My computer is running really slowly what is the best way too speed it up?

Answer 1

The following steps should speed up your PC. Do all of the steps with patience. Please note that deleting unnecessary and junk files are necessary to attain smooth performance of your PC.

1. Run Disk clean-up. Then delete unused files. (start>program>accessories>sys... tools> disk clean-up)
2. Check for disk errors. (right click on a disk-drive>properties>tools >error checking, then restart)
3. Run disk defragmenter, no matter what it says.
4. Delete cookies. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)
5. Delete cache or temporary files. (you can do it from your browser options) or, click on 'start", 'run', type 'temp' then click ok. Whatever shows up, just delete.
6. Delete all history files and search history. (you can do it from your browser options, or, CTRL + H, then delete)
7. Empty recycle bin.
8. Delete unused icons & short-cuts from anywhere including desktop.
9. Uninstall any software or game that you use only once or twice in a week.
10. Delete temporary internet files. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)
11. Delete all recent files. (click on start, click run, then type "recent", delete all the files which show up)
12. Run a full virus scan. If any threat found, eliminate that completely.
13. Run a software which can remove any spyware or adware.
Like: Ad Aware, Windows defender etc.
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-12771_4-10598014.html?tag=lst-0-1

* Updating: (Needed only when updates are available)
14. Update your Windows by installing latest updates.
15. Update your audio & video drivers.
16. Update softwares, browsers, games that you use.

Use CCleaner to get rid of unnecessary junks:
http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10315544.html

Speed Up Your Windows (CNET):
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10165_7-5554402-1.html

Answer 2

If all the other answerers, except one, would've actually read the first 2 words of your question, they wouldn't have had to advice you with all that Windows crap about registry cleaners and all that trash. Congrats for choosing the best option available: Mac. I'm a Mac user, I've got Apple equipment all over and I love to work with them. They never stop working. As for your issue, check whether your HD is crammed full. If it is completely loaded, get rid of some of the Apps or stuff you don't use. Another thing you might wanna do is try to watch the amount of apps you've got opened in the background. If you don't use an app, close it with Apple + Q, don't just close it with the red dot in the top corner.

Answer 3

You need to do a 'spring clean' of what's on your main drive disk. Everything needs to be compacted so that there's more space. You also need to dump unwanted and unused files - store on floppy if need be. In fact, store as much as you are able to on floppy or DVD.
If you have programs that you seldom use, either copy these to disk or simply get rid of them. What are you keeping in 'favourites'? Might see if you can get rid of some of these too.

WARNING - give you PC a proper scan for viruses. This may not be the case with you, but sometimes when a 'Trojan' has been introduced to a PC it can cause it to slow down. Do not worry about this your on-board security scanner should 'inoculate' it.

Hope all this helps. Regular scanning is very important.

Also, get rid of unwanted cookies from your browser.

Answer 4

Windows XP runs optimally in 1Gb Ram. It's easy to slot in another 512Mb if you unscrew the tower. There should be a spare slot for another bank of memory. Make sure you get the rite ram! Check on the net for your make of machine.
512Mb costs about 30-40 pounds at Maplin Electronics.
When you push the ram down, make sure the slot is correct orientation..it should click in. Check on 'system' to see if the extra memory is there..
Also there is free software which will..defrag..optimise your internet connection..correct registry errors etc
eg "Tuneup"
Overclocking can seriously damage your PC if you don't know what your doing..it may require a bigger fan, heatsink and faster memory for example. Some low budget processors can be 'tweaked' to give performance specs above 4Ghz..but it's a fairly technical job

Answer 5

WHEN? it is running really slowly:
1. Boot up time: use EVENT VIEWER
START>ADMINISTRATIVE TOOL>EVENT VIEWER.
Click on SYSTEM, rectify any RED or YELLOW report.

2. While the PC is running:
--->You may be openning too many apps/over multi-tasking.
.......Limit it to your enough PC resources.
---->You have programs that were packaged while your PC was new. You have now installed programs or that are free in the web w/c are now doing conflicting redundant task. Some packaged programs like anti-virus have now been expired w/c you have not paid to renew. You have to uninstall these and before installing your new preferred software. These packaged programs are known to be very difficult to remove and it keep on popping up and asking for money.
----->In my personal opinion, this software does it simple, easy and best reliable, http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/
and free trial:
http://www.tune-up.com/download/tu2007/

Answer 6

I suggest converting said computer to a "Heavy Metal" monster. You can see a basic work log here: http://www.badgerpackaging.com/heavymetal/

Upon completing conversion, (about $60K) upload video of monsterous high speed computer, as seen here: http://www.badgerpackaging.com/heavymetal/HeavyMetal.wmv

That should solve the go fast issues for your computer

Oh wait, you meant the machine itself. First, clear out your cache's, then clean out all the useless stuff on your machine, consider a memory upgrade, and use msconfig.exe to turn off most of the extraneous stuff that a lot of proggies like to stick in your computer to make their product work better regardless of what you want your machine to do.

Get spybot search and destroy and get all the spy ware off the machine, and also use hijackthis to remove other items like browser help objects and then get a copy of CCLEANER and use it to assist the other proggies in keeping your system clean.

These steps should get you a minimum of 50% better performance if your system is really icky. If its really really icky then you may double your performance or better.

And always defrag at least once a month, more if you're on your system a great deal

Answer 7

The best way, as you asked for, is to increase your RAM size. If it is now 128MB or less, go for another 128MB or more. But be sure that your new RAM card is compatible with your previous one.

Temporarily, if you have Windows platform, go to the WINDOWS/Prefetch directory & delete whatever is there inside.

Another way is to go to My Computer, right click on the drive where your OS is installed(e.g. C-drive as it is on my machine). Chose Properties from the pop up. Select Disk cleanup button. It will do the rest.

Answer 8

Apply the same technique to your computer that boy racers do to their LX Civic... slap on some stickers advertising parts that you don't have (and that they don't make for your particular brand of computer), put an over-sized fan on it that makes a loud farting sound, and put a really big wing on it, because everyone knows those things make you fast!

Answer 9

Go to 'Tools' first ,Do it from here It should be at the top of your screen ,mine is on the bottom bar and far right .Delete your browser history, All.

Then go to your 'Start'menu and then 'control panel' and then 'Performance maintenance' Then 'free up space on your hard disc'

Then on the same window 'Performance maintenance' try 'rearrange items on your hard disc........) and defragment .This will take a while so put the kettle on! good luck.

Answer 10

use disk cleanup ,(psss.it is on your computer),and be vigilant about microsoft update,and try a reboot ..see if that helps.
Eliminate any running programs,such as games that take up a lot of screen videio memory which slows your computer down.