Harmful tweaks

Simple, list a tweak you used to think was great but then discovered it was harmful.

Like using registry cleaners, setting page file to zero, that kind of stuff.

I'll start: I used to disable page file because i thought it would use my ram instead.
Also, i used to disable QOS to improve my internet connection.

Memory "optimizers"
Used one for a time with Windows 2000. Later learned that they don't work and are in fact worse than useless.
A pet hate of mine.

ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1 setting in system.ini file.
Supposedly prevented Windows from using the pagefile until RAM was totally exhausted.
Does not work as described and usually impaired performance. Supported on Windows 98 and ME only, never on NT.
I am sure it is being used with Windows 8.

LargeSystemCache registry setting
Many strange descriptions for this one, including that it allowed the kernel to run in RAM. Nonsense.
It increases the size of the system cache at the expense of memory for application use.
Good for use on a file server but otherwise almost always bad.

I know many more

While I never did it myself, I read all of the time about the people who try to adjust the # of cores their computers use when they boot up through msconfig.

RAM disk

adamf said:

RAM disk

Click to expand...

Whaa? Ramdisk is legit.

AlexRD said:

adamf said:

RAM disk

Click to expand...

Whaa? Ramdisk is legit.

Click to expand...

Really? You think so?

adamf said:

AlexRD said:

adamf said:

RAM disk

Click to expand...

Whaa? Ramdisk is legit.

Click to expand...

Really? You think so?

Click to expand...

Well it works great for preloading some game files in it if you have enough ram. Like, i can create a hard link to some of the game core files, and the game runs a lot better. ( that's pre SSD tho )
Unless there is something that harms your ram that i don't know of, it's decent.

Hi there

SNEAKERWARE -- those sites like Drivermax that tell you they can find drivers - and then the bit of the site you want is a PAY for feature.
Another really pet hate is where when you want to download software you get all sorts of links to OTHER stuff containing spy / adware etc while the link to what you actually want to download is hidden within this mess.

Finally all the stuff that wants you to download / install toolbars.

Beware though if you ever get BUBBLEDOCK installed on your machine -- this one is really HARD to get rid of -- it's better simply to restore Windows from a backup image,

Bubble Dock or a variant of Win32/BubbleDock.A Removal Report

Cheers
jimbo
.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

SNEAKERWARE -- those sites like Drivermax that tell you they can find drivers - and then the bit of the site you want is a PAY for feature.
Another really pet hate is where when you want to download software you get all sorts of links to OTHER stuff containing spy / adware etc while the link to what you actually want to download is hidden within this mess.

Finally all the stuff that wants you to download / install toolbars.

Beware though if you ever get BUBBLEDOCK installed on your machine -- this one is really HARD to get rid of -- it's better simply to restore Windows from a backup image,

Bubble Dock or a variant of Win32/BubbleDock.A Removal Report

Cheers
jimbo
.

Click to expand...

WOT sure doesn't like your link. LOL

Latest one was trying to load a .sys file to allow mounting an iso as a drive in Windows 7. Accidentally clicked on the wrong .sys file to create the CD mount. Ended up with first Blue Screen in about 5 years. Couldn't repair. Had to restore to last restore point.