Here are some tips you can use to speed up Windows XP Operating System. First and foremost, what everyone should know is the utility in Windows XP called "Disk Cleanup" & "Disk Defragmenter." Both of them are located from the Start Menu>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>

Disk Cleanup will clean up all temp files, recycle bin trashes, history files, all those goodies to give you more space. Disk Defragmentor will put all the peices of your PC together (when you move folders, uninstall things, and what not) together to make it run more efficiently.

***Scroll down, these tweaks may cause problems if you have an ATI video card***

Now, here are some tips

1. Improve performance by deleting prefetch

   After using your computer for quite some time without cleaning the prefetch, it will slow down your computer noticeably. What you can do is open C:WINDOWSPrefetch. Its not good to do this every single day, but atleast once a month or once every two months.

2. Remove unwanted startup programs slowing your pc

   Go to your start menu and click on it. Go to Run. Type in "msconfig" w/o qoutes. When the window pops up, go to the last tab called "Startup" and uncheck programs you do not want to startup the next time you start your computer. Now, reboot.

3. Help tune your Memory(RAM)

   I recommend that you have atleast 512MB of ram when using this tweak.

   Go to Start>run>regedit

   Now, navigate your way to this registry key. Between each ">" are the sub categories HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory Management

   Now, you will see these two values. Apply these tweaks to it.

   DisablePagingExecutive: Double click it. In the decimal put a 1. This allows XP to keep data in memory now instead of paging sections of ram which in terms give you a better performing PC.

   LargeSystemCache: Double click it. Change the decimal to 1. This allows XP Kernel to Run in memory which also improves system performance alot

4. Remove fancy smancy for speed

   If you dont mind the fancy Windows XP look and want something like the older versions of windows like 98 or ME, right click on "My Computer" and click on properties. Click on "Advanced" tab. Click on "Settings" undes Performance Now, you see the visual effects. You can check/uncheck all or some or none to your liking. Fast = less checked.

5. Speed up shutdown time if your shutdown takes FOREVER go to Start Menu.

   Run. Type in "regedit" and go through the sub categories to this.

   HKEY CURRENT USER>Control Panel>Desktop

   Then double click on "AutoEndTasks" and replace the 0 with a 1. Then, for "WaitToKillAppTimeout", change the Value data to 2000. For "HungAppTimeout", change the Value data to 1000. ***if those values does not exist for the last two(WaitToKillAppTimeout and HungAppTimeOut), create them.

   Now, reboot.

   After reboot if you have problems, make this change. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl right click on "WaitToKillServiceTimeout" and change it to 2000 also.

Now, reboot and watch your PC go VROOOOM!