Use the stuff that they mention and also try going to the start menu and hit run and type msconfig and hit return. When msconfig comes up go to the startup section and look at the entries. Some of them are easy, if you are not burning cds, you can stop the cd burner helper. If you have a logitech mouse, you may not care about hearing about the latest and greatest goodies, can disable the app that checks for new messages. After you disable the apps/services you don't want you can reboot or not. Have to reboot to take advantage of your startup with the extra stuff. If you need the service, can run msconfig and enable the item. Just be careful what services/processes you disable. Not sure, leave it alone. Turn off your screensaver too if you need better performance.