Speeding up your computer for Windows XP to 8.1
1. Disabling visual effects
1.1. First, open up Windows Explorer and tap or click Advanced System settings
1.2. Then tap or click settings under performance
1.3. Select "Allow for best performance or something like that"
1.4. That's it for step 1.

2. Set your wallpaper to black
2.1. Find a wallpaper that is black on the internet and then right click on the image, then tap or click "Set as background"

Some of these settings also helps you save battery life