Disable services
Like its predecessor XP, Windows Vista loads up a whole host of services that are really not required for the average user. These can be disabled without any issues to save some valuable system memory.
To do this, go to Start -> Run -> Type services.msc. This will bring up the Services control panel, from where one can disable/enable unneeded services. This has to be done with caution. Disabling the wrong service can have an adverse effect on system performance. With over 35-40 services present, it pays to tread carefully!
Here are some services that can be disabled safely:
1) Offline Files
2) Tablet PC Input Service
3) Terminal Services
4) Fax service
For a more comprehensive list, look here.
Disable Search Indexing
This is a sore point. Windows Search has over time evolved into a fine and usable service. Its integration into Vista was a welcome move. However, it does have its drawbacks. On systems with good specifications the performance hit is negligible, but on older systems it can be a nightmare. The solution is to simply disable it. Here's how it’s done: as above, use services.msc, locate the “Windows Search” service, and from its Options simply disable it.
A key feature of Windows Vista is the introduction of the User Account Control. This service was designed to be a security check. Unlike OSX, which has a similar feature, UAC is very intrusive and pops up all the time. This can be a headache, and lead users to develop a dislike for it. So the best thing to do is simply disable it. Here's how: go to Control Panel and search for User Accounts. This will bring up the configuration options for this service. The last option lets you enable or disable UAC.
Get More RAM
Okay, we know this does not really belong here, but it’s one of the easiest options to implement, and worthwhile too. RAM prices have dropped to an all-time low. A single stick of branded DDR2 800 RAM costs barely Rs 1100. Moving to 2 GB will improve your Windows Vista experience tremendously.
These are only a few of hundreds of tweaks one can use on Windows Vista to improve performance. If you got more of these tips to share, head over to the Tech2 forums and start a new post.
guys speaking about vista are real suckers man!
