Windows 7: Time for an Enema

I had to use a Windows 7 lap top that was unusably slow. Here’s how I got it performing slightly better (only one of the two CPUs is being pegged by crappy Windows 7 services now).

To see what’s running:

1. Give the computer the 3 finger salute (Ctrl-Alt-Del)
2. Select Start Task Manager from the screen that pops up
3. Check the Show processes from all users check box (and beware that Windows 7 will uncheck it later)
4. Click the CPU heading to sort by CPU used

If you see TrustedImageInstaller.exe constantly running:

1. Open the Control Panel
2. Select small icon view
3. Select Windows Update
4. Select Settings
5. Disable automatic install and automatic download

If you see McAfee running and you aren’t using it, remove it completely:

1. Open Control Panel/Programs and Features
2. Find McAfee in the list, right click and uninstall
3. Download the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool from: McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool – McAfee Support
4. Run it
5. Click Remove
6. Click Yes in the User Account C0ntrol dialog that pops up
7. Click Next
8. Select Agree and click Next
9. Fill in the captcha and click Next
10. When the removal is done, click Restart then Yes

If you see svchost.exe burning CPU:

1. Select View/Columns from the top menu and add PID
2. Find the PID of the service in the Services tab
3. If its Windows Update, right click and Stop it

Disable useless services. e.g. unless you care about the latest Adobe acrobat reader, disable the Adobe ARM Service:

1. Open a Command Prompt
2. Run: msconfig
3. Click Startup
4. Uncheck McAfee Security Scanner (why is it still here?)
5. Uncheck Adobe ARM Service