Freeware Tools to keep Windows XP slim, fast, reliable and stable
Especially for musicians but mostly for other users as well, working on a PC (Personal Computer) based sytem, Windows XP, older or/and further Microsoft releases like current Windows Vista, are the OP`s (Operation Systems) to go for.
For this Microsoft Windows OP`s often additional tools are needed to get them running fast(er) and (at the same time) stable.
One of them I`d like to introduce, because I work with it all the time. It`s free, but donations are welcomed.
At the moment I`ll stay with Windows XP SP2 (= service pack 2),
which turned out to work best for my (musical) needs,
so I refer to the tool for Windows XP.
Just to mention, the author has also released a tool for Windows Vista.
The basic questions due to a Microsoft Windows installation are:
- What the heck do you install when you have a monstrous package
in terms of gigabytes on your hard disk after Windows is ready to go ?
- Why do you need to be present during installation (typing serial, doing adjustments etc.),
can`t this be done without you ?
- Why a fresh installation has to become a one after another reboot orgy,
when new service packs and all dependent drivers needed to be installed after ?
Dino Nuhagic (nuhi) was going into those questions
and released a nifty "all in one solution" freeware tool "nlite" .
It prepares a Windows installation BEFORE it comes to your hard disk.
You can:
- Whipe out unwanted, gratuitous components
- Integrate service packs and drivers (slipstream)
- type in all relevant infos and adjust settings to have an installation in one go (unattended installation)
- finally create an image (.iso) of your modified Windows and burn it
Again, the magic is, these preparations are done before an installation, so when done properly, you will have an installation tailored to your needs, with all current service packs and needed drivers integrated and an unattended installation while you go for a coffe, kiss your wife or whatever ...
As mentioned before ... when done properly.
Thats the great BUT:
But you need to know what you are doing. I like to allude to this point clearly.
Although each and every step is multilingual and very well documented, patience and a readiness to invest some time is needed to understand all parts of the concept.
Yet, the benefit and final result is simply gorgeous and detains to feel the need to always buy new and faster hardware components.
You need:
- A topic running Windows to work with nlite - the program nlite - NET Framework 2.0
