Got this one off CodeProject message base at:
http://www.codeproject.com/lounge.asp?msg=2294431#xx2294431xxTurn off:
Remote Differential Compression (Control Panel->Programs and Features->Turn Windows features on or off) - This one stops Vista from trying to be too clever when working with different drives and just lets it get on with copying/moving/deleting files.
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface (Computer Management->Show Hidden Devices, Computer Management->Device Manager->Network adapters) - It may not be on your machine, but this thing is an IPv6 loopback simulator, that also tries to be too clever
Run these (in a command prompt with Admin rights):
netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
netsh interface tcp set global rss=disabled
netsh interface tcp set global congestionprovider=ctcp
These turn off MTU "tuning" and receive-side scaling, and enable CTCP (good for satellite connections).
You can also check out KB931770 if you're having problems copying and moving files.
Also turn off as much of your graphic niceties as you don't really need - these will give you a massive boost in apparent speed (pun intended).