After much research, plenty of heavy use, and lots of experimenting, we've come up with a few more ways to tweak out the operating system with performance in mind. Vista is constantly being criticized for being too pokey, but in actuality, on a modern system, it's pretty buff—especially if you streamline it.
A few things you might want to keep in mind:

• Check for new drivers frequently. Graphics drivers, especially, have come a very long way since their earlier, crappier predecessors. Look also for chipset drivers, audio drivers, and peripheral drivers on a regular basis.
• Keep Windows updates current as well, whether you use the automated update system or you check for updates manually on a regular basis.
• Don't apply any of our tweaks without first backing up your system. Drop all of your important data files onto removable media or even an external hard drive.
• All of these optimizations can be undone, and should be if they don't function to your liking. Pay attention to the steps you take to perform them, and reverse them as you see fit.
• Remember that Windows Vista optimizes itself as it keeps track of how you use your computer. While it doesn't hurt to perform these tweaks on a fresh installation, you might actually wish to wait a couple of weeks (especially before you tweak the startup files) before you apply them.

Now, on to the optimizations. With your system fully updated and backed up, tear into the OS and make it run more smoothly.

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