I find that avoiding AV programmes helps. However, I have recently installed Defender, which has no (noticeable) effect on system speed.
I use the Windows Firewall, which is very robust. Every now and then, I run a scan with Defender then HijackThis! then Autostart. Admittedly, I have tweaked many Registry and Security settings, which helps.
My page file is on a separate drive (NOT partition) to root ( C:\ ). No unnecessary services either.
I have also installed .NET from the start on both my PCs. That is, immediately after initial install. I am confident that it has had a salutary effect on the stability and hence the speed of my systems.
NORTON? Never, ever.

>.> the upgraded WoW Will kill your computer's speed. :P I have a brand new computer and Lich King slowed me down. The Upgrade was a waste and its really really slow.

I haven't read through the whole post as it is rather extensive, but one thing I have found in my work is a nonfunctional or dead CDROM will bring a computer to it's knees. It is also hard to diagnose unless you put a CD in there and find out it isn't being read or you run a diags with a CD in there.
Mapped network drives that are no longer there are also a common experience here, either from renaming a server or removing a share.

My two cents worth for AV programs, I have been using NOD32 at home as I still have dialup at home. (Love country living) NOD32 is usually finished updating before Outlook opens. Mcafee Suite took hours at 42kb

I'm gonna go back and read that article but my windows is slow too. I'm thinking it is Verizon's Suite. I was told by Verizon tech support (which I'm not too confident with) that you can't have Verizon anit-virus and micro soft's running at the same time.

Also, thanks to Deb45 for her help. And, those others that responded to my screen problem back in Dec.

It's a good article, if you don't know how to use "msconfig."

There's more to it than just taking things out via msconfig. Many things don't show up in misconfig. Some are in the Run key for local machine or current user as well as adding context menus which can slow the system down. Many people are surprised that their systems are much slower after installing that Font CD with 10,000 fonts they got from a friend. Now some of these people know why.

I hope you guys/gals have also followed the link where he updated the article to compare other/newer security suites to give a better baseline for his numbers. It's still quite an interesting read.

The artile has been updated: atke a look:
http://www.thepcspy.com/read/what_re...windows_down/5

Updated?

It says: Friday, 22nd September 2006
I'd say it's old. There's no mention of Windows 7 either

Well I mean its been updated since this was posted.

The list needs to be updated, CS2? CS4 is now out and as far as Norton goes, NIS 2009 is supposed to be better than it was 3 years ago.

I'll agree that NAV2009 and NIS2009 is much better that what it was 3yrs ago, actually even their online scan is quite good.

But judging by the amount of Malware infested computers I have seen with having Norton installed as the sole defense, and then confirming that there is about 6 (or more) separate startups by Norton, compared to 1 or 2 maximum for other Antiviruses ie the excellent Avira Antivirus. Then I'd have to say that Norton is just as bad as what it was. Although I do agree that about 10 years ago it was the best, since then its just been rubbish.

Anyway, just one person's thoughts But then again the millions on Google results can't all be wrong Pretty sure most feel similar to me

Has anyone tried PageDefrag from MS to speed up windows start up/shut downs? If so, what kind of results have you got from it?

PC Tools Internet Security also uses a lot of resources though its really a good software. Just shut it down when you don't need it

I totally agree with Kim in Post #111. I could not have said it better!

I feel for protection it is low in top 10 and most free Virus Scanners rank above it.

AND! What tops it off for me is the hundreds of files and disk space used that are hard to remove even after uninstall. Same for Registry but likely close to a thousand entries left after uninstall, and even after their own removal tools are run. Even then a registry search will find many left overs. And a disk search will also find these turds!

Mike

Too many start-up programs and programs running in the background will slow your computer. Also bad registry entries and temp and junk files will slow your computer. When you get a new computer reinstall Windows and it will perform much better, New computers are loaded with third party junk.

Symantec Endpoint can now be added to the ongoing list of Symantec/ Norton apps like NIS & 360. I have seen it appear in several BSOD threads - and it crashed my Vista x64 system as well. Foolish me.

Just killed 80% of my running processes with WinPatrol Pro.

My computer is now going at mach 5 speeds.

I'm still just using Spybot to deactivate startup entries... comp runs fine. oldschool > *

thank god i got rid of norton

i use avast its pretty decent. its on-access and real time protection is nice.its also light on system resources.it supports 64bit too.