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If you’re running the Classic Mac OS, which about 90 percent of us still are, at least part time, one of the simplest things you can do enhance performance, increase System stability, and reduce startup times, is to turn off on uneeded Control Panels and Extensions using the Mac OS Extensions Manager.

You could also go into the System Folder and completely throw the deadwood away, but it is probably best to keep the full set around in case the need arises for a Control Panel or Extension that was heretofore superfluous.

First a bit of definition:

• A Control Panel is a small program appended to your Mac’s System that usually governs an aspect of interface or function behavior. Many third-party software applications have their own Control Panels as well.

• An Extension is also a small program that alters or “patches” System behavior itself. Extensions also include things like shared libraries and printer or device drivers, and many third-party applications also get their own Extensions.

The third party stuff you need to keep activated -- at least if you want to use the supported software -- but many of the default-installed Mac OS stuff can be disabled, resulting in the advantages cited in the opening paragraph above.

The Extension Manager is itself a control panel, which you can open from the Apple Menu Control Panels submenu. Essentially, the Extensions Manager is just a little program that lists every Control Panel at Extension that is installed on your Mac, and provides check boxes for enabling or disabling each item. When you uncheck the box next to an item, it will be moved to a separate folder called Control Panels/Extensions Disabled in your System folder when you restart your computer.

By default, the Control Panels list appears first. Rather than discussing every possible item you’ll see there, for the sake of brevity I’m only going to mention here items that you can probably or possibly turn off beneficially.

AppleTalk - Necessary only if you are on a network (including Apple’s AirPort), or if you use an AppleTalk printer. Otherwise, turn it off.

ColorSync - If you don’t print in color or use of color scanner, you can uncheck this one.

Dial Assist - If you haven’t used this one (I never have), you don’t need it.

File Exchange - Helps the Mac recognize PC (DOS/Windows) formatted removable media such as CDs, floppies, Zip disks etc. If you don’t anticipate using these, you can turn it off.

File Sharing - You need this if you’re on the network and want a share files of other computers. Otherwise, turn it off.

File Synchronization. - Useful only if you want to keep files on two computers or disks synchronized. Otherwise you can turn it off.

Keychain Access - Helps administer the Classic Mac OS password protection function. If you don’t use this, turn it off.

Launcher - Useful if you like it. I my own custom launcher with a popup folder on the Desktop containing applications aliases displayed as buttons.

Map - Fun to play with, and occasionally useful, but usually unnecessary.

Multiple Users - Unless you have more than one person using the computer and everyone wants a unique setup, you don’t need this.

Numbers - Sets the way the system punctuates numbers. If you’re happy with the default settings, disable this one.

QuickTime Settings - Most people never use this control panel (QuickTime will still work fine with it disabled ).

Software Update - I never use this, but many people find a useful. If you like to have your system software upgrades automated, keep this one turned on. Otherwise, disable it.

Speech - Lets the Mac read back typed text and speak error messages. I find it annoying

Text - Useless unless you want to specify a language other than English. Turn it off.

Users & groups - Useful only if you’re on an office network. Otherwise, turn it off.

Web Sharing - As for Users & Groups.

ActiveX Controls - Turn it off.

AOL Link (whatever) - Only necessary if you’re an AOL user.

Various printer drivers (e.g.: Apple CDolor SW Pro, LaserWriter, etc..) - You only need the one(s) for the printer(s) you actually use. Turn the others off.

Apple enet (whatever) - Only needed if you use Ethernet.

Apple QD 3D (QuickDraw 3-D) (whatever) - Useless unless you need them for certain games that require them.

AppleShare; Network; File Sharing (whatever) - Only useful if you’re on a network.

ColorSync - Only needed if you print or scan in color.

Default Calibrator - Unless you’re a graphics professional, you probably don’t need this one.

DNS Plugin - Useless; turn it off.

DrawSprocket Lib - Only used by certain games.

FBC Indexing Scheduler; Find By Content - You may find these useful. I hate Sherlock’s indexing function, and keep it turned off. (I use the third party SpeedSearch for text searches of my hard drive -- faster, more thorough, and no need for indexing).

Folder Actions - If you’re not a programmer, you don’t need this.

HID Library; Input Sprocket (whatever) - Mainly to support gaming input devices. If you only use the standard mouse and/or trackpad, you don’t need them.

Instant Palm Desktop - Only needed if you’re a Palm Desktop user.

Iomega Driver - Supports Iomega drives. If you don’t use one, disable it.

MacInTalk (whatever) - Only if you want your Mac to talk to you.

Macromedia (whatever) - Supports animated graphics on some Web pages. If you couldn’t care less, turn it off.

Multiple User Setup - Only needed if you use the Multiple Users function.

Multiprocessors - Only needed if you have a Power Mac tower with dual processors.

NBP Plugin; NSL UI Library - Only needed on some networks.

Open GL (whatever) - Only needed for certain computer games.

Palm Connect Enabler - Only needed if you connect to a Palm PDA.

Printer Share - Useless unless you connect to shared StyleWriter printers over a network.

Printing Lib - Only useful if you use a laser printer.

Print Monitor - I never use it, but many people like it.

QuickDraw 3D (whatever) - Only useful for accelerated 3D graphics in games. If that’s not important to you, turn it off.

ShareWay IP (whatever) - Only used for some network setups. If that doesn’t apply, turn it off.

SLP Plugin - Essentially useless. Uncheck it.

Software Updates (whatever) - Only if you like automated software updates.

Speech Manager - Only if you want your Mac talking to you.

TCPack for AOL - Only useful if you’re an AOL subscriber.

UDF Volume Access - Supports DVD discs. If you don’t have a DVD drive, turn it off.

Voice Verification - Only useful if you are using the Multiple Users feature.

Web Sharing Extension - Essentially useless for most of us.

There,. Once you turn off all the stuff you don’t need, your Mac will be faster, less likely to crash, and will start up faster. Doesn’t that feel better? And remember, if it turns out that you do need something you have turned off, just open Extensions Manager, turn it back on, and restart the computer.

Charles W. Moore

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