If you have an older computer or if you use software that uses a lot of graphics and system resources, you can improve your computer's performance by reducing or completely disabling hardware acceleration. This option may not be available on newer computers, but it can help you get more out of your outdated computer.
Steps
Before you start
Step 1. Find out if you can disable hardware acceleration on your computer
Not all computers support this. On most newer computers that use Nvidia, AMD, or ATI graphics cards, you cannot change the hardware acceleration. These options are usually only available on older computers or computers with a built-in video card.
- To change the gear settings for these maps, you will need to access your map's control panel. You do that by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting your video card's control panel.
- The gear settings depend on the manufacturer and card model. You'll generally find it in the "System Settings" or "Display Settings" sections.
Method 1 of 2: Windows 7 and 8
Step 1. Open the Start menu and click on the Control Panel
Step 2. Select 'Personalization'
Step 3. Choose 'Display Settings'
Step #4. Find and choose 'Advanced Settings'
Step 5. Click the
Troubleshooting tab.
- If you don't have a Troubleshooting tab, your video card drivers don't support this Windows feature. Updating your drivers may return the option, but you may have to adjust the settings via your video card's control panel.
- You can access the Nvidia or AMD Control Panels by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting them from the menu.
Step 6. Click
Change settings.
- If the Change Settings button is greyed out, your video drivers do not support this Windows feature. Updating your drivers may return the option, but there is a chance that you will have to adjust the settings via the control panel of your video card.
- You can access the Nvidia or AMD Control Panels by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting them from the menu.
Step 7. Adjust the hardware acceleration settings as you like
Slide all the way to the left if you want to completely disable hardware acceleration.
Step 8. Click the button
To apply and choose OK to exit the dialog.
Step 9. Click
OK , and then get out of the 'Display properties' field.
Step 10. Restart your computer for the changed settings to take effect
Method 2 of 2: Windows Vista
Step 1. Click the Start button to open the Start menu
Step #2. Open Control Panel
Step 3. Select 'Appearance and Personalization'
Step 4. Choose 'Adjust screen resolution' from the menu
Step 5. Choose "Advanced Settings" in the Display Settings window
Step 6. In the monitor properties window, click the
Troubleshooting tab.
Step 7. Choose
Change settings.
Step 8. Choose
Get on in the security screen.
Step 9. Adjust the hardware acceleration settings as you like
Slide all the way to the left if you want to completely disable hardware acceleration.
Step 10. Click
OK and restart your computer.