I'm using a program called Quemu to run a virtual machine on another computer of mine. The computer I'm using this on is slow and has a lot of admin locks on it. I've gotten a copy of Windows XP to run in the VM but even on my computer, it runs extremely slow. This is because Quemu is completely portable because it doesn't utilize drivers. This allows me to use it even when installations and other things are blocked.
Now, I don't need a pretty VM. I just need it to be usable. I could live with its current speed but I plan on using it to develop software in VS2010. I don't think it will be fun.
What settings, options, files can I delete, turn off, change to make Windows XP as fast as it can possibly be? I don't need UI, I need performance.
Basically, what things should I do to tear Windows XP down until it is as fast as it can be without upgrading the hardware.