Here are a few Windows tweaks that are worth doing
Do
1- Disabling XP's indexing saves on performance
2- In Vista write caching will improve SATA drive performance
To do this go to Explorer right click drive you want to speed up and select
properties -> click Hardware tab and -> select properties -> Policies tab and check both of the boxes beneath "Optimize for performance"
3- Disable unused network connections will improve boot time.
4- Tweak virtual will improve performance
To do this go to the Control Panel -> Advance under performance click Settings -> Advanced. In Virtual memory module click change -> custom size then up both Initial and Maximum size to roughly double your amount of RAM. Click Set and ok.
5- Ready Boost will improve system performance
6- Eliminate the Recent Documents / Recent Items folder with a registry hack
In XP install TweakUI and browse to Explorer then uncheck Allow Recent Documents on Start Menu. In Vista right click the taskbar and click Start Menu tab and uncheck Store and display a list of recently opened files.
7- Turn off the Windows splash screen will save time off your boot.
In XP at the run prompt type msconfig -> click the boot.ini tab and select
the /NOGUIBOOT option. Vista is similar instead its select the No GUI Boot option.
8- Defragmenting your hard drive improves performance
