1. Right click on my computer and select properties
2. Click on the advanced tab and click on settings under Performance
3. Check Adjust for best performance
   
   If you would like to keep themes enabled just scroll down and check Use visual styles on windows and buttons

Disabling Startup Items

1. You can disable auto starting programs using msconfig to open it press start -> run -> msconfig
2. Select the startup tab
3. Uncheck any of the programs that you do not need if you are unsure look at the path in command or google the startup items name

Disabling Services

1. Go to start -> run -> services.msc
2. Here you can disable any of the windows services if you are unsure about what ones you need please check this list for more information
3. If you don't feel like going through the services list manually i suggest you check out black viper's registry tweaks

Defragmenting and Disk Clean Up

1. Windows has a tool build in for cleaning temp files launch it by going to start > run > cleanmgr select your windows partition and press ok it will find old temporary files
   
2. Defragmenting every so often can help speed up your computer to run one press start > run > dfrg.msc select your windows partition and then click defrag