Increase computer performance vista

Vista contains built-in-features that allow you to manage potential slow performance issues. These include:. To learn more about these features, please refer to Windows Help Article: "Optimize Windows Vista for better performance". The left pane of Performance Information and Tools includes tasks that can help you improve your computer's performance. For more information on using these tasks, please refer to Windows Help Article: "Ways to improve your computer's performance".

There are several tasks you can perform to maximize already good performance. For specific information about how to maximize Windows Vista's performance, please refer to Windows Help Article: "Get maximum performance from Windows Vista". Microsoft Windows Vista contains a built-in-diagnostics feature that assists in managing potential slow performance issues.

To learn more about it, refer to Microsoft's "Built-in Diagnostics" page. If software has been recently installed and the computer is running slowly, refer to the following troubleshooting wizard for assistance: Programs Do Not Run As Expected Wizard ID: The computer may be slow because of "malware.

If malware is suspected, refer to the following link: For more information on identifying and removing malware, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:. If the hard drive is full of unnecessary files, it can cause the computer to have slow performance.

To troubleshoot slow performance on your computer, the following articles are available from the Microsoft Knowledge Base:. The defragmentation process itself can slow down your computer, so you may want to schedule it to run at a time when you aren't using the computer. Third-party defrag utilities are also available.

If you don't mind using more power, you can boost performance by setting your power settings to the High Performance option. Click the Power Options applet in Control Panel and select that choice. The sidebar is a cool feature of Vista, but if you don't use its applets, you can save some resources by disabling it. First, right-click it and select Properties. Next, deselect the check box to start the sidebar when Windows starts.

Then, close the sidebar by right-clicking it and selecting Close. This is a last-resort option for most Vista users; after all, Aero is what makes Vista look like Vista. Debra Littlejohn Shinder, MCSE, MVP is a technology consultant, trainer, and writer who has authored a number of books on computer operating systems, networking, and security.

Deb is a tech editor, developmental editor, and contributor to over 20 add Editor's Picks. The best programming languages to learn in Check for Log4j vulnerabilities with this simple-to-use script. TasksBoard is the kanban interface for Google Tasks you've been waiting for. Paging Zefram Cochrane: Humans have figured out how to make a warp bubble. Comment and share: 10 things you can do to increase performance in Vista.

Show Comments. Hide Comments. My Profile Log out. I have been exploring my CPU processing power on my Windows Vista laptop and came across something that might be of value to you. By default, Microsoft chooses a power option of Balanced. What I noticed is that this might be a great feature if your main goal is greener computing, but I need all the CPU computing power I can get when I work on my laptop.

This Balanced setting seems to throttle my CPU processor. In the system tray, click on the icon and change your power plan to High Performance, as shown in Figure A. In order to unlock your computer's full CPU performance, perform the following: In the system tray, click on the icon and change your power plan to High Performance, as shown in Figure A.