Simple tricks for improving computer performance

While each new version of Windows continues to add plenty of powerful new features, not every user needs the full range of bells and whistles. In fact, some these new innovations may actually slow down the performance of your computer.

Luckily, Windows also provides a variety of little-known services that allow you to turn off unwanted features, while actually tuning up computer at the same time.

Here are 3 simple tricks for tweaking Windows to improve computer performance:

1. Optimize visual effects

Newer versions of the Windows operating system offer visually appealing animations that make using your computer more fun. However, animations can use a lot of system resources that might otherwise be used to improve performance. By disabling Windows animation effects, you can speed up your computer.

2. Speed up menu display

It can sometimes take several seconds for menus to display the command you’re looking for.  It’s actually possible to reduce or eliminate the time it takes menus to display, so that the full list of commands (especially the one you want to use) immediately appears every time. Although it might seem like a small thing, speeding up menu display times means you can get tasks accomplished more quickly, and enjoy your computing experience more.

Sometimes it can take Word, Outlook and other software applications a fairly long time to start up. By itself, it’s a relatively small irritation, but everything tends to add up, taking away from the enjoyment of using your computer. The Windows “prefetch” service actually makes it easy to speed up the start times of many software programs. Get the most out of Windows by turning on prefetch to make sure commonly programs you frequently use can start faster.