I've observed numerous applications that load and run MUCH faster under Win3.1x on a 300 MHz CPU and 256MB RAM than under XP with a 2 GHz CPU and 2GB of RAM. Since I prefer the old DOS-based schematic editor, simulator, and gridless autoplacing, autorotating PCB editor/router that I've been using for over 15 years to the Windows-based ultra slow versions costing $20K, though I do have to have those, I'm happy with the better performance.

Yes, Windows XP runs faster after a reinstall, because it has very poor "garbage collection" facilities. While Windows9x had a facility to "clean up" the registry, and while Win3.1x needs no such nonsense, XP has none. The result is that the registry grows, along with numerous other miscellaneous files over which the user has no control.

RE