DEFENDER
This is worthless as spyware gets (this should be a RED flag about Security Essentials!). Defender doesn’t stop infections while noticeably slowing down systems, so TURN IT OFF. The spyware issue is much better dealt with using Malwarebytes pay, or by virtualizing your browsing using avast! Pro
Control Panel, Windows Defender, Options, un-check “Start Defender with Windows” J.R, will skip this step and disable the “Windows defender” service (see below under SERVICES)
WINDOWS unused FEATURES
Programs, Turn Windows Features ON / OFF, uncheck:
1st Remote Differential Compression
2nd Tablet PC (unless it has a touch screen)
3rd Windows Meeting Place
4th Gadgets
ANIMATIONS unnecessary
Control Panel, Ease of Access, Make it easier to focus on tasks, check box “turn off all unnecessary animations”
SERVICES
UNDER Control panel, Administrative Tools, Services, now you can see all the services that are “started”, and disable all unnecessary services:
Readyboost (nobody uses a USB drive for speed)
Offline files
Windows Live Login helper
Windows Defender
Windows Media Center (disable all, nobody uses it)
Windows Media Player Network Sharing
LightScribe
Cyberlink
AERO
J.R. removes AERO by disabling Desktop Window Manger Session Manager but you can leave the Themes service – so Windows 7 still looks pretty. Extreme stripping for speed, such as Vista, or slow XP systems, the the Themes service is also disabled.
MOUSE SCHEME
From Control Panel, Mouse, Pointers, under “Scheme” select “Windows Standard extra large (a mouse theme is a scheme) We have proven application incompatibility with animated cursors. “Windows Standard” is the native Scheme.
STARTUP
From “RUN” (Windows key + R), “msconfig”, Startup, start un-checking unnecessary startup applications:
Groove monitor
Intel (hkcmd.exe) + (igfxtray.exe) + (igfxpers)
Microsoft Intellipoint
ATI CCC
RealPlayer
H.P.update
Google update
Messengers ( messengers)
all scanning engines (OCR, paperport, etc.)
Roxio
Nero
OSA
NETWORK
From Control Panel, Network, change adapter settings, now right-click any network adapter object (may only be one), and then click Properties, and Un-check these boxes:
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder
QoS Packet Schedular.
Disable any unused network adapters from Control Panel, Network, change adapter settings, now right-click on each unused adapter listed and click disable
PERFORMANCE
Right-click Computer, properties, Advanced System Settings, Performance, select “Custom” then start un-checking boxes:
Animate controls
Animate windows
Animations in taskbar,
Fade/slide menus
Fade/slide ToolTips
Fade out menu
Show shadows mouse
Show shadows windows
Show translucent
Show Windows contents
Slide open combo boxes
INTERNET EXPLORER
Disable all toolbars, and their corresponding BHO’s and set default home page to Google.com
From Tools, Internet Options, Programs, Manage Add-ins, Currently Loaded Add-ins, and disable all unnecessary add-ins: J.R. leaves:
Adobe and Java
J.R. removes:
avast WebRep, leave anti-phishing
M$ Groove GFWS
M$ Groove Folder
Research
Send to OneNote
Discuss
Ect.
J.R. removes all accelerators, all search providers and all their engines. J.R. always sets the defaults search provider and Home page to Google
Remove Unused Programs
Programs you don’t use are like guests who have overstayed their welcome: You’re much happier after getting rid of them.
Free Up Disk Space
Hard drives accumulate junk. You’ve got temporary folders, backup files, the Recycling Bin, and who knows what else. Always do this prior to disinfection and defragging. J.R. uses ATF Cleaner & CCleaner
About Cleaning the Windows Registry
J.R. does not clean the registry without a reason. It is like a raw egg, it’s extremely fragile, and the more you handle it, the faster you will break it. When an if this is required, we use CCleaner registry tool. This may need to be run more than once. J.R. backs up the registry before touching. This is only performed when required by:
Disinfection
System corruption
System cleaning
BSOD analysis
J.R. Guthrie
President and Failure Analysis Engineer
Advantage Micro Corporation