Optimizing Windows 7 for Weak Computers

Operating system Windows 7 along with the version of XP is one of the most popular and popular among users. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a powerful computer with all its capabilities. But let's see what can be done with Windows 7 for weak computers, so that the system works no worse than on high-performance PCs. There are several points to pay attention to.

Build Windows 7 for weak computers

Before starting to optimize the system, it is worth noting that for not very smart PCs there is a special assembly of an already optimized system, from which many unnecessary components that slow down the work of a computer terminal or laptop due to too much load on system resources and the use of disk space on the hard drive . This version of Windows 7 Ultimate PC 2.1 2010 release (however, not the only one).

It is noteworthy that this release is optimal for inexpensive netbooks of the ASUS Pee series. Windows 7 for weak computers (512 Mb of RAM and 128 GB on a hard drive) is just designed for efficient work on such terminals, providing users with only the most necessary features.

In this case, after installing from an optical media or a bootable flash drive, the entire system occupies 1.5 GB of space on the hard drive, and for its normal operation in the standard mode, it only requires 256 MB of RAM. Among the main features, it is worth noting that there is a so-called "cold" start, in which only 23 system processes work in the background .

Optimizing Windows 7 for weak computers: the main aspects

If for any reason the user wants to use the full version of the "seven" on his terminal, he will have to deal with optimization issues.

What is optimization? In most cases, this is the release of RAM by disabling unnecessary resource-consuming background processes and services, as well as freeing up disk space (no less than 10% of the total volume is required for the correct operation of any system on the hard drive).

Disable startup items

So, let's see how you can optimize Windows 7 for weak computers. And let's start, perhaps, with background services, which start with the system. Depending on the "iron" configuration, along with the "native" system processes in startup, there may be other specific elements attached to devices (for example, the same Catalyst service for Radeon video cards). Often, many items can be disabled without any problems at startup so that they do not force them to complete their work already.

First, we use the "Run" menu (Win + R), in which we assign the msconfig command. In the settings window, go to the Startup tab and see how many there are all marked with checkmarks. What can be turned off and what is not, not every user knows.

Let's talk at once: almost everything can be disabled, except for the service ctfmon, which is responsible for displaying the icon of switching languages with the ability to call the corresponding panel in the system tray, and antivirus. However, in most cases, the antivirus module will not turn off, even if the task is shut down in the Task Manager, it will be activated again (of course, provided that the system has an explanatory application, not some cheap scanner).

Thus, improving the performance of Windows 7 for weak computers assumes that only two services remain in the autoload: ctfmon and the antivirus process. This, so to speak, the ideal option.

Ensuring performance

Now let's move on to the question of the speed of Windows 7. For weak computers, especially with integrated video adapters built into the motherboard, it is not recommended to use a variety of decorations like "live" wallpaper. They simply "eat" a place in the RAM. The same applies to the themes. It is clear that many users love the "seven" for its translucent appearance (Aero theme), but this is also the consumption of "RAM". In general, any visual effect negatively affects the operation of the system. Therefore, if you want to provide high performance, alas, they will have to be disabled.

You can do this from the computer properties menu, where a section of additional parameters is selected. There is a menu of speed (visual effects used in the operation of the system). On the corresponding tab, you can see several lines, from which you should select the line providing the best performance. Then, if you want, you can enable or disable effects or make changes to the current theme.

Using Optimizers

If someone is too lazy to configure the system, you can use special optimizers like CCleaner, Advanced System Care, Glary Utilities, Windows 7 Manager, etc.

Such utilities allow to optimize the system in automatic mode without special user intervention. In addition, almost all applications of this type have a special module called Live Optimize that works in the background and provides instant acceleration in detecting an excessive load on system resources in real time.

What to choose: Windows 7 or XP?

Finally, many users sooner or later have a choice of "operating system". Windows 7 or XP for weak computers - what will be better? In principle, there is not much difference in terms of the load on resources. But if you use a special assembly of Windows 7 for weak computers, I think this is the best option. XP, even with the upgrade of SP3, no matter how good it is, it's still hopelessly outdated. For it, even the drivers and programs are no longer produced. But the choice, of course, remains exclusively for the user, looking at what software you need to work with.

However, there is one more nuance. If you understand, from the "seven" later you can go to the "top ten" (is not it enough, maybe Microsoft will release such an optimized version), but with the "ekspishki" it will be impossible. So think, this has its own meaning.