From Lifehacker, nine things that will not actually speed up Windows. Among them, disabling Microsoft processes, clearing out your registry, and memory “optimizer” programs.

What will work: running SpyBot every now and then to clear out resource-hogging spyware, and using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer so you get less spyware in the first place.

Debunking Common Windows Performance Tweaking Myths | Lifehacker

If you have been steadfastly holding on to Windows XP (and really, who could blame you?), you have probably been looking forward to the promised Service Pack 3, which will bring some of Vista’s polish to the venerable XP, as well as tidy up the old OS generally.

Download it via Windows Update today.

Windows XP SP3 now available | Engadget

Edit: Links to the update here, since it won’t hit Windows Update for a day or two, at least.

One of Vista’s big security features is the Windows Defender anti-spyware utility. However, you can also get it if you are (wisely) staying with Windows XP. Download it free here. This is a pretty hefty service, though, taking up about 16 MB of memory on my computer.

If you are worried about spyware, this is a great addition. If you are like me, and don’t have much of a spyware problem due to using Firefox, stick with running Ad-Aware or SpyBot once in a while.

Windows Desktop Search 3.0 is now available (link to download page). It’s free, and it’s for XP. WDS enables Mac-like instant searching of files and Office items, including contacts, appointments, tasks, etc.

I know I’m late to the game on this one. If WDS is in version 3.0 already, I’m sure most people already have it. But if you don’t, it’s a must-download. WDS adds a small search box to your taskbar. It indexes your files in the background (your Office files and My Documents, by default, but you can choose additional folders), and you can search just by typing in the box. Results appear as you type. Hit Enter, and a results page opens with additional options for sorting results.

For a law office, this is particularly helpful. While a program like Time Matters keeps all this information centralized, you can now do the same thing on an ad-hoc basis. WDS is also far more flexible, and searches by document properties. So if you type in the name of your co-counsel, it will bring up not only their contact information, meetings, etc., but also documents on file that they created.

Indexing is done in the background, and the indexer will slow down or stop to allow you to work. Except for the initial install and index, I haven’t experienced any WDS-related slowdown. Definitely get this.