Help! My pc is running slow and I need some advice on how to speed it up and get rid of programs I dont need?

Question

I'm not a computer genius and need a couple quick tips please. My computer is running a little slow and I need to know a few steps I can take to speed it up. I'm sure I have programs and other junk on here that I can get rid of, I'm just not sure which are safe to remove.
Thanks for the help!!

Answer 1

If your virus/spyware free, there are a couple things you can do get your computer working faster. If you using your computer for normal stuff and not gaming. 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

You need to go to My Documents or My Computer and right click on a program or file and press delete do this for everything you dont want. I suggest doing this on My Docuumnets because on My Computer you will have some stuff you need that you dont want to get rid of. If your pc is running slow that means you have to much junk in your files. Once your finished deleting go to recyling bin then you can delete them for good. Always make sure you have goood memory on the computer. Happy Computering!

Answer 3

a. if you are unsure if a program is essential...don't remove it. however, most programs can be removed on windows operating systems as follows:
1. click on the start menu, and open the control panel.
2. click on the 'add/remove programs' tab, and a list of installed programs should appear.
3. select those programs you wish to delete and confirm deletion when promted.

b. defragmenting files may also increase speed. this will take some time.
1. click on the start menu, and the open 'all programs' tab.
2. go to 'accessories,' and a sub-menu will appear.
3. select 'system tools.'
4. another sub-menu will appear, select 'disk defragmenter.'
5. once the disk defragmenter tool is open, select analyze. this will detect fragmented files on your hard drive, and if neccesary, you will be promted to "defragment files."
6. if prompted, select "defragment files" and wait until completed...it will take about 30 min.s +, depending on fragment volume.

c. 'disk cleanup' may also speed things up.
1. follow steps 1-3 in c above. from 'system tools,' open 'disk cleanup.'
2. you will be prompted to select which drive you want to clean...select your local hard drive, normally "C."
3. most "temporary" files can be safely cleaned, but read the description of each before doing so.

there are more advanced options to remove certain unwanted programs; i.e., using the 'task manager,' but i hesitate going into them here. you will most likely do more harm than good. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

Here's the BEST utility that will accomplish MOST of the tasks below.

Advanced WindowsCare Personal (Free download: CNet)
http://www.download.com/3000-2086_4-10755164.html
Advanced WindowsCare Personal is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes an one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. It provides an all-in-one and super convenient solution for PC maintenance and protection. All work will be done with 1 click and 1 minute. This fantastic program is available free of charge.

If doing so for the first time, the program will prompt to set a restore point, say "Yes".


1. Disk Cleanup Utility
This is a program that can cleanup more useless data on your computer to improve your computers performance. >> START >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> click Disk Cleanup.

It will compile all of the files that you will have the option of deleting. Check the ones you want to delete or compress and it will take care of those files.

2. Uninstall unneeded programs.

You can get rid of a lot of unneeded data by removing unused programs you may have installed but no longer use.

Click START button >> Control Panel >> Click Add/Remove Programs

Go through the list of installed programs and click Remove for the programs you no longer need.


3. Defragment your hard drive (you must still defrag, even after WindowsCare)

You may want to defragment your hard drive to reorganize the way the data is stored to optimize the space you do have.

To start the defragmenter, >> click START >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools.

You'll find Disk Defragmenter in that folder. Click on it to start it and let it run. In Windows XP there is an Analyze button to test if your disk needs defragmenting. Or you can just click "Defragment" to start the process. Just a note: this process can take a while. Especially if it is your first time doing this.


4. Make sure Windows Update automatically.

Run Windows Update weekly and see if there are non critical drivers or other updates that are available. Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com or click the Windows

Update icon by clicking START >> All Programs >> Accessories then Windows Update.

5. Clean up spyware.
Spyware can certain reduce the performance of your computer. So be sure to regularly scan for it.

6. Update drivers.
A driver is a piece of programming that helps Windows communicate with its parts. It is a good idea to periodically update you drivers for things like video cards, sound cards and the like. New drivers will often come available that fix critical bugs.

7. Make sure your automatic virus protection and updates on.
a) Go to: Start >> Control Panel >> Security Center and be sure Automatic Updates is turned 'ON'

b) Also in Control Panel/Security Check to see if the Automatic Firewall is turned 'ON'

c) Also in Control Panel/Security Check to see if the Virus Protection is turned 'ON'

8. Backups
A good idea would be to backup all of the files you would consider important just in case your computer would crash.

An ideal backup device would be an external hard drive, but most likely you will use a re-writable CD. To run a backup make sure you have an available CD.

Click Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> click Backup.

A wizard will pop up and you click Next, make sure Backup files and settings radio button is selected and click Next, then click the button next to "Let me choose what to back up" , then click Next.

Browse your computers files and select the ones you want to backup. After selecting all of the files you want click Next. On the next screen select what you want to backup your files to, such as your external hard drive or re-writable CD. Click next and it will proceed to backup the files you have selected to what you wanted them placed on.

Keep this disk in a secure location and if the worst should happen to your computer you will have all your important files saved.

Happy Cleaning....

Answer 5

time to clean the puppy up
*********
START
My Computer
right click – Local Disc (C:)
left click – Properties
choose 2nd tab – TOOLS
error Checking – click CHECK NOW
put check marks in both boxes
click – START (NOW- you will probably get a message saying you need to restart your computer – because this program wants to be the BOSS! – click YES)

also from here
Defragmentation – click Defrag Now
Click – Analyze – within seconds it will tell you if you need to - - if it says you are ok – FINE – if not – defrag – this will put
files back into closer proximity to make them work faster – when complete

restart your computer to make Scan Disk work

Best of Luck

a local hospital (600 beds) had their pharmacy computer
running slow after 6 months - they did these two tricks
(took 2.5 hours to accomplish) and it was as fast as
the day they took delivery

may need to do this once every month - or two

Answer 6

A clean computer is key to a faster computer. Run the 3 scans below.


Run a virus scan weekly.

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virus...



Run Spybot and SuperAntiSpyware weekly.


Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/...... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.


Download, update and run SuperAntiSpyware---http://www.snapfiles.com/get/SuperAntiSpyware.html




Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....

Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html...
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.






Now lets clean up your registry.




Run RegScrubXP weekly. Run Cleanup every time you log off.


Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?d...

Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.



Download CleanUp---http://www.stevengould.org/software/clea...

Free disk space, make your computer run better/faster and protect your privacy - all in one easy solution. All for free!





Now lets clean up your disk.



Run a Disk Cleanup 2 times a month. Run Disk Defrag. monthly.


Do a Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag. You can find both of them by following the path below.
Start>all programs>accessories>system tools>Disk Cleanup. Let it do its thing. You can check every box that has something to delete.
Now follow the same path and do a Disk Defrag. Again just let it do its thing.




Now lets tweak your connection.


If your speed is good I would not mess with it by trying to tweak it. If you do tweak once it is done you should not have to do it ever again.


There are many programs out there to do this. I will give you 2 of them.
The first one is TCP Optimizer.

Description: The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.


http://www.download.com/SG-TCP-Optimizer/3000-2155_4-10488572.html

You can get support for the best way to set it up right from their forum http://forums.speedguide.net/

The second one is Cablenut.

Windows XP tested and approved

CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.

http://www.cablenut.com/

Again support is available right from their forum.http://www.broadbandnuts.com/index.php?p...




All programs are FREE!




After applying the suggestions above you will have a clean and faster computer. Enjoy.

Answer 7

delete any programs you use rarely
use add or remove programs
if not sure how to get add or remove
click on a program (any)the box that drops down will give you the link
check through list of programs and delete any not required
IF IN DOUBT LEAVE THE PROGRAM
also go
start
click on all programs and check there
hope thishelps

Answer 8

First Disable unnecessary programs from starting when you start windows

Start>Run>type in MSCONFIG>Startup tab - uncheck any program you don't want to run when you start Windows
For more info see the links below

Streamline your startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/index.php
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html
http://www.greatis.com/appdata/
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html

Then disable unnecessary services
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1786006,00.asp

Then read these

Basic computer maintenance everyone should do
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650

Understanding, Cleaning And Preventing Spyware
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25834

Getting greater stability from Windows
http://aumha.org/a/health.htm

Slow Computer? Check here first; it may not be malware
http://www.castlecops.com/t175258-Slow_Computer_Check_here_first_it_may_not_be_malware.html

Slow Computer Checklist
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic44694.html

Answer 9

www.avast.com Free antivirus software.

Go to disk clean up in your start menu

Or you can search your cookies file and delete them, your history file and delete them and your temporary internet files as well. This will take care of the problem.

Answer 10

If it is using up a lot memory than it is probably important but the more memory that is being used on your computer the slower it is that is how my computer is