subject: Could Windows Vistas Pretty Looks Be To Blame For It Running So Slow? [print this page] If you have switched over from XP to Vista you surly will have known by now that Vista is much slower. This lack of speed has to do with Vista dedicating a lot of its resources to trying to "look pretty". Making the operating system look nice is great and all but when it comes time to actually get some work done it can be a huge problem. In this article I am going to show you two quick ways to make your Vista perform a it faster but you are going to have to be willing to sacrifice some of Vistas looks in order to get more function. Keep in mind that there really is no point in having your computer look really nice since you are the only person that is really going to be seeing it.
If you are using Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise or Ultimate, chances are that you have the Aero effect turned on. The Aero effect is designed to make your computer's windows have more of a glass like effect to them, which no one really needs at all. It also enables Windows Flip 3D which is something that no one really needs (if you don't know what Windows Flip 3D is, open a few windows, hold the Windows Button down and press the Tab button. You should be able to cycle through all of your currently opened windows in a fancy format). These features are really just pointless things that Windows has added to make your computer look really cool. Here's how to get rid of the Aero effect:
To start, just click on the Start icon at the bottom left hand screen, click on Control Panel and on the top left hand side of the screen make sure that you have Control Panel Home selected. Then click on the Appearance and Personalize link, then click on Personalize, click on Windows Color and Appearance and at the bottom of the screen just select "Open classic appearance properties for more color options". In the new window under where it has the Color Scheme drop down box, just select Windows Vista Basic. Then just click Apply and then OK. What this is going to do is turn off the Aero effect.
The second thing that you probably don't need that Vista has to offer is the sidebar. Now, unless you actually use the gadgets on the sidebar regularly (the clock doesn't count, there's one in the bottom right hand corner of your screen that is perfectly good) then I suggest that you get rid of it. It really serves no function to the average user except to make your computers desktop look cool. Here's how to do it:Right click on the windows sidebar icon in the System Tray and select properties (the system tray is that little group of icons in the bottom right hand corner next to the clock). In the Windows Sidebar Properties dialog box uncheck the box the "Start Sidebar when Windows Starts" and select Apply and then OK. Now just right click on the Windows Sidebar Icon in the system tray again and select Exit.
By doing both of these things you have now given yourself some more resources to use which in the long run will make your computer faster.
