How to Load a Computer Faster

Don't let it win.

Even if your computer runs smoothly once it has completely booted up, it can become irritating if it takes several minutes for it to load every time that you turn it on. If you want to decrease the amount of time that it takes for your computer to boot, you do not have to install new hardware. Speeding up your computer's load time can be done using mostly tools that are already built-in to your system.

Instructions

Basic Cleaning

1. Eliminate as many file and folder icons from the desktop as you can. You can reduce the number of icons by creating new folders. To create a folder, right-click on the desktop and choose "New" and then "Folder" from the menu that comes up. Double-click the folder to open it and drag loose files on the desktop into the folder. You may want to create a few different folders for different types of files, such as "Documents" and "Movies."

2. Delete application shortcuts that you do not use regularly from the desktop. To delete a shortcut, drag the icon to the "Recycle Bin" or right-click on the shortcut and choose "Delete Shortcut." The shortcut is removed from the desktop, but the program is still installed on the computer and can be accessed through the "Start" menu at any time.

3. Uninstall programs that you do not use. Every program that is on your system depletes the computer's resources. To remove programs, go to "Start," "Control Panel" and click "Uninstall a Program" or "Add/Remove Programs." Locate the program that you want to uninstall in the program list, right-click the program name and choose "Uninstall."

4. Clean up the system registry by doing a registry scan on your computer. Registry scans can be done with many antivirus programs or with a registry cleaner, which can be found at Cnet.com (see Resources). To run the scan, launch the antivirus software or registry cleaner and click the "Scan" or "Sweep" button. When the scan is complete, any bad files found in the system are listed on the screen. Choose the "Delete" option when prompted by the program to purge them from the registry.

Stop Startup Programs

1. Open the "Control Panel" from the computer's "Start Menu." Click on "Programs."

2. Click the "Change Startup Programs" or "Stop a Program from Running at Startup" option from the "Programs" menu. All of the programs that are set to run automatically each time your computer is turned on appear in a list.

3. Uncheck all of the programs in the list that do not need to launch when the computer starts up. Instant message programs, for instance, can be stopped. If you do not recognize a program, do not uncheck it. Some of the programs in the startup list need to run for your computer to boot up properly. Click "OK" when you are done making your selections. The programs are left on the system, but will no longer launch automatically.

Tips & Warnings

• Macs do not usually suffer the loading issues that plague Windows systems. However, an occasional cleaning of the Mac's cache can help keep a Mac's loading time at its fastest. To clear the Mac's cache, download and install MainMenu or Onyx, both of which can empty a Mac's cache.

References

• Popular Mechanics: How to Make Your Computer Boot Faster
• University of Wisconsin Madison: Windows---Disabling Startup Programs

Resources

• Cnet: Registry Cleaners
• Mac Update: MainMenu Download
• Mac Apper: Onyx Download