ReadyBoost
Increase Menu Speed
Reliability and Performance Monitor
ReadyBoost lets users use a removable flash memory device, such as USB memory keys, flash memory cards and other types of flash devices to improve system performance by caching disk reads onto the device. This can improve system performance because the Windows memory manager can retrieve data kept on the flash memory device more quickly than it can retrieve data kept on the hard disk, decreasing the time you need to wait for your PC to respond. Data on the flash memory device is encrypted using using AES-128 to help prevent inappropriate access to data when the device is removed.
When you connect a supported flash device to your system and choose the Speed Up My System option, Windows Vista runs a quick performance test to see if the device meets minimum standards required for ReadyBoost.
Windows Vista has a built in menu delay setting so that it waits a certain length of time when you hover over a menu item before expanding the further options. Power users may find the wait rather annoying and would rather have instant menu opening speeds on mouse over.
A simple registry tweak will allow you to speed up the menu. First load the registry editor by launching regedit from the Run menu (Press WINDOWS KEY + R to access the run menu): Then, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop in the side panel, then right click on MenuShowDelay and select Modify: Now, enter the menu delay time in milliseconds (1 is near instant, do not enter 0!) and press OK: Once you have restarted your menus will slide at near instant speeds. The default setting is 400 should you wish to restore the default menu setting.
Reliability and Performance Monitor
Windows Vista contains an advanced reporting tool called the “Reliability and Performance Monitor”, which allows you to check your system for any performance and reliability problems from the system logs and real-time monitoring. Tips, advice and technical details of many problems that could be affecting your system are all generated within 60 seconds.