Do you often feel frustrated while waiting for your slow computer to start Windows XP? Windows XP will automatically load and run all programs in the startup folder, whether used or not. This article will show you how to speed up the boot process of your XP computer by removing programs that normally slow down your computer.
Step
Step 1. Click Start, then Run, and type "msconfig"
Wait for a new window to appear.
Step 2. Look under the tab "BOOT
THIS.
You'll see a box labeled "Timeout:", and a numeric value. By default, the value is 30, which means 30 seconds of waiting time before booting. This can be changed, make it 4 seconds. (Note: If you have more than one operating system, this means the waiting time for startup on the highlighted Operating System will be longer. Sometimes you may want it to be a little longer than 4 seconds, then you can choose 5 or 10 seconds)
Step 3. Periodically delete temporary files from your computer so that the application can run faster
Type %temp% in the run dialog box by clicking Start -> Run, and clicking "OK". You will see a folder open with lots of files. Click the Edit menu and click Select All then click the File menu and select Delete. Note: Always make sure that the open folder has the word "temp" at the top of the menu bar and that the folder indicates that it is a temporary folder.
Step 4. Perform Scandisk to see if your computer's hard drive is in good health and can help your computer run faster
Step 5. Always perform Disk Defragmentation at least once a month
Start disk defragmentation from the System Tools menu in the Accessories menu of the Start menu. This takes a long time and it is advisable not to run any application on the computer including the screen saver, when running disk defragmentation.
Method 1 of 2: Hibernation
Step 1. After doing all this, another way you can do it is to make your computer hibernate
Hibernation closes and opens Windows faster than usual. However, Hibernation is a good long-term recommended solution, as it saves electricity.
Step 2. Go to Start->Control Panel->Power Options
Click the Hibernate tab.
Step 3. Click the box that says "Enable hibernation" to check it
Step 4. Click the Advanced tab and change the Power button option if you want to hibernate by pressing the sleep button or power button
Otherwise, you will be given the option to hibernate by holding down the Shift key while in the Turn Off Computer menu.
Step 5. Restart your computer every week or so to clean your computer
Step 6. The power can then be completely turned off, although it is still plugged into the socket so no power is wasted
Method 2 of 2: Prefetch
Step 1. Browse the Windows folder (example:
C:\Windows) and under that folder you will see the prefetch folder.
Go to the prefetch folder and delete all files (Careful! The location will look like this c:\windows\prefetch). We have to edit the registry key to make tweaks to that folder. Open regedit and look for this key:
Step 2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
Step 3. Under this key you will see a value named:
EnablePrefetcher
Step 4. It has 4 possible values:
Step 5. - Disabled:
The prefetch system is turned off.
Step 6. - Application:
Prefetch only caches apps.
Step 7. - Boot:
Prefetch only caches system boot files.
Step 8. - All:
Prefetch caches boot, and application files.
Step 9. You don't need to disable everything
This will actually make the boot time longer. This is because this feature is also used to speed up loading of boot files. That's why you should choose option number 2. This allows you to still benefit from caching system files, without having to constantly slow down the system with applications.
Step 10. Set the value to 2 and reboot
Step 11. When you boot a second time, your computer will boot up faster
Bear in mind that, the side effect is that launching individual apps after Windows loads will now be a bit slower.
Tips
- Uncheck system startup on unnecessary programs.
- When installing new software, choose not to add the program to the startup folder. Often it can slow down the start up.
- Check regularly to see what programs are running in your startup folder because malicious programs like spyware can install themselves without your permission.
- If you accidentally uncheck a program, go through the steps above again and check the program again and restart your computer.
- Adding more RAM to a Windows XP computer helps the computer boot up faster, and because RAM prices are currently very cheap, increasing RAM power is an easy way to speed up booting. Note: It only runs up to 4 gigabytes of RAM, because Windows XP (x86) does not support RAM larger than that.
- Go to https://www. Sysinfo.org and take a look at the program and its details that you don't know what any of the programs on the list do.
Warning
- Do not uncheck anything from Symantec or any other anti-virus or anti-malware program. Doing so can disable or block protection on your PC.
- Always Save the work you have open before making changes.
- Close all applications before making changes.
- Read your manual before you perform these steps.
