Work for any Windows - Best Method
You can download all the updates that are available from Automatic Updates by using the Windows Update Catalog. For additional information about how to download updates from the Windows Update Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
HOW TO: Download Windows Updates and Drivers from the Windows Update Catalog
1. Visit the Windows Update Web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2. Click Personalize Windows Update.
3. Select the Display the link to the Windows Update Catalog under
See Also check box.

4. Click Save Settings.
5. A Windows Update Catalog link appears under See Also.

6. Click the Windows Update Catalog link.
7. Click Find updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
8. Click the appropriate product, and then click Search.
9. Click Critical Updates and Service Packs.
10. Locate the patch you want, and then click Add.
11. Click Go to download basket. In the Type or browse to the download location of your choice box, type the full path for the folder in which you want to save the patch. Or, click Browse to browse to the folder. Click Download Now.

If you don't find the link to Windows Update Catalog (as in SP2) then go to Administrator Options and there is a heading named "Update multiple operating systems"? and under it link to Windows update Catalog is given.
A manual link (no guarantee on link working on diff Windows) to Windows Update Catalog is given below:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...en/default.asp
I used this On WinXP SP2 and it worked and plus you can download updates for any Windows i.e. you can 98 updates while running XP. This works best for Networked PC's.

Source: MS-KB 283147 - Automatic Updates Downloads Cannot Be Installed on Other Computers
3rd Method: Works in any Windows but not always
Another method to save the patch locally is to install the update 'as usual' from the Windows Updates page. Once the copy process is complete and the Install process is about to begin, look for the WUTemp folder in C:\ (or whatever drive you've installed Windows). This is the destination folder used by Windows Updates to save the hotfix. The hotfix will be deleted automatically once installed. Therefore, copy the WUTEMP directory contents to a new folder, while the install process has just started.

For Windows XP SP2, the installer is stored in a sub-folders under %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Another Note: Sometimes you find a long named file with random characters and without an extension in %Windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download. Try renaming the file by just adding .exe to the end of the filename. Do not modify anything else. Now right click and check its properties. It may turn out to be an update and its KB number is listed in its properties. You can now copy the update to any folder. Don’t move the update, just copy it to any location. This will work any time and even if you are not connected to the net.

Tip: After downloading the updates, save them to a CD if you’re planning to apply across multiple systems or a stand-alone system without internet connection. Before applying the downloaded updates, you can run through Windows Updates scan (don’t download yet) to know the list of Cricital Updates (Q######) pertaining to that particular computer. Note all of them to a piece of paper and install them one by one from the CD. This one works even better when combined with 2nd Method.

1/5/2007 11:22 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Proper Order of Installing Items in XP

This is what I consider the proper order to install XP, its updates/drivers/patches and applications.
1. XP
2. SP2 (If you didn't make a slipstreamed CD)
3. Chipset drivers
4. Video Card Drivers. (run disk cleanup)
5. NIC/Modem Drivers and ISP software
6. Windows Update, High Priority Updates (SP2 if you didn't download ahead of time)
7. Windows Update, Optional hardware updates
8. Windows Update, Optional software updates (don't load unnecessary items)
9. Other Drivers (try to automatically update first) (run disk cleanup)
10. Backup
11. Major applications. Fully update each application before installing the next.
12. The rest of your apps. (run disk cleanup)
13. Anti-Virus software and update it.
14. Configure email, move My Documents to another drive
15. Cleanup System Tray, organize Start Menu, activate XP
18. Safe Mode, disk cleanup (advanced) and defragment.
19. Backup
20. Tweak it!
21. Backup

1/5/2007 11:22 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

1/5/2007 11:34 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

The BIG Windows XP Services Guide v1.4

--------------------------------------

By Alan (DeviantForums / 3DPixel.net)

Edited and Modified by: [deXter]

IMPORTANT NOTE:
***************

* It is recommended that you make a backup of your registry / or use system restore
before you proceed
* Do NOT use "msconfig" to disable services, type "services.msc" in the Run box instead!
* Dont modify all services at one go. Instead, modify in small numbers, like 5 at a time
so that you can reboot and check if everythings working fine
* In case you system doesnt work properly after modifying the services, try booting up
in safe mode to: change the services back to normal, or use system restore
* You can also use the option 'Last known good settings' in the F8 menu to go back to
your original settings incase something goes wrong
* After adjusting your service settings, reboot your computer.

--------------------------------------

Descriptions and Recommendations:

--------------------------------------

Alerter

Microsoft Description - Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts. If the service is stopped, programs that use administrative alerts will not receive them. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Good for big brother corporate networks. Home PCs do not need to send/receive administrative alerts.
Doesent Exactly do much for hindering performance, so leave it on Manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Application Layer Gateway Service

Microsoft Description - Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall

Human Description - Good if the system is a gateway/client on a NAT LAN, also (attempts to) protect nasty script kiddies from turning you and your friends' computers into their pawns in the quest for world domination.

XP's Firewall is about as useful as a chocolate Teapot. Disable this service unless you are on a home LAN and use Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Application Management

Microsoft Description - Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove.

Human Description - Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Best leaving this on the default setting of Manual. Rarely used but when you need it, it will be activated.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Automatic Updates

Microsoft Description - Enables the download and installation of critical Windows updates. If the service is disabled, the operating system can be manually updated at the Windows Update Web site.

Human Description - Allows Windows XP free reign to contact the Microsoft servers and download a whole host of "critical" updates.

Most likely Windows XP will attempt this every time you are furiously playing Counter-Strike or Q3, then suddenly you wonder why you can't hit a barn-door from 5 paces as your ping rockets to 500ms+. No thanks Bill, think I can connect to WindowsUpdate by myself...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Microsoft Description - Uses idle network bandwidth to transfer data.

Human Description - A sneaky way of doing Automatic Updates - Windows XP will judge whether you are using your bandwidth or just sat there motionless looking at your screen. If not it will happily download away.

If you're sat there idling and your modem is going bonkers downloading a host of information, the scaremongery of today will trigger a switch in your head that convinces yourself that you are being used for above said script kiddies' plans to turn your system into a mindless zealot for world conquest. No thanks, and besides, automatic services will quash those extra 2fps in quake 3.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

ClipBook

Microsoft Description - Enables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Another "exactly what it says on the tin"

Why do you want to share your random cut'n'pastes with your fellow LAN chums? Or someone who is half way around the world? If you feel this is an important contribution to your life leave it on Manual. Otherwise kill that resource eating service!

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

COM+ Event System

Microsoft Description - Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Kind of like a communication method between different modules in Windows. Used basically for 16 bit programs that require it.

Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

COM+ System Application

Microsoft Description - Manages the configuration and tracking of Component Object Model (COM)+-based components. If the service is stopped, most COM+-based components will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - If COM+ Event System is the car then this service is the driver

Best leaving this to its default value of "Manual" as it is needed.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Computer Browser

Microsoft Description - Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Like it says, needed to keep tracks of computers on your network.

If you're on a LAN, leave it to manual, if you're a standalone system then disable it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Cryptographic Services

Microsoft Description - Provides three management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Among other things, this service authenticates WHQL drivers (i.e. for graphics cards)

I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

DHCP Client

Microsoft Description - Manages network configuration by registering and updating IP addresses and DNS names.

Human Description - Under Windows managed networks DCHP is useful in assigning IP/DNS addresses.

I would personally set this to manual. If it's then needed, it starts.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

*** NOTE: Some users had problems with connecting to the net, if set to manual. If you are having any such problems,
then please set it to Automatic.

--------------------

Distributed Link Tracking Client

Microsoft Description - Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network domain.

Human Description - Good for (e.g.) databases that rely on networked files for updating.

Do you share files that lots of people work on? Do you even use NTFS as a home user?

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

Microsoft Description - Coordinates transactions that span multiple resource managers, such as databases, message queues, and file systems. If this service is stopped, these transactions will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Distributed Link Tracking Client

The service sounds like a job title for a pointless middle manager somewhere. For home users it's the same story for our Distributed Transaction Coordinator; going nowhere fast.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

DNS Client

Microsoft Description - Resolves and caches Domain Name System (DNS) names for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to resolve DNS names and locate Active Directory domain controllers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Best leave this one automatic *cough*

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

EDIT ** >Actually it can be turned off. It just provides a caching
>DNS server locally to your PC. It can cause problems if you are using
>Dynamic, Round Robin, or any type of load balanced DNS upstream. I
>recommend you turn it off. Your PC will then always go upstream to do
>DNS rather than look in its own cache.***

** NOTE: Again, in case you are having problems connecting to the net, turn this service back to Automatic.

--------------------

Error Reporting Service

Microsoft Description - Allows error reporting for services and applictions running in non-standard environments.

Human Description - When something crashes (quite frequently) and Windows pops up and advises you to tell Microsoft all about it, that is the fruit of this service's loins

One of my pet hates, If something crashes I will scream at the monitor and stamp my feet as I please; I don't need to tell Microsoft that I'm doing it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Event Log

Microsoft Description - Enables event log messages issued by Windows-based programs and components to be viewed in Event Viewer. This service cannot be stopped.

Human Description - Exactly what it says on the tin

Can't stop it, fair enough, but we can disable it muhahahahaha... unless of course you actually want to read that Internet Explorer caused a fatal exception in blah blah blah...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For Multiple Users - Manual)

--------------------

Fast User Switching Compatibility

Microsoft Description - Provides management for applications that require assistance in a multiple user environment.

Human Description - For home users this functions as "switch user" when the logoff option is used.

If you want it you can have it. I set it to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual
(For single user setup - Disabled)

--------------------

Help and Support

Microsoft Description - Enables Help and Support Center to run on this computer. If this service is stopped, Help and Support Center will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Description is self-explanitory

I never use this as I suspect 90% of the people reading this don't either.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Human Interface Device Access

Microsoft Description - Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - If you have one of those fancy keyboards or other peripherals mentioned above then this allows you to use them in Windows.

I dream of fancy keyboards and remote controls, but at least I can disable this service (Obviously don't if you are fancy)

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service

Microsoft Description - Manages CD recording using Image Mastering Applications Programming Interface (IMAPI). If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to record CDs. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Controls the in-built CD-burning software in XP

If you don't use the in-built software then disable the service. Incidentally disabling this makes NERO Burning ROM open quicker.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Indexing Service

Microsoft Description - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.

Human Description - Works like an advanced search feature. This can search through files and index keywords for rapid searching.

Thanks, but no thanks. If I want to search I will use the "dog feature".

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Microsoft Description - Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.

Human Description - Related to Application Layer Gateway Service

Set this to the same as Application Layer Gateway Service

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

IPSEC Services

Microsoft Description - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver.

Human Description - Authenticates hosts before transfer of data, Encryption of IP traffic, Prevention of reply attacks

After testing I would set this to Manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

IPv6 Internet Connection Firewall

Microsoft Description - Provides intrusion prevention service for a home or small office network.

Human Description - Useful in case you have a network and connected to the net, and you dont have any other firewall

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Logical Disk Manager

Microsoft Description - Detects and monitors new hard disk drives and sends disk volume information to Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service for configuration. If this service is stopped, dynamic disk status and configuration information may become out of date. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Updates records to do with hard disk volumes.

Leaving something to download overnight only to return and find you didn't have enough space? I'm sure you will slap your head and think to yourself, "Why did I disable the Logical Disk Manager?".

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service

Microsoft Description - Configures hard disk drives and volumes. The service only runs for configuration processes and then stops.

Human Description - Related to Logical Disk Manager

As it is infrequently used, set to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Messenger

Microsoft Description - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allows network administrators the ability to pop a little prompt on your screen with information.

Although hilarious for the first 25 seconds in forcing your non-computer literate friends to think their machine has been hacked into this service is pretty much pointless.

Incidentally the command to pop-up a prompt on someones screen is "net send [computername] I know where you live" (or some other intimidating message). Enjoy your 25 seconds of fun...

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Microsoft Description - Manages software-based volume shadow copies taken by the Volume Shadow Copy service. If this service is stopped, software-based volume shadow copies cannot be managed. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Like the man said, it allows shadow copying.

Set to disabled unless you want your shadow copy service to control your life.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Net Logon

Microsoft Description - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain.

Human Description - Domain Authentication[/b]

If you're a home user you probably won't have a domain. Disable this service and free up that memory.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing

Microsoft Description - Enables an authorized user to access this computer remotely by using NetMeeting over a corporate intranet. If this service is stopped, remote desktop sharing will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Why use the bloated netmeeting when VNC does it about 10 times faster and is free?

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network Connections

Microsoft Description - Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.

Human Description - Controls your internet connection details basically.

If you want to use the internet it may be best to leave this setting to its default value of manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Network DDE

Microsoft Description - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. If this service is stopped, DDE transport and security will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Makes use of programs that have the ability to use DDE.

More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network DDE DSDM

Microsoft Description - Manages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If this service is stopped, DDE network shares will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Network DDE

More than likely you will never make use of this service. DDE functions are usually restricted to business applications.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Microsoft Description - Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.

Human Description -

Perhaps useful (although not critical) if you are on a network as Windows will attempt to update the network lists with events such as logon/logoff. If you are not on a network then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

NT LM Security Support Provider

Microsoft Description - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.

Human Description - Installation of some hardware requires usage of RPC.

Best leaving this setting to the default value of manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

NVIDIA Driver Helper Service

Microsoft Description -

Human Description - Provides help and support for NVIDIA graphics cards.

This is an optional service installed when NVIDIA detonator drivers are installed. Disabling this service seems to significantly reduce the time Windows XP takes to shut down.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Performance Logs and Alerts

Microsoft Description - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule

Human Description -

Hardly useful for a home PC now is it? Unless they start assigning the equivalent of 3DMarks I doubt anyone is really interested.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Plug and Play

Microsoft Description - Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.

Human Description -

Commonly referred to as Plug'n'Pray this service is perhaps one feature of Windows XP worth having.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Portable Media Serial Number

Microsoft Description - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computer

Human Description -

Quite possibly the most pointless and utterly useless service known to human kind. Why memory is allocated to the retrieval of a needless serial number from your MP3 player is beyond me and I'm sure it's a joke.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Print Spooler

Microsoft Description - Loads files to memory for later printing.

Human Description -

With the advent of greater than 500MHz machines I doubt there will be much speed increase seen from loading files into memory for printing.
However after disabling this my printer would not work so thumbs up to MS for the vague description. Didn't say it would stop you printing now did it...?

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Protected Storage

Microsoft Description - Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as private keys, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.

Human Description - Stop those 1337 h4X0)2 skr1p7 |<1dd135 knocking around with your files.

Trouble is, if they are already past your firewall you've had it anyway. Leave on Manual just in case. Its also used by IE to store passwords and Autocomplete. If you dont use IE, disable it.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

QoS RSVP

Microsoft Description - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets.

Human Description - Quality Of Service - quite useful for services that use it

Used for network balancing and other nifty things to make "your internet experience as wonderful as possible". Quite good then that this service eats 25% of your bandwidth doing it and hardly anything actually makes use of it.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager

Microsoft Description - Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.

Human Description - Makes use of embedded links in programs such as Office, also is used in autodial functions

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Access Connection Manager

Microsoft Description - Creates a network connection.

Human Description - Involved in dial-up. (Digital connections aswell)

Leave as Manual. It usually starts anyway.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager

Microsoft Description - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If this service is stopped, Remote Assistance will be unavailable. Before stopping this service, see the Dependencies tab of the Properties dialog box.

Human Description - Allows incoming Remote Desktop connections.

If you don't use this feature of Windows XP (Remote Desktop) then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disable

--------------------

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Microsoft Description - Provides the endpoint mapper and other miscellaneous RPC services.

Human Description - Needed for some installations

nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator

Microsoft Description - Manages the RPC name service database.

Human Description - Related to Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

nice vague Microsoft description. Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Remote Registry

Microsoft Description - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer. If this service is stopped, the registry can be modified only by users on this computer. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allow people to modify local registry settings via remote desktop or similar.

Possibly one of the biggest security holes that I am suprised nobody has yet exploited. Allowing your registry to be edited remotely? Come on....

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Removable Storage

Microsoft Description -

Human Description - Zip Drives, USB pens etc...

May aswell leave to manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Routing and Remote Access

Microsoft Description - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.

Human Description - used on business networks

Pointless for home users.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Secondary Logon

Microsoft Description - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - allow multiple users on one machine.

Most people I think actually make use of this feature.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic
(Single User Setup - Manual)

--------------------

Security Accounts Manager

Microsoft Description - Stores security information for local user accounts.

Human Description - Related to Secondary Logon

Leave on automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Server

Microsoft Description - Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Supports file sharing and other basic LAN functions.

Used for sharing printers and files across Local Area Networks. If you're not on a network you don't need this.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Shell Hardware Detection

Microsoft Description - None

Human Descripton - Basically related to hardware detection and stuff..

Recomended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Smart Card

Microsoft Description - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will be unable to read smart cards. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Allows reading of smart card media

If you don't use smart media, disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Smart Card Helper

Microsoft Description - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not support legacy reader. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to Smart Card

If you don't use smart media, disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

SSDP Discovery Service

Microsoft Description - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.

Human Description - UPnP = Universal Plug'n'Play

Caters for such things as network printers etc... If you don't have a LAN then disable this service.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

System Event Notification

Microsoft Description - Tracks system events such as Windows logon, network, and power events. Notifies COM+ Event System subscribers of these events.

Human Description - (Example) Can notify programs such as Outlook when an internet connection is established so that it can send its mail.

This service manages a lot of processes. Best to leave as default on automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

** NOTE: This can be set to Manual too. Just test a little bit.

--------------------

System Restore Service

Microsoft Description - Performs system restore functions. To stop service, turn off System Restore from the System Restore tab in My Computer->Properties

Human Description - Allows "rollback" to previous configurations in order to solve hardware/software problems.

Bit of a sticky one this. I personally disable this sevice as it uses a lot of resources. It all depends on the individual user of course.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Task Scheduler

Microsoft Description - Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. If this service is stopped, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Depends again on the individual. Task Scheduler uses a fair amount of resources. In case you want your anti-virus program to update itself and to schedule automatic scans, then leave this on. Also supposedly used for prefetching.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper

Microsoft Description - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution.

Human Description - Helper for Internet traffic.

Unless your fascinated by the intrinsic features of TCP/IP then use this feature. Or rather, go to a site that can give you more help.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Telephony

Microsoft Description - Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices and IP based voice connections on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.

Human Description -

Best leaving this as manual. Not too sure if this covers modems etc.. aswell but it starts when a connection is made to the internet.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Telnet

Microsoft Description - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. If this service is stopped, remote user access to programs might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Cough*Big Security Hole*Cough - this is well worth disabling to bounce those 13 year old hackers.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Terminal Services

Microsoft Description - Allows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server.

Human Description - Remote Desktop features.

If you disabled Remote Desktop earlier then do the same with this.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled
(For MultiUser Setup - Manual )

--------------------

Themes

Microsoft Description - Provides user experience theme management.

Human Description - By default use either classic, Blue, Silver, or (nasty) Green themes in Windows XP

Most people use the themes so leave this automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Uninterruptible Power Supply

Microsoft Description - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computer.

Human Description -

Most home users (unless you live in California) do not have UPS backups.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Universal Plug and Play Device Host

Microsoft Description - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devices.

Human Description - DO NOT CONFUSE this with Plug and Play (PnP). This is sort of a link with LANs and UPNP devices. Very few devices are UPNP. UPNP also poses some security risks. I recommend that you disable this service, if you are not a lan and dont have any UPNP devices.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Upload Manager

Microsoft Description - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network. If this service is stopped, synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network will not occur. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - By networks this also refers to the internet.

Unless you want to have problems sending and receiving traffic to and from the internet it may be best to leave this on automatic. Some people say that its used for LANs only. In case you are NOT on a LAN, I recommend that you leave this one to Manual, after testing it ofcourse.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Volume Shadow Copy

Microsoft Description - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes. If this service is stopped, shadow copies will be unavailable for backup and the backup may fail. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Related to MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Set the same as MS Software Shadow Copy Provider

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

WebClient

Microsoft Description - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify Internet-based files. If this service is stopped, these functions will not be available. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function

Fundamental aspect of Windows. Can be set to Manual however, if you need those extra bits of ram

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Audio

Microsoft Description - Manages audio devices for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description - Fundemental to Windows function

Fundamental aspect of Windows. Leave automatic. (Unless you don't have sound of course)

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

Microsoft Description - Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.

Human Description - In-built scanner and camera features.

If you don't have a scanner/camera then disable this service. Also if you use a 3rd party image aquisition program then disable this in any case.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Management Instrumentation

Microsoft Description - Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Obviously leave this to automatic.

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

--------------------

Windows Management Instrumentation Driver Extensions

Microsoft Description - Provides systems management information to and from drivers.

Human Description - Provides information to Windows Management Instrumentation

Leave as manual as this is needed for Windows Management Instrumentation.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Windows Time

Microsoft Description - Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Unless you are in dire need to have exactly the same time as the administrator on your network this service can be safely disabled.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Zero Configuration

Microsoft Description - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters

Human Description - Wireless networking auto-configuration

Why this is defaulted to automatic is beyond me. Wireless technology is still relatively new so auto-configuration functions resident in memory is pointless.

Recommended for home PC - Disabled

--------------------

Windows Installer

Microsoft Description - Installs, repairs and removes software according to instructions contained in .MSI files.

Human Description - Does as its said, but not required all the time.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

WMI Performance Adapter

Microsoft Description - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.

Human Description - Provides information about your system to system components that require it.

Leave as manual.

Recommended for home PC - Manual

--------------------

Workstation

Microsoft Description - Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Human Description -

Leave as automatic. Needed by Windows to provide functionality on the internet. But generally required if you are on a network, also for Cable Net. If you arent on a network, set this to Manual

Recommended for home PC - Automatic

---------------------

------------------------------------------------------

Approx Speed increases and/or Necessity for Disabling:

-----------------------------------------------------

Help & Support ****
NVIDIA Help and Support *****
IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service ***
System Restore Service *****
Event Log **
Automatic Updates ****
Remote Registry ***** (security)
Error Reporting Service ***
Messenger *
Performance Logs and Alerts *
Portable Media Serial Number *
QOS RSVP ***** (I normally disable this in network properties anyway)
Task Scheduler ***
Telnet ***** (Security)
Wireless Zero Config *

1/5/2007 11:40 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Windows XP Shortcuts to do long jobs

Press Win+L to switch to the Welcome screen.
-----
Press Win+L to lock your workstation.
-----
You can switch users without going through the Welcome screen: From Task Manager, go to the Users tab, right-click a user, and select Connect.
-----
Hold down the shift key in the shutdown dialog to change "Stand By" to "Hibernate". Or just press H to hibernate instantly. You can even use the Power Control Panel to configure your power button to hibernate.
-----
To disable the password when resuming from standby or hibernation, open the Power Control Panel and uncheck "Prompt for password after returning from standby" on the Advanced tab.
-----
You can rename multiple files all at once: Select a group of files, right-click the first file, and select "Rename". Type in a name for the first file, and the rest will follow.
-----
Hold down the shift key when switching to thumbnail view to hide the file names. Do it again to bring them back.
-----
When dragging a file in Explorer, you can control the operation that will be performed when you release the mouse button:

Hold the Control key to force a Copy.

Hold the Shift key to force a Move.

Hold the Alt key to force a Create Shortcut.
-----
If you create a file called Folder.jpg, that image will be used as the thumbnail for the folder. What's more, that image will also be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for all media files in that folder.
-----
From the View Menu, select "Choose Details" to select which file properties should be shown in the Explorer window. To sort by a file property, check its name in the "Choose Details" in order to make that property available in the "Arrange Icons by" menu.
-----
To display the volume control icon in the taskbar, go to the Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel and select "Place volume icon in the taskbar".
-----
Hold down the shift key when deleting a file to delete it immediately instead of placing it in the Recycle Bin. Files deleted in this way cannot be restored.
-----
If you hold down the shift key while clicking "No" in a Confirm File Operation dialog, the response will be interpreted as "No to All".
-----
To save a document with an extension other than the one a program wants to use, enclose the entire name in quotation marks. For example, if you run Notepad and save a file under the name

Dr.Z

it will actually be saved under the name Dr.Z.txt. But if you type

"Dr.Z"

then the document will be saved under the name Dr.Z. Note that a document so-named cannot be opened via double-clicking since the extension is no longer ".txt".
-----
Put a shortcut to your favorite editor in your Send To folder and it will appear in your "Send To" menu. You can then right-click any file and send it to your editor.
-----
Ctrl+Shift+Escape will launch Task Manager.
-----
To arrange two windows side-by-side, switch to the first window, then hold the Control key while right-clicking the taskbar button of the second window. Select "Tile Vertically".
-----
To close several windows at once, hold down the Control key while clicking on the taskbar buttons of each window. Once you have selected all the windows you want to close, right-click the last button you selected and pick "Close Group".
-----
You can turn a folder into a desktop toolbar by dragging the icon of the desired folder to the edge of the screen. You can then turn it into a floating toolbar by dragging it from the edge of the screen into the middle of the screen. (It helps if you minimize all application windows first.)
-----
You can turn a folder into a taskbar toolbar.

First, unlock your taskbar.

Next, drag the icon of the desired folder to the space between the taskbar buttons and the clock. (Wait for the no-entry cursor to change to an arrow. It's a very tiny space; you will have to hunt for it.)

You can rearrange and resize the taskbar toolbar you just created.

You can even turn the taskbar toolbar into a menu by resizing it until only its name is visible.
-----
In the Address Bar, type "microsoft" and hit Ctrl+Enter. Internet Explorer automatically inserts the "http://www." and ".com" for you.
-----
To remove an AutoComplete entry from a Web form, highlight the item in the AutoComplete dropdown and press the Delete key.

To remove all Web form AutoComplete entries, go to the Internet Explorer Tools menu, select Internet Options, Content, AutoComplete, then press the "Clear Forms" button.
-----
To organize your Favorites in Explorer instead of using the Organize Favorites dialog, hold the shift key while selecting "Organize Favorites" from the Favorites menu of an Explorer window.
-----
You can organize your Favorites by dragging the items around your Favorites menu.

Alternatively, you can open the Favorites pane and hold the Alt key while pressing the up and down arrows to change the order of your Favorites.
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To run Internet Explorer fullscreen, press F11. Do it again to return to normal mode.
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If your "Printers and Faxes" folder is empty, you can hide the "Printers and Faxes" icon when viewed from other computers by stopping the Print Spooler service.
-----
To add or remove columns from Details mode, select Choose Details from the View menu, or just right-click the column header bar.
-----
In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while turning the mouse wheel to go forwards or backwards.
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In Internet Explorer, hold the Shift key while clicking on a link to open the Web page in a new window.
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In Internet Explorer, type Ctrl+D to add the current page to your Favorites.

This and many more keyboard shortcuts can be found by going to Internet Explorer, clicking the Help menu, then selecting Contents and Index. From the table of contents, open Accessibility and click "Using Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts".
-----
In some applications (such as Internet Explorer), holding the Control key while turning the mouse wheel will change the font size.
-----
To shut down via Remote Desktop, click the Start button, then type Alt+F4.
-----

Trivia

In 1984 Bill Gates said " I think 640KB memory will be enough for anyone in the future."

in 1991 Bill Gates said" I don't think anybody would need Internet . Internet is not for everyone."

Above statements are true to my knowledge.But What next? We don't need Firefox anymore or there is no OS secure than Windows Longhorn(guessed the name of nxt Windows)

1/5/2007 11:46 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

(I)Boot Optimize : just add this to your registry :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOpt imizeFunction]
"Enable"="Y"

(II)Diable Welcome Screen : just add this to your registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Cu rrentVersion\Winlogon]
"LogonType"=dword:00000000

(III)For tweaking graphics card ... get Rivatuner

(IV)To increase DNS cache : just add this to your registry

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Dnscache\Parameters]
"NetFailureCacheTime"=dword:00000000
"NegativeSOACacheTime"=dword:00000000
"NegativeCacheTime"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Dnscache\Parameters]
"MaxCacheTtl"=dword:00003840
"MaxNegativeCacheTtl"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters]
"QueryIpMatching"=dword:00000001

(V)To speed up net browsing : just add this to your registry
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Explorer\RemoteComputer\NameSpace\{D627 7990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}]
@="Scheduled Tasks"

(VI)To speed up browsing/downloading speed
Start>Run type in gpedit.msc
local computer policy>administrative templates>network
highlight "QoS Packet Scheduler" .. in the right window double click the "limit reservable bandwidth" .... enable it and change "bandwidth limit %" to read 0 ..

1/5/2007 11:52 AM

vasu

Joined: 8/7/2006

Posts: 1730

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Piyush wrote

Trivia
In 1984 Bill Gates said " I think 640KB memory will be enough for anyone in the future."
in 1991 Bill Gates said" I don't think anybody would need Internet . Internet is not for everyone."
Above statements are true to my knowledge.But What next? We don't need Firefox anymore or there is no OS secure than Windows Longhorn(guessed the name of nxt Windows)

As far as I know, this is not true, He never said those things,
Gates has repeatedly denied ever saying this.

You already have Vista now.

vasu

follow me on

meraTechPort

Live Messenger Status, Click to talk !

1/5/2007 11:52 AM

Piyush

Joined: 8/19/2006

Posts: 35

Re: MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!

Stopping Unneeded Startup Services

Along with the core operating system and programs that Windows XP runs when it starts, there is also a host of services involved. Many of these services are necessary for Windows XP to operate correctly. However, many of them are for features in Windows XP that you may not use at all. You can peruse the services and disable any service that you do not want to run. The fewer services that run, the more quickly Windows XP will boot.

Caution:
Exercise caution when stopping services. If you do not know what a service does or are unsure of the ramifications of stopping the service, leave it alone. Some services are critical to Windows XP's operations, so make sure you understand what the service is before you disable it.

To reduce the number of services that start on bootup, you can access two different areas of Windows XP. The first is the System Configuration Utility. The Services tab shows you the services that start when the computer boots.

You can stop a service from starting by simply clearing the check box next to the service and clicking OK. However, before you do so, there is another way to disable services that you may prefer because the interface gives you more information about the service in question.

Open Control Panel/Administrative ToolsServices or else select Start/Run, type services.msc, and click OK. Either way, you see the Services console.

I prefer to use the Services console instead of the System Configuration Utility because it describes what the service does. Additionally, you can double-click a service and examine its properties.

Notice the Startup Type column in Figure 4-2. This information lists whether the service is automatic or manual. Manual services are only started in Windows XP when you start a process that requires the service. Some other process may require the service that has a "dependency" relationship with it; in this case, the dependency service will start, as well. Because these services do not start automatically when you boot Windows XP, you do not need to do anything with manual services.

However, all services listed as automatic start when Windows XP boots. These are the services that increase boot time. As I have mentioned, many of them are necessary and important, so you should not stop automatic services from booting unless you are sure of the ramifications. You can get this information by looking at the Description column. Here's a quick look at common services you may want to live without:

Automatic Updates: This service enables Windows XP to check the Web automatically for updates. If you don't want to use Automatic Updates, you can disable the service. You can always check for updates manually at the Windows Update Web site.

Computer Browser: If your computer is not on a network, you don't need this service. If you are on a network, leave it alone.

DHCP Client: If you are not on a network, you do not need this service. If you are on a small workgroup, you can still increase boot time by configuring manual IP addresses (which I explore later in this chapter).

DNS Client: If you are not on a network, you do not need this service. If you are, leave it alone.

Error Reporting and Event Log: You don't have to use these services but they can be very helpful, so I would leave them configured as automatic.

Fax: If you don't use your computer for fax services, you can disable this one.

Help and Support: If you never use the Windows XP Help and Support Center (found on the Start menu), you can disable this service.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM: This service enables you to burn CDs on your computer. If you never burn CDs, you can disable the service.

Indexing Service: Your computer keeps an index of files but if you rarely search for files, the service is just a resource hog. You can stop it and turn the service to manual.

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing: If you do not use these features, you can disable them.

Infrared Monitor: If you do not use infrared devices, you can disable this service.

Messenger: This service sends alert messages on a local area network (it is not the same as Windows Messenger). If you are not on a network, you can disable this service.

Print Spooler: If you do not do any printing from the computer, you can disable this service. If you print, make sure you leave it as automatic.

Remote Registry: This service allows remote users to modify the Registry on your computer. If you are not on a network, you can disable this service.

System Restore Service: This service allows you to use System Restore. If you have turned off System Restore anyway, you do not need to turn off the service. If you do, you turn off System Restore.

Themes: If you do not use themes, you can disable this service.

Windows Image Acquisition: If you do not use scanners or digital cameras, you can disable this service.

Wireless Zero Configuration: If do not use wireless networking devices, you can disable this service.

You may have a number of other automatic services, depending on software and other configurations on your computer. So it's a good idea to look through the services and learn more about them. If you double-click a service, a Properties dialog box appears

Notice that on the General tab, you see a Startup Type drop-down menu. If you want to change an automatic service to manual, select Manual here and click OK. As a general rule, don't disable a service unless you are sure you will never use it. However, manual configuration allows the service to be started when you find it necessary, thus speeding up your boot time.

However, before you change a service to manual, look at the Dependencies tab (see Figure 4-4). This tab shows you which other services depend upon the service you are considering changing.

Keep in mind that services are necessary for the vast functionality you get with Windows XP. Change only those services that you understand and do not use. How you use your Windows XP computer should be the best guide in terms of optional startup services.

Tip:

The Indexing service and the System Restore service take up a lot of disk space and system resources across the board. You can live without the Indexing service but I suggest that you keep using System Restore. It works great when you are in a bind and this is one case where the loss of speed may not be worth the ramifications of not using System Restore.

Speed Tips and Tricks for Windows XP Startup

Aside from startup programs, services, and the Prefetch folder, there are a number of other startup procedures and issues you can modify to help Windows XP start faster. The following sections explore those tips and tricks.

Manual IP Addressing on Small Office/Home Networks

Windows XP is configured to help you take care of networking. It uses the TCP/IP protocol for networking in workgroups, or what you might call small office or home networks that do not use a dedicated server.

The problem is that automatic IP addressing can be slow. When your computer boots, it has to query the network to see what IP addresses are already in use and then assign itself one. If you want to speed up the boot time a bit, consider manually assigning IP addresses to all computers on the network. This way, the network computers do not have to worry about locating an automatic IP address. Because one is manually configured, the operating system doesn't have to spend time solving this problem.

This isn't a networking book, however, so I won't delve into the implications of using a manual IP address, but if you are using a computer that functions as a host computer to the Internet (using Internet Connection Sharing [ICS]), you can get into connectivity problems if you change the configuration of the IP address. However, you can still work around this problem by starting with the ICS host computer.

Select Start/Connect To/Show All Connections. Right-click your network adapter card and click Properties. On the General tab, select TCP/IP in the list of services and click the Properties button.

In the TCP/IP properties, you can see if you use an automatic or manual IP address. In the example in Figure 4-5, I have configured a manual IP address of 90.0.0.1 and a default subnet mask. The other computers on my office network each use a different IP address in the same class, such as 90.0.0.2, 90.0.0.3, 90.0.0.4, and so on. This way, each computer has a permanent IP address, which helps increase boot time. Note that if you change the IP addresses of your computers, they must all use the same subnet mask. A default subject mask of 255.255.255.0 will keep you in good shape.

Make sure you understand the implications of changing IP addresses on your network. If you have no networking experience at all, you may be wiser to leave the automatic IP addressing as is and try to gain some speed using the additional suggestions in this chapter.

Disabling Recent Documents History

Windows XP includes a feature that keeps track of all recent documents you have opened or used. The idea is that you can select Start/Recent Documents History and quickly reopen any document you have recently used. I use many documents each day and never use the feature myself. In my opinion, I can keep up with what I want to use without Windows XP doing it for me.

The bad thing about Recent Documents History is that Windows XP has to calculate what should be put there each time you boot Windows, which can slow things down. So, if you never use the Recent Documents History, it's a good idea to disable it. Here's how:

1. Open the Registry Editor (select Start/Run, type regedit, and click OK).
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mcft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
3. Create a NoRecentDocsHistory D_WORD key. Double-click the value to open it once it is created.
4. Set the Data Value to 1 to enable the restriction.
5. Click OK and close the Registry Editor. You'll need to restart the computer for the change to take effect.

Disabling the Boot Logo

You can remove the boot logo that appears when you start Windows XP. This little tweak probably shaves only a few seconds off your boot time but seconds count if you are serious about trying to get Windows XP up and running as quickly as possible. The only negative is that if you remove the boot logo, you will also not see any boot messages, such as check disk. (But if you are not having problems with your computer, this isn't such a big deal.)

To remove the boot logo, follow these steps:
1. Select Start/Run, type msconfig, and click OK.
2. In the System Configuration Utility, click the BOOT.INI tab.
3. On the BOOT.INI tab, click the NOGUIBOOT check box option. Click OK.

Removing Unwanted Fonts

One trick that increases your boot time a bit is to lose any fonts in the Fonts folder in Control Panel that you never use. The more fonts you have, the more processing Windows XP has to do to prep all of those fonts for use. You must be a bit careful here to not remove fonts that you might want, but there is a good chance that you can live without many of them. For instance, you may have foreign language fonts and other symbol fonts (such as Wingdings) that you never use.

To delete unneeded fonts, follow these steps:
1. Open the Fonts folder in Control Panel.
2. Select Edit/Select All and then Edit/Copy.
3. Create a new folder on your desktop, open it, and select Edit/Paste.
4. In this new folder, delete any of the fonts you do not want.
5. Return to the Fonts folder in Control Panel. Right-click the selected fonts and click Delete.
6. Go back to your new desktop folder and click Edit/Select All.
7. Return to your Fonts folder and click Edit/Paste. You now have only the desired fonts in the Fonts folder.

Tip:

You can directly delete fonts from the Fonts folder without creating the secondary folder. However, I recommend the preceding steps to help ensure that you do not make a mistake in the deletion process.

Stopping Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop Sharing

In Windows XP Professional, you have two remote networking features called Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop Sharing. These remote networking features are very helpful in a variety of situations but if you don't use them, it is good idea to disable them to save boot time. You can always enable them later if you want to use them.

Note:
If you are interested in using Remote Desktop or Remote Assistance, see my book Windows XP for Power Users: Power Pack published by John Wiley & Sons.

1. Open the Start menu, right-click My Computer, and choose Properties.
2. Click the Remote Tab.
3. Clear both check boxes to disable Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop.

Speeding Up the Dual-Boot Timeout

If you dual-boot your computer with Windows XP and another operating system, you see an operating system selection menu on startup. If you typically boot into Windows XP and not the other operating system, you can speed up the dual-boot timeout value so that you do not wait so long for the boot process to select your default operating system and continue with the boot process. The default timeout value is 30 seconds but you can change this setting to 10. This gives you enough time to select the alternate operating system if you want but also speeds up the boot process. You can skip this section if you do not use a dual-boot configuration.

Follow these steps:
1. Locate the boot.ini file on your computer. It is a hidden file by default; mine is located in C:\boot.ini.
2. Open the file with Notepad (which is what opens it by default).
3. Change the Timeout value to 10 (see Figure 4-11).
4. Select File/Save and close Notepad.

Speeding Up Your PPPoE Connection

If you use a Point-to-Point Protocol connection over Ethernet (PPPoE), you may notice a delay in using the PPPoE connection after startup. By default, there is a 120 second delay but you can stop this behavior by manually configuring an IP address for the network adapter card. If you do not use a PPPoE connection, you can skip this section.

1. Select Start/Connect to/Show All Connections.
2. Open the TCP/IP properties for your LAN network interface card.
3. Manually set the IP address on the TCP/IP properties to an appropriate IP address and subnet mask for your network.

Reducing the Wait Time

When you start to shut down Windows XP, it has to quit, or "kill," any live applications or processes that are currently running. So close all applications first. However, some applications and processes are always running in the background. You can reduce the amount of time that Windows XP waits for those applications and processes to close before Windows XP kills them. Edit three different Registry settings to change this:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Select WaitToKillAppTimeout and set the value to 1000.
3. Select the HungAppTimeout value and set it to 1000 as well.
4. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop. Set the WaitToKillAppTimeout and set the value to 1000. Select the HungAppTimeout \newline value and set it to 1000 as well.
5. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l. Select the WaitToKillServiceTimeout value and set it to 1000.
6. Close the Registry Editor.

Automatically Killing Tasks on Shutdown

You know the drill. You start to shut down the computer, you wait a few moments, and then you see a dialog box asking if you want to kill an application or service that is running. Instead of prompting you, you can make Windows XP take care of the kill task automatically. Here's how:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.
3. Highlight the value AutoEndTasks and change the value to 1.
4. Close the Registry Editor.

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