https://support.microsoft.

com/en-us/help/15055/windows-7-optimize-windows-better-performance
Optimize Windows for better performance
Applies to: Windows 7

Here are some tips to help you optimize Windows 7 for faster performance.
Try the Performance troubleshooter
The first thing that you can try is the Performance troubleshooter, which can automatically find and fix
problems. The Performance troubleshooter checks issues that might slow down your computer's
performance, such as how many users are currently logged on to the computer and whether multiple
programs are running at the same time.
Open the Performance troubleshooter by clicking the Start button

, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then
click Troubleshooting. Under System and Security, click Check for performance issues.
Delete programs you never use
Many PC manufacturers pack new computers with programs you didn't order and might not want. These
often include trial editions and limited-edition versions of programs that software companies hope you'll
try, find useful, and then pay to upgrade to full versions or newer versions. If you decide you don't want
them, keeping the software on your computer might slow it down by using precious memory, disk space,
and processing power.
It's a good idea to uninstall all the programs you don't plan to use. This should include both
manufacturer-installed software and software you installed yourself but don't want any more—especially
utility programs designed to help manage and tune your computer's hardware and software. Utility
programs such as virus scanners, disk cleaners, and backup tools often run automatically at startup,
quietly chugging along in the background where you can't see them. Many people have no idea they're
even running.
Even if your PC is older, it might contain manufacturer-installed programs that you never noticed or have
since forgotten about. It's never too late to remove these and get rid of the clutter and wasted system
resources. Maybe you thought you might use the software someday, but never did. Uninstall it and see if
your PC runs faster.
Limit how many programs run at startup
Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows starts. Software manufacturers often
set their programs to open in the background, where you can't see them running, so they'll open right
away when you click their icons. That's helpful for programs you use a lot, but for programs you rarely or
never use, this wastes precious memory and slows down the time it takes Windows to finish starting up.
Decide for yourself if you want a program to run at startup.
But how can you tell what programs run automatically at startup? Sometimes this is obvious, because the
program adds an icon to the notification area on the taskbar, where you can see it running. Look there to
see if there are any programs running that you don’t want to start automatically. Point to each icon to see
the program name. Be sure to click the Show hidden icons button so you don't miss any icons.
Even after you check the notification area, you might still miss some programs that run automatically at
startup. AutoRuns for Windows, a free tool that you can download from the Microsoft website, shows you
all of the programs and processes that run when you start Windows. You can stop a program from
running automatically when Windows starts by opening the AutoRuns for Windows program, and then
by clearing the check box next to the name of the program you want to stop. AutoRuns for Windows is
designed for advanced users.
Defragment your hard disk
 Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk
Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter
runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually.
Clean up your hard disk
Unnecessary files on your hard disk take up disk space and can slow down your computer. Disk Cleanup
removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items
that you no longer need.
Run fewer programs at the same time
Sometimes changing your computing behavior can have a big impact on your PC's performance. If you're
the type of computer user who likes to keep eight programs and a dozen browser windows open at
once—all while sending instant messages to your friends—don't be surprised if your PC bogs down.
Keeping a lot of e-mail messages open can also use up memory.
If you find your PC slowing down, ask yourself if you really need to keep all your programs and windows
open at once. Find a better way to remind yourself to reply to e-mail messages rather than keeping all of
them open.
Make sure you're only running one antivirus program. Running more than one antivirus program can also
slow down your computer. Fortunately, if you're running more than one antivirus program, Action Center
notifies you and can help you fix the problem.
Turn off visual effects
If Windows is running slowly, you can speed it up by disabling some of its visual effects. It comes down to
appearance versus performance. Would you rather have Windows run faster or look prettier? If your PC is
fast enough, you don't have to make this tradeoff, but if your computer is just barely powerful enough
for Windows 7, it can be useful to scale back on the visual bells and whistles.
You can choose which visual effects to turn off, one by one, or you can let Windows choose for you. There
are 20 visual effects you can control, such as the transparent glass look, the way menus open or close, and
whether shadows are displayed.
To adjust all visual effects for best performance:
1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button

, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and
then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools.
2. Click Adjust visual effects

. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation.
3. Click the Visual Effects tab, click Adjust for best performance, and then click OK. (For a less drastic option,
select Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer.)

Restart regularly
This tip is simple. Restart your PC at least once a week, especially if you use it a lot. Restarting a PC is a
good way to clear out its memory and ensure that any errant processes and services that started running
get shut down.
Restarting closes all the software running on your PC—not only the programs you see running on the
taskbar, but also dozens of services that might have been started by various programs and never stopped.
Restarting can fix mysterious performance problems when the exact cause is hard to pinpoint.
 If you keep so many programs, e-mail messages, and websites open that you think restarting is a hassle,
that's probably a sign you should restart your PC. The more things you have open and the longer you
keep them running, the greater the chances your PC will bog down and eventually run low on memory.
Add more memory

This isn't a guide to buying hardware that will speed up your computer. But no discussion of how to make
Windows run faster would be complete without mentioning that you should consider adding more
random access memory (RAM) to your PC.
If a computer running Windows 7 seems too slow, it's usually because the PC doesn't have enough RAM.
The best way to speed it up is to add more.
Windows 7 can run on a PC with 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM, but it runs better with 2 GB. For optimal
performance, boost that to 3 GB or more.

Another option is to boost the amount of memory by using Windows ReadyBoost. This feature allows you
to use the storage space on some removable media devices, such as USB flash drives, to speed up your
computer. It’s easier to plug a flash drive into a USB port than to open your PC case and plug memory
modules into its motherboard.
Check for viruses and spyware
If your PC is running slowly, it's possible that it's infected with a virus or spyware. This is not as common
as the other problems, but it's something to consider. Before you worry too much, check your PC using
antispyware and antivirus programs.
A common symptom of a virus is a much slower-than-normal computer performance. Other signs include
unexpected messages that pop up on your PC, programs that start automatically, or the sound of your
hard disk constantly working.
Spyware is a type of program that's installed, usually without your knowledge, to watch your activity on
the Internet. You can check for spyware with Windows Defender or other antispyware programs.
The best way to deal with viruses is to prevent them in the first place. Always run antivirus software and
keep it up to date. Even if you take such precautions, however, it's possible for your PC to become
infected.
Check your computer's speed
If you try these tips and your computer is still too slow, you might need a new PC or some hardware
upgrades, such as a new hard disk or faster video card. There's no need to guess the speed of your
computer, however. Windows provides a way to check and rate your PC's speed with a tool called the
Windows Experience Index.
The Windows Experience Index rates your computer on five key components and gives you a number for
each, as well as an overall base score. This base score is only as good as your worst-performing
component subscore. Base scores currently range from 1 to 7.9. If your PC is rated lower than 2 or 3, it
might be time to consider a new PC, depending on what tasks you want to do with your computer.
Change the size of virtual memory
If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to increase the minimum size of your
paging file. Windows sets the initial minimum size of the paging file equal to the amount of random
access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, and the maximum size equal to three times the
amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at these recommended levels, then
increase the minimum and maximum sizes.
1. Open System by clicking the Start button

, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

2. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings
 . If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.
6. Under Drive[Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.
7. Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box,
click Set, and then click OK.

Note
Increases in size usually don't require a restart for the changes to take effect, but if you decrease the size,
you'll need to restart your computer. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-speed-up-windows-7/
10 ways to speed up Windows 7
You don't have to live with a Windows 7 machine that's becoming unbearably slow. Here are 10 basic
steps that will optimize system performance.
By Scott Lowe | in 10 Things, July 15, 2012, 10:26 PM PST

With Windows 7, Microsoft did a really good job making the system perform well. However, over time,
Windows 7 systems can slow down and need some care and feeding to regain their former glory. Further,
some Windows 7 features can be leveraged to improve overall system performance. In this article, I will
outline 10 steps you can take to boost the performance of your Windows 7 systems.

Note: This post is also available as a PDF download.

1: Disable unnecessary services

Not every system service that is running on a stock Windows 7 machine is necessary. A number of
services can either be disabled or modified to run only when needed. Once you make these changes, the
service no longer has to consume system resources and the system no longer has to spend time starting
the service. Earlier this year, I wrote an article here at TechRepublic titled 10+ Windows 7 services you
may not need.

2: Reduce the number of startup items

Windows 7 systems eventually begin to suffer under the weight of software that is installed in the normal
course of business. Many software titles install more than is necessary and include helper applications
designed solely to make the software start up more quickly or facilitate other communication (e.g., iTunes
helper). And new software installations might add a permanent presence to the system tray, even if it's
not absolutely necessary for the system to function (Steam games, for example).

You could go through your system tool by tool and remove the offending software, but you might want to
keep the underlying tool around and just prevent the helper from loading. This and more can be
accomplished through the use of MSconfig, a tool that has long been a part of Windows. MSconfig allows
you to selectively disable startup items and take other steps toward improving overall system
performance.
To use MSconfig, go to Start and in the search box, type MSconfig. From the Startup tab (Figure A), you
can disable items. Just be careful about what you choose.

Figure A

Disable items to improve overall system performance.

3: Remove the bloatware installed by vendors

I've long felt that Microsoft's OEMs sometimes actively work against the Redmond behemoth and sully
the company's name. Nowhere is this more evident than in the case of what has become known as
"bloatware." In the never-ending race to the bottom of the PC market, lower cost PCs have had their profit
margins bolstered by OEMs through the inclusion of mostly junk software - short-term trials and the like —
that does nothing but add a few dollars of profit while bringing performance to a crawl. Frankly, this is one
of the reasons that I believe that Microsoft's Surface announcement, in which Microsoft noted that it would
make its own device, is brilliant. The company needs to start with a clean slate in some ways (no pun
intended).

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If your PC shipped with a bunch of stuff you'll never use, get rid of that software. Generally, you can go to
Start | Control Panel | Programs And Features (Figure B) and remove software you no longer plan to
use. If the software adds items to the startup process, getting rid of it will make the PC start faster and,
ultimately, perform better overall.

Figure B

Use Programs And Features to remove unwanted software.

4: Keep viruses and spyware off your system

If you're running Windows, you need to be running an anti-malware program to keep viruses and spyware
off your system. Nothing will ruin good performance like a boatload of spyware. My personal favorite (and
free!) tool for combating malware is Microsoft Security Essentials. In my experience, it's been successful
in catching bad stuff while not significantly degrading system performance itself.

5: Check your memory

How much RAM do you have? Is your system consuming all or most of your RAM? Does the system
page out to disk? If so, you're suffering a massive performance hit, which can be solved by adding more
memory to your PC. Greg Shultz explains how to do this by using Resource Monitor.

6: Go solid state
Solid state is all the rage these days, and with good reason. It's fast! More and more laptops and even
desktops are moving to the technology because of the performance benefits. Solid state disks use
memory cells from which data can be read very quickly, as opposed to the relatively plodding nature of
rotational storage. By moving to SSD, you can give your Windows 7 system renewed life — and give
yourself a whole new user experience.
But SSDs can be expensive, so you need to be smart about how to use them in the most cost-effective
way. See ZDnet's Windows 7 and SSDs: Trimming the fat from your system drive for tips on manking
good decisions about how to implement SSD.

7: Ensure that power settings favor performance

This one is easy! When you're plugged in, configure Windows 7's power plans to favor performance over
power savings. When you choose to use Windows 7' high performance power plan, you might increase
the computer's performance in some (but not all) circumstances. It really depends on the kind of work
you're doing and how often you allow the computer to sit idle.

To change power plans, go to Start | Control Panel | Power Options and choose your power plan settings
(Figure C). For more about how these plans operate, see Evaluate the efficiency of Windows 7 power
plan settings.

Figure C

Go to Power Options to choose Windows 7 power plan settings.

8: Keep your system defragmented (unless you've followed item 6)

If you're using a traditional spinning disk in your Windows 7 system, you can keep your system operating
at peak efficiency by periodically defragmenting the hard drive. If, however, you've opted to go with SSD-
based storage, don't do this. First, you won't get any performance benefit and second, you'll significantly
reduce the life of that expensive SSD.

Disk defragmentation is scheduled to take place once per week, but you can change this by going to Start
| Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter (Figure D). In addition to changing the schedule, you
can run an on-demand defrag from here. You can also run a defrag from the command line instead of
from a GUI. Bill Detwiler's video explains how.

Figure D

You can schedule a defrag in the Disk Defragmenter dialog box.

9: Disable or tune search indexing

Windows 7's search is good, but it can also affect system performance. If you really need to run a tool at
full tilt, you can disable indexing altogether. Or you can tune the indexer to meet your specific needs,
possibly reducing its overall impact on system performance.

10: Use ReadyBoost

Perhaps you don't want to jump into the solid-state game right away but would like some of the benefit
that can be had from flash-based storage. Using nothing more than a USB stick, you can do so through a
Windows 7 feature known as ReadyBoost. (Note that if you're already using an SSD as your system
drive, ReadyBoost won't be available, since there would be no performance gain.)
ReadyBoost allows the system to make use of one of these speedy storage devices as a cache,
improving overall performance of the system. The flash storage device that you choose to use for
ReadyBoost should meet the following specifications set by Microsoft:

 Capacity of at least 256 MB, with at least 64 kilobytes (KB) of free space
 At least a 2.5 MB/sec throughput for 4-KB random reads
 At least a 1.75 MB/sec throughput for 1MB random writes

Here's another nice feature: If Windows doesn't think ReadyBoost will provide a performance gain, it will
tell you and won't let you enable it. In Figure E, you can see that I've opened the properties for a portable
USB stick, which I've added to my Windows 7 system. However, Windows knows that the system disk is
already fast enough, so ReadyBoost isn't available as an option. If you want to learn more about how to
enable and configure ReadyBoost in your system, see Take a closer look at ReadyBoost features in
Windows 7.

Figure E

ReadyBoost isn't needed for this system.

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-improve-windows-explorer-using-folder-options

How To Improve Windows & File Explorer Using Folder Options

TUTORIAL by Ciprian Adrian Rusen published on 04/19/2013

Windows 7 introduced a brand new Windows Explorer that is very different from the version found in
Windows XP or Windows Vista. Windows 8 continues this trend and not only renames the product to File
Explorer but also introduces a ribbon based interface. Even though these products have lots of new
features, as with any piece of software, you can customize and improve their functioning, using the Folder
Options window - the place where all the important settings are found, related to how Windows
Explorer and File Explorer work. Let’s see which settings are worth improving and where to find them.

How to Open the Folder Options Window in Windows 7 & Windows 8

Opening the Folder Options window can be done in many ways. A method that works in both Windows 7
and Windows 8 is to open the Control Panel and go to "Appearance and Personalization -> Folder
Options".
In Windows 8, open File Explorer and go to the View tab. Click or tap the Options button found on the
ribbon.

In Windows 7, open Windows Explorer and go to "Organize -> Folder and search options".
An alternative is to press the Alt key, so that Windows Explorer displays the hidden menu on the top
(named Status bar for some weird reason).

Then, click Tools and then Folder options.

One last method that works in both Windows 7 and Windows 8 is to use search. In Windows 7,
type "folder options" in the Start Menu search box. In Windows 8, type "folder options" while on
the Start screen and filter the results by Settings. Folder Options will be amongst the search results
displayed. Click or tap on it.

When you open Folder Options in Windows 8, it looks similar to the window below.
When you open Folder Options in Windows 7, it looks similar to the window below.
As you can see, they look pretty much the same. However, there are one or two settings that are different
between Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Which Settings are Worth Improving for Windows & File Explorer

The General tab displays limited set of configuration options:

First, you can set Windows Explorer or File Explorer to open each folder in the same window or each
folder in its own window.

Then, you can set whether you want to open items such as files and folder with a single-click or a double-
click.

The most interesting options are found in the section named Navigation pane. In Windows 8, this section
allows you to enable or disable the Favorites section, set whether you want File Explorer to show all
folders when you use it or whether you want it to automatically expand to current folder. This setting may
be very useful to some users, as it helps them navigate faster through folders.
In Windows 7, you have the same settings, except Show Favorites. You cannot enable or disable
the Favorites section from Folder Options.

The View tab has lots of configuration options. Going through all of them and setting things the way you
want to can go a long way in improving how Windows/File Explorer works. I recommend checking at least
these important settings:

 Always show icons, never thumbnails - this can be useful when you are working with a large
number of files and folders. If Windows is rather slow at loading thumbnails, you should enable
this setting. Windows/File Explorer will stop loading thumbnails, which leads to speed
improvements when browsing through your files and folders.
 Hide empty drives in the Computer folder - when checked, if you insert a USB memory stick or
another empty removable drive, it will not be shown in the Computer folder. This can sometimes
lead to confusion. Unchecking this option is highly recommended.

 Hide extensions for known file types - disabling this setting allows you to see the file extensions
together with the name of every file. This is a good way to ensure that files are not viruses or
other malicious software disguised as documents, pictures and other common files. There are
many viruses which try to trick users by apparently using two file extensions for one file. They are
named something like filename.doc.exe. If this setting is enabled, you see
 only filename.doc as the file name and you might believe it is file that can be safely
opened. Unchecking this setting is highly recommended.
 Use check boxes to select items - if enabled, when you place the mouse cursor over a file or
folder, you see a small check box on the left of its name. You can check that box to select the
file/folder. These check boxes are the equivalent of holding down the CTRL key, while clicking on
multiple items to select them. They can be useful when you have to select lots of different items.

 When typing into list view - by default, when you type a letter, Windows/File Explorer selects the
first file or folder which has a name that starts with that letter. When found, the item is
automatically selected. If you want to change this behavior and you want to automatically search
in the upper-right search box, select the first option which says 'Automatically type into the
Search Box'.

The Search tab includes configuration options about searching for files or folders in Windows/File
Explorer.
The default configuration works very well. However, if you are not satisfied, you can experiment with the
available options and see if they improve your experience.

Conclusion

Experimenting with these configuration options will go a long way in improving how Windows
Explorer and File Explorer work. Hopefully, after you go through this configuration exercise, you will reach
the same conclusion. If you have other good tips you would like to share, don't hesitate to leave a
comment.