How to Make Your Computer Run Faster!

Faster, faster! Must run faster! When your computer starts running slower and slower, there are a few steps you can take to restore it's normal speed. The following computer-age old tricks still work in most computers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer
• Patience

1. First and foremost, run Spybot or Avg or both! What one might not find, the other might! Scanning for viruses is crucial! You can find them both with the link provided below on Duelin' Deals, along with a few other very good, free programs to protect your computer.

2. 
   Add/Remove

   Then get rid of stuff you don't need any more by deleting them safely.
   * Get rid of temporary files and downloaded setup programs that have already been installed - including the updater downloads you have to manually install.
   * Send those tons of email downloads you don't want to the trash, too.
   * Remove optional Windows components that you don't use and any other installed programs you no longer need using the Add/Remove program.
   * Once you're done tossing stuff out, empty your trash bin!

3. 
   Remove This?

   If a program does not include an uninstall wizard on the menu, use the Add/Remove program to get rid of programs you no longer use. Click "Start", then Control Panel and then the Add/Remove icon. Then wait while the list populates itself with all your programs. Choose the program you want to change or remove and let the wizard uninstall it for you. You might even see programs in the list that you don't even remember - check them out or delete!

4. 

   There are a number of system wizards under the "System Tools" menu that can really get your comp going faster. Get there by clicking "Start", "All Programs" and then, "Accessories". As the pic shows, next go to "System Tools" and finally click "Disk Defragmenter". You will also find The Disk Cleanup and Scheduled Tasks wizards. They will help you maintain your system.

5. The "Disk Cleanup" wizard will check your entire system for files that are not being used, were only used once, or are in your Recycle Bin. The wizard will give you details of what can be removed, so don't worry that you will lose things without ok-ing it. If you've never run this utility it can take a while.

6. The "Scheduled Tasks" wizard will do maintenance for you if you set up times for it. I turn off my comp every night so my "baby" can rest and reset (reboot) so setting up a scheduled disk defrag or disk clean up would be inconvenient since I do not want to be interrupted during the time I am on. If you leave your computer on for long stretches of time and can schedule maintenance for a time period that you are always away, that should work well for you.

7. Disk Defragmenting is best done after deleting a major amount of items or when you delete a large program. If you haven't defragged for a while, be prepared to wait a long time. If you have a screen saver running, disable it until the defrag is finished.

8. 

   There is no end of the things you can download or saved from the internet and it adds up fast when you save things for "later". Believe me, I've done the same. Your computer will run much better and faster without most of its space taken up so try to back up or delete stuff that you really aren't going to be working with soon.

9. If your network seems slow, it might be electrical fields. Move your router away from any powerful electrical fields, like a microwave, or a cordless phone. Even a small personal fan might be interfering. You can also change your channel on the router through its configuration page. Don't forget, even though it can be a pain, you can call up the router company to ask how to maximize its performance. The same goes for your internet service. Keep things with high electrical fields away from your tower and monitor, too!

10. If you see consistent error messages citing memory problems, check your RAM. If you don't have enough RAM, you can upgrade by buying RAM modules from a reputable dealer. If you don't know how to install it, ask someone who does to do it for you or take it to a computer shop. (Find out which RAM module you need for your computer - ask the friend who knows about it if you don't or call a computer shop!)

11. When your PC starts up too slowly, click Start, Run and type msconfig. Then click the Startup tab to see all of the apps that load at startup. Uncheck anything you don't need or want to start at boot-up. Uncheck programs that you are sure do not run your PC, like adobe updaters or any games you might have installed. AVOID unchecking anything that has .dll file extension listed. If you don't know what the program is, do not uncheck it. I keep AVG and Zone Alarm in my startup but I don't need or want Messenger running.

Tips & Warnings

• Reboot your computer at least once a day after saving whatever you are working on. Unless it's a Linux operating system, it will help your computer re-set itself. (Linux doesn't need it.)
• Try to remember to delete installation packages after you install but if they are important important enough to keep, save them to a disk.
• Save temporary downloads to your desktop for easy deletion.
• Do not delete anything you are unsure of - especially with .dll as the extension or you might be spending a whole lot of time reformatting!

Resources

• Free virus software on Duelin' Deals

[donata]

on 10/6/2009 Great article on how to make your computer run faster!
I paid particular attention to step #2, I had to safely delete things I didn't need anymore. Thanks for sharing information that is valuable. 5*****

[KatrinaElla]

on 9/30/2009 I wasn't going to read so many articles of yours but wow you really write on a lot of subject and very comfy to read! Nice work Mar!

[awyes]

on 9/17/2009 tons of thanks for your great advice... thank you

[harvard]

on 8/3/2009 Great advice for making my computer run faster. I already learned how to make it fly faster- I toss it out the window! LOL! Thank you.

[MarlaineMarie]

on 7/21/2009 I rarely do a disc cleanup and never had it refuse to defrag over that. More often but not in the last three years, it insists on a scan disc first. If you defrag often enough, there is no problem. I do defrag whenever I delete something big or once a month - whatever comes first.