Vista is slow like molasses? Sometimes it feels that way, particularly, but not only, if installed on an older computer.

A lot of snake oil, hoaxes (example), and other misinformation is making the rounds. So what can you do to genuinely make Vista faster? Not all that much, as Vista is largely self-tuning. But there's a number of things you can do.

1. Regularly get the latest drivers from the manufacturers' web sites, particularly for video, but also for other devices, not only to speed it up, but also to get improved features. It can't hurt to install the latest BIOS version as well.
2. Add more RAM (Random Access Memory, main memory). This is one of the most fundamental ways to speed up any version of Windows. You want 2 GB of memory, but Vista will benefit from even more. Put in 3 GB or try to go all the way to the maximum of 4 GB.

   Note that 32 bit Windows cannot make use of all of 4 GB, but when you put in 4 GB, it may be able on some computers to see and use around 3.5 GB. The remaining 0.5 GB cannot be used and go to waste, but with today's low and sinking memory prices just don't worry. Unfortunately there is also no guarantee that Vista can use 3.5 GB RAM on your particular computer. It may only see 3.1 GB or even less. In that case you'd save a little money by putting in just 3 GB. One way to do it is to schlepp your computer to the nearest computer shop and have it tested there with 4 GB.

   To use all of 4 or more GB RAM, you would need a 64 bit version of Windows, but these have, as of 2008, still lots of driver and software compatibility problems. So, unless you can make sure that all your desired device drivers and software are available as 64 bit versions or, in the case of software, at least compatible, it is wiser to stick to 32 bit Windows, while waiting for 64 bit drivers and software.

3. Enable advanced performance for SATA (Serial ATA) hard disks.
   
   1. In Control Panel, Classic View, open the Device Manager.
   2. If UAC (User Access Control) is enabled, you will now get an UAC prompt. Allow the process to continue.
   3. Expand the disk drives.
   4. Right-click on a SATA disk drive and click on: Properties
   5. Click on the tab: Policies
   6. Make sure that write caching is enabled. It should already be enabled by default.
   7. Select: Enable Advanced Performance

      On some drives this choice is unavailable. Usually this is because the drives always run with optimal performance anyway, so it is no reason to be worried.

4. Activate ReadyBoost with a very fast and big USB memory module. With a slow module it does not help, speed is of the essence.
5. Buy a faster hard disk and endure the added heat and noise. Read "Move an entire Windows installation" on how to move your Vista installation to the new disk.

   Extremists install two or more hard drives and a RAID controller to run Windows from a RAID 0 or RAID 5 array. However, the disadvantages, like heat, noise, high price, and, in the case of RAID 0, a more than two times higher overall risk of disk failure, usually outweigh the advantage. On the other hand, if done right, it will indeed be a lot faster.

6. If you run Vista on an older or on a cheap and slow graphics adapter, get a new, fast one with DirectX® 10.

I cannot recommend to disable services, because it is usually impossible to tell what negative consequences this entails. You'd be running a largely untested Windows constellation. If you decide to disable services anyway, be sure to re-enable all of them before you troubleshoot any problem that could possibly be caused by a missing service.

Long lists of Vista tuning hints are published on the web, for example, this. However, some of such hints

• are of very little value,
• switch off genuinely useful functions that consume time now, but save time later,
• cause other problems, or
• are pure snake oil, i.e. don't save any time at all.

So be careful, particularly when you see very long tuning lists.