In my last post, I discussed one way in which you can reclaim some lost performance from Windows XP by turning off some visual effects that Windows XP can apply. Here are a few other tips for improving Windows XP performance, if you’ve decided not to upgrade to Windows 7, or are waiting for a future rollout of the newest OS.

Tried And True Will Speed Up Your Computer

I’ve often suggested that users trim their Startup Items to get better overall computer performance, and I stick by that suggestion. The more Startup Items you have, the more memory your computer must devote to these items. That means you’ll have less memory available for the programs you need (or want) to run. Carefully consider all of your Startup Items.

Some startups are no-brainers. Anti-virus and anti-malware software are two must-haves that come to mind. You want these to run all the time to help protect your computer from unwanted intrusions. Other programs, like chat clients and little utilities, probably shouldn’t be handled as a Startup Item unless you have a really strong reason to start them up each time you boot your computer.

To remove items that have previously been designated as Startup Items, start by looking at your System Tray. The items here should be inspected carefully. Right click on each item in the system tray and determine whether or not you want it to start up automatically each time Windows starts. If you find programs you can live without, check the program preferences for a checkbox that authorizes an automatic startup each time Windows XP loads.

By unchecking the box, you’ll save yourself a little memory each time you start your computer. Preventing programs from starting automatically doesn’t remove them from your computer. The programs are still in place, but they just won’t start on their own. You’ll need to start the program each time you want to use it.

You can also reclaim some lost performance in Windows XP by running a registry cleaner periodically. Your registry can become overloaded with abandoned and useless program code, all of which your OS has to read and interpret. Removing these derelicts from the registry can make a significant difference in the performance of your computer.

Photo Credit: Nick Perla, via Flickr

Tags: better computer performance, slow Windows XP performance, speed up computer