These days the Microsoft Windows operating systems are highly graphical and this can slow down the overall performance of your machine.

Reducing the graphical intensity of the system is a simple way to improve computer speed.

To do this in Microsoft Windows XP go to;

• Start > Right-Click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Properties’
• Select the ‘Advanced’ tab from the My Computer Properties
• Click on the ‘Settings’ button under the Performance section
• Windows automatically selects ‘Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer’


The performance options view

• But to optimize performance select the ‘Adjust for Best Performance’ option and click ‘Apply’


after you have adjusted for best performance

• This will make your computer look a bit like Windows 98. Some people don’t like this whilst others are not too bothered.
• If you want best performance but without totally losing the modern look and feel then select the ‘Use visual styles on windows and buttons’ option and click ‘Apply’.

Add Visual Styles if you wish to maintain look and feel

In Microsoft Windows Vista the process is exactly the same except for a couple if small differences.

• Go to Start > Right-Click on ‘Computer’ and select ‘Properties’
• You then need to select ‘Advanced System Settings’ from the left hand side menu
• Then follow the same processes as per Microsoft Windows XP.

Microsoft Product Screen Shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation