(I'm not too sure if anyone will be reading this... but if elaboration is required, do drop a comment and I'll update this sticky accordingly)
Windows 7
1. Optimise the Windows Search Indexer to index only the following folders:
- Desktop
- Startup menu
- Downloads
- Documents
- Music
- Video
- [Other specific folders of interest]
2. Set the page file to a fixed size.
3. Disable unnecessary services (Note: For Superfetch, mileage varies with build)
4. Disable telemetry (Source: http://superuser.com/questions/972501/how-to-stop-microsoft-from-gathering-telemetry-data-from-windows-7-8-and-8-1):
4a. Run the following commands in an elevated command prompt (requires reboot):
wusa /uninstall /kb:3065988 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3083325 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3083324 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2976978 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3075853 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3065987 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3050265 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3050267 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3075851 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2902907 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3068708 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3022345 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2952664 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2990214 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3035583 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:971033 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3021917 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3044374 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3046480 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3075249 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3080149 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:2977759 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3083710 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3083711 /quiet /norestart
wusa /uninstall /kb:3112336 /quiet /norestart
sc stop DiagTrack
sc stop dmwappushservice
sc delete DiagTrack
sc delete dmwappushservice
Remember to disable these updates from Windows Update if it were offered again. Also, Windows Update -> Change settings -> Uncheck "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates"
4b. Open the Task Scheduler (Win key then type "sched"). Under Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft delete/disable the following items:
- Everything under "Application Experience"
- Everything under "Autochk"
- Everything under "Customer Experience Improvement Program"
- Under "Disk Diagnostic" delete only the "Microsoft-Windows-DiskDiagnosticDataCollector"
- Under "Maintenance" "WinSAT" "Media Center" and click the "status" column, then select all non-disabled entries and disable them.
5. Adjust the appearance and performance for windows (<- just type these in the search box)
- Uncheck items as necessary
6. Use Autoruns for Windows to remove startup elements
7. Install a ramdisk and dump or point (via symbolic links) the following folders there:
- Windows Temp (if RAM is really in excess)
- Temporary Internet Files (Note that MS Office uses this for it's operation also)
- Windows error reporting
8. Not so much of a speed tweak, but more of a clean up + security + privacy:
- For IE, "Alt Key" -> Tools -> Manage add-ons -> Disable stuff as necessary, especially spywares that have crept in
- For chrome, manage extensions via settings page
- Install Adblock Plus to cut down on adverts
9. Uninstall drivers that are no longer in use
- Add DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1 to the user's environment variables
- Run the Device manager, show hidden devices
- Uninstall unneeded drivers as necessary (shown as a greyed/faded out icon)
10. (Second last step) Run Disk cleanup as Administrator to clean up on temp files, Windows Update... etc. Following which, use CCleaner to clean up other trash.
11. (Last step) Short stroke the HDD:
- Defragment the drive (e.g. Auslogics) to place all possible files to the fastest HDD section
- Create patrition(s) as necessary to force files to be placed on the faster section of the HDD
- Run a boot defrag to speed up boot times in a command prompt with elevated privileges: defrag -boot c:
