Where did it all go wrong with Windows computer performance?
Every new Microsoft operating system promised better
performance than its predecessor. If this were true then Windows 8
should boot in about 10 seconds. Nobody can explain to my satisfaction
why Windows 3.11 could find files faster than Windows 8.
As for shutting down faster, I think salesman flogging this horse have
missed the point, who cares if it takes 90 seconds rather than 60 seconds to
shutdown? And for once I have to concur with my friend 'Mad' Mick, time rebooting Unix / Linux operating systems is not a factor because you
can do everything with out a restart, why could it not be the same for
Windows updates?
Delayed Startup
Now that I have got that rant off my chest, let us focus on improvements
from Windows 7 (and Vista) to Windows 8. I like the ability to delay
non-urgent programs on startup. At present I use
Startup Delayer,
but I have heard a rumour that Windows 8 will provide this facility. There is enjoyment from configuring a
task which really makes a difference in speed and operating system
behaviour.
Here is a diversion to look at a PowerShell script to show the order
which programs launch.
Clear-Host get-process | where {$_.StartTime} | sort StartTime | Ft
Name, StartTime -auto
Launching Perfmon in Windows 8 is not a trivial task. The new Metro UI tricked me; when I pressed 'p' for performance, no icon
appeared. However, as soon as I clicked on Settings, there was the
Performance Information and Tools.
While you could try the Control Panel, even there the Performance Monitor
is hidden away at the bottom of the System section, Performance Information
and Tools.
Windows 8 Performance Monitor
The Windows 8 Performance monitor, at least in the pre-beta 'Build'
version is much like that in Windows 7.
The great feature of this new this new version of SolarWinds VM Monitor is that it
checks Windows Hyper-V. Naturally, it still works with virtual machines on VMware ESX Servers. VM Monitor is an nifty
desktop tool that not only tests that your server is online, but also
displays the CPU and memory utilization for each node.
It's easy to install and to configure this virtual machine monitor, all
you need the host server's IP address or hostname and the logon info.
The new Windows 8 Task Manager brings better organization to the Process
tab, but it's the Performance Tab that interests me most. It's still
possible to call up the Task Manager from the keyboard with Ctrl +Shift,
+Esc. With the Metro UI you can create a tile on the main screen by
typing 't', then pinning the Task Manager.
It's easier than ever to inspect the CPU,
Memory, Disk and Network counters. In particular the performance tab
is a great place for gaining insights into processes hogging memory or CPU usage.
Note: Whereas Windows 7 had a Networking tab, this is
now incorporated in the Windows 8 Performance tab.
Guy
Recommends: The Free Config Generator
SolarWinds' Config Generator is a free tool, which puts you in charge of
controlling changes to network routers and other SNMP devices.
Boost your network performance by activating network device features
you've already paid for.
Guy says that for newbies the biggest benefit of this free tool is that
it will provide the impetus for you to learn more about configuring the SNMP
service with its 'Traps' and 'Communities'.
On the surface there is the new Start Screen, and a new Windows Explorer
ribbon. And under the covers Windows 8 has been stripped down and rebuilt for
faster booting and better performance on tablet and laptop computers.
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