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How to improve Windows XP performance

(13 votes)
Written by Michael D   

Here are some tweaks that make a big difference on overall system performance under a Windows XP environment.
*Note* Please backup any registry key before editing it! (Regedit menu - File - Export).
registry_backup.jpg

1) The Kernel

First, what is the kernel? Well kernel is a piece of code that is considered the "heart" of the operating systems. It's responsible for managing system resources and the basic communication between hardware and software. It translates any functions between the applications and the CPU, main memory and other devices.

Accessing the kernel from the hard disk is usually the default on any operating system. You can set it to automatically load in the system's RAM at the boot and get better performances.
chaning_values.jpg

First open the Regedit tool (Start Menu - Run - regedit.exe). By using the icons in the left panel, navigate to HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management (by clicking the + sign near each and expanding it).
In the right panel you can see the values assigned. Double click the DisablePagingExecutive to edit that field and change it to 1. Be sure to make the change in decimal.

This will make all drivers and kernel to run from system's memory.

You can also edit LargeSystemCache value and change it to 1 in decimal. This will improve kernel access time.

Then you can edit IOPageLockLimit field. Change it according to these rules:

- 4000 if you have 128 RAM or less
- 10000 if you have 256 RAM installed
- 40000 for more

This will change the number of bytes for input-output operations and will increase system performance.

2) Boot

To improve boot times edit the following value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement\PrefetchParameters

Change this value from 3 to 5 in decimal. This will improove boot time with 5 to 20 seconds depending on your system's speed.

3) Shutdown

There are some tweaks that help your computer to shutdown faster.

a) automatically end any task running

Caution: this will disable any confirmations like "Do you want to save document X before closing?"

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop using Regedit and edit the AutoEndTask key. Set it to 1 in decimal.

b) make the open applications close faster at shutdown

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop and set the WaitToKillAppTimeout and HungAppTimeout keys to 1000. Make these two changes in the HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop too.

c) make any service close faster

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control and set the WaiToKillServiceTimeout to 1000.


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written by Cesar , March 12, 2008

Yes, when u click start-run and type the word there, example gpedit or msconfig, How can you delete those keys words there later?
written by ashish , March 13, 2008

Hi Cesar,
Just open your internet browser from the Menu Bar click on Tools>Internet Options and in very first tab called 'General' click on Delete... Under 'Broswing History' this will open a window called 'Delete Browsing History' then click on the button Delete All... which will appear at the bottom.
this will surly help you, if it does not removes then just log off and log in again for one time.
written by lahiru , May 05, 2008

How to edit windowsxp kernel
written by Zeynep ARIKANLI , July 30, 2008

I have a Sony Vaio with Windows XP.
Following are my questions:
1) My computer has been formatted, and the new system language is in French; I want to change it, do you know how?

2) I cannot download XP SP2; what can be the problem and how can I fix it?

Thank you...
written by Otsimura , August 11, 2008

1) Start > Regedit
2) Type in msconfig and press enter
3) Go to the startup tab and untick any programs you dont need.
written by Larry Miller , December 22, 2008

WARNING!
It is dangerous to make changes to the system registry unless you have a good understanding of what they do. You must be particularly careful with those that effect the kernel. The descriptions provided here are inadequate and largely incorrect. Some of these settings will actually impair performance and others can cause serious problems.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Larry Miller
Microsoft MCSA
written by JeffK , December 23, 2008

WARNING!

Why do I have two pages from completely different websites open, and there's a comment from Larry Miller on each?

ATTENTION LARRY MILLER

The fact that you sign your posts "Microsoft MCSA" is a WARNING and ALERT that you are a douchebag. First, tell me what the M in MCSA stands for. Redundancy. Second, who the fuck cares? I can throw a rock out my window and kill an MCSE laying by the dumpster here in Austin, and you're bragging about an MCSA (which is worse, in case you didn't know.) Just because you paid $100 and aren't a complete moron so that you could pass the test doesn't mean you know anything. On top of all that, you say that the descriptions are "largely incorrect", then how about posting which ones, and corrections? I can see a few, but they're not largely incorrect, and I think you just wanted to whip your weensy dick out. So shut the fuck up, Lar.
written by Administrator , December 23, 2008

Point well taken JeffK. I will surely not moderate your comment.
Happy holidays to all!
written by bhushan , February 07, 2009

i had xp installed and then made dual os of xp and vista .
later i formated xp and reinstalled it and now i can't boot into vista nor i can't see the vista at boot.ini
even after editting boot.ini and mentioning the path of vista partion i can't load vista os
written by onetimecommenter , November 08, 2009

just upgrade to windows 7 haha
written by ghd , July 26, 2010

Point well taken JeffK. I will surely not moderate your comment.
Happy holidays to all!

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Last Updated ( Friday, 11 May 2007 )