Windows Registry Editor: REGEDITAfter you installed your Windows, you need to optimize your computer. You probably would like to have a faster boot, optimize your memory, secure your pc with a (free) firewall and virus scan software, do some extra tweaking, create a (wireless) network, install free software, optimize your registry and last but not least: create a system image! This page describes the second part about optimize Windows XP computer and gives you the hyperlinks to the concerned pages (each will open in a new window), similar to the icons on the right of each page. On the page Installing Windows XP on your PC (summary) you can read more about what steps to take in installing Windows XP.
Windows Registry Editor: REGEDITThe registry contains many many Windows settings (and changes continuously), which can be viewed with the Registry Editor. Because many pages on this site (and other websites) contain registry tweaks, you need the Registry Editor to apply those registry tweaks.
Interesting Windows XP registry tweaksMost 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).
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.
Optimizing Windows XP ServicesWindows 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 UtilityWith 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.
Firewall software: secure your internet trafficFirewall software is used to have control over the internet traffic. A firewall makes sure you are not visible on the internet, and if you are, nobody is allowed to enter without your knowledge and specific authorization. This makes your internet connection a lot safer.
Secure your pc with (free) antivirus softwareThis page is about the need for antivirus software to secure your pc. Where your firewall software monitors exactly what goes to and comes from the internet, it doesn't prevent getting infected by a virus. Antivirus software scans all incoming files for a virus and prevents getting infected before the virus becomes dangerous for your Windows and personal files!
Ad-aware, Spybot S&D and Hitman ProIf you notice something is wrong (eg slow computer, not able to remove start pages or toolbars, your firewall comes up with a sudden internet access by an unknown application), you need to do some cleaning if there is no system backup available. For this purpose a description of Ad-aware, SpyBot S&D and Hitman Pro.
Installing freeware/shareware utilitiesThere are many interesting freeware and shareware utilities which you can find on the internet. Here a description of the utilities you need to have!
Searching the internet with CopernicCopernic Agent Basic is an application to search the internet. Copernic uses different search engines like AltaVista, HotBot, LookSmart, Lycos, MSN, Yahoo! and many others. By combining the search results from the different search engines, you will get good search results.
Disk Cleanup: deleting unnecessary filesTo 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/pagefileBefore 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.
Creating a (wireless) networkMany households have multiple computers and a router/gateway. On this page all you need to know about creating a (wireless) network!
Creating an image of the Windows systemNow you have done so much work installing and optimizing your Windows, I can imagine you would like to backup your current settings. This is done with a system image. Here you read more about creating a free system image. If you are infected with a virus or something else gone wrong, you can restore your system by placing back an image of your original C: partition!
Interesting web pagesThis page contains interesting web pages elsewhere on the internet.
This page is a continuation of the summary Installing Windows XP on your PC
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