Tweak Windows 7 for Netbook

According to a report over 14.9 million netbooks were sold and this number is expected to double or triple after one year. When you want a very compact and low cost way to do basic computing then netbook is the right choice for you.

A test showed that Windows 7 netbook performed just OK. If you want to speed up your windows 7 netbook then the key is to turn off unnecessary features. Because it is a netbook and there so many Windows features that will never be used. Disabling the unnecessary features will also increase your battery life as only few processes will use the CPU running in the background.

Tweak options in Windows 7 Netbook to increase speed

1. Fine Tune Animation Settings/Visual Graphics
Eye candy in Windows 7 is the main cause of GUI slowness. If your netbook has a good graphics card that can display Aero Glass it can be choppy at times.

You need to click on the 'Start' Button and then type in 'Adjust the Appearance' and hit 'Enter'. This will enable the Visual Effects performance options.

It is suggested that you disable the following settings by removing the check on the screen:
Animate controls and elements inside windows
Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing
Fade or slide menus into view
Show window contents while dragging
Slide open combo boxes
Fade or slide ToolTips into view
Fade out menu items after clicking

When you are finished, click 'OK'.

2. Remove Startup Programs from windows 7
The startup programs that you don't need waste the resources more that any other programs. To remove startup programs, you need to click on the 'Start' Button, click 'Run', type 'msconfig' in and hit Enter.

Now click on the Startup tab as the System Configuration utility loads. Next remove the check next to any applications you don’t need and then click 'OK'.

3. Disable windows 7 Services
Also stop the Windows 7 services running in the background of your computer.
Firstly, click on the 'Start' Button which is with Windows logo and click 'Run', type 'services.msc ' in it and press 'Enter' on your keyboard .

Now as the Services management console appears, you can disable and stop the services by selecting the service, right clicking and selecting Properties. Now change the Startup type to 'Disabled' and then click the Stop button. To return to the Services management console, click 'OK'.

4. Turn off Windows 7 features
Windows also allows you to turn off Windows components that you were not able to disable in earlier versions of Windows. For example the Gadget platform, Internet Explorer, Windows Search and media features. Follow these steps:
1. Click 'Start'>'Control Panel' and choose 'Programs And Features'.
2. Now click Turn Windows Features On Or Off in the left pane.
3. Now to enable or disable the various Windows features, simply choose or deselect the check boxes then click 'OK'.

5. Turn off windows 7 Aero Snap (optional)
A new Windows 7 feature Aero Snap causes your application windows to automatically snap into a preconfigured state when you move them to the edges of the screen. If you will drag a window to the far right the it will resize automatically to fill exactly half the screen. Now if you drag it to the top corner then it will maximize to fill the full screen. This can be useful, but if you prefer that your windows stay the size you made them the it can also be annoying. Follow these steps:

1. Click 'Start' and then click 'Control Panel'.
2. Now click 'Ease of Access Center' and then click 'Make the Mouse Easier to Use'.
3. Choose the 'Prevent Windows From Being Automatically Arranged When Moved To The Edge Of The Screen' check box and then click OK.