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Step 1 – Disable “Flashy” Display Settings

Fig. 1

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel
2. Make sure you are in “Classic View” (Fig. 1)
3. Open “System”, click the “Advanced” tab (Fig. 2)
4. Click “Settings” (Fig. 2)
5. Now, you have some options.  If you are willing to sacrifice as much visual appeal as possible so that you can optimize your computer speed to the maximum, select “Adjust for best performance”.  If you would like to speed up your computer, yet still leave some visual appeal, then de-select all but the following:

   Fig. 2

   1. Show shadows under mouse pointer
   2. Show translucent selection rectangle
   3. Use common tasks in folders
   4. Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop

Of course, you can always browse through the options, and simply check off the ones that you think you would like to keep, and de-select the ones that you do not want.  The more that you de-select, the faster your computer will work.   

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Step 2 – Disable Desktop Background

1. Fig. 3

   Fig. 4

   Right-click on your current desktop background and select “Properties” (Fig. 3)
   Note: do not right click directly over an icon on your desktop
2. Click on the “Desktop” tab at the top (Fig. 4)
3. Select “None” at the top of the “Background” list (you may have to scroll up to the top)
4. Click “Apply”, and then “OK"

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Fig. 5

Step 3 – Remove Indexing Services

Fig. 6

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Step 4 – Disable Automatic Searches for Network Files & Printers Fig. 7 Open My Computer from the Desktop or Start Menu Click “Tools” at the top Select “Folder Options (Fig. 7) Fig. 8       Select the “View” tab (Fig. 8) Under “Advanced Settings, ensure that the option that says “Automatically search for network folders and printers” is unchecked (Fig. 8) Click “Apply”, and then “OK”