How to increase the performance of Windows 7. The best programs and utilities to speed up your computer. Utilities for speeding up computer games

There are several ways to make your laptop run faster. Let us note the most effective ones that do not require professional knowledge and skills from the user.

Defragmenting your hard drive

Performed using standard operating system properties. To launch it, you need to open the shortcut on your desktop “ My computer"(or "Start" -> "Computer"), select the local system drive (in 99.9% this is drive C), right-click and select " Properties» -> « Run defragmentation"(in some versions of Windows it may be called "Disk Optimization").

This procedure must be carried out at least once every six months, and if files are frequently recorded/overwritten - once every 2-3 months.

Removing viruses and temporary computer files

Various programs, including the operating system itself, can create many temporary files for their work, which are not always cleaned up after the processes are completed. As a result, they accumulate and interfere with the normal functioning of the system. Such files are necessary periodically clean up.

If you are not a pro in knowing the file structure of operating systems, then it is recommended to use third-party programs for these purposes. The most famous and widespread cleaning program is CCleaner. It has a Russian-language interface and is understandable even to a beginner.

Regarding antivirus programs, it is worth noting that the passive protection provided by this software may not always be effective by default. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a full scan of your computer at least once a month. It would not be superfluous to use additional "one-time" utilities for cleaning viruses provided by well-known antivirus software developers. An excellent utility, Cureit, is provided by Doctor WEB. It can be downloaded from the official website of the developers completely free of charge.

Sometimes there are situations when standard cleaning methods do not help, this can play a role various factors: the virus has damaged a system file, the user has deleted a folder needed for work, there is not enough logical disk partition space for major system updates. In such cases, the most effective way is to reinstall the operating system. By installing a “clean” OS, you will immediately get rid of errors and viruses and unnecessary garbage in the form of temporary files left by various programs on the system. If there is not enough space on the system disk when reinstalling the system, you must re-partition the disk. Please note that this action will destroy all your files. Take care in advance to save them on another medium.

Software optimization

Not everyone knows that many installed programs add their components to startup, and these modules turn on automatically and work in the background. Of course, these processes waste RAM and processor power.

In order to remove unnecessary background processes, you need to press the Win + R combination on the keyboard, and in the window that opens, write the command msconfig(Not relevant for Windows 8 and higher. In these operating systems, this procedure is performed through “Task Manager” -> “Startup”. The following procedures are identical). Next, uncheck unnecessary processes and click “Save”. The laptop will need to be rebooted.

New operating systems are so oversaturated with interface improvements that not all mid-price laptops can handle such a high load. To disable visual effects, go to “My Computer” -> “Properties” -> “ Extra options" In the window that opens, we also follow the chain “Advanced” -> “Performance” -> “Options” -> “Visual effects” -> “ Special Effects» uncheck all items except those listed below:

Or select " Provide the best performance" In this case, the system will leave only the necessary settings. Click “Apply.” All changes are reversible, and if something doesn’t suit you, you can always return it to its original state.

To disable background services of the operating system, you need to press the familiar Win+R combination and enter the command in the window that opens services.msc.

In this section you need to disable services that you do not use. All active services have a brief description. Attentively read the description and do not disable services necessary for the operation of the OS.

Updating installed programs will also help optimize the laptop's performance, as developers are constantly improving their own software.

Optimizing hardware performance

Using the well-known combination Win+R we initialize the command msconfig. Next, go to the “Download” section -> “Advanced options” -> “ Number of processors" and select the maximum number possible.

If it is not possible to increase the amount of RAM, then starting with Windows 7, operating systems allow you to use a regular flash drive for this purpose (ReadyBoost technology). Just connect it to your laptop and select the section “ ReadyBoost» -> « Use this device" Click “Apply” and your flash drive will immediately start working. The only thing Microsoft recommends is to use a flash drive with a larger amount of RAM than you have installed.

If the laptop configuration and financial capabilities allow, you can increase the amount of RAM to speed up the laptop (it is worth noting that some models are limited in maximum capacity). In addition to RAM, performance is also affected by HDD. It can be replaced either with a newer one with better parameters, or with the increasingly popular SSD - solid-state hard drives (but they are quite expensive and small in volume).

Physical cleaning of the device

Another factor in decreased performance and even breakdown of a laptop can be its contamination in the literal sense of the word. The ubiquitous dust not only collects on curtain rods and shelves in the house, but also penetrates inside the laptop. The most obvious place for contamination is cooling radiators. The grilles become clogged and air circulation from the fan becomes less effective. And overheating of the main elements (processor, chipset, video card) leads to a decrease in the performance we need so much. This is the first and main place of cleaning.

In addition to the radiator, the fan itself can become clogged (usually it starts to hum strongly); to clean it, you need to completely disconnect it from its mounts and carefully remove the impeller along with the shaft. Next, we wipe the dusty areas and lubricate them with some synthetic oil (regular sewing machine oil or silicone oil is quite suitable).

Dust may contain conductive particles, which, when deposited on the motherboard, can close the contacts, which in turn will lead to breakdown.

When carrying out such work, you can use a regular household vacuum cleaner, but be careful - it should only work with “suction”, and it is advisable to use a soft attachment. Otherwise, your laptop may be damaged. Sometimes without the possibility of recovery.

One of the most important criteria that characterizes a computer system is its performance. Let's figure out how to increase this basic figure of a desktop PC or laptop with Windows 7.

Before we get down to the question of how to improve productivity, let's figure out what it is and what, in fact, we are going to improve. In Windows 7 there is such a system indicator as "Performance Index". It is based on an assessment of individual PC components: processor, RAM, graphics, game graphics and hard drive. The overall index is set according to the weakest link. But for a number of reasons this assessment cannot be called unambiguous and many experts are quite critical of it.

Undoubtedly, the power of the above components directly affects the performance of the PC, that is, the volume of processes that the computer can process per unit of time. Next, we will look in detail at ways to increase the impact of these components to improve the performance of the OS as a whole.

Method 1: Improve Hard Drive Performance

One of the important factors in increasing operating system performance is hard disk optimization. Many users pay secondary attention to this factor, believing that for the performance of Windows, what is important, first of all, is the amount of RAM and processor power. But in vain, because a slow hard drive slows down the computer as a whole, since other OS components constantly access it to process files and other objects located on it.

First of all, you can clean your hard drive of junk and unnecessary files, which will speed up its operation. This can be done both through the system and using third-party specialized programs, such as, for example.

Defragmenting the hard drive helps to increase the speed of the HDD, and therefore the performance of the system as a whole. It can be done using a special system utility or third-party ones.

In addition, you can increase the performance of the HDD by properly configuring it in "Device Manager".

1. Click "Start" and go to "Control Panel".



2. Go to the section "System and safety".



3. In the block "System" click on the inscription "Device Manager".



4. In the interface that opens "Device Manager" click on the item "Disk devices".



5. A list of physical hard drives connected to the PC will open. This can be one device or several. Double-click the left mouse button ( LMB) by the name of one of them.



6. The hard drive properties window opens. Move to section "Policy".



7. The performance policy is specified here. The items in this section may differ for hard drives from different manufacturers. But, based on general logic, look for the position that should help increase performance. For example, "Allow caching" or " Optimal performance". After checking this item, click "OK" in the current window.

Method 2: Increasing the amount of RAM

You can also increase system performance by increasing the size of RAM. The most basic and yet effective method to achieve this result is to purchase an additional or larger RAM stick. But unfortunately, this is not always possible, both for financial and technical reasons, because 32-bit Windows 7 supports a RAM size of no more than 4 GB. But there is a way to bypass this limitation.

In order to increase the amount of RAM without changing the hardware configuration, a paging file is created on the hard drive, which forms the so-called virtual memory. When there is a lack of RAM resources, the system turns to this allocated area on the hard drive. Therefore, to increase PC performance, you need to enable the specified file if you have it disabled.

1. Click "Start", and then right-click on the item "Computer". In the menu that opens, select "Properties".



2. The OS properties window will open. On the left side, click "Extra options…".



3. In the shell that opens, click on the button "Options…" in the block "Performance".



4. The performance settings window will open. Here move to the section "Additionally".



5. In the block "Virtual memory" click the button "Change…".



6. The virtual memory regulation window opens. At the top of it you can check the box next to the parameter "Automatically select..." and the system itself will select the settings for the paging file.

   But we advise you to set the parameters manually. To do this, first of all, uncheck the checkbox "Automatically select...", if it is installed there. Then, in the partition selection window, select the logical drive where you want to locate the paging file. Move the switch below to position "Specify size". After this field "Original size" And "Maximum size" will become active. Put there the same value of the desired amount of virtual memory in megabytes. Then click on the button "Set" And "OK".



7. In order for the entered settings to take effect, you need to restart the computer.

It is important to remember that you should not create a paging file that is too large. Firstly, you thus lose workspace that you could use to store files. Secondly, the access speed of a hard drive is much slower than that of hardware RAM. Therefore, when increasing virtual memory, it is possible to process a larger volume of processes simultaneously, but the performance decreases, which negatively affects the performance of the system as a whole. It is believed that the optimal size is one and a half times the amount of hardware RAM of the PC. We recommend setting the size of the paging file based on this calculation. If you already have it installed, we recommend changing its size to the optimal one.

Method 3: Disable graphic effects

It's no secret that graphic effects consume a significant portion of the power of the video card and processor and use a considerable amount of RAM. To free up the resources of these objects to perform other tasks and thereby improve overall system performance, you can disable some visual effects.

In addition, you can also optimize the consumption of graphics resources using the video adapter control panel. The algorithm for setting the necessary parameters differs depending on the manufacturer and model of the video card, but the essence comes down to choosing performance between performance and quality, or at least establishing the optimal balance for you between these two criteria.

Timely updating of its drivers and installation of special software designed to optimize the operation of the video card will also help improve the performance of the video adapter.

Method 4: Disable applications in startup

Quite often, during installation, programs are added to autorun, thereby not only slowing down the system boot, but also consuming resources throughout the entire working session. But at the same time, the user does not always need these applications to work, that is, they often consume OS resources in vain. In this case, you need to remove such items from startup.

1. Dial combination Win+R. In the window that opens, enter:

   Apply button click "OK".



2. The system configuration editing window opens. Move to the section.



3. The startup section will open. What you do next depends on whether you want to disable automatic startup for all items or just some of them. The first option will bring greater effect, but you need to take into account that there are programs that, to solve your specific problems, it is preferable to leave in autorun. So the decision is yours.



4. In the first case, just click on the button "Disable everything". After this, the checkboxes next to all list items will be removed, then click "Apply" And "OK".

   

   In the second case, uncheck the boxes next to those items that you are going to remove from startup, but do not touch the checkboxes next to the names of programs left in startup. Next, as before, click "Apply" And "OK".



5. After this, a dialog box will open asking you to restart the PC. Close all active programs and click .



6. After the restart, the selected applications will be removed from startup, which will free up system resources and improve its performance.

Method 5: Disable services

The load on the system is also carried out by various running services. Moreover, not all of them are needed by the user, and the actions of some of these objects have even more negative consequences than positive ones. It is advisable to disable such elements to improve PC performance. The principle of deactivation is approximately the same as the principle of removing programs from startup. But there is one important caveat: you need to be more careful when disabling services, since deactivating an important element can lead to incorrect operation of the system.

1. Click "Start" go to "Control Panel".



2. Next, go to "System and safety".



3. Click "Administration".



4. Select from the list that opens "Services".



5. Opens "Service Manager". Highlight the service you want to deactivate, and then on the left side of the window click "Stop".



6. The deactivation procedure will be performed.



7. After that double click LMB by the name of the same service.



8. The service properties window will open. In the dropdown list "Startup type" choose a position "Disabled". Then press the buttons "Apply" And "OK".



9. You will be returned to the main window "Dispatcher", and the service itself will be completely deactivated. This will be evidenced by the lack of status "Works" in column "State" opposite the disabled element, as well as the status "Disabled" in a collumn "Startup type".

After performing the specified manipulations to disable all unnecessary services, the speed of the system should increase due to the release of resources. But, we repeat, be very careful about which service you disable. Before performing the procedure, read our separate material, which tells you which services can be disabled without significant negative consequences for the OS.

Method 6: Cleaning the registry

Another way to speed up your PC is to clean the system registry of outdated and erroneous entries. Thus, the system will not access the specified elements, which will increase not only the speed of its operation, but also the correct functioning. For these purposes, special ones are used. One of the most popular applications for performing this task is the one already familiar to us from Method 1 CCleaner.

Method 7: Setting up the power supply

The next option to increase the speed of the OS is to properly configure the power supply.

This method is especially suitable for desktop PCs, as it has virtually no negative consequences. But if you use a laptop, you need to consider whether to use it, as it can significantly increase the rate at which your battery drains.

Method 8: Overclocking the CPU

By default, the processor is not configured to use its capabilities to the maximum. It always has a reserve of power, and therefore there are ways to free up this power to improve OS performance. As a rule, they are carried out using special software. But it is worth remembering that overclocking a processor is a rather dangerous procedure, which, if done incorrectly, can lead to PC failure. In any case, overclocking the processor leads to increased wear and tear, and if done incorrectly, even to failure in the shortest possible time.

As you can see, increasing system performance in Windows 7 is carried out mainly by reducing the load on individual components. In this case, you often need to choose what is more important to you: speed or visual appearance. Although there are also methods where such a dilemma does not arise, for example, cleaning your PC from garbage. In this case, optimization has only a positive nature, provided that you do everything correctly.

1) Removing unnecessary programs from startup

When the computer boots, all installed programs located in the startup section of the system are automatically loaded and launched. They do not interfere with you to a greater extent, but they “devour” some of the PC’s RAM resources, which helps slow down the system. To remove unnecessary programs from startup you need to go to System configuration(Msconfig):

Start – Control Panel – system and safety – Administration – system configuration
or
Start - Execute- dial msconfig
or
key combination Win+R- dial msconfig

This tab contains a complete list of downloadable programs that start when Windows 7 starts. We disable those programs that are used extremely rarely or are not used at all. Here you can disable a program that, for example, produced some kind of error when loading the system. From this list, it is not recommended to disable autorun of your antivirus, because the next time you reboot it may simply not start.

You can also disable Auto Start via:
Start - Execute- dial regedit
or
key combination Win+R- dial regedit

Autorun is located in the following registry branches:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Attention! If you don’t know what a registry is and don’t know how to use it, then it’s better not to go there!

2)

Disabling unnecessary or rarely used services will help relieve some of the RAM load, which will allow other applications to run faster. Before disabling any services, it is recommended create a system restore point in case of complications (especially for inexperienced users):
Control Panel -> System -> System protection -> Create…

After creating a restore point, go to the component Services, which is along the path:

Start – Control Panel – Administration – Services.

Find the desired service in the list and double-click on it with the left mouse button. If it is running, press the button Stop, and then select Startup type – Disabled.
Here is a list of services that are generally not used at home:

Windows CardSpace
Windows Search
Offline files
Network Access Protection Agent
Adaptive brightness control
Windows Backup
IP Ancillary Service
Secondary login
Grouping of network participants
Disk Defragmenter
Automatic remote access connection manager
Print Manager (if there are no printers)
Remote Access Connection Manager (if no VPN)
Network Member Identity Manager
Performance Logs and Alerts
Windows Defender (?)
Secure storage
Setting up a Remote Desktop Server
Smart Card Removal Policy
Homegroup Listener
Windows Event Collector
Network login
Tablet PC input service
Windows Image Upload Service (WIA) (if you don't have a scanner or camera)
Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
Smart card
Diagnostic system unit
Diagnostic Service Node
Fax
Performance counter library host
Security Center
Windows Update

3)

If you wish, you can disable all visual effects, but it is recommended to leave the option Using Display Styles for Windows and Buttons, so that the system does not look completely simplified.
Go to settings:

Start – Control Panel – System

In the tab Additionally in point Performance click Options.

4)

It’s trivial on the one hand, but it still happens that if your Windows system is not protected by an antivirus, then glitches and slowdowns can occur due to the penetration of a virus into the computer. To solve this problem, you need to download and install any antivirus, update its virus databases and completely scan the system.

5) Cleaning the registry and temporary system files to increase the speed of Windows 7

The System Registry is a special directory of the Windows system, presented in the form of a Database, which stores the following information:

All operating system settings and options
All installed computer devices
Different user accounts
Set of installed applications

So, since time, this “database” has been collecting unnecessary, old and irrelevant information about any of your actions in the system. Even after removing certain programs and utilities, information about this software may remain in the registry. Subsequently, all this information can negatively affect the performance of the computer, in particular the speed of operation. The easiest way to clean the registry of garbage is to install a program to clean the registry and temporary files. I recommend CCleaner to you, it is free in Russian and does its job perfectly.

In addition, after cleaning, you will remove a lot of unnecessary junk and garbage, which will free up precious space on your hard drive. You can download the program from .

6) Disabling UAC (User Account Control)

User Account Control (UAC) notifies the user of certain changes in the system that require administrator rights. This service displays notifications when you try to install a new program, when changes are made to the file system, etc. This can be useful for beginners, but is often frustrating for experienced users. To disable notifications from User Account Control, do the following:

Launch System configuration (msconfig in the command line (Start - run))
Go to tab Service and find the item in the list Setting up User Account Control
Select this item and press the button Launch.
A dialog will open in which you can use the slider to adjust the notifications.

The changes made are activated after the computer is restarted.
And one more important point. If you still haven’t turned off UAC, then when you request an elevation of rights, it is extremely important to look at which program is requesting them. Do not rush to press the “Yes” button under any circumstances. Especially if you haven’t launched anything now, but a request appears. As for other programs, try to take them from trusted sources so as not to give permission yourself for running malicious software.

7) Setting process priority

To make running applications run faster, you need to give them a higher priority than background processes. In this case, active applications will be allocated more processor time. By default, the system is configured this way, but the balance between resources for active and background processes can be shifted even further.
The meaning is responsible for this Win32PrioritySeparation, which lies in the registry branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl.

To open the system registry, type “regedit” at the command line.
The default hexadecimal value is - 2 (hex)
Recommended value – 6 (hex)
Range of acceptable values: from 1 before 26 (hex)
You can try other values ​​to speed up your system as much as possible.

Attention: You cannot use the value 0, your computer will immediately freeze!

In addition to changing the overall balance of processor resources, you can set higher priority to individual programs. This can be done through the Task Manager.

8) Upgrade your computer

Currently, solid-state SSD drives have become widespread, because when you install them in your computer, it really starts to work faster and gives an effect noticeable to any eye. In some tests conducted in comparison with conventional hard drives, a threefold increase in the speed of reading and processing data on a computer was achieved. So after installing an SSD drive on your computer or laptop, you can speed up Windows loading times, plus all applications installed on your system will work much faster.

In addition to replacing the hard drive, you can increase the computer's RAM. Installing additional RAM always significantly improves performance and speeds up your computer. For 32-bit Windows 7, 3 GB of RAM will be optimal. To run 64-bit Windows 7 quickly, you need at least 4 GB of RAM. If you frequently edit videos or use other memory-hungry programs, you'll need even more RAM to improve performance.

9) Disable unused Windows 7 components

As you know, when Windows starts, it loads many services and components, which does not have a very good effect on system performance. Services that we do not use have already been turned off at Disabling unnecessary and unnecessary services and components to speed up the Windows 7 system. Now we need to get rid of unnecessary components, thereby freeing up some RAM. To do this we go:

Start - Control Panel - Programs and components

Select the item. Click on the button Turn Windows features on or off in the left panel.

By default, some components are already disabled, so we only have to disable those that we don’t need:

Internet Explorer (For those who use alternative browsers)
Telnet server
Windows Search (if you don't use Windows search)
Telnet client
TFTP client
Tablet PC Components
Windows Gadgets Platform (If you don't want to load your desktop with gadgets)
Unix Application Subsystem
Microsoft Message Queuing Server
Windows Activation Service
Indexing Service
Print and Document Services (If a printer is not connected)
After the checkboxes are unchecked, all that remains is to restart the computer

10) Using ReadyBoost

Windows ReadyBoost is a technology that supports increased operating system performance. Acceleration of the Windows 7 system is carried out by using free space (caching) on ​​a removable device connected to a PC or laptop (usually via a USB port) (flash card, memory card, portable removable disk).

You can enable this technology as follows: when you connect removable media, be it a flash drive or a hard drive, a window appears Autorun, with various options for action. We need to select an item Speed ​​up the system using Windows ReadyBoost;

- in the window Properties: Removable disk open tab ReadyBoost;
– the system will determine how much space can be reserved on this device (if there is less free space than the system requires, ReadyBoost will not be able to be used until you free up space);

The question of how to speed up a computer interests a huge number of users, and interest in it does not fade. You can really influence the speed of your computer by optimizing the operating system. Most of the functions and capabilities of modern operating systems remain unclaimed by ordinary users. Many people, after reinstalling the OS, do not make any changes to the configuration and are content with the standard settings, which are not the most optimal.

We will analyze in detail all the latest methods for optimizing Windows 7 to improve computer performance. If you follow our recommendations, you will probably notice that your computer will run much faster.

Problem. Operating systems of the Windows family have not only a convenient, but also a beautiful interface. This, in turn, imposes quite serious requirements on the computer hardware. With all the abundance of interesting visual effects, the hardware must ensure smooth operation and the highest possible performance. If the computer is not the most powerful, then a drop in performance is guaranteed. This problem is especially relevant for owners of low-power laptops and netbooks, whose manufacturers primarily set themselves the goals of increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs.

Solution. To solve this problem, it is recommended to turn off almost all visual effects and leave only the basic ones. In this case, you are guaranteed a productivity increase. Optimizing Windows 7 for visual effects is quite simple. Go to the Start menu and type “Visual Effects” in the search bar. Click on the section that appears “Configure presentation and system performance.”

For convenient settings, place the selector next to the “Ensure the best performance” item, and absolutely all the checkboxes will be cleared. After that, check the following boxes:

• Enable desktop composition
• Using Window and Button Display Styles
• Show thumbnails instead of icons
• Smooth out jagged screen fonts

Click “Apply” and restart the computer.

Problem. All files written to the hard drive are divided into fragments using a special algorithm. This is done to make the most efficient use of the remaining disk space. As a result, when the computer tries to read a file, it collects a huge number of individual fragments scattered throughout the hard drive. This process is aggravated by the presence of tens of thousands of fragments of unnecessary files. This in turn can lead to a decrease in the performance of the hard drive and the system as a whole.

Solution. The only effective way out of the problem is regular cleaning of junk files and defragmentation of the hard drive. First, audit unnecessary information on your computer. Delete annoying movies (which, by the way, take up a fairly large amount of memory), music and other files that are no longer relevant for you. Then remove programs you don't use. To do this, go to the Start menu --> Control Panel --> Uninstall a program. We audit outdated applications and get rid of them using the “Delete” button.

After cleaning up the garbage, we move on to defragmentation. To do this, go to “My Computer,” right-click on the desired drive and select “Properties” --> “Tools” --> “Defragment.” Select the disk and click the “Disk Defragmenter” button.

Optimizing your hard drive will really help you speed up your computer. The effect will be especially noticeable on those computers where this procedure has not been carried out for a long time. Let us remind you that it is advisable to carry out defragmentation regularly to maintain optimal operation of the hard drive.

Problem. Even on powerful and expensive computers, over time, a decrease in the loading speed of the operating system is noticed. And in most cases, the culprit is the huge number of programs that are running simultaneously along with the operating system. Update managers for various applications, social network agents, various instant messengers, and antivirus are added to startup. By the way, it is better not to remove the latter from startup, since ideally an antivirus program should constantly protect the computer in real time. We will disable all other “unexpected guests” from autoloads.

Solution. To easily and effectively remove unnecessary programs from startup, it is recommended to use the CCleaner program. Its main specialty is cleaning the registry (we'll talk about this later), but it also does an excellent job of optimizing startup, providing the user with a convenient and intuitive interface.

Launch the program, go to the “Tools” --> “Startup” tab and use the “Turn off” button to remove from automatic startup all programs that you do not need.

Problem. It is believed that a dirty registry can negatively affect the speed of a computer, as can problematic RAM. Everything is clear with the registry. If installed applications are not completely removed, “garbage” remains in it (application settings, links to non-existent shortcuts, incorrect file extensions). Over time, there is more and more garbage. And if we want to speed up the computer, then the garbage needs to be removed.

With RAM everything is somewhat more complicated. This is a very important component of the computer and it is simply impossible to talk about optimal system operation without adequate RAM. Failures in RAM can be caused by manufacturing defects, problems with the power supply, or even voltage surges. In any case, optimizing Windows 7 necessarily involves diagnosing RAM.

Solution. You can clean the registry using the previously mentioned CCleaner program. RAM diagnostics can be carried out using the operating system. To do this, open the Start menu and type “Diagnose computer memory problems” in the search box.

A window should appear in which you need to select the type of check (it is recommended to select the first option).

After the computer restarts, a memory check will begin. It may take a long period of time, so do not plan any urgent computer-related tasks during the diagnostic period. When checking on the screen, you will see something like the following window:

The end of the diagnostics will be accompanied by a computer restart. The next time you log in, you will be able to view the results of the scan. Optimizing Windows 7 must necessarily include working with the registry and RAM.

Problem. Many users have computers equipped with multi-core processors (with the number of cores from 2 or more). A larger number of cores in the processor should have a positive effect on the speed of the computer. Although the operating system itself automatically checks the type and characteristics of the installed processor, quite often only one core is used when starting the computer. Naturally, in this case, the loading speed of the operating system decreases.

Solution. The solution to this problem is very simple. The user can force the system to boot using the power of all processor cores. To do this, go to “Start” --> “All Programs” --> “Accessories” --> “Run”. Enter the command “msconfig” and click “OK”.

In the system configuration window that appears, go to the “Boot” tab --> “Advanced parameters...”. Check the box next to “Number of processors” and select the maximum number. Click "OK".

If you don’t know how to speed up your computer, or more precisely, how to influence the startup speed of the operating system, then this method is ideal for you.

Problem. The standard and additional gadgets used in Windows 7 are undoubtedly very convenient and useful. Many users happily use them in their daily work to facilitate access to interesting information. On the other hand, gadgets can directly affect the speed of a computer, naturally in a negative way. Such gadgets will waste your system resources. On a powerful modern machine this may not be noticeable, but on weaker computers the performance drop will be noticeable.

Solution. Optimizing Windows 7 in terms of gadgets does not imply their complete removal. Keep 1-2 of the most frequently used and useful gadgets, and remove the rest. Still, with a high degree of probability, it can be said that you will receive most of the interesting information on the Internet. Why then load your system once again?

Problem. The Windows 7 operating system can use high-speed flash memory devices to effectively cache data from the most frequently launched applications. In fact, the memory of a USB flash drive or SD card can be used instead of the swap file. Such a cunning manipulation makes it possible to speed up the read-write procedure, which will ultimately have a positive effect on the speed of the computer and the overall performance of the system.

Not all Windows 7 users can increase the amount of RAM in the standard way (by purchasing a new stick). A variety of reasons can prevent this. These include restrictions that the chipset or motherboard manufacturer imposes on its products, and the impossibility of purchasing RAM of a suitable format.

Solution. To expand your computer's RAM, you can use standard USB flash drives and flash cards in SDHC/SD/MS format. To use a flash card, you will need a special card reader that is compatible with the card format. ReadyBoost technology is natively built into the operating system, so you don't have to download and install additional software.

Minimum requirements for drives when used in ReadyBoost:

• USB 2.0/3.0 standard supported
• Minimum read speed of 2.5 MB/s for information in 4 KB blocks
• Minimum write speed of 1.75 MB/s for information in 512 KB blocks
• Minimum free space 64 MB

Before choosing a drive for ReadyBoost, be sure to check its speed characteristics and make sure they meet the requirements. Using high-speed flash cards will provide maximum performance gains.

Go to “My Computer”, right-click on the external drive and click “Properties”. Go to the “ReadyBoost” tab. Place the selector opposite the “Use this device” item and use the slider to set the limit on the amount of memory used. Next, click “Apply” and “OK”. If you want to provide the system with access to all free memory of the external storage device, then set the selector opposite the item “Provide this device for ReadyBoost technology”.

Use this clever method. We hope it will help you answer the question of how to speed up your computer.

Problem. Very often, when working on a computer, users forget to configure the power management scheme - a set of hardware and system parameters that are responsible for the power consumption of individual system components. The power management scheme can be configured to maximize power savings (minimum performance), balance power consumption, or maximize computer performance (maximum power consumption). You can simply forget about this simple parameter and at the same time negatively affect the performance of the system.

This problem is relevant for laptop owners. By default, the system sets the balanced power mode. When the laptop battery runs out, the power saving mode is automatically set. Later, when the laptop is connected to the network, few people remember about the economy mode and the need to switch it. This is how the speed of the computer is lost on simple things.

If you are using a personal computer or laptop (but are running on network power), then adjusting the power plan can speed up the computer and improve overall system performance.

Solution. The solution to the problem is to control the power supply mode. Go to “Start” --> “Control Panel” --> “Power Options” and select the “High Performance” mode.

If desired, you can customize the power plan. To do this, select “Configure power plan” --> “Change advanced power settings”. Set your own values ​​as desired.

conclusions

We have looked at 8 ways to optimize Windows 7 that will help increase the speed of your computer. It is very difficult to fit all optimization methods into one article, so this is only the first part of the material. In future articles we will continue to examine interesting and effective optimization methods, since this topic is quite broad and interesting.

Step-by-step instructions for improving performance and optimizing Windows 7

Optimizing the operation of Windows 7 is extremely relevant today and is available not only to professional engineers of specialized centers, but also to ordinary users.

Since the release of the operating system by Microsoft Windows 8, the popularity of her predecessor, Windows7, doesn't get smaller.

Prevalence of Windows versions as of March 2014 (according to http://www.netmarketshare.com/)

Windows 8/8.1 - 12.54%

Windows 7 - 50.55%

Windows7 proved to be the most successful and user-friendly version of the OS on the Windows platform, especially in comparison with its predecessor - Windows Vista.

Currently, the objectives set by software manufacturers and user expectations regarding system speed and performance have increased significantly.

The number of programs has also increased preinstalled by manufacturers on new laptops and personal computers, which often only take away the performance of the system. In addition, over time, a huge number of temporary and unnecessary files generated by programs and Internet browsers accumulate.

In connection with the above, an increasing number of companies are engaged in both the development specialized utilities to optimize the performance of Windows 7, and by creating multitasking programs that clean and configure the system, optimizing its operation based on the needs of a specific user, along with a set of other software (for example, all-in-one antivirus software, CCleaner, RegOptimazer and others).

But let’s not forget that all cleaning and optimization programs act superficially, without affecting the depths of the system. Thanks to simple steps, any user can safely and effectively optimize Windows 7 performance, without resorting to in-depth analysis and practical study of its work.

To optimize Windows7 performance, follow these steps:

1. Completely disabling UAC (User Account Control)

First of all, it is worth drawing your attention to the fact that this tool is one of the most important in the matter of system security and disabling it will inevitably reduce the overall level of its protection from external threats. However, many users have greater confidence in high-quality antivirus software.

In this article we offer you the ability to either completely disable UAC or change the protection level.

Before performing the suggested actions, you should log in with your account. Administrator.

14. Disabling the autorun function from removable media and CD drives.

Disabling autorun is not only speed up work with external storage media, but also will protect protect you from a number of viruses entering your computer.
Launch Notepad (in the Start menu, in the Search line, enter the word “Notepad”).
After launching the Notepad program, copy the following text there:


"HonorAutoRunSetting"=dword:00000001
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:000000ff
3. Next, select the menu item “File” - “Save As”.
4. Select the file type “All files”
5. Specify the file name and extension for it “*.reg”
6. Close the Notepad program.

7. Run the newly created file and agree to make changes.
If the autorun function is still present, do the following:
1. Open Notepad
2. After launching Notepad, copy the following text there:
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

"AutoRun"=dword:0000001

"allocatecdromes"="0"

"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091

"NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000
3. Next, select the menu item “File” - “Save As”.
4. Select the file type "All files"
5. Specify the file name and extension for it “*.reg”
6. Then exit the Notepad program.
7. Run the newly created file and agree to make changes
8. Restart the Computer and check for autorun on the media.
Attention, this method will disable autorun for you from all storage media:
Flash and portable drives;
CD, DVD, BD discs;
Network drives;
Local disks.

15. Move the recycle bin from the desktop to the taskbar

If you feel like it fully free your desktop from icons, then you can do this. After all, in Windows 7 not only is it possible remove the Recycle Bin from the desktop, but even pin it to the taskbar.
1. Right-click on an empty space on the Desktop.
2. In the context menu, select Create - Shortcut.
3. In the Object location field, insert:
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder

4. Click Next.
5. In the window that opens, in the Shortcut name field, enter Trash and click Finish.
6. A shortcut has appeared on the Desktop (to make sure it is the Recycle Bin, double-click it), but it looks like an Explorer shortcut, not Baskets. To fix this, right-click on it and select Properties, then click the button Change icon.
7. In the Search for icons in the following file field, enter:
%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll
and press Enter.

8. From the proposed collection of Windows 7 icons, select the Recycle Bin icon and click OK twice.
9. Now our Recycle Bin icon looks authentic. Drag it with the right or left mouse button somewhere on the taskbar.
10. Right-click on the desktop, select Personalization, then Change desktop icons and uncheck the Recycle Bin.

16. What to do if your hard drive partition disappears after installing Windows 7

Let's assume that your computer's hard drive contains two partitions (C and D) and after installing another OS on the second partition, the first partition disappeared. In reality, the section remained where it was, but Windows 7 did not assign a letter to it. Therefore, we do not have access to the data stored on this disk.

To assign a drive letter, go to Control Panel -> Administration -> Computer Management.

In the left menu, select Storage Devices -> Disk Management. This displays information about all drives connected to the computer, including logical drives (partitions), drives, and removable drives. Our lost partition is located here - it is displayed in the list and has neither a letter nor a volume label, but is recognized by the system as a hard drive.

1. Right-click on it and in the menu that appears, select Change drive letter or drive path.
2. In the window that opens, click the Add button.
3. In the window that opens, in the Assign a drive letter line, all free letters are presented in the form of a drop-down list; we can assign any of them to our “unidentified” partition.
4. Select a letter and press the OK button.

As you can see, setting up and optimizing the operation of Windows 7 with the proper approach is an easy and quick way to both improve the process of using your computer and increase its performance and speed.

Important!

If, after optimizing Windows operation, you have not achieved the desired result, or your actions have led to disruption of the system, USService specialists will help you.