WinXP Overhaul Guide: How to make it look like Vista, run like lightning, and stay productive, fast & smooth

Step 5 Tweaking and speed tricks (Registry Settings)

Registry Settings:

A. DISABLE LAST ACCESS UPDATE. Windows makes notes wherever it goes, recording and timestamping every time it accesses anything. Especially if you have a low-end computer, this slows things down. Here's how to stop the obsessive logging:
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Locate 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem'
3. Right-click in a blank area of the window on the right and select 'DWORD Value'
4. Create a new DWORD Value called 'NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate'
5. Right click on the new value and select 'Modify'
6. Change the Value Data to '1'
7. Click 'OK'

B. IMPROVE XP SHUTDOWN SPEED*. Sometimes when you're shutting down, XP will sort of just sit there and twiddle its thumbs, so to speak. That's because it is waiting for applications or services to stop hanging and shut down. Eventually it will do something about it, but why not get to it quicker? Here's how to make XP force a quick shutdown:
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Locate 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Control Panel\Desktop\'
3. Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'
4. Right click and select 'Modify'
5. Change the value to '1000'
6. Click 'OK'
7. Now select 'HungAppTimeout'
8. Right click and select 'Modify'
9. Change the value to '1000'
10. Click 'OK'
11. Now find 'HKEY_USERS\ .DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop'
12. Select 'WaitToKillAppTimeout'
13. Right click and select 'Modify'
14. Change the value to '1000'
15. Click 'OK'
16. Now find 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\CurrentControlSet\Control\'
17. Select 'WaitToKillServiceTimeout'
18. Right click and select 'Modify'
19. Change the value to '1000'
20. Click 'OK'

C. Disable unnecesary naming convention. How many names do you have? Well, files and folders in Windows have multiple ones. If you never plan on interfacing with an older DOS-based machine, you can disable one of these naming schemes. Here's how:
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Find 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem'
3. Change the value of the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation key to '1'
4. Click 'OK'

D. Start Menu Delay. Did you know there's an actual programmed delay when you click the Start Menu, or navigate the Programs therein? To speed things up and make it snappier, just adjust the values described below to where you like them.
1. Click Start -> Run -> type 'regedit' -> OK
2. Find 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Control Panel\Desktop\'
3. Double-click the MenuShowDelay icon on the right, and change 'Value data' from its default of 400 (milliseconds) to something speedier- even 0. I recommend around 200, but you can experiment to find what you're comfortable with.

*(Note for B): If you're using the Vista Sidebar and this quick-shutdown trick, often it doesn't give enough time for settings to save. Usually this isn't an issue, but if you move or enable/disable modules, the best thing to do is restart the Sidebar right then. That way you know the settings are saved, and you aren't stuck redoing your adjustments after XP reboots.

Comments

[Damnation]

for the record, you can set your winamp windows transparent. It is a built in feature. right click->window settings->opacity It has it in percent, or, I think, you can set a custom value.

[CharredPC]

Very true, good tip. That also explains why you can't adjust it externally- it is already being watched/managed by the program itself. Thanks!

[GibsonMIII3]

I do not see the run option when I enter the start file how can i find this?

[mistermature]

Right Click on the start button. Select Properties from the menu. Once you click menu, you should have a popup window open called Taskbar and Start Menu Properties. Make sure you are on the Start Menu Tab and click Customize This should bring up the Customize Start Menu popup box. Click the advanced tab at the top. Scroll through the list of options until you find Run Command and click the box next to it so that it has a check mark in the box. Click ok on both boxes that are open and then look for the Run Command in your Start Menu now.

[CharredPC]

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you elaborate? You may need to reboot to have everything take effect properly.