Ultimate Windows Vista and XP Hacks–For Free

If you’ve been running Windows Vista as either your primary operating system or even just noodling with it on a second PC, you’re probably running into a lot of interface changes from previous versions, and components that you would like to optimize. I’ve been working with a very cool, free utility that makes these processes automatic: Totalidea Software’s TweakVI. Unlike some free downloads, this application really delivers in terms of giving you arrays of choices for optimizing your Vista use.

The Basic version of TweakVI, complete with 13 plug-ins, is free, and there are two high-end subscription editions available for $40 and $60 per month. It’s definitely worth starting out with the free download, before you decide if you want to pay for things like advanced administrative features.


TweakVI lets you optimize hundreds of under-the-hood Vista settings. You can pick options from lists, such as Start Security Manager for making changes to your security settings, or Start Firewall Management for tuning your firewall’s settings. You can also optimize the usage of both your CPU and RAM.

Because Vista is chock-full of 3D effects and modules, one of the coolest aspects of TweakVI is that you can easily retain all the 3D effects, or tone them down or eliminate them if you want really speedy performance. For example, if you’re annoyed by the constantly animated windows in Vista, you can shut that feature off altogether. Some users of Vista have chosen to simply shut down most of the Aero interface in order to boost performance, but TweakVI makes it easy to manage just the aspects of it that you want and don’t want. In fact, Microsoft should have built these features into the OS.

Getting processes done such as doing disk defragmentation and specifying automated backup settings are also as easy as picking your choices from lists. You can also have the application present you with many optimization choices for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Microsoft Outlook. In addition, TweakVI makes it easy to create desktop shortcuts for tasks such as shutting your system down, searching for files, and more. This has to be the best deal going in Windows Vista hacks. At the download link atop this post, you’ll also find several other free versions of Tweak, intended for use with Windows XP and other Windows versions. The Windows XP version is excellent.

Do you have any tips on optimizing Windows and Windows Vista?

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