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The Vista Tweak Thread

Stupendous Man

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Ok, so the purpose of this thread is how we can make Windows Vista run better, stronger, and faster than it comes by default. There are lots of tweaks that we can apply to windows to make it run better, and not everyone knows about them. Hopefully this thread will eventually become a single source of all known tweaks and tips to make Vista faster.

To begin, I am going to post a list of services that I have set to Disabled. Keep in ming that I prefer to do my updates automatically with Microsoft. I also have just one computer that is stand-alone, and not sharing files or printers on a network. If this describes your situation too, go ahead and do likewise. As you disable things, try to connect to the internet at various times to make sure it still works. If not, set the service back to Automatic. Remember: If you are not comfortable with this, do not do it. Some of you may have devices (such as IR receivers) that certain services require. Read each service description to see if this possibly applies to you. If in doubt, leave the service alone.

So, here we go. The following services can be set to Disabled on Windows Vista Home Premium . (Your services may vary according to version. Not all services may be present on all versions)

To begin, hold windows key and hit R to bring up the RUN dialogue box.
type: services.msc and hit enter
This brings up a window of all services, and what their current activation state is.
Find the service named "Background Intelligent Transfer Service". We will be disabling this service, so we need to look at the properties box. DOuble click the name to see it.
In the Properties box, there are two sections we will need: Startup type: and Service Status:
For Startup Type, choose "Disabled" from the drop down menu, and under Service Status, choose "Stop" if it is started. Not all service we disable will be started when we get to them. This is ok.
When done, click Apply and then ok.
Move on to the next service.

You can likely continue with disabling the following services.

Certificate Propagation
Com+ Event System
DNS Client
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
Infrared Monitor Service
Internet Connection Sharing
IP Helper
IPsec Policy Agent
KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Net.TCP Port Sharing Service
Network Location Awareness
Portable Device Enumerator Service
Program Compatability Assistant Service
Readyboost
Remote Registry
Routing and Remote Access
Secondary Logon
Server
SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBios Helper
Telephony
Terminal Services
uPnP Device Host
Webclient
Windows Media Center Extender Service
Windows Time
Windows Update

That's it.
Remember, if something gives you trouble, go back and set it to Automatic again.

Before I did this, I used to get Blue Screen Stop errors on Vista. Now, I use 10% less memory than before and everything runs a little faster, since less CPU time is devoted to services I don't need.

I'll be posting more later. In the meantime, what are some tricks you have heard?
 
A cautionary note:

I haven't gotten vista yet, but similar tweaks are possible with XP. If the mechanism is similar, you can also access the services through the msconfig program, but unlike services.msc, msconfig does not prevent you from accidentally disabling essential services that will prevent Windows from booting. Just a reminder, in other words, to stick to services.msc as mentioned above, because it is less likely to clobber the system irretrievably.
 
The readyboost service can actually speed things up under the right conditions (attached USB Drive).
 
Stupendous Man said:
Ok, so the purpose of this thread is how we can make Windows Vista run better, stronger, and faster than it comes by default.

...

Now, I use 10% less memory than before and everything runs a little faster, since less CPU time is devoted to services I don't need.

I'll be posting more later. In the meantime, what are some tricks you have heard?
Click to expand...


Install Ubuntu!!!

Well, *someone* had to say it.
 
Without seeming to pour cold water on the thread, I suspect I will run faster , firmer and leaner by staying with XP.
 
Perhaps you should post a link to a site that describes what these services are for so people know what it is their disabling.

As it stands you will have completely disabled peoples ability to use Windows Update. Hence both BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) and Windows Update obviously are required for this. In many cases the windows update site will not even load properly if Windows Update is completely disabled. People need to be aware that they must now manually go update their OS, and that in order to do so will have to either re-enable these services or find another way to manually download the updates to install.

DNS Client as an example caches DNS lookups. Disabling it may actually slow down DNS Lookups, which would counteract any CPU Memory performance gain from disabling them. Unless you have some other service or app or server that does DNS caching for you then I don't see the advantage here.

The Server service is required if your PC is part of a domain, OR if you want to share out folder or print shares from your PC. If you run a little LAN at home with several PC's and share files or a printer between them, then don't disable this.

Personally disabling services in my opinion isn't such a good idea, especially without knowing the consequences of doing so. If you want to build a script that you can run to disable these services, say right before you want to play a 3D intensive game, that makes sense, but to run all the time in this state isn't something I would do.

Or at least would advise that people have a certain level of knowledge before doing so. I've personally gone through lists like this before and found the performance boost to be negligible at best. On top of an OS that will now not perform certain functions automatically that most people are used to having there.

Here's a link that gives a basic description of what the various services actually do:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm

While it's true that if you are a single PC at home, no domain, no local LAN then there are several services that are not required and could be conceivably shut-off. Having tried these things before however, I'm skeptical as to how much performance increase they provide.

Is a 5% freeing up of virtual or physical memory noticable within most applications?
 
Lifehacker.com has also had some very cool vista freeware/shareware apps spotlighted over the past month or so. There are also some neat tweaks on there too.

Just my 2 cents. There is usually some great stuff on that site.
 
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