How to Enable or Disable the "Windows Experience Index" in Vista and Windows 7
InformationThis will show you how to enable or disable the Windows Experience Index (WEI) in Performance Information and Tools for all user accounts on the computer.
NoteWhen disabled, this leaves the Performance Information and Tools page blank.
EXAMPLE: Windows Experience Index Disabled and Enabled
NOTE: To see this, open the Control Panel (Classic View-Vista or icons view-Windows 7) and click on the Performance Information and Tools icon.
OPTION ONE 
1. To Enable the Windows Experience Index
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button to download the file below.
Enable_WEI.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable the Windows Experience Index
A) Click on the Download button to download the file below.
Disable_WEI.reg
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION TWO 1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and Performance Control Panel. (See screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off access to the performance center core section and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)
4. To Enable the Windows Experience Index
A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable the Windows Experience Index
A) Dot Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK.
7. Close Group Policy Object Window when done.
OPTION THREE 1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
4. To Disable the Windows Experience Index
A) In the left pane, right click on Windows and click on New and Key. (See screenshot above)
B) Type Control Panel and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If Control Panel is already there, then skip steps 4A and 4B and go to step 4C.
C) In the left pane, right click on Control Panel and click on New and Key. (See screenshot above)
D) Type Performance Control Panel and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If Performance Control Panel is already there, then skip steps 4C and 4D and go to step 4E.
E) In the right pane of Performance Control Panel, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32 bit) Value.
F) Type PerfcplEnabled and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
5. To Enable the Windows Experience Index
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) In step 5F above, right click on PerfcplEnabled and click on Delete. (See screenshot above)
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
C) In the registry, go to: (See screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Performance Control Panel
D) In the right pane, repeat steps 6A and 6B if PerfcplEnabled is there to.
6. Close regedit.
That's it,Shawn
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