windows XP tweaks and tips

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

as i cant think of anything better to do i thought i might start a thread with a few tricks for winXP users. if anyone has any tricks they think might be useful to others, feel free to add them below. there are a couple of registry hacks - if your not sure of wtf your doing dont attempt them, or you may make a mess of things. And back up first.

Do Not Highlight Newly Installed Programs
Tired of that annoying little window that pops up to tell you that new software is installed? If it gets in the way when you’re logging off, turn it off completely.

To do this Click Start, right-click at the top of the Start menu where your name is displayed, and then click Properties.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, on the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
Click the Advanced tab, and then clear the Highlight newly installed programs check box.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Now that message won’t be popping up when you least want to see it.

Speed up the Start Menu
The default speed of the Start Menu is pretty slow, but you can fix that by editing a Registry Key. Fire up the Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ Desktop \ MenuShowDelay
By default, the value is 400. Change this to a smaller value, such as 0, to speed it up

Getting MP3 ripping to work in Windows Media Player 8 in XP
Enter the following in the registry : [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE
MicrosoftMediaPlayerSettingsMP3Encoding] "LowRate"=dword:0000dac0 "MediumRate"=dword:0000fa00 "MediumHighRate"=dword:0001f400 "HighRate"=dword:0002ee00 This corresponds to 56, 64, 128 and 192 Kbps. You can change this to your liking using the following dword hex values : 320 Kbps = dword:0004e200 256 Kbps = dword:0003e800 224 Kbps = dword:00036b00 192 Kbps = dword:0002ee00 160 Kbps = dword:00027100 128 Kbps = dword:0001f400 112 Kbps = dword:0001b580 64 Kbps = dword:0000fa00 56 Kbps = dword:0000dac0

[nasrules]

good idea grab_grab!

but i must make a request.........change that avatar! its awful!!!!

[Krell]

hell ya this is my kinda post, and especially since he left so much room for others to participate.

And I kinda like this avatar, it makes him look more intellegent than the last one, and makes me feel better about myself too.

[PiRaNeTuS]

I've got quite a few as well. They are:

1. Optimize the contiguous file allocation size for the file system. This tweak is especially useful for disk intensive applications. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ FileSystem
Create a DWORD value named 'ContigFileAllocSize' and set the value to '200' (in hex) or 512 (decimal).

2. Optimize Memory Performance. Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ SessionManager\ Memory Management

A. DisablePagingExecutive – Set value in decimal to 1. This allows XP to keep data in memory now instead of paging sections of ram to harddrive yeilding faster performance.

B. LargeSystemCache – Set value in decimal to 1. This allows XP Kernal to run in memory improving system performance.

C. IOPageLockLimit – Set value in hex – 4,000 if you have 128MB of ram; 10,000 if you have 256MB; 40,000 if you have more than 512MB of ram. This speeds up your disckcache.

D. SystemPages – Reduce the value to something around 128 MB (131072 KB) or 256 MB (262144 KB). I'm using the 256 MB setting, since my total RAM is 512 MB.

3. Optimize IRQ Priority. Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ PriorityControl
Create a new DWORD named IRQ8Priority and set value to 1 in decimal. This increasing the priority of the System CMOS/real time clock, which improves performance across the board.

4. Optimize NTFS. Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ FileSystem

A. NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation - Set to 1. Disables creation of short names.

B. NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate - Set to 1. By default NTFS will automatically update timestamps whenever a directory is traversed. This isn't a necessary feature, and it slows down large volumes. This turns it off.

C. NtfsMftZoneReservation - Set to 2. NTFS uses disparate master file control tables to store filesystem information about your drives. Over time these core MFT files grow and become fragmented, slowing down all accesses to the drive. By setting aside a little space, MFT's can grow without becoming fragmented.

6. Optimize Swap (Paging) File:
Set the swap file to be on a separate partition or drive from the windows drive (if possible.) Multiply your total ram by 2.5 and set this value as both the minimum and maximum swap file values. Also, Open the System Configuration Utility by typing msconfig.exe in the RUN command. In System.ini you have to add "ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1" under the 386enh section.

7. Disable Indexing Service. Indexing services is a small program that hogs HUGE amounts of RAM and can often make a computer endlessly loud and noisy. Disable by clicking on 'My Computer' and then right-click on the C:\ drive and uncheck Index Files.

8. Optimze Prefetcher. Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ SessionManager\ Memory Management\ PrefetchParameters
Enable Prefetcher – Set it to 3. It will decrease the boot time but double and increase the performance of your XP.

10. Increase CPU Priority. Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Control\ PriorityControl
Win32PrioritySeparation – Set to 38


PS. Most of these tweaks I got from www.tweakxp.com .... I also recommend using two great programs, TweakNow Power Pack, and Dachshund Hare.

[nasrules]

Krell: im glad it makes u fell good about urself..........................but all it makes me feel is sick!!!!! lol!

[NightsMaster]

The tip for the startup speed up works great. Speeds up going to places in the control panel also. Very nice. But I gotta say that avatar looks like a really ugly woman I used to work with.
She was really hateful.

EDIT: PiRaNeTuS, thanks for the link. Gonna try some of the
tweaks tonight when I get home from work.

[maartendc]

Hey nice, but I've had nothing but bad luck with so-called xp-tweaks... They didn't do what I wanted them to do etc...

And i agree with that one dude, change your avatar back to the other one grab_grab_ this one is stupid and ugly!

[Krell]

As one who benchmarks and tweaks, I've seen good ones, and I have seen some without any real precedent.

Before you do any tweaks, try to verify that it actually DOES what it purposes to. Otherwise, it's not worth the labor of digging yourself out of.

Any of grab grab choices of avatar is fine with me, although the last one did remind me of Tiny Tim, in a "hey little boy want some candy" sort of way.

[el_omega]

Piranetus said
C. IOPageLockLimit – Set value in hex – 4,000 if you have 128MB of ram; 10,000 if you have 256MB; 40,000 if you have more than 512MB of ram. This speeds up your disckcache.
Well, I have been tweaking my xp pro and had some very good results so far, anyways the link that you have provided www.tweakxp.com (http://tweakxp.com) there is a section that has incorrect tweaks for xp and it mention the one you provided for memory enhancement as a bad tweak.
I have been reading and use this site to change some of the registries www.clankiller.com/tech/WinXP/index.php (http://www.clankiller.com/tech/WinXP/index.php)
Please, correct me if I am wrong.

[lion7718]

Here is a set of Tweaks I have collected.

[12345678910]

Originally posted by nasrules
Krell: im glad it makes u fell good about urself..........................but all it makes me feel is sick!!!!! lol!

You think that ones bad?

Check out this ugly son of a bitch :

[TwoZigzagColt45]

My Favourite XP tweaks

1. cut down on the eye candy disable fade & slide options
2. set the pagefile 3 x RAM to a slave drive's primary partition
3. Do Nothing !!!!!!

XP is self tuning the more you use it the faster it gets

:smilie:

[Intimidated]

12345678910:

Gorgeous, isn't it? hah..

Even makes me feel ill when i see it :) But, it was a funny pic of me when i was incredibly drunk (as per), besides it was the only pic i had handy :) so i used it in my avatar!

Int.

[The Hunter]

I always considered the ability to laugh at ones self a gift. If I couldnt take a joke, I wouldnt be able to look in the mirror every morning.

[overdo]

lol @ hunter. btw these tweaks have come at the right time as i'm getting XP soon. keep them coming.

[TwoZigzagColt45]

check this out

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

i stole these from the excellent www.annoyances.org/

Stop windows messenger starting up with outlook express:

browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express , create a new DWORD Value called Hide messenger, and set this new value to 2.



Force outlook express to accept .exe attachments:

go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office\ 10.0\ Outlook\ Security
Create a new string value called Level1Remove.
Double-click the new Level1Remove to edit it, and enter the filename extensions you'd like to stop Outlook from blocking. Extensions should be typed in lower case, without the dots (.), and separated by semicolons (;). For example, type

exe;mdb;vbs

to allow .exe, .mdb, and .vbs attachments, respectfully.


(of course it goes without saying outlook express doesnt accept these attachments for a reason! be careful!)

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

Originally posted by PiRaNeTuS

6. Optimize Swap (Paging) File:
Set the swap file to be on a separate partition or drive from the windows drive (if possible.) Multiply your total ram by 2.5 and set this value as both the minimum and maximum swap file values. Also, Open the System Configuration Utility by typing msconfig.exe in the RUN command. In System.ini you have to add "ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1" under the 386enh section.


nice tips piranetus!

i think its worth saying more about this one as not everyone will know how to get there!

right click on the my computer icon, select properties -> advanced, then under performance, choose settings -> advanced -> change.

black viper has this to say about the different possible settings:

"From fastest to slowest these are the configurations you can try:

* No swap file at all. Some software may fail. You also need "much" memory to do this. Greater than 512 MB.
* A static swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
* A dynamic swap file on a separate hard drive (and preferably, controller) from Windows and frequently accessed data.
* A static swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
* A dynamic swap file on a separate partition, but on the same physical hard drive as Windows.
* The Default: A dynamic swap file on the same partition and physical hard drive (usually C:) as Windows."

read BVs supertweaks for winXP at this link http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm
(well everyone else posts links to BV, why the hell cant i?)

[Elistas]

Originally posted by grab_grab_the_haddock
Force outlook express to accept .exe attachments:

go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Office\ 10.0\ Outlook\ Security
Create a new string value called Level1Remove.
Double-click the new Level1Remove to edit it, and enter the filename extensions you'd like to stop Outlook from blocking. Extensions should be typed in lower case, without the dots (.), and separated by semicolons (;). For example, type

exe;mdb;vbs

to allow .exe, .mdb, and .vbs attachments, respectfully.


(of course it goes without saying outlook express doesnt accept these attachments for a reason! be careful!)

This is entirely pointless, as all you have to do is goto Tools -> Options -> Security and un-check the box labelled "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." :tilted

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

Originally posted by Elistas
This is entirely pointless, as all you have to do is goto Tools -> Options -> Security and un-check the box labelled "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus." :tilted

duh..i never knew that.
well at least everyone now has a choice of two different methods........... let the people decide which is easiest :bk

[overdo]

* No swap file at all. Some software may fail. You also need "much" memory to do this. Greater than 512 MB.

ok does this tip mean u can do this WITH 512megs??

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

Originally posted by overdo
ok does this tip mean u can do this WITH 512megs??

dont try this unless you have GREATER i.e more than 512megs of ram AND you know exactly what your doing.

[Krell]

That just ruled out 99% of the people

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

thats the beauty of my posts...i address myself to the elite AND the common Joe both at the same time.

honest. i aint full of shit.

[overdo]

dont try this unless you have GREATER i.e more than 512megs AND you know exactly what your doing.

i am very familiar with registry edits, just i'm getting a new pc with 512megs of ram which is why i asked.

[TwoZigzagColt45]

no swapfile ???? why ???

XP is a paging OS even if you disable it XP will still page

only slower

Doh !!!

[Elistas]

Windows XP is designed to utilitze physical RAM before using the paging file. I would never disable the pagefile. Many programs, especially games, will not run properly with the pagefile disabled, no matter how much physical memory you have.

[grab_grab_the_haddock]

i certainly wasnt advising anyone to get rid of their paging file, i just thought it interesting to give some info from a person much better informed than me.

Having no paging file is only for serious power users, and like elistas said the paging file is needed for some software regardless of how much ram you have.

Personally i wouldnt touch that setting with a bargepole even if i had 3 GB of ram.

and you still havent told me what those numbers in your sig are for

[Krell]

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,,5155,00.asp

[overdo]

krell that link is great:wings

it is ideal for ppl who are worried about which tweaks they should apply and actually explains about how windows XP optimises itself. 10/10 for that one.

[phalkon30]

http://www.zeropaid.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4771

Its a short "guide" on tweaking 2k/XP, it should be pretty current, although I haven't checked the links for a while, its got some good links

the one I recommend all XP users check out is http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm