11. Make Windows to unload DLL files after closing a program

"DLL" stand for Dynamic Link Library. DLLs are files that containt data and functions needed by windows. Every piece of windows will require some libraries, and will link to them. For faster access, windows cache the libraries into memory, but after the program that uses them is closed, the memory is not cleared. The following registry tweak will make windows to remove DLL's from memory if they are not used.

To do this run REGEDIT.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.

Create a new key named 'AlwaysUnloadDLL' and set the default value to equal '1.'

12. Thaw your desktop

Probably you have experienced at least once "Desktop Freezing". You tell windows to do something and everything will move very slow. When this is happening, means that windows need a refresh. Press CTR+ALT+DEL to open task manager. Select "Processes" tab, and find "explorer.exe", select it and press end process. Without closing task manager, select "New Task" from "File" menu, and there type "explorer.exe". The desktop will load again, without closing any application.

13. Speed up mouse movement

Windows applies an acceleration to the mouse by default. This means when you move the mouse, the pointer will start slowly and accelerates with continual movement. In games you will probably need better speed.

To remove mouse acceleration: open up REGEDIT and navigate to 'hkey_current_user\control panel\mouse'

Change the value of 'smoothmouseXcurve' to the following:

00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00 00,a0,00,00,00,00,00,00 00,40,01,00,00,00,00,00 00,80,02,00,00,00,00,00 00,00,05,00,00,00,00,00

Then change the value of 'SmoothMouseYCurve' to the following:

00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00 66,a6,02,00,00,00,00,00 cd,4c,05,00,00,00,00,00 a0,99,0a,00,00,00,00,00 38,33,15,00,00,00,00,00

14. Disable the themes service

If you are not a fan of the appearance of Windows XP, there is an easy way to turn it off and go back to the more sober and traditional Windows style. Simply disable the 'themes' service to restore a classic windows desktop appearance.

To do this, right click on 'my computer' and select 'manage.'

In the computer management windows, expand 'services and applications' and select 'services.'

In the right hand window, highlight the 'themes' service. Right click it and select 'properties.'

In the 'startup type' dropdown box, select 'disabled.'

15. Remove the desktop picture

If you need to have a picture on the desktop, don't do this, but if you choose performance against appearance, you can remove desktop picture which slows windows start-up.

Right click on an open area of the desktop and select 'properties.'

Select the 'desktop' tab and in the 'background' window, highlight 'none.' Press 'ok.' v

Think we're just pulling your leg? Nope, every computer in the PCstats labs that gets tested goes through this same step before we run a single benchmark.