What's a good way to clean up my computer?

Question

My computer at home runs very slow. My kids play a lot of on-line games, could this be it? I don't think they actually install anything though.

Answer 1

If your virus/spyware free, there are a couple things you can do get your computer working faster. If you using your laptop for normal stuff and not gaming. You got a good setup. You don't always need more RAM you just need to perform a few maintenance task.

Firstly, if you haven't cleaned your registry in a while. This is necessary. Your registry holds all the information regarding updates, installs, un-installs etc. Each one of those events produces a key. That key needs your PC's resources and free space. So, if you clean your registry, you make more resources available for speed. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it.
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/what-is-the-best-registry-cleaner.html

2. Clear your Windows cache files, this is your temporary file. It can grow up to a large volume and stop your computer from using RAM properly. In a sense slow it down by preventing it from using free space.Here is how:

1. Quit Internet Explorer, Firefox, or any other web browser
2. Click Start, click "Control Panel", and then double-click "Internet Options".
3. On the General tab, click "Delete Files" under Temporary Internet Files.
4. In the Delete Files dialog box, click to select the "Delete all offline content" check box , and then click OK.
5. Click OK.

3. Manage your startups. Your excess CPU usage is due to too many programs running in the background. You can cut these to barebones by alter your msconfig. Here is how:

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
4. In the "system configuration utility",click either "service" or "startup" tab
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer using.
6. Click "OK"

Other great tip is increasing your virtual memory to simulate more RAM. This will give you a bit more resources for multiple program use or CPU heavy programs. Check the link to alter your virtual memory spec.

Hope this link helps. Shows you how to do everything step by step. You should get a least 60-120% more resources and speed
if you follow the tips.

Answer 2

Start -> Accessories -> System tools -> disk defragmentor

Analyze your disk and then click Defragment. This aranges your hard drive in a way that is quickest and most effiecient use of space.

Start ->Accessories -> System Tools -> disk clean-up

Go through the wizard and dont select anything you think you want to keep. This erases most files that a just garbage on your computer taking up space.

I also find that using "SpyBot Search & Destroy" ( which is free) once a week takes out almost all pop-ups and spyware embedded in your system.

If All else fails, you can just buy another stick of RAM to add to your computer. Make sure your computer can hold more memory and make sure you buy the right kind first.

OH! and by the way, online computer games will make your computer run slow ONLY while the game is running. As soon as you close out, all connections are cut. Any slow-down on your computer are not from online games. That is a common misconception. If you need help, email me - zaxsobad

Answer 3

Has your computer always ran slow? Or just recently? What are the specs on the computer? You don't think they actually installed anything? Wouldn't hurt to look. Go to your Add/Remove Progams list under Control Panel and take a look.

Answer 4

there are three things you should do regularly to keep your computer running faster.
first go to start, control panel, add/remove. then scroll down the list and remove any programs that you dont really need. if you dont know what a program is, then dont mess with it.

then go to start, my computer, right click on the c drive, click on properties, then click on disk cleanup.

then go to start, control panel, category view(on the left side), then click on "rearrange programs to make them run faster", then click on the c drive. then click on defragment. then step away from the computer for awhile and let it do its thing(might take awhile). it may look like its not doing anything, but it is. dont touch it, it'll let you know when its done by putting a "complete" window up.

after all this reboot your computer. should be a lil faster. hope this helps, good luck

Answer 5

I would highlt recommend the free download from ccleaner.
Not only does this remove all internet stuff from your pc including cookies and temp files, it also allows you to remove any unwanted and un needed reg files that slow your machine down. Its free of charge and is well worth downloading.
www.ccleaner.com

Answer 6

Run regular De-fragment and disk checks every couple weeks. Empty your temp folder. Also make sure your virus scans are up to date. Then make sure you run a spy-ware cleanup. If you do not have a spy-ware removal program use spybotSD (search and Destroy) its free and is awesome. That's a few basic things you can do!

Answer 7

download ad-aware (free) and run that once a week to delete cookies. Also, use virus software if you have none download AVG (free too!) that should help. ALso, delete your temporary internet files...