If you want to tweak performance of a computer for any reason, regardless whether it's PDF creation or opening email, that's really a Windows function... since you mentioned msconfig.
So, your best bet will be to go to forum for your version of Windows.
I can tell you a few quick hints:
First, if you don't know your Windows Version, Press the Windows key and R on your keyboard to bring up the Run prompt, and type winver then hit <Enter> or click "OK", and that'll tell you you're Windows version info.
As far as tweaking stuff via msconfig, some can be done that way, some can be done via services, and some by options within individual applications. Just off the top of my head, here are a few:
[ol][li]Quicktime - Anything quicktime[/li]
[li]Real Player[/li]
[li]Nero Back-It-Up (If you're not using it)[/li]
[li]Groove... [If you have Office 2007 with Groove installed)[/li]
[li]Any toolbars and such that are starting up with Windows[/li]
[li]Aside from MsConfig, you can change your performance settings for Windows - Right-Click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Performance, Appearance Settings - set it to "best performance", hit OK, OK way out... wait for Windows to reconfigure..[/li]
[li]Really, just anything you don't NEED running at the start.[/li]
[li]If you are running Windows XP, and have Windows Search installed (Windows Search 4 is current ver, I think) - it was a separate download under Windows Update - I'd disable it or uninstall it.[/li]
[li]Many autorun backup or disk config programs suck resources from your system pretty bad - at least older versions of Acronis's stuff sometime would put a hurting on decent machines - not always, just under certain cicrumstances..[/li]
[/ol]
Well, that's probably more than you asked for already... Also, depending upon your version of Windows, and your motherboard, you may need more RAM:
Windows XP - at least 1GB, 2GB to 3GB if possible
Windows Vista or 7 - At least 2GB, 3GB if 32 bit, and possible.. if 64 bit, as much as you can stick in there... I'd go with at least 4GB.
For further instructions, give more detail on your hardware/software, and what you are willing and/or able to change, if you really want to tweak things, and post over in the appropriate forum:
for the various Operating Systems... pick the one you have..
Or hardware:
forum602
For instance, it may be that your hard drive is slowing you down. If your PDFs are large, they could be zapping a fair amount of disk usage... if the hard drive is older than 2 or 3 years old, then it's possible, if it's older than 4 or 5 years old, it's practically guaranteed.
Some basics to check - do you reboot the PC daily (not just logging out, but give it a restart) ? Some people have been advised to leave the PC running 24/7, and interpert that to never restart it. That will result in memory fragmentation and loss of performance. it will all so fail your hard drive several years sooner.
Advice -
1 - Logout and shut down at the end of the day unless your central IT folks request that you leave it on so they can push updates.
2 - Empty the Recycle bin regularly
3 - Defrag the drive weekly.
CCleaner - basic temp file cleaner as well as a Registry cleaner
Glary Utilities - searches for any sort of temp files, bad shortcuts, registry issues, etc..
Advanced System Care - does all the same as Glary, but also includes a defrag option. It also checks your security, but if you run it, usually I wouldn't pay attention to the "security recommendation". There are some things it'll change for you - important settings if need be, but it'll also on occasion through a hijackthis log where all your normal apps are listed as "unknowns", or at least it used to - can't say I've seen it of late, so perhaps they fixed it.
Anyway, Advanced System Care (if you click the big "Care" button will do all the temp file scanning, etc, as well as defrag your system hard drive.
Since I am still having "invalid annotation object" error and other Acrobat errors, I uncheck "AdobeARM" & "Adobe_sl" under msconfig startup. Do those files really help operation of Acrobat or unnecessary files slowing down performance?
Is there any other unnecessary options/modules I can unselect on customized installation options?
Well, as far as those 2 items go, no they are not necessary. If you are always opening PDF files pretty much every time you turn on your PC, then they may be of some use, otherwise, no.
As an alternative, you could try Foxit PDF Reader as well. It's free, and has less bulk, though that's changed over the last few years. It seems they are bulking up that one as well, somewhat. But it works good - it's fast. And for reading PDFs, it really doesn't matter what you choose, so long as it wors for reading.
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