Optimizing Windows XP

Last week I spent most of my time, setting up a laptop with WindowsXP, and it dawned on me to put together a little document on how I optimize Windows. Once Windows is installed and you logon for the first time, I basically do eight steps:

  • Run Windows Update
  • Disable unneeded services
  • Modify the Registry for tuning up performance
  • Install Anti-Virus and Spam-blocking programs
  • Install Third Party Applications
  • Add some final utility programs

The Optimizing WindowsXP page goes into further detail.