Optimus Prime: Optimize Your PC
I’ve been meaning to write this article for a while now (and, no, it’s not about transformers [I’m just stupid and thought an article about OS optimization called optimus prime was funny ok?]) First, I’ll cover the basic steps that will make any PC run faster. Then, I’ll cover some OS specific tips. After I’m done rambling, I’ll link you to some more in-depth optimization articles.
Files to download
CCleaner
Auslogics Disk Defrag
PageDefrag
- A good place to start when optimizing your PC is to clean your hard disk. To do that first go to START > Run (or the Windows key+r) then type, “cleanmgr.exe /sageset:420” In the resulting settings menu I would recommend checking all but the last 2 if you’re running XP and all of them if you are running Vista. Click “OK”. Now go to Start > run and type, “cleanmgr.exe /sagerun:420”
- For further recommended disk cleaning, download and run CCleaner (link above).
- Next it’s time to clean up all the background programs you have running when your PC boots. Go to Start > Run and type, “msconfig” and click the Startup tab. Disable (uncheck) anything that is related to software and leave everything that is used to run hardware. If you don’t know what it is, LEAVE IT ALONE. Some examples of things you can uncheck are QuickTime, iTunes, Winamp Agent, etc.
- If your computer is a very low end model you may want to disable some visual effects. To do this press Windows key+Pause/Break key and go to Advanced System Settings (on Vista only). Once you are in the System Properties window click the Advanced tab. Then under Performance click Settings… On the Visual Effects tab unclick anything you don’t need or simply click the Adjust for best performance radio button.
- Download and setup PageDefrag (link above). It takes three seconds and it works wonders; use it at every boot.
- Fragmentation causes systems to slow down. If your system is slower than it used to be fragmentation is likely the culprit. You can use the default Windows defragmenter program (by clicking Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) but it’s terrible and if Vista is any indication it’s just going to get worse. You’d be better off going to Start > Run and typing “defrag.exe -v c:” to use the old DOS defragmenter, at least that gives you some info about your system. However, the best, and fastest, way to defragement is by downloading the Auslogics Disk Defragmenter (link above) and using that.
tagged as: PC optimization extreme tech os optimize optimus prime auslogic disk defrag sysinternals pagedefrag ccleaner
