Overheating issues on Windows XP are frustrating, and while common among laptops, desktops can also fall victim. Today I will show you a neat trick to reduce or stop overheating in its tracks.

I will presume you have already done the following?

• Clean all air vents, fans & filters
• All Windows Updates installed
• Virus Scanned & infections removed
• Malware scanned & infections removed

If you’ve checked those issues and you’re still having overheating issues and shutdowns, follow text guide below or watch the video above.

NOTE* Windows XP has very basic options for CPU power management (Windows Vista, 7 and 8 give you direct control of the CPU throttle) so my advice is to try option 1 below first, if that doesn’t work then try option 2, if that doesn’t work I have included some links to software and articles about power management in Windows XP..

Fix overheating issues on Windows XP

Option 1

1. Click on the Start Menu button bottom left
2. Click on Control Panel menu item, the click the Power Options icon
3. The Power Options Properties window should now be open
4. Choose the Minimal Power Management option from the drop down list
5. Click on Apply and then OK to close the window
6. All done!

Option 2

1. Click on the Start Menu button bottom left
2. Click on Control Panel menu item, the click the Power Options icon
3. The Power Options Properties window should now be open
4. Choose the Presentation option from the drop down list
5. Click on Apply and then OK to close the window
6. All done!

There are a number of apps and articles available to control Windows XP power schemes if the above options don’t help, listed below.

• ARTICLES
• Windows XP: Choose a Power Scheme – HelpWithWindows.com
• How to use Powercfg.exe to create a Group Policy object for power schemes in Windows XP
• SOFTWARE
• SpeedSwitchXP
• RightMark CPU Clock Utility
• CPU-Z (good for info only)

• Microsoft Windows (official)
• Microsoft Support (official)
• Search Google for Windows XP