Speed Up XP Computers Using Regular Maintenance Tasks

There are still a great many people using Windows XP thanks to it being secure and faster than Vista. However, running the operating system (OS) on old PCs can become a bit of a strain. This article shows how to speed up XP using freely available methods.

Let's start with boot performance. As Windows XP is starting it initializes programs and services on your PC, many of which you possibly don't need running. Use the startup tab on the System Configuration utility (Start menu > Run > enter msconfig) to enable/disable programs. Just be certain you understand what the applications you disable are doing and do not alter anti-virus services.

How your applications and OS are running should be the next concern - you want to ensure these programs are running as efficiently as possible. To do this, open the task manager program and analyze running programs.

Close those applications you no longer need. Any tools using a lot of memory (see the processes tab) should be checked online for performance issues, patch updates or work-around option (on user forums).

Finally run an anti-virus scan and Windows update. This will help speed up XP by ensuring no buggy could is hampering your OS and that your device drivers/system files are as current as possible.

Next, turn your attention to the effectiveness of principal hardware usage. Empty out at least 10% free space on your hard drives. Windows needs this space for virtual memory. Next double check the virtual memory configuration (system > advanced > performance options > page file). You want to ensure the maximum page file size is greater than the recommended setting. Finally, run the disk defragmenter tool on all drives to speed up XP disk access performance.

These pointers should help speed up XP on an ongoing basis. The addition/upgrade of system RAM will also provide that extra PC boost your XP machine could need.