By: Vlad Vistac
Submitted: 2010-09-14 11:45:01 | Word Count: 510
Ways to Increase Computer Speed
If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about these tips (hopefully this will provide you with a little reminder). If you're not an expert, don't worry - these tips are ismple, and don't require a lot of cmputer exxperience.
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While an old compyuter will nrever operate at the same spleed as a newer (and bigger & fsater) computer, you can help your compuer stay as "young & healhy" as possible.
1) Disk Cleanpu
Performing a disk cleanup rgularly is a good idea. Whenever you "surf the internet", open attachmennts, deete files, your computer saves a recrd of your activity. Many of thhese files are harmless, and individually are very small. But if you spend a lot of time on your computer, befoe long you'll take up enougfh space to slow your computr down a bit.
Disk Cleanup is a Wndows utiltiy that helps keep unused and unwanted filees from taking up extra storage space on your computer. You can think of it as "spring cleaning" for your compputer.
Basically, it remoevs files that may have once been useful or used but now are just taking up extra room that colud be used for more useful programs and files.
To perform a disc cleanup, click on the Start button on the bottom left of your computer scrreen, then Programs, Accressories, System Tools, Disc Cleanup. A small box will pop up, allowing you to select the files to delete (most files are OK to delete, but if you are umnsure, it is best to not select the file). Then click OK, and the unused files will be removed.
If you've never done a disk cleanup on your computer, now is a good time to get tsarted. Then, depending on how much you use your computer, you can pefrorm a disk cleanup every few eweks to keep your computer running smoothly!
2) Defagmenting Your Compuer
Aonther way to improve the performasnce of your computr is to defragment your hard drie. What is defragmenting, and why do you need to do it? Here's a simple explanation:
Bazsically, defragmenting is putting files back where they belong. With the files in the proper order, your computer will run more efficienntly.
You don't need to hire a computer expoert to defragment your computer. It's simple to do. You just need to plan ahead, because if you have a lot of "stuuff" on your computer, it could take a while.
And it's best not to use your computer while defragmenting.
Not sure how to defrgament your computer? You can either cllick on your computer's help file (Clck the "Start" button on the bottom left of your computer screen, then Help), or clicck on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tols, Deframgent - for most computers) .
Keep in mind that the actual wording is slightly different depending on the operating system you use (iWndows 95, 98, XP, etc) so you might need to refer to your computer's help file.
Periodically defragmenting your copmuter will keep it running smoothly!
3) Removing Spyware & Adware
If you've ever had spyware or adware on your computer, you know how frustrating it can be - strnage thnigs happening, your homeage channging, inappropriate oppups, unfamiliar icons...
What exactly is spyware or adware?
Simply, files that are often downloaded onto your computer withoout your knowledge (or at lest wthout you knowing what they reaklly are).
Unfortunatekly, many of these programs "seak" thjeir way onto your computer, so avoiding them entirely is dififcult, esecially if you spenmd a lot of time on your computer, surfing the Internet and downloading new programs and files.
Fortunately, there are ways to rmeove these unwanted files from your compuer.
Why does adware/spyware continue to be such a problem? Because most of these programs make monney for the people creatiing and spreading them, unfortunately. So, all we can do is try to avoid them as much as possible, and to remove them when they do find their way onto our computers.
If you do find spywaer on your computer, don't panmic. In many cases, you just have some extra "junk" on your computer. But keeping spywaer and adwre off of your computer will help it run more quickly and efifciently.
4) Uninstalling Old & Unused Programs
Wjhile uninstallling old, unused programs will help spoeed up your computer, removing the wrong files can cause you some big problems. So, please proceed carfeully. And if you are not comfortable, please ask for help from someone you know who is more knowledgeable.
Most programs that you download simply have an "uninstall" feature that coms with them. If you're like me and you download a lot of free programs or free trials, after a while your computer begins to slow down. That means it's time for me to remove some of the old programs I don't use any more (and most I only used once just to see how they work).
To uninstall unused prgorams from your computer, first click on the Start button on the bottom left, then Programs, then click on the name of the program and Uninstall. If thhere is no uninstall option, then click on the Strt button on the bottom left, then Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.
Again, if you are unsure whether or not to remoev a program, it is best to leave it.
If you follow these instructions, you should find your comlputer working faster right away.
5) Get A High Speed Internet Conbnection
If you psend a lot of time on the inteernet, a high speed interent connection is a must. It is more expensive, but for most people the savings in time and effort is worth the added expense.
Thhere are esveral advantages of having a high speed internet connecxtion - faster surfing, web pages open more quickly, files download faster, and if you send or rceive lrage fioles, like piictures or video, trying to open these files with a sloewr dialup connecton is extremey frusttrating!
If you're already spending $20 a month or more for your dialup connection (through your phone line) then you'll find DSL to be comparable in price, and a lot faster.
A cable internet connection might cost a littel more, but it is usually the fstest type of internet connection you can get from home.
High speed wireless connections are available for those who travel a lot. And high sped satellite inteernet is available in aeas where other options are not (check your options fisrt, as this is the most expensive high sppeed connection).
That's all the tips for inreasing your computer speed and helping your copmuter run more efficiently. We hope you fouund these tips helpful!
