Installing and optimizing Windows XP

Setup: installing Windows on your hard disk

Running the Windows XP setup: what to do and what not to do during setup.

Installing hardware drivers

After you have setup your Windows XP, you need to install the hardware drivers. If you don't have them (anymore), you can download them from the internet.

Internet connection settings: DSL/Cable/56K

This page describes the realization and optimization of an internet DSL/Cable/56K internet connection.

Updating Windows: critical and optional updates

One of the first things to do, is updating Windows to fix critical Windows problems.

Desktop properties and screen resolution

Changing your desktop properties and screen settings.

Start Menu and Quick Launch toolbar

Information about tweaking the Start Menu and the Quick Launch toolbar for better navigation.

Windows XP performance settings (part I)

Now Windows (including the updates) is installed, it's time to modify the Windows settings to get a more user friendly system. The first part is about advanced system settings, (disabling) Windows Messenger, burning a CD-ROM and changing the search function.

Windows XP performance settings (part II)

Now Windows (including the updates) is installed, it's time to modify the Windows settings to get a more user friendly system. The second part is about Taskbar/Start Menu, Windows Explorer settings, hibernation, recycle bin and keyboard settings, task scheduler, sounds and audio, windows software and internet options.

Optimizing Windows XP Services

Windows XP starts a lot of different services, as engine of the whole Windows system. However, some of them won't be of any use for you! By quitting those unused services, you can realize higher system performances.

MSConfig System Configuration Utility

With the utility MSConfig it is possible to analyze all the applications starting when you turn on your computer and, if you feel the need to do so, disable undesirable items. Turning off undesirable items will save system resources which will eventually result in a faster Windows.

E-mail settings Outlook Express

This page describes the e-mail settings for Outlook Express.

Optimizing (multiple) user accounts

Multiple user accounts: all you need to know first.

TWEAKUI (Windows XP Powertool)

TWEAKUI is one of the best known Windows Powertoys/Powertools (issued but not supported by Microsoft) to tweak the User Interface (UI). With this tool you are able to change settings, which aren't reachable within Windows.

Interesting Windows XP registry tweaks

Most settings can be done easily within Windows. However, for some setting you need to dive into the registry or use one of the many registry tweak utilities (like the Windows XP powertool TWEAKUI). On this page (and other pages), I have described some interesting registry tweaks which you can do yourself, using the registry editor.

Registry cleaning and optimizing (Regclean)

Your registry can be cleaned and optimized (defrag the registry).

Disk Cleanup: deleting unnecessary files

To free some space on your hard disk for better purposes, you have to do a disk cleanup. With the Disk Cleanup utility you have a build in tool to remove many unnecessary files from your hard disk.

Defragmenting hard disk/registry/pagefile

Before imaging your Windows partition, it's wise to defrag your hard disk (C: partition). Defragmenting results in nicely arranged files, which are not spread in pieces all over the hard disk. After defragmenting your hard disk has faster access to the files, which results in a faster Windows. Besides that, you can also defrag the registry and the virtual memory (pagefile) for better performance.

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