Warp-speed Windows - increasing speed of Microsoft Windows - Tutorial

Home Office Computing, Nov, 1992 by Kay Yarborough Nelson

8 Easy Ways To Hurry Up

This month, we'll look at some simple things you can do to speed up Windows on your computer, no matter what programs you're running. Although each of these tricks saves you only a few seconds at most, you can accumulate a great deal of saved time by making them a habit--considering all the hours you spend at your computer.

1. Standard mode is faster. Windows can run in two modes: standard mode and 386 enhanced mode. When you type WIN at the command line (or have that command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT), Windows automatically starts in standard mode if you have a 286 computer or a 386 computer with less than 2MB of RAM. If you have a 386 with 2MB or more of RAM, your computer starts in 386 enhanced mode.

You can force Windows to start in standard mode even if you have a 386 or 486 computer--just enter the start--up command with the /S switch: WIN /S. Standard mode can really speed up your work, and the only difference you'll probably be aware of (apart from the speed) is that your non-Windows programs will run full-screen instead of in windows. You can still have several programs loaded at a time and switch among them as usual.

2. Stop hunting for icons. If there's a program you want to open when Windows starts, drag its icon (or Ctrl-drag a copy of the icon) into your Startup group. You won't have to hunt for the program's icon after Windows starts.

Whenever you want to start without launching the applications in your Startup group, press and hold the Shift key while you start Windows.

3. Assign shortcut key combinations to programs you use frequently. Instead of choosing a running program from the Task List or Program Manager, you can just assign your program a shortcut key combination to switch to that program instantly from another program running under Windows. In version 3.1, this trick works for both Windows and non-Windows programs.

First, highlight the program's icon and choose Properties from the File menu. Then, in the Shortcut key box, press the key you want to use. Windows will automatically add Ctrl-Alt to whatever you press. If you pick a combination that Windows is already using, you'll be told when you click OK to close the box.

4. Speed program switching. If you haven't set up shortcut keys, you can just press Alt-Tab for switching among all the programs you've got running (in Windows 3.1). You'll see a tiny window in the center of the screen showing the program you'll switch to if you release the Alt key.

If this trick doesn't work for you, you've probably unchecked the Fast "Alt-Tab" Switching in the Desktop Control Panel. Just go in and check it.

5. Speed up up mouse after you get used to it. The tracking speed controls the rate the mouse pointer moves on the screen as you move the mouse on your desktop. Keep the speed slow until you get used to the mouse; then speed it up with the Mouse Control Panel. While you're in the Control Panel, use the Keyboard Control Panel to set the keyboard repeat rate to one that feels right to you, too.

6. Keyboard shortcuts are swifter than mice. It's easy to depend on the mouse for opening, closing, and resizing windows, double-clicking on icons, and so forth. But often it's much faster to use a keyboard shortcut than to reach for the mouse. Some shortcuts are listed on the menus, like F8 for Copy (a great time-saver in the File Manager). And you can always use the mnemonic shortcuts (press Alt and type F for the File menu, for example). There are also unlisted keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl-C for Copy, Ctrl-X for Cut, and Ctrl-V for Paste work in almost all Windows programs.

7. To speed up printing use the Print Manager's Options menu. The Print Manager comes with a factory setting of Medium Priority. You can change this setting to High Priority: Select the Print Manager's icon in the Program Manager and use the Options menu. Windows will then give more priority to your printing jobs than to the work you're doing in your programs.

8. Exit in a hurry. Instead of exiting from every Windows program you've got running, press Ctrl-Esc or double-click on the desktop to bring up the Task List. Then highlight Program Manager and click End Task. If you've forgotten to save anything, you'll be asked whether you want to save your files before exiting from Windows.

Next month: We'll look at some more advanced ways to speed up Windows managing memory in your computer.

Find even more tips in KAY YARBOROUGH NELSON's Voodoo Windows, available from Ventana Press. She can be reached on Compuserve (72000,1176), America Online (KayNelson), or through this magazine.