windows key + r (run function), type in "msconfig"
there, under the "startup" tab, you can browse through all items that start up in your computer. Uncheck all of the ones you don't want/don't think you'll need. Under the "services" tab, check "hide all microsoft services" at the lower right hand corner (you'll need those), and just do what you did with the startup items.
If you find something you're unfamiliar with, gts mayne. At the end of all of this, your computer should be running at least a little bit faster.
edit: Just to let you know, you may have to try it out a few times before you get everything working the way you want it. Just experiment a little bit, because sometimes you'll disable things that you find you'll need. On my laptop, for example, if I disable my touchpad driver (which seems pretty useless, I'll admit) I can't use the scroll part on the side of my touch pad to scroll up and down on pages. It's a small thing, so I keep it running because I enjoy the benefits.
Like I said, just play around and see what's right for you.
