Speeding up a slow PC
Removing
files
1: Remove unwanted programs via Control
panel / add remove programmes, think about removing out of date security programs as some can significantly slow down your pc, there are many great alternatives available which i've listed right at the bottom of this document.
2: Empty the trashcan on the desktop (right
click for options)
3: Run Disk Cleanup utility which is
supplied with windows by either selecting the start menu, run, and type cleanmgr.exe
4: Recommended: For further cleaning install CCleaner from http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner Choose
to backup the registry when prompted.
This can remove temp files, cookies and tidy up the registry.
Once all the unwanted programs and temp files have been removed you should defragment the
hard disk so all the data present is pushed together so the read times are
minimised, as below:
Speeding
up data reading
To use the built in Windows defragmentation
utility go to My computer, right click on the c:\ drive, and select system
tools, or start, run dfrgui.exe. There
is a much better defragmentation utility which can be downloaded from http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
which performs much faster.
If
still running slow
Purchase more memory for your pc, these are
usually very easy to fit, I would recommend http://www.crucial.com/uk/
Optimise your temp data storage area: Optimised pagefile / swapfile guide
Additional software links:
Microsoft security essentials or http://www.avast.com – replace
your existing anti virus check with this free one
AD Aware Free Internet Security - Anti Virus and Anti Spyware
ZoneAlarm firewall - Firewall for all Windows pc's (windows 7 and Vista already has good firewall built in)
For
automating the above tasks a good guide is located at
