Tuning Windows

Some Tips to Tune MS Windows

Many people complain that MS Windows is not reliable -- and it is so hard to understand: where does Outlook Express store my email? How can I tune the TCP buffer size? Here're my experience in "tuning windows":

1. Isolate the MS software and your own data by customized disk partition

Problem: Most of the pre-installed Windows systems (e.g. a brand new laptop shipped to you with Windows installed) have a single partition (disk C). Your data and MS software (Windows, Office, and etc) are mixed in this partition. Once the Windows crashes and you reinstall the system, it is highly possible that your data get lost.

My solution: Whenever I get a new laptop, I re-install Windows with three (3) partitions: One for Windows system (in NTFS format), the second for my own private data (NTFS, encrypted), the third for data sharing (FAT format) with other operating system (such as Linux). You may not need the third partition if you always use Windows on your laptop.

Advantage: When you want to reinstall your windows or even format the Windows partition, the data partition can be saved.

Disadvantage: If we make the system partition too small, we will not be able to install WindowsUpdates in the future, since the Windows XP consumes more and more space as the WindowsUpdates come. So, the partition of Windows system is recommended to have at least 4GB space

2. Install all the Windows Update

3. Limit the power of your daily account

Problem: Windows XP sets your account as "Administrator" by default. "Administrator" has the highest privilege to do anything. It is very convenient since you can do whatever you want with the account. However, it is also the most destructive account: whenever you run a software with virus, the software has your privilege -- "Administrator"-- and will be able to do whatever it wants.

My solution: After installing all the necessary softwares, I set up a new account for daily usage, with "limited user" privilege.

Advantage: Even I mistakenly run a software with virus, the virus can only be a limited user's program. I still have the hope to switch to the Administrator account and kill it. (This is learnt from the rules in the Guide for Linux Administrator.)

Disadvantage: it is not convenient to install new softwares which require Administrator's privilege for installation. What I need to do is to login as Administrator, install the new software, and return to daily account to use. But such painful event is rare after we install most of the softwares for a new machine.

4. Change the directory path of your Windows applications if necessary:

You can change the directory path of some of your windows application to allow backup/cleanup easier. For example, move the outlook's email directory to your data drive for backup. Move the Internet Explorer's Temporary file directory to somewhere easy to clean up.

*Application*	*Path*
The mail directory in Outlook Express	Tool->Option->Maintenance->Store Folder->Change
Temporary files for Internet Explorer	Tool->Option->Setting (in Temporary Internet files) -> Move Folder
Page for Windows Virtual Memory:	Control Panel->Performance and Maintenance->System->Advanced-> Settings in Performance ->Advanced-> Change in Virtual memory
Temporary files for Windows	Control Panel->Performance and Maintenance->System->Advanced-> Environment Variables -> TEMP and tmp file
Items in Quick Lunch Bar	C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Temporary files in Real	Real-> Tool -> Preference -> General -> File Location

5. Turn off some services if you do not need them to speed up your machine

*Services*	*Source*	Path and File Name	*Control Method*
Java autoupdate	Java (Sun)	%ProgramFiles%\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\jusched.exe	Control Panel -> Switch to Classic View (if you are in Category view)-> Java -> Update -> Check for Update Automatically
Real autoupdate	Real	%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe	Real-> Tool -> Preference ->Automatic Services -> Automatic Update
ipod service	Apple, when you install its Quicktime or other applications	%ProgramFiles%\iPod\bin\iPodservice.exe	Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance-> Administrative Tool -> Service -> iPod service -> Disable it

6. Tune your network parameter

See this link for Windows 2000.

See this link for Windows 98, NT and other non-Windows stacks.

7. Some daemon files from different softwares

When you see them in the taskmanager, you know what it is.

*Process File*	*Process Name*	*Description*
defwatch or defwatch.exe	Norton Antivirus Corporarte Edition DefWatch	defwatch.exe is a part of Norton Antivirus Corporarte Edition, and is responsible for monitoring the virus definition files and ititiating procseses to bring them upto date if they aren't.
rtvscan or rtvscan.exe	Symantec Real Time Virus Scan service	rtvscan.exe is an executable of the Symantec Internet Security Suite. It is responsible for the execution of real-time virus-scanning in order to detect virus infected files as they enter your system. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated.
vptray or vptray.exe	VirusProtect Shield System Tray icon	VPTray.exe is the traybar process for Norton AntiVirus. It gives the user fast access to Norton AntiVirus. This process can safely be removed without reducing system security. Author: Symantec Corporation Part Of: Norton AntiVirus
atiptaxx or atiptaxx.exe	ATI Utilitiy	ATIPtaxx.exe is the traybar process for your ATI graphics card drivers. It gives you easy access to your graphic card settings. This process can be removed to free up system resources.
acrotray or acrotray.exe	Acrobat Assistant	AcroTray.exe is the Acrobat Assistant used when you print your documents to a PDF. While converting documents to a PDF this process should not be removed.