Windows 7 Tweak Guide

Difficulty Rating: Easy / Moderate



Chapters:
1. Customizing Visuals
2. Managing Services
3. Managing Startup Items
4. Registry Tweaks
5. Removing unneeded features
6. Managing UAC (User Account Control)
7. Keeping your Windows 7 machine healthy

CHAPTER 1. Customizing Visuals

First option: Keep the Windows 7 look and customize its performance.
1. Go to Start > right click on Computer > Properties
2. Click on "Advanced System settings" and browse to the "Advanced" tab.
3. Now click on "Settings" in the Performance group.
4. Choose "Custom" and use the following settings:






Second option: Disable the Windows 7 look and unneeded theme services.
1. Right click on your desktop > Personalize > Windows Classic
Note: You can also choose the Windows 7 Basic theme but keep in mind that you need the "Themes" services for that.



2. Go to Start > right click on Computer > Properties
3. Click on "Advanced System settings" and browse to the "Advanced" tab.
4. Now click on "Settings" in the Performance group.
5. Choose "Adjust for best performance", Press ok




6. Go to Start > Run > services.msc
7. Look for the "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" service
8. Double click the service > Properties > set the startup type to: disabled
9. Look for "Themes" service and repeat step 8

CHAPTER 2. Managing Services

1. Go to Start > Run > services.msc > Enter



2. The following services can be set to manual safely (double click service > Startup type: Manual > OK)
Note: Manual startup means that the service will only start if it's really needed!

Application Experience

Computer Browser (If your computer is not connected to a local network, this doesn't include internet)

Desktop Window Manager Session Manager (If you use themes without transparency)

Diagnostic Policy Service (If you don't use the Windows troubleshooter)

Distributed Link Tracking Client

IP Helper (If you don't use IPV6)

Offline Files

Portable Device Enumerator Service

Print Spooler (If you don't have a printer)

Protected Storage

Remote Registry

Secondary Logon

Security Center

Server (If your computer is not connected to a local network, this doesn't include internet)

Smart Card (If you don't have a smart card connected to your pc)

Smart Card Removal Policy (If you don't have a smart card connected to your pc)

Tablet PC Input Service

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper (If you are not connected to a local network, this doesn't include internet)

Themes (If you use the classic Windows 7 theme)

Windows Defender (Disable it and install a decent virusscanner instead)

Windows Error Reporting Service

Windows Firewall (Disable it and install a decent firewall instead)

Windows Media Center Service Launcher

Windows Search (If you don't use the search function allot)

Windows Time (If you don't want to sync the clock with the time servers)

Note: You can download Services Disabler 7 to manage services quickly

CHAPTER 3. Managing Startup Items

1. Go to Start > Run > msconfig
2. Click on the Startup tab



3. Now uncheck all unnecessary startup items and press OK
note: most items are not needed, just keep the main programs you like.

CHAPTER 4. Registry Tweaks

1. Download Windows 7 Registry Tweaks (credits go to Askvg.com)
2. Unrar the archive and open "Windows 7 Registry Tweaks"
Note: by opening this file you will apply the following tweaks:

- Adds "Copy To" and "Move To" options in files and folders context menu, so that you can easily copy and move them to other locations.

- Sets Windows to automatically end task of programs which are either hanged or taking longer time than expected to exit.

- Decreases menus show delay time, it'll show the sub-menus fast when you select their parent menu.

- Disables the low disk space check so that you don't get the annoying low disk space notification in system tray.

- Sets Windows to not waste time in searching for a program which no longer exists in your system when you try to open its shortcut.

- Disables "search on Internet" prompt in "Open with" window so that it directly opens the program list.

- Speeds up the Explorer navigation.

- Adds "Take Ownership" option in files and folders context menu so that you can easily take ownership of files and folders in case you want to replace them for customization purpose.

- Adds "God Mode" to the context menu on the desktop (right click on desktop)

CHAPTER 5. Removing unneeded features

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features
2. Now click on "turn Windows features on or off", now uncheck the items you don't want



3. Now press OK to complete, you will have to restart your computer now for the changes to take effect.

CHAPTER 6: Managing UAC (User Account Control)

1. Go to Start > Run > "C:\Windows\System32\UserAccountControlSettings.exe" > Enter
2. Now the UAC window will appear:



You should find the right setting for you by looking at the description of the UAC Level.
I prefer "Never Notify" since I use other security software which makes UAC an unneeded feature!

CHAPTER 7. Keeping your Windows 7 machine healthy.

Parts:
Part 1. Antivirus / Firewall
Part 2. Getting rid of temporary files / cookies / cache data
Part 3. Keeping your harddrive defragmented

(This chapter is based on free software which I recommend, to keep your pc healthy and fast.)

Part 1. Antivirus / Firewall:

If you want a free "Antivirus / Firewall / Defense" application, I really recommend you to install COMODO Internet Security Premium.
This application is free and very reliable, it has the following features:

Features:

- Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Rootkit & Bot protection
- Defends your PC from Internet attacks
- Detects and eliminates viruses
- Prevents malware from being installed
- Auto Sandbox Technology™
- Easy to install, configure and use
- Free to both business and home users

Reasons why I like this application, and do not choose an other security combo:

- Its free
- Easy to configure
- Auto updates (you won't even notice it)
- Good Antivirus / Firewall
- Defense+ is a replacement for User Account Control
- Memory Sufficient (23 mb memory on idle, this is the main app "cfp.exe" and the live monitor "cmdagent.exe")

(During the installation you can choose to use the Secure COMODO DNS Server. If you don't have any problems with your current DNS, you shouldn't use COMODO DNS.


(COMODO Internet Security Premium Screenshot)

Part 2. Getting rid of temporary files / cookies / cache data

The best way to get rid of temporary files / cookies or cache data is to use CCleaner.
CCleaner is a free little application that allows you to clear almost all kinds of temporary files, program caches, browsing history and more!
It also has the ability to scan your registry for errors and fix them.


(The main screen of CCleaner, Choose what you want to clean, click Analyze and then "Run Cleaner")


(The Registry scan part of CCleaner, click "Scan for Issues" and then click "Fix selected issues")



Part 3. Keeping your harddrive defragmented.

(When you have a Solid State Drive (SSD) you shouldn't defrag it, since it will decrease the performance of it)

We all know that Windows 7 has its own defragmenter but its just a basic one, for a better one download Defraggler.
Defraggler is made by the same developer as CCleaner and is also free! Another great application from Piriform.
What unique about Defraggler? it has a "Quick Defrag" function which allows you to defragment your harddrive in no time!


(The main screen of Defraggler after Analyzing the disk)


(When you click on "View Files" you can see all fragmented files, you can choose the ones you want to defrag and click "Defrag Checked")



Tutorial written by: broodplank

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, I might expand it later..