Get rid of computer programs you don’t use.

It’s easy to imagine that computer programs won’t get in your way as long as you don’t try to use them all at once.  This is easy to assume because it fits in with our ideas of what is reasonable and what is not.  Unfortunately, computers don’t always follow those ideas!

Many programs begin some kind of activity as soon as your computer starts up–even if you don’t use them.  This is one reason they can open fast when you do decide to use them.

Most PCs and laptops come pre-installed with editions of trial software that the manufacturers hope we will buy.  But 90% of them never get used!

To get rid of these programs:

• Click on the Start menu
• Click on Control Panel
• From there, click on “Programs”, “Programs and Features” or “Add/Uninstall Programs”
• Simply highlight the programs you never use, and click “Uninstall”

When you are done, you may need to restart your computer.  Don’t worry–it should start up faster from now on!

Make sure you’re not running 500 different anti-virus programs.

In our efforts to have the safest computers possible, we will often times download a number of anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

Unfortunately, this eventually takes its toll on your computer’s processor.  While these kinds of programs don’t take up the CPU power they once did, most of them still stay running all the time in order to better protect your computer.

You can safely get rid of all but two or three of these programs.  At the very most, you don’t need any more than two anti-virus and two anti-spyware programs running on your computer.  Get rid of any extras, and you will speed up loading for all your computer programs, as well as for your system in general.

Clean and update your registry on a regular basis.

Windows directs the programs on your computer through a database known as the registry.  This registry directs program files to connect with hardware and with other appropriate program files.  Without it, your computer would run at a snail’s pace.

Unfortunately, this database can become cluttered or corrupted over time through no fault of your own.  It’s a healthy move to learn more about your registry, if you would like to speed up loading times on your computer.

]]> http://triplinking.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/how-can-i-speed-up-loading-times-for-microsoft-windows/feed/ 0 triplinking http://triplinking.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/5-ways-to-optimize-computer-performance/ http://triplinking.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/5-ways-to-optimize-computer-performance/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:05:46 +0000 triplinking http://triplinking.wordpress.com/?p=6 ]]> It is important to optimize computer performance so that you know your PC is running the way it should.  No one wants to wait around while a program takes several minutes to load. If you optimize computer performance using a few of these tricks, you won’t have to any more.

Way 1: Got Anti-Malware Protection?

If not, get some.  If you have it–is it up-to-date?  Or have you let it expire?  A program that contains old data won’t target new viruses.  Make sure you renew your security threat prevention program updates to keep your files safe.

Way 2: Disk Defragmentation

This tool has a catchy name and makes you sound like you know what you’re doing with your PC.  (Imagine telling your friends you defragmented your disk last night.  Now don’t you sound like a techie?)  But better than a funky name, this procedure reorganizes your files so that they are all saved in contiguous spaces.

Come again?  When you delete programs, space frees up in front of programs that you are still using.  The computer needs this space to save data, so it uses it up as it can.  Sometimes a single file may be spread across several spaces, forcing the disk to spin to all of these locations before it can finish processing your request.  It physically takes longer to call something up that is saved in this way.  Defragmentation fixes this situation.

Way 3: Check Your Disk

For what?  Errors, my friend.  Any time you get that blue screen of death, or have to manually shut down your computer (unplug it, pop out the battery, you know what I mean), you may be creating errors on your disk.  The Check Disk Tool comes with your computer (just like the Defragmenter Tool) and is the one you should go to, to set things right.

Way 4: Evict Temporary Files

The Disk Cleanup feature will scan your computer and figure out what temporary files (files you don’t really need to keep–they help pages and programs load more quickly) are taking up space on your disk.  It will list them all neatly for you.  So, you don’t even have to figure out which ones they are.  Removing them will increase the speed and efficiency of your PC.

Way 5: Registry Maintenance Seals the Deal

Your Windows registry is likely full of errors and obsolete information pertaining to old programs or computer settings.  Unfortunately, your PC does not come with a tool for decluttering the registry.  Add a registry cleaner to your newfound maintenance schedule and optimize computer performance in less than two minutes.

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