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Slow PC (Windows) -> 5 Simple tips to speed up your computer

By following a very easy and simple guide line, you can maintain a fast and smooth Windows / Computer. This basic process applies with almost every version of Windows (XP, Vista, 7).

So how to speed up your slow PC / Windows ?

First of all, please do understand, speed is always a factor which is comparable hence this word is never static ,rather its always variable. Computer hardware is always getting updated and today’s PC hardware would be out perform soon by tomorrow’s PC hardware. Therefor do not compare your PC with one which is having a faster hardware configuration, rather to judge speed you should always compare it with a PC running similar hardware setup.

Still it is a common issue that with time a Windows setup may start to perform slow. 5 easy and basic steps can help you to troubleshoot the issue to make your slow and sluggish Computer / Windows up and running like new.

1. Free up disc space and re arrange the data (defragmentation)
2. Shift to NTFS platform and Check for disc errors.
3. Keep a Malware free setup (AVS / Updates).
4. Get rid of bloatware and unwanted software.
5. Increase hardware power if needed.

Free up disc space / re-arrange the data

Although, there is a default Windows own utility present in WinXP / Win7 or WinVista but there is a small freeware, called Ccleaner, which I have found, does the work best.

Download CCleaner

The software is small and has a very simple installation process where as the actual work pane is even simpler. Just Click Analise and then Run Cleaner to see how much junk data is getting removed from your system.

Same goes with the hard drive deframent also. Although there is a built in utility for it in Windows (XP Vista or 7) but there are software which does it better than the given built in tool. One of such freeware is Defraggler.

Download Defraggler

The launch the application, select the drive you wish to defrag and click defrag. Its that simple, but make sure, you are not running heavy applications like Game or any video decoder or such.

Shift to NTFS platform and Check for disc errors

Every Windows OS (WinXP / WinVista / Win7) comes with an integrated tool to check and fix disc errors. To maintain hard drive performance in time to time basis, one should run the disc checker utility.

Go to My Computer -> Right Click on the a disc drive -> Click Properties to access the disc checker tool..

This tool offers you to scan and fix along with attempt to recover data from any bad sector.

After you make sure that your disc is error and bad sector (if having bad sector then its time to replace the disc) free, convert your legacy FAT and FAT32 partitions to more advance NTFS platform. Once again, there is a built in tool available inside Windows to accomplish the task without any data-loss.

Microsoft Guide -> How to convert FAT/FAT32 drive to NTFS

Keep a Malware free setup (AVS / Updates)

The 3rd step is one of the most important step of all

Every software maker, in regular interval releases software update. These updates are released to patch any possible security flaw or performance issue related to the software.

It is extremely important that you obtain those updates in the said manner. In Windows, all you have to do is, keep your auto update turned on and Windows will automatically download the updates

After making sure you have an updated Windows installation, its time for you to obtain an Anti Virus software. Common question you would free is which Anti Virus software or security suite you should chose as in market there are many option available. Both free and paid.

Some of the reputed names would be,

FREE

Microsoft Security Essential
GriSoft AVG AntiVirus
Avast AntiVirus

PAID

Symantec / Norton Internet Security
Kaspersky Internet Security / AntiVirus
Bit-Defender
ESET NOD32

For any average home user, any of the free solutions would do, where as if you are using your PC for any advance work, and surfing the internet a lot while receiving emails from unknown contacts, its better to use any of those above mentioned paid solution. No matter which solution you use, they are no use unless you keep them up to date..

Get rid of bloatware and unwanted software

More software you install, more registry key / temp files they write. More data you Windows manage, more pressure it puts in your available hardware resource. So uninstall any of those software which you dont want or have no use in your PC. Tool bar’s / trial software or software which comes bundle with your new PC. You may see you have no use for them.

Visit your Windows Control Panel and then uninstall any of those software which you dont use.

Avoid installing multiple version of same software. For example, if you have Microsoft Office XP install and you have purchased Office 2010, then please first uninstall the previous version before installing the new one.

Increase hardware power if needed

Last of all, new software, PC games, OS (Windows) and designed to utilize the more advance feature and power of new hardware, so if you are purchasing new software and plan to use it with your older hardware, in that case you may need to upgrade the hardware power your PC to allow a smooth running of that new software.

In general you may need to upgrade these below mentioned hardwares,

• Processor
• RAM
• Video Card
• Hard drive

Please consult the “read me” file of the software / PC games / Windows to understand as what is the required hardware configuration and upgrade your PC, if it is needed.