How to Make My Games Faster in Vista
- 1). Close unnecessary and back-end programs. This is one of the easiest ways to free up resources for gaming performance. Before launching your game, make sure you close all additional software, such as Internet browsers, chat programs and file sharing programs. You can also use the Task Manager application to view which programs are taking up the most memory. To open the Task Manager, hold "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete." Once this is open click on the "Processes" tab to view all the programs currently running. If you find any programs that are taking unnecessary resources, click on the program name and press "End process" to close the program. You can also select the "Performance" tab to see how much free resources your computer currently has. This allows you to monitor memory usage and processor usage.
- 2). Disable Windows Vista transparency effects. Special visual effects that have been included in Windows Vista software can take extra memory resources and slow down your computer. To disable these effects, right-click anywhere on the desktop and select "Personalize." Click on "Theme" and select the "Classic Windows Theme." This will remove any special Vista effects and free up extra resources to devote to gaming performance.
- 3). Deactivate Windows sounds. When Windows Vista produces sound files for notifications and alerts, it causes extra system memory to be wasted. In order to disable Vista sound files open the sound control panel. Click on the "Sounds tab," select "No Sounds" and uncheck the box next to "Play Windows startup sound."
- 4). Clean up your hard drive. Hard drives cluttered full of unused programs and software can slow down performance. Make sure to run Disk Defragmenter to boost hard drive efficiency and performance.
- 5). Do a virus scan. Malware and adware can go completely unnoticed to the user. These programs can run backdoor processes that use resources and cause other programs to open and close. Some adware will cause pop-ups that open up Internet browsers and hog resources. Not only can viruses take up resources but they also can cause damage to the way Windows Vista functions.
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