How to optimize Windows 8 on old hardware

Windows 8 is one of the most anticipated releases this holiday season. People are having high expectations and the trial run has generated positive comments from techies around the world. Microsoft has not just let the hype to popularize their next Operating System, they have been advertising across various platforms on the improvements and optimizations being made to Windows 8. When Windows 7 was released, it was an instant hit in the market, as it offered better performance and was more advanced than its former version, the Windows Vista. With version 8, Microsoft is aiming high and is planning to make the Operating System more compatible on touch-screen platforms.

It is very early to predict if Microsoft has come with yet another blockbuster. However, they are going in the right path as the initial reviews have been good and people seem to be happy with the improvements made. The good reviews are justifiable as the Operating System has a better build. It shuts down in seconds, acquires lesser disk space and memory, makes use of very little GPU resources and combined processors and makes space for wide range of resources and screen size.

Everything from the task and file manager to the setup process is optimized. The end product improves the performance at the same time reduces the consumption of resources. This will result in lesser consumption of power resources and improve the battery life on laptops, mobile phones and other devices. Though it is very expensive to build a PC compatible to the latest Windows version, you can make a few tweaks using this Operating System.

Though the Operating System is for high-end devices, you can tweak it to work with some of the hardware with lower performance. So, what are the requirements to install Windows 8? Here are few:

  • 1 GB or 2 GB RAM.
  • 1 GHz or faster processor.
  • 16 GB or 20 GB disk space.
  • A graphics card with Microsoft’s DirectX 9 device containing WDDM driver.

If you want to make full use of the Operating System, you require the following add-ons:

  • Since the Operating System is compatible to touch, you will need a device that supports touch. A tablet, a smart phone, etc.
  • You require an Internet connection to download and make use of apps from Windows store.
  • You require a minimum screen resolution of 1366X768 to use apps effectively.
  • Access to the Internet

Without these features, Windows 8 could be still installed on few systems. However, the performance of the Operating System will not be at its best on these systems.  When you try opening multiple windows or download too many apps the system immediately slows down.  Here are few ways to tweak the OS to support your PC:

  • When you install the system, ensure you clean-up the junk and update the procedures so that you can move onto to making the tweaks to your system.
  • Go to the Advanced System Settings where you can alter the virtual memory of the Operating System and the visual options as well.
  • You have to switch to the desktop mode to get to the Advanced System Settings option.
  • In the taskbar, choose the Libraries shortcut and right click on the ‘Computer’ option.
  • A menu appears. Choose Properties and you will get to the System’s Control Panel.
  • The left pane of the window will have System Properties control panel. Click on it to get access to the Advance tab.
  • Choose the ‘performance’ option under settings.
  • Once you click it, choose the Visual Effects option available on top and select ‘Adjust for Best Performance’ option and click on ‘Apply’.
  • You can choose the visual effects you wish to enable and disable.

This is one way to enhance the performance of the Operating System on your computer. You can also delete all the unnecessary items that are not required for your use including unused hardware and programs. You can also delete the insistent UAC notifications that keep popping up.

Though you can tweak, it does not ensure the best performance. At the same time, the OS will not work on really old devices. The best thing you can do is buy a new device that is compatible to Windows 8 if you want the Operating System so much.

 

This is a guest post by Lance Goodman of dishtvoffer.com, a site that offers savings and current information on Dish TV.  For more info click here as well as dish.com services.

 

 

 

Tagged with: old hardware, optimize, windows 8
Posted in Windows 8

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