• Increase your computer's speed with a few tweaks.poste informatique image by Danielle Bonardelle from Fotolia.com
  
  Windows Vista has tools and processes installed to enable the user to maintain their computers, and tweak its performance to accommodate their changing needs.
  
  

Delete Unused or Unwanted Programs

• Programs, whether running or not, use system resources and at times cause computers to run sluggishly. To boost speeds, open the "Control Panel" and select "Uninstall a program." Review the software listed, click the program you want to remove and choose "Uninstall" from the gray bar at the top of the list.
  
  

Program Priority

• To improve the performance of open programs, use the "Task Manager" to give them a higher priority. Right-click the task bar, choose "Task Manager" and locate the program. Right-click it, and choose "Go to Process." Right-click the highlighted program, choose "Priority" to change how the program runs. Do not choose "Real Time" as a program's priority. Critical operating system programs use real time, and assigning the option to other processes could cause your system to shut down.
  
  

Network Printer Search

• Upon startup, computers search the network for available printers. This search delays the launch of the operating system. To disable the process, type "Network and Sharing Center" into the search box and press "Enter." Locate "Printer Sharing," click the down arrow and select "Turn off printer sharing," then click "Apply."
  
  

Defragmentation

• Defragmentation consolidates the files written on the hard drive into contiguous blocks and enables the computer to locate data quickly. To run the program manually, click "Start," type "defrag" into the search box and press "Enter."
  
  

Memory

• Add memory (RAM) to your system to improve its performance. Check the manufacturer's specifications to determine the maximum amount of RAM for your computer.
  
  

SuperFetch

• SuperFetch uses system resources to monitor programs used frequently, and pre-loads them into the system's memory. To disable SuperFetch, click "Start," type "services" into the search box and click "Services" from the results. Scroll down to and right-click "SuperFetch," click "Properties" and choose "Disabled."
  
  

Startup

• Not all programs launched at startup are essential. To review the list of start-up programs, type "Windows Defender" into the search box and click "Windows Defender" from the results. Click the "Tools" button, then "Software Explorer." Click "Start-up Programs" from the category box; review and select the programs to disable.
  
  

Clean Up the Hard Drive

• Rid the hard drive of unnecessary files to speed up data retrieval. Type "Disk Cleanup" into the search box and click "Disk Cleanup" from the results. From the dialogue box, choose which group of files to clean and their location. Click "OK." Select the files you want to delete and click "OK."
  
  

Advanced Performance Option

• Enable the advanced performance of the hard drive to increase the read and write rate to the drive's cache. Type "Device Manager" into the search box and click "Device Manager" from the results. Locate the hard drive under "Disk Drives," right-click it and select "Properties." Select the "Policies" tab, choose "Enable advanced performance" and click "OK."
  
  

Boot Order

• Change the boot order to decrease the amount of time needed to start your computer. Turn the computer off, wait 10 seconds, then turn the computer on. Repeatedly hit the "F1", "F10" or "Delete" key to enter the "BIOS Setup." Use the arrow keys to highlight "Boot," press "Enter" and then change the boot order for your computer. Consult the manufacturer documentation for your computer for specific instructions if the steps listed do not work.