Is your PC causing you untold stress?
Does the simplest task take an age to complete?
Do programs take forever to startup?
Is your PC constantly crashing, freezing or slowing down? If the answer is yes to any of the above then it's time to take control and make a change, optimize your system and improve the performance of your PC!
The following fail-proof methods for improving your PC's performance will certainly bring you results you'll be extremely pleased with.
These 6 methods will definitely result in much better computer performance. Follow these instructions regularly and you'll. Breathe new life into your PC.
1. Empty the Recycle Bin
Empty the Window's Recycle Bin regularly. This simple action frees up hard drive space and improves the your PC performance.
When you delete a file, Windows first transfers it to the Recycle Bin, rather than deleting it totally, giving you the chance to restore the files on your computer, in case use change your minds.
For better performance, make sure you empty the Recycle Bin at least once a week, or even daily if need be. Emptying the Recycle Bin is easy to do, simply right tap the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and choosing "Empty Recycle Bin" from the drop down menu.
2. Defragging your hard disk
When programs are stored on the PC hard disk, fragments of files are saved in the empty spaces nearby.
When you wish to use a program your PC has to find these fragments and piece them together, this all takes time and slows down your PC's performance.
This can be easily solved by running the Windows program Disk Defragmenter. This tool assembles all the fragments of these programs and places them back in the correct order.
Once this has been completed, the hard disk can find what it's looking for easily, allowing files and programs to load more quickly.
To start the defragmentation process, tap Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then select Disk Defragment. Once the program has started up, select Defragment.
The defrag can take well over an hour, which is why this usually isn't carried out too often. For best results it's recommended to defragment the hard disk at least every couple of months.
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3. Run Disk Clean Up
To improve your PC's performance, Window's comes with Disk Clean Up utility which can be used, this initiates regular maintenance tasks like deleting Setup log files, Temporary Internet files etc..
You can use Disk Clean Up by double-tapping My Computer, right clicking the 'C drive and selecting Properties from the drop down menu, then clicking Disk Cleanup. Your PC takes a few moments to conduct a self-analysis.
After the self-analysis, Windows displays a list of areas which contain files for cleanup. Simply putting a tick at the check box next to an area means Windows will clean the files there. You have the choice to leave files undeleted by simply removing the tick from the check box and select OK.
Your system will start the removal process - which could take a few minutes.
4. Empty the Prefetch Cache
To improve the time required for programs to load, Windows attempts to guess which files will be needed next and then loads them into a cache, a process known as prefetching. Though this process works well, as time goes by, the Prefetch Cache may become full with files which are no longer required. This causes a noticeable slow down in your Window's startup.
To optimize startup you can clear the Prefetch. This is done by choosing Run from the Start Menu, and typing "Prefetch" in the text box that appears. This will result in a window filled with many icons. To select them all press Alta and delete them.
The cache will resume its regular use and gradually refill with files and links required by Windows. The result will be that your PC will be more responsive and your systems performance will improve.
5. Uninstall Unused Programs
Most people are quick to install new programs on their, however few remember to uninstall these programs once they are no longer required, leaving them unused on the hard disk.
Most programs have an uninstaller, and can be removed by going to the program's entry, accessed from "All Programs" from the Start Menu.
For programs that don't have an uninstaller, from the Start Menu, go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs. It takes a few seconds for the PC to compile a full list of all the programs installed on your system.
Once this is completed simply find the program you want to remove, select it and select Change/Remove.
Since many programs leave uninstallation traces in the Windows Registry, it's very important to clean up the Registry after each uninstallation process - this will ensure optimum performance.
6. Clean up the Windows Registry
Most PC users don't realize the importance of cleaning up the Windows Registry, mainly because Windows does not come with a Registry clean-up tool.
While the Windows Registry is often forgotten about, it is probably:
The single most critical PC maintenance task.
Whenever you install a program, changes are made to the Windows Registry, which is a large internal database that holds all the Windows settings. These settings, which has thousands of entries, controls how everything in your system appears and behaves. Regularly installing and uninstalling programs , "Messy" uninstallation of programs (traces are left behind), Hardware uninstalls which leave entries in the Registry, Drivers which are no longer required , Spyware or other malicious programs that appear every time the computer is booted up, may all cause Registry contentions and as a result - Slow your PC's performance.
The Registry can be edited manually using Regedit, a Windows program for editing the Registry; however this requires a considerable amount of skill and experience to complete successfully. Not all PC users have this.
Wow! You've breathed life into your PC. It is runs
(well, almost...) like new!
