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Step 1
Click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, then click the "C: Drive." Click "Documents and Settings," then "All Users" and "Shared Documents." Windows by default installs unnecessary files in the Shared Documents folder. Delete any video or music files you don't use or need.
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Step 2
Use a free anti-virus program like AVG Free to remove viruses and spyware. Set the program to run a complete scan every 24 hours, and make sure the virus definitions are updated regularly (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Go to "Control Panel" then "Add/Remove Programs" to see what programs are currently installed on your hard drive. Click "Remove" to uninstall any programs you don't use. Also uninstall anything that might be spyware, such as toolbar add-ons and search and shop programs.
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Step 4
Open "My Computer," right-click the "C: Drive," select "Properties," then click "Disk Cleanup." After the scan is complete, click "OK" to delete the unused files.
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Step 5
Open "My Computer," right-click the "C: Drive," select "Properties" then the "Tools" tab. Click "Defragment Now" to scan and defragment the files on your hard drive. For best results, defragment at night when you are not using your computer.
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Step 6
Disable unnecessary startup programs. Click "Start" and "Run." Type "MSCONFIG" in the box, click "Enter," then select "Startup." Uncheck any programs you don't use then click "Apply." This won't remove actual files, but it will speed up your computer by reducing the amount of system resources in use.
