For access to the PC version of Quicken 2015, I was obliged to upgrade to Windows 8.1 and have also moved to Microsoft Office 2013. The result is slow as molasses. For example, Word files often respond so slowly that I need to pause after typing a word. Then I wait for a few seconds until it appears on the screen.
TWEAKS TO WINDOWS 8 REGISTRY
I am hoping to implement Windows registry tweaks that eliminate unnecessary functions and settings, as described in this article:
http://www.askvg.com/master-tutorial-to-make-your-windows-8-super-fast/
Unfortunately, I don't understand the directory structure within VMware, which I believe is what is preventing me from running a file that I downloaded called "Registry Tweaks to Make Windows Faster.reg”. I don’t know how to tell the Windows System’s Command Prompt to run that file.
The Command Prompt under Windows in VMWare comes up with my user name -- C:\Users\Colin Stewart>
I can copy that file to any directory, but I don't know how to point the Command Prompt to a particular directory.
OTHER METHODS
Within the Virtual Machine, I reset memory to 1500 MB from 1000 MB ("recommended") and reset it to use 2 processors cores rather than just one.
Those seem to have produced some improvement without noticeable degradation of Mac-side performance. But not enough.
I also made the changes in System Properties of Windows, as recommended in that ASKVG.com file. [Step 2 (Customize System Properties to Disable Shadows and Animations).] Those also seemed to result in only a minor improvement.
I am definitely open to other methods of speeding up the system.
SYSTEM INFO, IN CASE IT'S USEFUL
Computer:
MacBook Pro (late 2013)
Processor 2.8 Ghz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
OS X Yosemite
Version 10.10.1
VMware Fusion
Version 6.0.4
Memory was 1024 MB (recommended); reset to 1500 MB, which leaves 6692 for the Mac.
Processor cores: was 1; reset to 2
Thank you for whatever help you can provide.
-- Colin Stewart