The Windows software becomes slower with the passage of time. The use of Windows XP can be optimized by adopting a few important measures. The reasons can be many, ranging from getting affected by virus to accumulation of unnecessary files, folders and programs. There are various measures like cleaning up, removal of unnecessary programs , a few upgradation, installation of certain useful software and uninstallation of some unnecessary functions, proper scanning ,etc. which may lead to satisfactory performance of the Windows XP. Few of the important measures that can help speeding up the Windows XP are as follows:

• Hard drive defragmentation: By this process the hard drive is defragmented to pile up or gather bits and pieces of free space dispersed through out the entire hard drive of the system. Enhancement of space helps in speeding up the computer. The computer cannot be used while the defragmentation process runs.
• Removal of temporary files or cache files help in increasing windows speed. Running Disk Cleanup etc. also help.
• The virtual Memory should not be more than 1.5 times that of the RAM
• Periodical checks for unnecessary files or programmes are to be performed and they are to deleted selectively.
• Sometimes certain antivirus software or other software occupies a large portion of the disk space, if those software are not that necessary, then those should be removed.
• Proper scanning should be done to check whether any file is virus affected, and the affected files should be removed.
• Features like the indexing feature may be disabled if a user does not use the XP search program
• Unused items like various fonts, images, visual effects, screensavers, start up tunes etc can be removed. Besides this the music files like MP3 files and other video files like various movies that are downloaded or stored takes up a large amount of space. If these files can be removed selectively, which are not used, the speed can be increased.
• Low memory RAM can be replaced with RAM of more memory to get a better performance results. Besides, this upgrading the BIOS, disabling unsued ports, improving start up times is some other actions which can ensure a better performance of the Windows.