Optimizing Microsoft Windows Vista Performance

This article discusses the most common causes of slow performance and how to troubleshoot those issues.

There are several tasks you can perform when using Vista to improve slow performance. Vista contains built-in-features that allow you to manage potential slow performance issues. These incude:

• Deleting programs you never use
• Limiting how many programs load at startup
• Running fewer programs at the same time
• Turning off visual effects
• Restarting regularly
• Checking for viruses and spyware
• Checking your computer’s speed
• Disabling services you don’t need

To learn more about these features, please refer to Windows Help Article: "Optimize Windows Vista for better performance" (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/83EC0FFE-EE04-4D53-8B87-25D1F05C954E1033.mspx) .

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" (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/95f70af6-edd6-4f2f-9f02-7d6bdf0190611033.mspx) .

There are several tasks you can perform to maximize already good performance. These incude:

• Ensuring that you have adequate RAM
• Ensuring that you have an adequate virtual-memory configuration
• Using ReadyBoost
• Managing startup programs
• Keeping your disks defragmented
• Maintaining adequate free space on your disks
• Avoiding tweaks of dubious value

For specific information about how to maximize Windows Vista's performance, please refer to Windows Help Article: "Get maximum performance from Windows Vista" (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/Help/596FB57F-CC9D-4AC5-A813-5C0830E9156A1033.mspx) .

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" (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/built-in-diagnostics.aspx) 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 (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?dl=false&l=en&s=gen&treeid=322121&doclang=en&cs=) Wizard ID: 322121.

The computer may be slow because of "malware." Malware includes a variety of harmful programs which include spyware, adware and viruses that can interfere with standard computer operation. 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. Typically, a hard drive with less than 20% free space will run slowly. "Cleaning" the hard drive by reducing the number of files may help improve performance.

To learn how to "clean" your computer's hard disk drive, refer to the following Microsoft Help and How-to article, "Delete Files Using Disk Cleanup" (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1264bc24-72a8-48aa-84e3-a355327139d91033.mspx) .

To troubleshoot slow performance on your computer, the following articles are available from the Microsoft Knowledge Base: In addition to the Microsoft resources for slow performance, you have the additional Dell Support options:

• "System Has Slow Performance" (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?journalid=59CA6732C54EA488E040AE0AB6E12606&treeid=293257) Wizard ID: 293257
• Contact Dell (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/contact_us_options?)

If the computer is still running slowly after ruling out malware, recent software installations, and inadequate hard disk space, the problem may likely be a hardware issue.

Consider upgrading the computer memory. 512 MB is adequate for basic Windows usage. Memory-intensive tasks such as games, media applications, or productivity software, often require more memory.

To purchase more memory for your computer, go to Parts and Upgrades For Your Dell (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/DellPartsFamily.aspx) and select Dell Memory Selector under the Additional Links section.