dipu
06-01-2013, 12:45 PM
If you follow these simple steps regularly, you can keep your computer smooth and fast. Please read on...
Remove viruses
The first step is to check and remove viruses of all kinds. They may be spyware, malware, adware, Trojans, root kits etc. If you have a licensed copy of Windows, download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your system in the future from such viruses. Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system protected from emerging threats. The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is another utility that checks computers running Windows for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and remove any infection found. In short, you must have a good Anti-virus program runnin on your PC, always.
Remove unwanted programs
Many-a-times we install some program for specific use only for that particular time, and then forget to uninstall it. Such program takes space in program files directory, memory and Windows registry. So it is convenient to uninstall such programs which are no longer in use.
Use lightweight programs
You can prefer to use lightweight programs instead of those bulky programs which take more space and memory. For example, you can use Foxit reader instead of Adobe acrobat reader, Ashampoo or Imgburn instead of Nero and Google chrome or Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet explorer. I am not against those programs, you can very well use them if you have computer with modern configuration. However, if your PC is slow, then better to use lightweight programs.
Avoid multitasking
Multitasking bring load on the processor and memory. It is always better to open only the programs in which we are working.
Clean startup programs
Many programs make an entry in the startup group and they start by default when the computer starts. Look for such programs and make them not start with windows. You can do this with the settings of that program, or you can delete the program from startup directory. You can open those programs when you want them to open by clicking on menu.
Clean Registry and keep it slim
When we uninstall any program, the program registry entries are still left in the Windows registry. If the registry becomes fat, the computer will be slow. Keep your registry slim by erasing such entries left by uninstall. CCleaner is a nice freeware which keeps your registry slim. Google for it and install it. It is a user friendly program.
Remove unwanted Graphic effects
Do you really want all those graphic effects in your Windows? Probably not. So make sure you set only cuch effects you want. Less graphics, faster computer.
Clean your desktop
Is your desktop is full of files? Shift each document or file in concerned folders. Let pictures go in my My pictures, documents in My documents and music files in My music. Keep your desktop clean.
Free up disk space
First of all delete unwanted files which you don’t require. Empty the Recycle Bin. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you to free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files. Then clean junk files, temporary files, temporary internet files, cookies etc with the help of CCleaner. The following junk should be always cleaned up regularly.
Temporary Internet files.
Downloaded program files, such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets.
Windows temporary files, such as error reports.
Optional Windows components that you don't use.
Unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.
Speed up access to data
Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk as a file is opened (to piece it back together). The response time can be significantly longer. Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. Reading and writing of the disk speeds up with your files stored neatly end to end, without fragmentation. Defraggler is excellent freeware which you can use in place of Windows Defragmenter.
Check the hard disk for errors
In addition, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility. As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.
Take a step back
If you have done all the above procedures, and still your computer is slow, then most probably you have installed operating system/programs which are overloading hardware of your computer. Have you checked system requirements before installing OS/programs? I have seen number of computer users who install newer OS/programs without actually studying added features which are not present in the older versions. Hence, please check what your OS/programs need to function properly. If you see that your are not meeting their hardware requirements, then it is better to take a step back. Shift to older OS and program versions. This will help your computer to perform better.
Remove viruses
The first step is to check and remove viruses of all kinds. They may be spyware, malware, adware, Trojans, root kits etc. If you have a licensed copy of Windows, download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your system in the future from such viruses. Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system protected from emerging threats. The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is another utility that checks computers running Windows for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and remove any infection found. In short, you must have a good Anti-virus program runnin on your PC, always.
Remove unwanted programs
Many-a-times we install some program for specific use only for that particular time, and then forget to uninstall it. Such program takes space in program files directory, memory and Windows registry. So it is convenient to uninstall such programs which are no longer in use.
Use lightweight programs
You can prefer to use lightweight programs instead of those bulky programs which take more space and memory. For example, you can use Foxit reader instead of Adobe acrobat reader, Ashampoo or Imgburn instead of Nero and Google chrome or Mozilla Firefox instead of Internet explorer. I am not against those programs, you can very well use them if you have computer with modern configuration. However, if your PC is slow, then better to use lightweight programs.
Avoid multitasking
Multitasking bring load on the processor and memory. It is always better to open only the programs in which we are working.
Clean startup programs
Many programs make an entry in the startup group and they start by default when the computer starts. Look for such programs and make them not start with windows. You can do this with the settings of that program, or you can delete the program from startup directory. You can open those programs when you want them to open by clicking on menu.
Clean Registry and keep it slim
When we uninstall any program, the program registry entries are still left in the Windows registry. If the registry becomes fat, the computer will be slow. Keep your registry slim by erasing such entries left by uninstall. CCleaner is a nice freeware which keeps your registry slim. Google for it and install it. It is a user friendly program.
Remove unwanted Graphic effects
Do you really want all those graphic effects in your Windows? Probably not. So make sure you set only cuch effects you want. Less graphics, faster computer.
Clean your desktop
Is your desktop is full of files? Shift each document or file in concerned folders. Let pictures go in my My pictures, documents in My documents and music files in My music. Keep your desktop clean.
Free up disk space
First of all delete unwanted files which you don’t require. Empty the Recycle Bin. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you to free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files. Then clean junk files, temporary files, temporary internet files, cookies etc with the help of CCleaner. The following junk should be always cleaned up regularly.
Temporary Internet files.
Downloaded program files, such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets.
Windows temporary files, such as error reports.
Optional Windows components that you don't use.
Unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.
Speed up access to data
Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk as a file is opened (to piece it back together). The response time can be significantly longer. Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. Reading and writing of the disk speeds up with your files stored neatly end to end, without fragmentation. Defraggler is excellent freeware which you can use in place of Windows Defragmenter.
Check the hard disk for errors
In addition, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility. As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.
Take a step back
If you have done all the above procedures, and still your computer is slow, then most probably you have installed operating system/programs which are overloading hardware of your computer. Have you checked system requirements before installing OS/programs? I have seen number of computer users who install newer OS/programs without actually studying added features which are not present in the older versions. Hence, please check what your OS/programs need to function properly. If you see that your are not meeting their hardware requirements, then it is better to take a step back. Shift to older OS and program versions. This will help your computer to perform better.