The easiest way to improve performance is to free up resources and disable features which are not needed. There are many things installed on Windows 7 which are not really needed on a virtual machine running in a lab or data center. A user oriented virtual machine might need stuff so define the purpose of the virtual machine before disabling features.
Items to consider:
- Games – Internet Games – This is a no brainer. Much as we like games; they serve no purpose and take up resources and might take away resources. Disable them if they are not disabled.
- Indexing Service – There really isn’t a need to run this in a lab or data center VM, disable it.
- Internet Explorer – This is a tough one. Security might improve with it’s elimination. Might also preserve resources as it eliminates a user from hitting the browser because it’s available. However, you might need it for debug purposes. I left mine in place for now.
- Internet Information Services – FTP Server – If you find this running and don’t need it, disable it.
- Internet Information Services Hostable Web Core – If you find this running and don’t need it, disable it.
- Media Features – This is often overlooked. It’s a pretty good chance this is not needed so disable it.
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.51 – This one could be disabled if it turns out you don’t need it. A lab or data center VM might so check on it’s need before you disable it.
- Services for NFS (Network File System) – This is not a normal install, check with the owners before disabling it.
- Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications – See above.
- Windows Gadget Platform – This is good for users. Probably not needed for a lab or a data center. Disable it.
- Windows Search – The search feature has mixed views. Some like it; some hate it. In the case of a VM, disable it.
- XPS Services – This feature is good for the users. Probably not needed for a back room VM.
- XPS Viewer – Might or might not be needed. Some reporting systems use it.
To disable OS features.
- Start the Programs and Features Control Panel
- Off to the left; you will see Turn Windows Features on or off
- Select and bring up the list of options
- Deselect the options you want to disable.
- Select OK and wait for the uninstall process to finish.
- Reboot the system when you get a chance.