Some of the features that come with Windows Vista are not normally utilized by home users. These include:
- Internet Printing Client – a utility that enables users to print documents over the Internet
- Tablet PC Optional Components – features that are used to enable different pointing devices specifically with a Tablet PC
- Windows Meeting Space – a program that enables peer to peer collaboration and sharing of files across a network
- Windows Error Reporting Service – an annoying service that alerts a user every time Windows experiences any type of error in its own processes or with other third party programs
- ReadyBoost – a feature that was supposed to speed up Windows by caching information between operating memory and a flash drive
- Windows DFS Replication Service – a utility that allows users to synchronize data between 2 or more computers on the same network
- Remote Differential Component – a program that helps DFS Replication work faster
- User Account Control – a security feature that is supposed to provide better protection for a computer, by asking the user for confirmation every time an action is performed. This feature is not only annoying, it wastes a lot of time. Security is important. A better choice than Windows UAC is to install a third party program like Norton UAC Tool that learns based on user actions - it is less annoying and much faster than repeatedly answering the same questions.
By disabling some or all of these features that you do not use, you will markedly speed up your Windows Vista PC.
For step by step instructions on how to disable unused features, read "How to Speed Up Windows Vista"
After you have made these changes to your system, measure success. It your computer is still not as fast as you think it should be, follow the instructions in the article "Top 9 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer".
Also, reducing the visual effects in Vista can result in speed increases for your computer without much if any noticeable change to the look and feel.