General Windows Tip To Optimize / Speed Up Your Machine - Disable Flashiness

If you hit the Windows key and type in immediately: SystemPropertiesPerformance, it will bring up the menu you see in the image below. I have been doing this since Windows XP, and it has never negatively affected anything.

Set the check box, which is set to default to “Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer,” to “Adjust for Best Performance.” Hit apply/ok.

Then, to get rid of the Windows cache (not the Internet browsing cache), hit WINKRY+R and type in %temp% (this brings up the Windows Temp Dir). You may see a lot of files/folders, or not. Regardless, there are files that are locked since you’re logged in and using the system—these files cannot be deleted or modified, so you’re in the clear to remove/delete all files/folders.

When you see the %temp% folder popup, hit CTRL+A (select all), then hit SHIFT+DELETE (delete, bypassing the recycle bin). This may take between 2 minutes and 20 minutes. You will definitely be prompted at least once with a popup stating: “This file is in use” – select Ignore All and continue/ok. (You may have to do this 2-3 times, but it’s worth it.)

Like I said, it will leave the locked/in-use files there. Then, reboot your machine (WIN KEY+R, type shutdown /r) and wait 10 seconds. When it comes back up, I bet you notice a decent performance increase.

Negatives: None.

You Should Know:

1. Disable Visual Effects for Better Performance:

Open the Performance Options menu by typing SystemPropertiesPerformance in the Windows search bar.
Select Adjust for best performance and click Apply.

2. Clear Temporary Files:

Press WIN+R, type %temp%, and hit Enter.
Select all files using CTRL+A and delete them using SHIFT+DELETE.
Ignore any “File in use” prompts by selecting Ignore All.

3. Reboot Your System:

Press WIN+R, type shutdown /r, and hit Enter to restart your system.

4. Additional Commands for Optimization:

Disk Cleanup: Open Command Prompt and type cleanmgr to remove unnecessary files.
Disable Startup Programs: Use msconfig to disable unnecessary startup programs.
Check Disk Errors: Run chkdsk /f in Command Prompt to fix disk errors.

What Undercode Say:

Optimizing your Windows machine can significantly improve its performance, especially if you’re working with resource-intensive applications. Disabling visual effects and clearing temporary files are simple yet effective steps. Additionally, using commands like cleanmgr, msconfig, and chkdsk can further enhance your system’s efficiency. Regular maintenance ensures your machine runs smoothly, reducing the risk of slowdowns and crashes.

For more advanced optimization, consider exploring tools like CCleaner or Windows Performance Toolkit. Always ensure you back up important data before making significant changes to your system.