Microsoft didn't pick a name for Windows XP from out of a hat.  If there is such a thing as having an "eXPerience" with an operating system, then I suppose Windows XP would have a few.  Most of the ones that really jump out are those that appeal to the eye... animated list boxes, fading balloons, menus that glide in and out of existence... It all looks great, especially when you see it for the first time.  But there are two minuses to visual effects (on Windows XP and other OSes).  One of them is more subjective-- some people get sick of them sooner than others.  The other downside is more of a problem if you have a poky old system like... well ... I won't name names... All that visual bubble gum is a real burden on a slow PC that has better things to do.

When it comes to eye candy, there are two places to visit when you want to make Windows XP grow up and quit riding your computer more than necessary.

a) The first is Display Properties, accessible with one of these:
    - Start Menu / Run... / type desk.cpl / press ENTER
    - Start Menu / Control Panel / Display
    - Right-click an empty area of the Desktop, choose Properties

Click the Desktop tab and decide if you really need wallpaper.  If not, choose None under Background, and click Apply.

Need a screen saver?  I can do without them and so can my computer.  If you're the same, click the Screen Saver tab, choose None from the Screen saver list box, and click Apply.

> Also under the Screen saver tab are the Power... settings (lower right corner).  Here I make sure everything stays on, thus...  Under the Settings for Home/Office Desk power scheme heading, I set everything to Never, then click Apply.  If you want, you can use the Power schemes area to save any custom settings under a unique name. like maybe "ON ALL THE TIME".
> Under the Advanced tab, I have everything unchecked.  And for my own convenience (maybe yours as well), the list box under Power buttons (the one called: When I press the power button on my computer) is set to Shut down.
> Still in Power Options Properties, under the Hibernation tab, I leave the Enable hibernation checkbox empty.

Back in Display Properties, under Appearance / Effects... button (lower right corner), I leave everything unchecked.
> Under the Settings tab, Screen resolution is left at 800 by 600 pixels, while Color quality is at Medium (16 bit).  Color quality settings aren't so much a worry if you have a computer with a fast cpu and a lot of RAM.  But if your computer is anything like this one, you have to keep the overhead down.

I have a setting called Medium (15 bit) but I don't know why it's there.  Only thing I can tell is that there's no difference in performance or appearance between it and Medium (16 bit).  But back to the point... if you have a slow system or if you aren't into games or heavy graphics rendering, Medium (16 bit) should be enough.

b) The second place to visit when you're cutting down on visuals, is in My Computer.  The directions go like this:
    - Right-click My Computer / Properties / Advanced / Performance / Settings / Visual Effects
    - Select and deselect at will and to need (or to taste).  The choices more or less explain themselves
    - Click Apply, then OK your way out of there

I like to have transparent icon text, so I put a checkmark in the box next to Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop.  Other than that, I cleared all the boxes.

More:
    - Simple Tweaks for Peak PC Graphics Performance (PC World)