Things You'll Need:
- Antivirus Software
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Step 1
Delete old unused programs and media files. The more free space you have on your hard drive, the better it will run. To delete old programs click "Start," "Programs and Features," then double-click on programs you want to delete. To remove old media files, drag them to the recycle bin, right click on the bin, and select "Empty Recycle Bin."
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Step 2
Update your antivirus software program fully and scan your computer for viruses. Windows operating systems tend to be the targets of viruses because they are so widely used. Removing and preventing viruses is essential to maintain computing speed while using the Internet.
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Step 3
Defragment your hard drive. You can do this by clicking "Start," "Computer," then right clicking on the drive you want to defragment. Select "Properties," "Tools," then "Disk Defragmentor."
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Step 4
Disable Windows Aero. Aero is a special graphical interface that comes with Vista that looks pretty but uses up a large amount of memory. Disabling Aero can significantly increase performance when using Vista. To do this, right click the desktop and click "Personalize," then click "Window Color and Appearance," and "Open classic appearance properties for more color options." In the box that opens, highlight an option other than "Windows Aero" such as "Windows Vista Basic" and click "Apply."
