Maximising Windows Performance

How to maximise memory management within Windows.
(Trimming the windows fat)

So a few things before we start.
If you do not have a restore point set you should set one. Especially if you are planning on changing/editing/tuning up windows.
Also this guide is not recommended for those who use their computer for anything other than personal usage, media and gaming.
Finally lets establish what bloat is;
Bloat is caused when a program through many updates and new version releases it becomes larger and larger. Unnecessary features build up and up and the end user never even notices a difference (Apart from the decrease in Windows preformance).
Windows is a very bloated OS and uses a lot of RAM, mainly due to the pre-packed crap that comes with Windows.

So lets get on removing the bloat from windows.
Usually i'd say if you want a bloat free OS then maybe consider a different OS, anyway here we go.

1. Create a system restore point in Control Panel > system & Security > System Protection.
Create the restore point on to C: or whicher driver you have the OS installed on.

2. Minimize the Windows features.
Okay so firstly lets distinguish what features you actually need or what you can replace with more memory efficient prgorams.
So lets go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features and click Turn windows features on or off.

Alright at this point mine has a lot more unchecked than yours will.

Games is the first on the list, this will not effect games you install it will however disable the default Windows games.

You can go ahead and uncheck Internet Explorer with a smile on your face. Unless you use it for some reason..

Media Features should be checked but not DVD maker Media Center and Media Player. There much better alternatives to these programs you can install.

If you have an AMD GPU then ensure Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1. is checked. If you are using your computer for the basic tasks of a home user then Uncheck this.
Okay print and Document Services should be unchecked if you don't own a printer.

If you don't own a Tablet PC you can uncheck the Tablet PC Components.

The Windows Gaget Platform should definately be removed. If you really want a similar program try Rainmeter but there are a lot of programs out there with better function, less memory cost. I do not recommend any of those programs though.

Another good idea is to replace Windows Search with Laundry, better, faster, efficent and customizable.

3. Restart!

4. Now I have some suggestions on which programs are better than the ones included with Windows. All of them apart from Tune up are free!
Program/Feature.              Alternative.
Internet Explorer      Opera/Firefox/Chrome
Audio Media      WinAMP/Foobar2000
Video Media      VLC
DVD Media      Imgburn
Gadget Platform      None/Rainmeter
Search Utilitiy      Laundry
Image Viewer      Honeyview/irfanview
System Tools      Tuneup Utilities(Not free)/CCleaner/Speccy/Defraggler/True crypt
Messenger      Pidgin

4. Services, Disabling these can effect functionality so we need to be careful here.
Click run (Windows + R) and enter services.msc
Now familiarize yourself with the services. Right click on the services you wish to disable and select disabled in the startup type selection box.
The following I recommend disabling.
Application Identity, Active X Installer, BitLocker Drive Encryption Service, Background Intelligent Transfer, Bluetooth Support Service, Certificate Propagnation, HomeGroup Listener, HomeGroup Provider, Windows Backup, Adaptive Brightness, Credential Manager, Windows Process Activation Service, Diagnostic System Host, Problem Reports and Solutions, Windows Errror Reporting Service, Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, Parental Controls.
If you recognize any of these services as something you use leave it as you found it, Otherwise it is highly likely that you'll balls it up.

5. Startup Programs, I hate Startup Programs. These programs will add themselves themselves to the startup when installed creating a longer boot time and cause that horrible period where you have to wait after logging in. As most users constantly install new things these build up fast so try and keep on top of them.
So to remove these programs from startup (not uninstall) open msconfig and select the start up tab. (Windows + R then type msconfig)
You want to take off everything that you don't want to use immediately once logging in. Mainly you should disable any programs that are in the startup excluding essential programs like the anti-virus.
You will also want to ensure you keep the drivers you use on start up.

6. Boot, In Msconfig click the boot tab and enable no GUI boot. The other option is "safe boot" which is by no means safer.
Doing this will get rid of the fancy loading screen windows has and will make for a faster boot.

7. Performance Settings.
Start by finding Performance options in Control Panel > System & Security > System > Advanced system Settings > Advanced.
Windows naturally comes with the bells and whistles of maximum appearance. This costs memory and doesn't actually add any usability.
That said I do like personalizing how windows looks and I myself have skipped this step.
For those who want a better performance though you can go straight ahead and uncheck everything apart from
Enable Destop Composititor
Show thumbnails instead of icons
Show window contents while dragging
Smooth edges of screen fonts.
Use visual styles on windows

8. Aero, For better performance you shouldn't use aero. There are plenty of Microsoft styles that don't use transparancy and still look good. A simple google search will find some great ones.

9. Apply and restart!

I hope you enjoyed this guide and that you find it useful for de-bloating the whale that is Windows.
Good luck and please comment.