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    Disabling Vista's resource hungry features: help needed

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Sredni Vashtar, Aug 17, 2007.

  1. Sredni Vashtar

    Sredni Vashtar Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi there. I just received my Vostro 1500. It has Vista Business 32bit on it.
    I would like to trim Vista in order to
    avoid unnecessary resource wasting
    avoid unnecessary cpu usage
    prolong battery life​

    Of couse the key term here is "unnecessary" being that a matter of personal tastes. So here's my tastes: I am a paranoid essentialist.
    Vista gurus, can you tell me if it is possibile to do what follows (and pointing me to a term to be used for a google search for the solution)?

    1. I do not want Windows to make backup copies of all my files: only those in certain folders. I think this can be arranged, can't it?
    2. I do not want to waste 15% of my disk on multiple restore point. Just let me select the restore points as in XP. Can this be done?
    3. I do not want any application to access the internet without my prior consent.
    Can someone list the application that automaticall connect to the internet to download stuff?
    • Windows update is one (and that maybe okay)
    • Windows Media player is another (I think I alread took care of it)
    • Google desktop search has been uninstalled at first boot.
    What else should I cripple?

    Other sources of power and resource consumption that can be turned off?
    I alread killed all the eyecandy and turned to Vista Basic theme, will this help me saving battery life by not stressing my video card?

    Suggestions are welcome.
     
    Sredni Vashtar, Aug 17, 2007
    #1
  2. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    I wouldn't be to worried. If you have 2 gigs of RAM, you really don't need ANY downgrades. It's not going to get much faster.

    And from a website I used earlier
    http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html
     
    Waveblade, Aug 17, 2007
    #2
  3. blackmamba

    blackmamba Notebook Evangelist

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    blackmamba, Aug 17, 2007
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  4. Sredni Vashtar

    Sredni Vashtar Notebook Evangelist

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    I sure do, especially this page.
    Thanks.

    Bookmarked.
     
    Sredni Vashtar, Aug 17, 2007
    #4
  5. Sredni Vashtar

    Sredni Vashtar Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm doing that as a matter of principle. A PC is a tool, to me and I don't want it to do anything that is not strictly necessary to the fullfillment of its tasks.

    http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspacev.html[/QUOTE]

    Thanks a lot.
     
    Sredni Vashtar, Aug 17, 2007
    #5
  6. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    I don't have Vista yet, but some obvious resource users include the desktop search (especially the indexing for the search), the sidebar and gadgets, and Windows Defender. Of course, these all have potential benefits that you'll lose by turning them off.
     
    swarmer, Aug 18, 2007
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  7. Cheerfulnut

    Cheerfulnut Notebook Geek

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    Cheerfulnut, Aug 18, 2007
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  8. Sredni Vashtar

    Sredni Vashtar Notebook Evangelist

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    This is great! Thanks, Cheerfulnut.
     
    Sredni Vashtar, Aug 18, 2007
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  9. Cheerfulnut

    Cheerfulnut Notebook Geek

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    Glad to be of some help :)
     
    Cheerfulnut, Aug 18, 2007
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  10. yin

    yin Notebook Consultant

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    yin, Aug 18, 2007
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  11. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    bump

    does anyone know with my specs should i disable the index search

    i want as much performance as possible
     
    dondadah88, Jun 11, 2008
    #11
  12. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

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    There's a tweaking thread. I believe it's one of the sticky threads.
     
    THAANSA3, Jun 11, 2008
    #12