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Slow Computer? Speed it Up!
I don't know about you, but I used to download a bunch of random junk and then forget about it. Startup started to take 10 minutes alone and trying to do anything else could take a hour plus or minus a few freezes. I recently did a few things to my computer and what do you know, it's running like the good ole days!
Here's a few tips for speeding up your computer:
1) Startup: Ok, when you start your computer do twelve things pop up? Does it take a few minutes before you can utilize anything? If so, you probably need to eliminate which programs are trying to run as soon as you turn your computer on. Simply go to 'Run' or the search box on your start menu (assuming you have Windows). Type msconfig and hit enter. Click the Startup tab. These are all the programs slowing you down. Go through and uncheck the ones you don't need every time you turn your PC on. Restart your computer and see if that helped!
2) Delete!: All those useless programs need to go bye-bye! Go to Control Panel, then click Programs. Then select Uninstall Programs. From this screen, you can delete all those nonessential space wasters. I even deleted Microsoft Office. Never used it because we can use OpenOffice for free. No sense having something we're not using! You can also delete all those pre-installed games, if you don't play them. If you don't use your pre-installed anti-virus stuff, delete it, too.
3) Desktop: This is more for asthetics, but go ahead and clean up your desktop. If you haven't used a shortcut in a while, you probably don't need it. I had about 100 icons on my desktop - I even had a folder of random shortcuts on my desktop. It's gone now and I have 7 icons! Pretty great!
4) Registry: CCleaner is a free registry program that helps keep all those temporary files to a minimum. Definitely get something like this - it automatically goes through and cleans house! We also have a second program called SpyBot (also free) that asks your permission anytime something in the system tries to change - this is a great way to combat programs from going back to the start up tray.
5) Anti-virus: You do want an anti-virus program, but you don't have to pay for it. I'm currently using Avast's free basic anti-virus - it's efficient and virus definitions automatically update. I also recommend keeping Windows Defender active to double layer your protection.
6) Update: If you're like me, you ignore all the updates. Well, not anymore!!! Keeping your computer up-to-date helps protect you and keep your PC running smoothly. This means paying attention to operating-system specific updates as well as individual program updates.
If you have any advice or questions, please let me know! This is the quickest way I've ever successfully sped up my computer. It took a couple hours, but was well worth it!
Until next time,
Live.Laugh.Love.
Here's a few tips for speeding up your computer:
1) Startup: Ok, when you start your computer do twelve things pop up? Does it take a few minutes before you can utilize anything? If so, you probably need to eliminate which programs are trying to run as soon as you turn your computer on. Simply go to 'Run' or the search box on your start menu (assuming you have Windows). Type msconfig and hit enter. Click the Startup tab. These are all the programs slowing you down. Go through and uncheck the ones you don't need every time you turn your PC on. Restart your computer and see if that helped!
2) Delete!: All those useless programs need to go bye-bye! Go to Control Panel, then click Programs. Then select Uninstall Programs. From this screen, you can delete all those nonessential space wasters. I even deleted Microsoft Office. Never used it because we can use OpenOffice for free. No sense having something we're not using! You can also delete all those pre-installed games, if you don't play them. If you don't use your pre-installed anti-virus stuff, delete it, too.
3) Desktop: This is more for asthetics, but go ahead and clean up your desktop. If you haven't used a shortcut in a while, you probably don't need it. I had about 100 icons on my desktop - I even had a folder of random shortcuts on my desktop. It's gone now and I have 7 icons! Pretty great!
4) Registry: CCleaner is a free registry program that helps keep all those temporary files to a minimum. Definitely get something like this - it automatically goes through and cleans house! We also have a second program called SpyBot (also free) that asks your permission anytime something in the system tries to change - this is a great way to combat programs from going back to the start up tray.
5) Anti-virus: You do want an anti-virus program, but you don't have to pay for it. I'm currently using Avast's free basic anti-virus - it's efficient and virus definitions automatically update. I also recommend keeping Windows Defender active to double layer your protection.
6) Update: If you're like me, you ignore all the updates. Well, not anymore!!! Keeping your computer up-to-date helps protect you and keep your PC running smoothly. This means paying attention to operating-system specific updates as well as individual program updates.
If you have any advice or questions, please let me know! This is the quickest way I've ever successfully sped up my computer. It took a couple hours, but was well worth it!
Until next time,
Live.Laugh.Love.