Is your computer slowing down, whizzing and whirring as tries to keep up with you?
This is a great question because it’s something we’ve all encountered.
We buy a new computer and it’s lightning-fast.
Then, after a few years, we notice that our formerly speedy machine takes forever to do everything.
Before you spend hundreds or even thousands on a new computer, you may find it only takes a few simple tips to make your computer run faster.
Clear temporary web data and duplicate and junk files
Clearing your cookies and other temporary web data will really increase how fast your internet browser responds, and will even fix most problems you have with the internet.
As any computer ages, data will fill up the hard drive.
This in turn slows performance, as your PC has to go further and work harder to find the files and programs it needs to access.
Removing as much junk as possible will help to restore the computer's zip. Don't forget to empty your recycling bin.
Delete any programs you don't use or need
You will find a list of programs installed on your computer by going to Control Panel > Uninstall a Program.
Some applications will strike you as useless immediately, in which case you can remove them right away.
Others won’t look familiar to you and may require some research.
When in doubt, don't remove anything you don’t recognize.
Removing some important system applications by accident may cause you more trouble.
Remove programs on startup
If you have a program that is useful but you use it very rarely, you don't have to completely remove it from your computer to boost its performance.
You could just remove them from the startup process.
The programs running on computer startup slow the computer down because even if you’re not using these programs, they will run in the background, which still uses your computer’s resources.
Open the Start Menu and run a search for msconfig.
Click on the Startup to see a list of all the programs that run when you boot up your computer and uncheck anything unnecessary.
Clean up your hard drive
This can clean up hundreds of megabytes of space by deleting temporary files, unnecessary system files, and emptying your recycling bin.
Open the Start Menu and run a search for Disk Cleanup, choose the Drive you want to clean up and run the utility.
Clean up and organize your desktop
A cluttered desktop makes things disorganized and hard to find, but it can also slow computers down.
The job of the desktop is to make it easy for you to navigate your computer and give you information, not to store files.
Those files need to be reorganized in your other folders.
If you have a lot of files, you can put them in separate folders. Create shortcuts on your Desktop for the folders or files you frequently use.
In doing this, you will free up operating memory, reduce the time and frequency the hard drive is used and improve the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do.
The simple act of cleaning the Desktop will make your computer run faster.