10 Tips to Speed Up That Slow PC

If you find your computer stalling when you are simply trying to launch your internet browser, then it might be the perfect time to tune your machine up. It is often speculated that a slow computer just means that it is incompetent and outdated, and that it’s time to blow a grand on a whole new system. But, wait; before you go off customizing your new Dell XPS, consider this – there are simple measures you can take to drastically improve the performance of your computer without blowing wasted dollars on computer “repairs” and possibly a whole new unit.

1. Perform a Virus/Spyware Scan

I think the first thing that anybody should do before mucking around in complex system files is scan their computer for viruses and spyware/adware. It’s certainly possible that there are all sorts of bulky, malicious processes running on your computer that you are completely unaware of. In some cases, these might be the culprits of decreased internet connection speed as well. So as a safety measure, perform a scan immediately.

Note: For more information on virus protection, check out my hub: How To Effectively Avoid Viruses

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Processes

I’ve optimized a lot of computers in my day, and the number one mistake I see is allowing every single program that the user installs to execute on startup. Instead of hitting “Next” a gazillion times the next time you install a program, actually read what the installer is trying to tell you and make sure you uncheck that “Start on startup” box. But in your case, you probably already have a ton of software starting when you start your computer up and you have time to go grab a glass of milk and cook your breakfast before your computer is finished firing up. So you’re going to:

A. Start up the handy “msconfig” file. (To do this, you are going to click “Start>Run” or on Windows Vista: “Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run.” When the box appears, type “msconfig” in the field and hit Enter.

B. You are going to click the Startup tab.

C. Now you are looking at your enormous list of startup programs. You are going to go through and uncheck all programs that were installed by you. If you are unsure whether or not you installed it or you don’t know what it is, leave it alone. Doing this does not by any means uninstall your programs, it just tells the computer what to execute on startup, and what not to.

D. When you are finished, click “OK.”

E. You are prompted to decide to restart at that moment or later on. It doesn’t really matter what you decide to do.

3. Defrag Your Computer

Windows didn’t just include their performance improvement tools for no reason at all. One of the regular tasks that you should perform on your computer is the defragging of your computer. Doing so allows the computer to arrange your files in a more sensible way resulting in better performance overall. This process is a pretty lengthy one if you have a large disk, so I’d recommend scheduling a specific time for the computer to run it (preferably a usual time when you are not at the computer). You can access the Defragmentation utility by clicking “Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter.”

4. Perform a Disk Cleanup

This is another great tool that Microsoft included with its operating systems. Disk Cleanup helps you go through your files and pick out what it unneeded and okay to delete. Disk Cleanup is great because it helps delete temporary Internet files, temporary Windows files, Windows components that you are not using, installed programs that you no longer use, downloaded programs such as ActiveX controls and Java applets, etc. It also empties your Recycle Bin. I’d recommend this if you want to go through and delete a lot of stuff at once.

5. Download CCleaner for Cleaning Your Registry

CCleaner is great as it cleans all of the things that Disk Cleanup cleans, as well as your registry. It is quite popular these days among computer users as it does a very good job of checking for and repairing inconsistencies and problems within the registry. Not much else to say about this one, except you aren’t getting the optimal experience without CCleaner.

6. Lower Your Resolution and Disable Aero

Simply put, a higher resolution means a more detailed image and more pixels for your processor and RAM to have to deal with. If you’re operating on a resolution of 1920x1200, you could probably stand to downgrade a little. If you have Vista, another step you could take is to disable “Aero.” Some haven’t a clue what Aero even is, but it’s just the extra bells and whistles that Microsoft decided to slap onto the Vista GUI. To disable it, perform the following:

A. Right click on the desktop and click “Personalize.”

B. When the personalization window opens, click the link near the bottom that states, “Open classic appearance properties for more color options”

C. Now you are going to be presented with a box that is titled “Appearance Settings” and with a list of Color Schemes. Click “Windows Vista Basic” or any of the others if you have a preference, and then hit “OK.”

7. Don’t Run Several Applications at Once

Think of your computer as a car. If you keep piling cargo (“running programs” for all the oblivious) into it, it is not going to be able to perform efficiently, and eventually it will not even be able to accelerate. If you overload your computer with running apps, it’s going to freeze and possibly crash. You can’t get angry at a machine that is not equipped to run programs of enormous stature.

8. Purchase More RAM

In simple terms, the more RAM you have, the more your computer can efficiently run large programs or several programs at once. If you have 1 GB of RAM, and you are running programs that require a total memory amount of 2 GBS, don’t expect satisfactory results. In fact, don’t even expect running those programs to be possible. If you want avoid purchasing a new computer, buying RAM is going to be inevitable. With newer programs surfacing on the market, they are becoming more and more needy on resources so your computer must reflect this fluctuation in power. The price of the hardware will be dependent on the type of computer you have.

9. Add a Dedicated Video Card

If your computing tasks require powerful graphics output, I’d recommend purchasing a dedicated video card. If you rely on your integrated video adapter to display hefty graphics, then it may be helpful for you to know that these adapters use your RAM. You can purchase a dedicated video card that has built in memory, so viewing bulky graphics doesn’t suck your RAM up.

10. Maybe It Really Is Time for a New Computer

These tips just wouldn’t be complete without this one. If you’ve given all of these tips a go, and things just don’t seem to be progressing, it really may be time for a new computer. When buying a new computer, it can be an exciting process, but there are some things to remember.

A. Make sure the computer is going to be capable of what you need it to do.

B. Make sure the computer can be easily upgraded. Technology is advancing rather quickly and you want to make sure your machine can easily adapt.

C. Consider the warranty. This is a MUST.