In a relatively short period of time, the seventh OS has become one of the most popular versions among users around the world. Microsoft has really done its best. However, nothing is perfect, and some users inspired by the performance of the new OS have a logical question: “How to optimize Windows 7?” However, not always increasing the effective capacity of a PC is associated with a hardware upgrade. In most cases, you only need to occasionally carry out "electronic" prevention, and most importantly - be able to configure the computer for yourself. After all, each of you, dear reader, has his own preferences, individual vision and requirements for the computer technology used. Want to give playfulness to the operating system? Do you want comfortable and stable work behind a computer screen? You have every chance to teach your PC to fly! Doubts will melt right after reading the article.
How to optimize the work of Windows 7: eight "fly-away" recommendations
You should always remember that the seventh OS is, first of all, a program, like all other software that uses computer hardware resources. Therefore, the system requirements of this OS must be “respected”. The amount of RAM, processor power and storage capacity are critical components of a PC configuration. Minimal discrepancies with the required Windows 7 values will be reflected in the operation of the system as a whole. It is worth noting that significant changes in the performance of the seven with a "weak" computer configuration cannot be achieved. If everything is in order, and there is a "margin of safety", the user has a lot of opportunities to influence the performance of his electronic "horse".
Torque: hard drive without brakes
As information accumulates on your hard drive, its performance will decrease. In deciding how to optimize the Windows 7 system, first of all, attention should be paid to the organization of data storage. Standard tools are quite suitable for these purposes.
- Go to “Start” and select the “Computer” tab.
- On the system drive "C" call the context menu, from the list click on the item "Properties".
In the minimized window, click on the “Service” tab, after which you need to use the items “Scan the hard disk for availability ...” and defragment the partition (next block).
It does not hurt to go into the "General" submenu in the same service window and clean the disk.
Additional memory - do not let us down!
In some situations, you need to optimize the page file.
Windows 7 is a rather "insatiable" software environment, and RAM is often not enough for the correct operation of demanding applications. Therefore, it makes sense to expand the swap file, which is referred to in the OS as “pagefile”.
- Go to the "Start" menu and, hovering over the "Computer", right-click on the manipulator to bring up a drop-down list from which to select "Properties".
- The next click is made on the item “Advanced system parameters”, which is located in the left pane of the window (the last one in the list).
- In the window that opens, select the "Advanced" tab. In the "Performance" block, activate the "Parameters" button.
- Now follow the link “Advanced” to the settings area, from which by pressing the “Change” key you will be given the opportunity to make the necessary revision.
- Since you need to save space on the system drive, and the question of how to optimize Windows 7 requires specific actions, it is quite reasonable to move the "pagefile" to any other section of the drive that is not critical in terms of capacity.
- Highlight the system drive (C) and uncheck.
- Now select the required section and in the "Specify Size" block, enter the value: source - the amount of RAM, maximum - doubled memory value.
After the reboot, the changes take effect.
Tricky system: hidden megabytes of RAM
Indeed, the OS can hide a small amount of RAM. As in the case to be described below. However, there are situations when the system "does not see" whole gigabytes, and this is due to some limiting nuances of versions of Windows 7. The OS optimized for games is a 64-bit system, since only this type of system allows using up to 32 GB of memory. Of course, the 32-bit "brother" is much more modest with its 3 possible gigabytes, and, as you know, modern games are very demanding on the physical performance of the installed RAM.
So how to recover lost memory?
- At the command prompt (Start menu - Search), enter "msconfig".
- In the service window, open the "Downloads" tab.
- Activate the "Advanced Options".
- Now uncheck the item “Maximum memory”, and next to the “Number of processes” put the value “2”.
- Reboot the computer.
The above example will allow you to optimize the RAM of Windows 7. However, more fine-tuning the RAM is possible only with the participation of special software.
Disabling "redundant" services
In the system, it is possible to carry out, so to speak, the reduction of “staff”. That is, an incredibly huge number of services involved in the OS, for ordinary users are meaningless "eaters" of resources. As a result, they simply need to be turned off. This is especially important when a portable computer is used as the workhorse. Indeed, in order for the laptop to function offline for as long as possible , first of all, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of system resources to a minimum, that is, optimize the operation of the laptop. Windows 7 is a system with an incredibly extensive base of integrated tools. However, using only some functionality, it will not be possible to achieve a significant increase in productivity. Nevertheless, for a comprehensive solution, you simply cannot do without disabling “passive” services.
- Open the control panel and click on the “Administration” shortcut.
- Then (with administrator rights) click on the "Services" item.
- From the list presented, select "applicant for retirement" and through the context menu, stop his work and then disable it through the "Startup Type" tab.
Attention! The stability of the system depends on the coherence of many services. Therefore, turning off the services that you found objectionable may threaten the full functioning of the OS as a whole. So if you are not sure about your actions, learn how to optimize Windows 7 using other tools and methods.
Useless work and automatic braking
Perhaps you noticed program shortcuts in the system tray. In fact, most of them remain unclaimed during the next session. However, the resources they spend adversely affect the overall performance of the current OS.
Of course, some background programs just need to be turned off. The “msconfig” command that is familiar to you will make sure that nothing superfluous with the operating system is not loaded at the moment the workstation is turned on.
- After you called up the "System Configuration" window from the search bar, open the "Startup" tab.
- Unchecking allows you to deactivate the program, but in fact this is another element of the answer to the question "How to optimize Windows 7?"
Some caution: along with the system, programs and applications critical for the stable operation of the OS are automatically loaded. If you do not know how the deactivation of one or another startup item can affect, it will be safer to refrain from unconscious actions.
A professional will tell you how to optimize your computer
Windows 7 in the course of its work uses a special database - a registry where startup parameters for various services and applications are stored, as well as data on the settings of the operating system. Between the registry and the OS, data is constantly exchanged, and lightning fast, calculated in the hundreds of times per second. Also interact with databases and programs. In the process, the registry accumulates a lot of unnecessary information in the form of "memories" about the remote software or the changed settings in the operating system. As a result, digital junk interferes with the efficient operation of the database. Performance decreases and the system becomes unstable. Unfortunately, the Seven does not have a sufficiently understandable and effective tool for debugging the registry; the OS has only a special editor in its arsenal. However, in order to be able to work in it, it is necessary to have the appropriate knowledge and have some skills. Nevertheless, today there is an incredible amount of software that competently copes with such tasks. The user only needs to start the application and click a few buttons, the program will do the rest for him. You can optimize Windows 7 thoroughly only with the help of complex solutions, the use of which does not oblige the PC owner to have special knowledge. This will be discussed in the next paragraph of the article.
Almighty helper
It makes no sense to focus the reader on the name of a particular program, because there are many tips on which software is best for optimization. One thing to be clear: the program must be easy to manage and effective in action.
For example, some "soft monsters" have the option of "one click", that is, it is enough for the user to press a certain button once, and the optimization process will take place automatically. But despite the fact that the machine “knows” how to optimize Windows 7, there is still a risk of erroneous miscalculation.
Visual resource waster
So it's time to touch the colorful side of the "seven". In the stylish design of Aero Glass, it really looks spectacular. But, as you know, beauty requires sacrifice, and the user more than pays for the desired graphics with resources allocated to visual effects in the form of system animations. Of course, in special cases, “beauty” will have to be turned off in Windows 7. An optimized system for games is, of course, the least in the name of releasing the computing potential of the entire OS as a whole. And if you, dear reader, are not a gamer, but you will not refuse maximum system performance, resort to the method described below.
- Start menu - Computer - Advanced options.
- Block - “Performance” - button “Parameters”.
- In the next window, click the "Visual Effects" tab.
- Check the box “Ensure the best performance”.
- After click “Accept” and “OK”.
Finally
Within the framework of this article, there was no place to describe the process of disabling the "User Account Control" service. The review material only superficially touched portable electronics, but in order to optimize the laptop, Windows 7 can offer several options for energy saving schemes. However, the main points of "dispersal" and methods of containing "electronic appetite" were nevertheless taken into account and presented in full. Be in harmony with the system!