Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Guest Operating System Performance Tips

This section offers advice for configuring a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 guest operating system for better performance inside a virtual machine.

Note: This section pertains to the guest operating system that is running inside a GSX Server virtual machine. It does not describe actions that should be taken on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 running on the host computer.

Make certain you have selected the correct guest operating system in the virtual machine settings editor. Choose VM > Settings > Options.

Make certain VMware Tools is installed. VMware Tools provides an optimized SVGA driver and sets up the VMware Tools service to run automatically when the system starts. Among other things, VMware Tools allows you to synchronize the virtual machine's clock with the host computer's clock, which can improve performance for some functions. You can install VMware Tools by choosing VM > Install VMware Tools.

Using the Removable Devices submenu, disconnect the virtual CD-ROM drive if you do not need to use it. Disconnecting the CD-ROM drive reduces processor usage.

The fade effects that Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 use when displaying menus can be somewhat slow and make the virtual machine seem less responsive.

To disable the fade effects, right-click the guest operating system desktop, then choose Properties > Appearance > Effects (on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003) or Properties > Effects (on Windows 2000) and deselect the Use transition effects for menus and tool tips check box.

Run your virtual machine in full screen mode. Click the Full Screen button on the VMware Virtual Machine Console toolbar.

Windows Server 2003 disables hardware acceleration by default. This slows down graphics performance and mouse responsiveness in the guest operating system.

When you install VMware Tools in a Windows Server 2003 guest, you are prompted to enable the hardware acceleration setting. VMware recommends you enable hardware acceleration fully.

To enable hardware acceleration in a Windows Server 2003 guest at a later time, open the Windows Control Panel, then open the Display Properties control panel. On the Settings tab, click Advanced. On the Troubleshoot tab, drag the Hardware acceleration slider all the way to Full.