Windows OS

SolidWorks Tips & Tricks - Windows OS
My own versions of tips and tricks that I use when working with SolidWorks. These tips are not intended to be a repeat of tips you can find elsewhere on the internet.

WINDOWS PERFORMANCE - ALL.

Improve SolidWorks' performance by turning off unnecessary features in Windows.

  • Refrain from using tiled, stretched, or full screen backgrounds. Change this under:
      ' Display Properties | Background '.

  • Do not use OpenGL screen savers. Change this under:
      ' Display Properties | Screen Saver '.

  • Disable 'Show web content on my active desktop' under:
      ' Display Properties | Web '.

  • Reduce the color depth under:
      ' Display Properties | Settings '.

  • Unless you have a high end video card, you should also consider the following changes under:
      ' Display Properties | Settings '.
      Reduce the color depth to 'High Color (16 bit)'.
      Use a reasonable screen size such as 1024x768 or 1152x864.

  • Use a video card that is listed as 'passed' on SolidWorks' video card test results. Review and implement all recommendations, as defined with these results, that pertain to the video card you are using.

  • Stay up to date with the latest service packs and drivers, but don't immediately install the service packs and drivers when they become available. Wait about 2-3 weeks after first availability. Let someone else find any bugs.

  • Defrag your computer system periodically.

WINDOWS (98/ME/NT) PERFORMANCE.

Improve SolidWorks' performance by turning off unnecessary features in Windows.

  • The following options should be disabled under:
      ' Display Properties | Special Effects '.
      Disable "Use transition effects for menus and tooltips."
      Disable "Show window contents while dragging."
      Disable "Show icons using all possible colors."

WINDOWS XP PERFORMANCE.

  • Improve SolidWorks' performance by turning off animation/cartooning features in Windows:
      ' Start | Settings | Control Panel | Performance and Maintenance | Adjust Visual Effects | Adjust for best performance '.
  • If it is preferred to have Windows XP appear like Windows 2000, then change the following:
      ' Right click on desktop | Properties | Appearance | Under 'Buttons and menus' select 'Windows Classic style' '.
  • To show full menus (not partial/personalized menus), then change the following:
      ' Right click on taskbar | Properties | Start Menu | Classic Start Menu | Customize | Uncheck 'Use personalized menus' '.

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