Change visual effects to speed up Windows XP performance
By default, Windows XP enables visual effects. These default visual effects consume system resources and slow down computer. Windows XP uses processor time to handle system performance according to default settings, which can be adjusted for your computing needs. Also, settings that govern visual effects enhance the appearance of the Windows XP interface, but slow down performance.
Windows provides several options to modify or set the visual effects of your computer. For example, you can choose to show shadows under menus, scroll effects etc., which gives them a nice look and appearance. You can tell Windows to display the entire contents of a window while you move it on your screen. To make large text more readable, you can choose to display the smooth edges of screen fonts.
Windows provides options for enabling all of the settings (for best appearance) or none of the settings (for best computer performance). You can also restore the original default settings. You can fine-tune settings in Windows XP Professional to improve performance.
To change visual effects, follow these steps:
Click Start, click Control Panel and then click System icon.
Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance, click Settings.
Click the Visual Effects tab, and then do one of the following:
Click Adjust for best performance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best performance.
Click Adjust for best appearance to have Windows automatically adjust the settings for best appearance.
Click Custom, and then click to select the check boxes for those items that you want to turn on. Click to clear the check boxes for the items that you want to turn off.
Disable the following Windows XP visual effects for the best tradeoff between performance and visual effects:
- Fade or slide menus into view
- Fade or slide ToolTips into view
- Fade out menu items after clicking
- Show shadows under menus
- Slide open combo boxes
- Slide taskbar buttons
- Use a background image for each folder type
- Use common tasks in folders
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