Tips for Speeding Up Your PC
Few things are as frustrating as dealing with a slow, sluggish
computer. When a computer is brand new, it works wonderfully well. Over
time, though, its performance can slowly begin to worsen. This happens
for a number of reasons, but the biggest culprits are things like
spyware, adware and other computer threats that are unwittingly
downloaded along with other content while online. You don’t have to
download thousands of MP3s, movies or other items to experience these
problems, either – nobody is immune to them. Instead of accepting the
situation, there are plenty of techniques and strategies that you can
use to make it better – a few of the best ones are outlined below.
Strategy #1: Clean Your Computer’s Windows Registry
The biggest cause of slow, sluggish PC performance is errors and
problems within its Windows registry. Adware, spyware and other threats
usually target the registry, damaging or misplacing important files
within it. When it comes to PC cleaning, a daily Windows registry
cleaning should be at the top of your list of priorities. However, this
should never be done manually – there are too many opportunities for
major errors that could seriously damage your PC’s operating system.
Instead, invest in a high-quality Windows registry cleanup program and
configure it to run once per day – you won’t believe the difference that
it makes.
Strategy #2: Remove Unneeded Files
Every time you log on to the Internet or otherwise use your computer,
temporary files are generated. They are usually only needed once;
however, they don’t disappear on their own. Instead, they accumulate
over time until they are cluttering up your computer’s file system and
affecting its performance. While it’s possible to remove these files
one-by-one, it’s much easier and quicker to use a PC cleaning tool
that’s designed for the purpose. Try to do so about one time per week to
keep your computer humming along with ease.
Strategy #3: Remove Unneeded Programs
Like many people, you probably download and try out many different
programs each month. How many of them do you actually end up using on a
regular basis? Chances are, not very many of them. By getting into the
habit of uninstalling unused and unneeded programs, you can keep your
computer’s file system a lot less cluttered. In turn, your PC’s
performance will improve dramatically. You can optimize your computer in
this way by using its Add/Remove Programs feature. Its location varies
by operating system, but you should be able to find it somewhere in the
Control Panel.
Strategy #4: Empty the Recycle Bin
When you click “delete” on a file or a program, it doesn’t go away
for good – not immediately, anyway. Instead, it sits in a kind of
purgatory in your computer’s Recycle Bin. As things pile up in the
Recycle Bin, your computer can start exhibiting some very annoying
problems. If sluggish startups and frequent crashes are occurring with
increasing frequency – and your computer’s recycle bin is very full – go
ahead and empty it. From then on, get into the habit of doing so about
one time per week. This small but important strategy can make a huge
difference.
Strategy #5: Perform a Disk Defragmentation
Windows isn’t very efficient when it comes to storing files. It
actually splits them up, depositing them into whatever spaces are
available. The more spaced apart the pieces of a file are, the harder
your computer has to work to make them run. The Windows disk
defragmentation system tune-up utility works to piece all of those files
back together again. The process is a long one, though, and only needs
to be done about four times per year. Set it up to run automatically
once every three months. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep your
computer running in tiptop shape.
When it comes to keeping your computer running optimally, small but
regular maintenance is the best way to go. Protecting your PC only does
so much; even the most careful Internet users in the world
unintentionally download malicious software from time to time. By using
basic system tune-up tools, cleaning your computer’s Windows registry
regularly, performing regular file-cleaning maintenance and otherwise
optimizing your PC, you should be able to keep it in like-new condition
for a lot longer. Even if your computer has been performing slowly for
some time, beginning this regimen is sure to produce results. In the
end, you’ll be able to enjoy a computer that flies along – instead of
one that spins its wheels.
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