By Kelly Kilpatrick

If you’ve had your computer for a while, chances are it’s just not running like it used to. Slow startups, dragging programs, and sluggish graphics are all common problems. Read this guide to find how how you can make your computer get up to speed with the way you work.

Tips

Follow these tips to tweak your computer for better performance.

1. Turn off visual effects: Adjust your visual effects to deliver the best peformance instead of eye candy.
2. Remove temporary Internet files: If you visit a lot of different webpages, you’ll have a huge cache built up from the files your browser saves. Wipe these out to save some space.
3. Lock down your browser: Disable the downloading of unsafe ActiveX controls, active scripting, and scripting of Java applets.
4. Keep your PC in a cool place: If your PC becomes too hot, you may find that your performance suffers.
5. Avoid keeping multiple users logged in: Keeping more than one or two users logged in to WindowsXP or Vista will steal RAM from the current user.
6. Disable automatic startup for programs: Get into msconfig and uncheck all of the programs that you don’t need to start immediately when your computer starts up. ProcessLibrary.org offers a lot of helpful information for determining unnecessary programs.
7. Adjust your startup timeout: Make Windows load up faster by changing your startup timeout settings.
8. Clean off dust: Clean your computer with compressed air to blow out dust and keep your machine clean and cool.
9. Delete downloaded program files: Files like Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets can often be deleted without troubles.
10. Get a better graphics card: Make video and visual effects move more efficiently across your screen with an upgraded graphics card.
11. Install more RAM: Get more random access memory, and your computer will have more speed to work with.
12. Buy a larger hard disk drive: Free up more space by getting a larger hard disk to work with.
13. Turn off Active Desktop: In Windows, Active Desktop will turn your desktop into a webpage, offering neat little tools like a calendar, weather, and stocks, at the cost of performance.
14. Compress your files: Use a "zipping" utility to store archives with a smaller footprint.
15. Remove programs you don’t use: Have you downloaded a program, used it once, and forgotten all about it? Delete programs like these and you’ll free up space on your hard disk.
16. Clean out your registry: Windows stores information about your programs in the registry, and this area can get cluttered, so be sure to clean it out on a regular basis.
17. Get your Start Menu to load faster: Edit your MenuShowDelay to get faster access to your Start Menu items.
18. Perform regular maintenance: Stay on top of updates, disk and hardware health, and cleanup so that you won’t have to worry about constant slowdowns.
19. Tweak your Page File: Turn up the available RAM in your Paging File to get more performance.
20. Turn off error reporting: Save your computer the trouble of sending information and turn off error reporting.
21. Eliminate disk errors: Runprograms like Microsoft’s Error Checking utility to scan your hard drive and repair errors.
22. Stay up to date on drivers and other Windows updates: Be sure to always have the latest patches for safer, faster computer use.
23. Disable Taskbar Button Grouping: Find your windows faster and easier by avoiding taskbar grouping.
24. Run an up to date antivirus: A bad virus on your computer can steal lots of resources and freeze up your system, so be sure to use a good antivirus and keep it updated.
25. Remove unwanted items in the Sent To menu: Cut down on your options in the Send To menu to make it load faster.
26. Empty your Windows prefetch folder: Clean out your C:\Windows\Prefetch folder on a regular basis.
27. End unresponsive programs immediately: If your computer does not terminate unresponsive programs immediately after you click on "End Task," reset your value for this action to 1000.
28. Empty your Recycle Bin: When was the last time you cleaned out your Recycle bin. Free up some space by wiping it out.
29. Protect yourself against spyware: Install utilities that help prevent spyware infections to keep your personal information and computer’s performance safe. You can also manually identify and delete spyware by checking out SpywareGuide.
30. Turn off automatic network folder and printers search: If you’re having trouble with a slow loading My Computer window, turn off the option to automatically search for network folders and printers.
31. Update your device drivers: Make sure you have the latest software for all of your devices by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
32. Tweak game performance levels: Put an end to power-sucking games by setting your performance levels lower.
33. Get rid of components you don’t use: If you use alternative programs, or just find that you don’t get a lot of use out of pre-installed components, just remove them.
34. Pay attention to the Windows Experience Index: Check out a software’s Windows Experience Index score to consider how well it will work with your system.

Tools

Put these software tools to work, and you’ll have automated resources for making your computer faster.

35. SnoopFree Privacy Shield: Keep spies away with this tool that prevents keyloggers and other spyware.
36. WinPatrol: Get tighter control over your performance as well as protection against nasties like viruses and malware from WinPatrol.
37. Lavasoft Ad-Aware: Ad-Aware will help prevent Adware from being installed on your computer and slowing down your system.
38. Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool: Get rid of malicious software with this free Windows tool.
39. DiskMagic: Use DiskMagik to defragment, rearrange, and reprioritize the order of your drive’s files for faster access.
40. Advanced System Optimizer: With this tool, you’ll be able to optimize your Windows system for higher performance.
41. Speedtest: Use this website to find out how fast your PC’s broadband connection is.
42. TuneUp Utilities: Automate cleanup, customize Windows, and increase your computer’s performance with this set of tools.
43. StartUp Delayer: Set a start time for programs to load after Windows boots, and give your system an easier time getting started.
44. Spybot Search & Destroy: Spybot will zap any spyware that threatens to steal your computer’s resources.
45. SuperSpeed XP: XP users will love this tool that allows you to make the most out of your memory.
46. System Mechanic: This mechanic utility will speed up your internet connection, clean files, and clear your cache.
47. Audit My PC Internet Speed Test: Find out if you’re getting the fastest Internet connection possible with this speed test.
48. HijackThis: Stop hijackers from taking over your browser and computer by using this program.
49. Disk Defragmenter: Run Disk Defragmenter to consolidate fragmented files and folders to speed up reading and writing on your disk.
50. Bandwidth Meter Speed Test: CNET’s speed test will check your Internet connection against top services to tell you how good your connection is.
51. MemTurbo: With MemTurbo, you’ll be able to optimize your memory and manage your computer’s cache.
52. CCleaner: Remove unused files from your system and protect your privacy with this incredibly fast tool.
53. Seagate SeaTools: With SeaTools, you’ll be able to monitor and diagnose the health of your hard drive and disk drives.
54. Disk Defrag: Get fast optimization of your hard disk, plus a report after each session.
55. StartupList: StartupList will give you an all-emcompassing list of auto-starting programs on your computer, and help you disable the ones you don’t need.
56. Mmm: This program, called Mmm, will clean up your right click context menu so that it will load faster.
57. Drive Fitness Test: Run the Drive Fitness Test to determine how well your drive is operating.
58. Boost Speed: Use this program to clean up your disks, registry, and tweak Windows into its peak performance.
59. MyUninstaller: If you’re frustrated with the slowness of your Windows Add/Remove Programs utility, check out this alternative that works a lot faster.
60. Wincontig: With this stand-alone defragmentation tool, you can quickly defrag files without having to defragment your whole disk.
61. Memtest86+: This freeware testing tool will alert you to memory failures so that you can get the most out of your computer’s memory.
62. BugOff: BugOff is a small app that disables some of the most common exploits used by browser hijackers.
63. ReadyBoost: Windows ReadyBoost offers a way to use flash memory, like that of a USB drive to improve overall RAM on your PC.
64. Contig: Operate this defragmenting tool from the command line, and use it to defrag a single file.
65. Defraggler: Defragment your PC with speed using this program.
66. Uptimer: Constantly monitor your free RAM, disk space, CPU usage and more in this bar that sits at the top of your screen.
67. SpeedUpMyPC: Find out what your PC’s problems are with a free scan from this software maker.
68. Windows Memory Diagnostic: Run this diagnostic tool to find errors in your computer’s RAM.
69. PageDefrag: PageDefrag will defrag your Windows page file, registry hives, event log files, and hibernation files.
70. Your Uninstaller: This replacement to the Windows Add/Remove program offers a drag and drop way to remove unnecessary applications from your computer.
71. AVG Free: AVG offers free antivirus and antispyware software for Windows users.
72. Disk Cleanup: On Windows computers, you can use Disk Cleanup to reclaim space and rid yourself of unnecessary files.
73. Registry First Aid: Fix all of the incorrect registry entries left over from installing and uninstalling software by using this registry fixer.
74. Brute Force Uninstaller: With this program, you can be sure that uninstalled programs are completely wiped out.
75. Avast!: Trust your computer to this useful free antivirus software.
76. MemScope: MemScope’s memory testing offers an extensive diagnostic for your computer’s memory.
77. DefragMentor Lite CL: Defragment a single file or group of files at once using DefragMentor.

Articles & Advice

Check out these articles to get lots of information for making your computer work more efficiently.

78. How to Make Your PC Run Faster and Better: In this article, you’ll find a wealth of detailed information for speeding up your computer.
79. Does adding more RAM to your computer make it faster?: Read this article for useful advice about adding RAM for better system performance.
80. Speed Up Windows: Tips and Tools: In this About guide, you’ll learn about a number of tweaks you can use to make your XP or Vista computer faster.
81. 5 ways to speed up your PC: Microsoft recommends a few useful ways to streamline your PC.
82. Make Your Computer Faster: This video from MetaCafe offers an easy guide to disabling unecessary startup items and more.
83. Top 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer: Read this guide for small tweaks and maintenance you can perform on your computer.
84. How to Speed Up Your Computer Without Buying a New One: Here you’ll learn about a number of painless solutions for making your computer work more efficiently.
85. 10 Quick Fixes to Make Your Windows Computer Faster: Read this article to find some easy ways to create a faster Windows experience.
86. How to Make Your PC Run Faster: Check out this video to find out how to optimize your system.
87. How to Make Your Computer Faster: This article offers more than 25 different ways to get a faster computer.
88. How To: Speed Up Your Computer: Follow these six beginner-friendly steps to a faster computer.
89. Helpful Hints: Speed Up Your PC: Follow the 10 steps laid out in this guide to make your computer work a lot faster.
90. Top 7 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer: This guide from About.com offers steps and screen shots for making your computer work faster.
91. Make Your Computer Faster: This video quickly and easily runs through a handful of ways you can improve your system performance.
92. Freeware to Speed Up Your Computer: Check out this guide that offers a number of different freeware solutions for speeding up your computer.
93. Slow Computer? Speed Up Your PC By Disabling Unnecessary Windows Services: This article explains how you can disable unnecessary Windows services and make your computer faster.
94. Make Your PC Run Faster: In this article, you’ll learn about some of the causes behind slow PCs and what you can do about it.

Books

This list connects you to reviews and purchasing information for books that can help you streamline your computer.

95. Speed Up Your Computer: Upgrade Hardware, Optimize Your PC, Even Boot Up Faster!: Follow this book’s seven step approach to tweak your hardware, OS, and more to get your computer up to speed.
96. Simple Computer Tune-Up: Speed Up Your PC: Read this guide to learn how to use PC Pitstop’s Optimize tool to get better performance out of your PC.
97. Windows Vista Timesaving Techniques for Dummies: This Dummies book has useful tips for optimizing your computer, finding files fast, and customizing Vista to make it more convenient for the way you work.
98. Easy Steps to Speed Up Windows XP: This guide is aimed at users who have owned a Windows XP machine for some time, and are ready to make it work faster.
99. The Healthy PC: Preventive Care and Home Remedies for Your Computer: Read The Healthy PC to learn strategies that will help keep your computer running fast.
100. Cyber Savers: Tips and Tricks for Today’s Drowning Computer User: Check out Sandy Berger’s book to learn how to make computing faster and easier.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am and is filed under High Speed Internet, Internet Speed Test, Internet hacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.