Google Chrome Related Windows XP Performance Tips

Yes, I'm still on Windows XP, I'm told a lot of us still are.  I've had some problems with Google Chrome on Windows XP-Pro and thought I'd share a couple of tips.

1. Disable Windows XP Visual Performance settings
2. Disable Google Update (gupdate.exe)

Disable Windows XP Visual Performance settings

Part of the problem appears to be that Google Chrome does not play nice with some of Microsoft's Visual Effects. (This solution will affect the way that Windows is displayed)

Right click on My Computer > scroll down to Preferences >
(or key combination Windows Logo+Break)

Select the Advanced tab > Performance Settings (button)

The Performance Options dialog will open, select the Visual Effects (tab)
Select the Adjust for best performance (radio button)

The option should de-select all of the check boxes in the listbox, press okay and follow any other instructions needed to keep the new settings.

If you know that you need any of these options to properly display Windows, select the Custom button and select the option in the associated check-box.

 Disable Google Update (gupdate.exe)

The Google Chrome Update feature has been problematic for me for several years now. Just when I'm trying to get something done, the service (gupdate.exe) starts unannounced and usually interrupts my work flow. Google admits there is a problem with the architecture here.  My suspicion is that there are other bugs in the gupdate code, so I prefer to disable it.

There are several way to disable Google Chrome Update (gupdate.exe), the following seems to be the easiest.

With Google Chrome open, type chrome://plugins  into the address bar and press Enter. Scroll down the Settings page until you see the Google Update - Version x.x.xx.xx

Select the Disable hyperlink.

Upon refresh the Google Update feature should be disabled.

You can manually check to see if your version of Google Chrome is up to date, by typing chrome://help into the address bar and pressing Enter.