1. Disable Auto-Run Programs
2. Defrag
3. Disk Cleanup
4. Remove unnecessary (or unused) software
5. Clean up your Desktop
6. Clean out your inbox (sent items and deleted box)
7. Kill the Spyware/adware
8. Delete your Cookies
9. Add more RAM
10. Blow out the dust

1. Disabling auto-run programs

A common source of slowdown (especially while loading the operating system) is excessive software, specifically applications that run themselves automatically at startup.

If the notification area at the bottom right corner of your taskbar looks something like this (see right), you may well be slowing your system down unnecessarily, especially at startup when these programs are loaded. There is no need to have the majority of these applications load at startup, since you can easily run them from the start menu when they are needed.

There are a few ways of removing unnecessary startup programs. You can go to 'start\programs\startup' which is a directory Windows XP/Vista/7 uses to launch application shortcuts on boot-up. If you remove the shortcuts from this directory, the applications will not load on startup.

The next location for removing unnecessary startup files is the handy MSCONFIG utility. Go to 'start\run' and type 'msconfig' to access the utility .

The 'startup' tab in MSCONFIG provides access to several other applications that are started at boot up and are running in the background. By examining their Filenames and directories, you should be able to get a feeling for what is necessary and what is not.

The other method for removing these programs is through the programs themselves, as many applications, for example MSN messenger, contain the option to remove the software from startup.

2. Defrag To Speed Up Your Computer
When your computer stores a document, it starts to put the document in the first area of free space on your hard drive and then when it runs out of room there, it stores another part of the file on the next space available and so on, until the entire document is stored. One simple Word document may be stored in many different spots. When you access the fragmented document again, it has to go to all the spots on your hard drive, gather the information, put it together and then display it. If you have a lot of fragmented files it takes time for the computer to find the data. After you run the program the performance increase should be very visible. It will take a while to run defrag so you might want to leave this task for last (like before bed) and you should free up as much space as possible before defragging, but I list it first because it is so important.

To begin with, you need to analyze your hard disk(s) to see if defragmentation is needed. You must have 15% of the drive free in order to fully defragment it. The defrag option is listed in the programs menu (start/programs/accessories/system tools/disk defrag).

3. Disk Clean Up

Windows loves to write files all the time to your hard drive and until you run out of room on your hard drive or ask it to clean it up, it will leave old temporary files there. However there is a handy program that cleans them up. Click on start/programs/accessories/system tools/ disk cleanup.

4. Add & Remove Programs

Remove programs that you don’t use or no longer use. Many new computers come pre-loaded with a lot of unnecessary software programs. Remove them if you are sure you won’t use them. Remove all that old printer software that is unnecessary now that the printer died. Try to keep at least 25% of each hard drive free. A drive with 10% free space will have performance problems.

5. Clean Up Your Desktop To Speed Up Your Computer

6. Clean Out Email Inbox To Speed Up Your Computer*
Do you seriously need to keep messages from 2 years ago? If your loading the inbox folder with messages your using memory that could be used for something much more important. Click delete and clean up that inbox. Don’t forget to delete your sent items as well. Anything deleted from these two boxes will now be sent to your deleted box. Delete these as well.

7. Kill the Spyware To Speed Up Your Computer

Spyware (also called adware) is software that enables advertisers to gather information about a computer user’s habits. Spyware programs are not viruses (you cannot spread them to other computers) but they can have undesirable effects. You can get spyware on your computer when you visit certain websites. A pop-up message may prompt you to download a software utility that you “need”, or software may be downloaded automatically without your knowledge. The spyware then runs on the computer, tracking your activity (for example, visits to websites) and reports it to others, such as advertisers. It can also change the home page displayed when you start your internet browser. Spyware also uses memory and processing capacity, and can slow or crash the computer.

While Spyware is not a virus it has some similarities to a computer virus because it can affect your computer in the following ways. It can cause:

• Computer instability; your operating system slows down or hangs up.
• Conflicts between different software programs.
• Dramatic slow network performance.
• Advertising popups, including pornography.
• New toolbars to appear in your Web browser.
• Your browser to open to a different homepage.

How Did I Get It?

• Spyware is usually installed without your knowledge when you install a legitimate software package. Sometimes the fine print of the license agreement includes the information about the spyware component but not always. For example when installing certain freeware software like weather monitoring software, or peer-to-peer software like KaZaa you will also install up to six spyware applications on your system.

How Can I Get Rid of It?

Spyware is hidden so it is difficult to recognize and remove. Spyware programs run in the background and consume significant amount of memory and cpu speed. Thus the applications you need to use do not perform at their best.

There are several free programs I would recommend you can use to scan your system for spyware. Spybot, Ad-Aware and Malware Bytes are just a few.

8. Empty your cookies, history and Address bar

When you visit a website, it can place a small data packet called a “cookie” on the computer. This enables the site to remember your details and keep track of your visits. Cookies do not pose a threat to your data. However, they do threaten your confidentiality. It’s a good practice to delete cookies and delete files (offline content too) when you are done surfing.

A browser's History list records all the URLs where the surfer has surfed.

URLs displayed in the URL-address bar at the top of the browser window are also a form of "history" list, recording all URLs that the surfer has hand-typed into the browser.

9. How much RAM is there?

The computer's "working" space is called RAM memory. If your computer is a file storage device, like a desk with file drawers, then think of RAM as the amount of available space you have on the desktop to spread out your tasks. Right-click the My Computer icon in the Start Menu or on the desktop. Click Properties. You should see something like this:

10. Cigarette Smoke, Dust, Cat Hair and Computers

Common computer fans include the CPU heat-sink fan, possibly the most essential mechanical part in your computer. Problems with this fan can cause all kinds of crashes and software glitches due to heat. If that fan stops, so does your computer, potentially forever, with a little wisp of very expensive smoke.

Other important fans are the power-supply fan at the rear of the case, which is often the only source of airflow in and out of the computer, and any case fans that may have been added to promote air movement and stop the dust from settling.

Dust settling is a major problem for fans, and computer health in general. Generally speaking, the higher you place the computer the better the air-flow in and out of the case, and the longer the fans are going to last. This is simply because of the dust and other airborne nasties like cat hair and cigarette smoke.

• Dust works its way into the fan and sticks to the grease and accumulates there, eventually interfering with the action of the fan and causing that horrible grinding 'sick computer' noise.

• Cigarette smoke can be very damaging to computer components because of the residue it leaves behind.

• Cat hair especially is extremely fine and light, and will clog up your fans rather quickly if allowed inside.

Preventative maintenance

First of all, if your computer is on the floor under the desk, move it if at all possible. As stated before, "the higher the better" when it comes to keeping your computer clean. Next, give the inside of your computer a quick once over to make sure all components and connections are firmly and correctly attached.

Once you have assured yourself that everything is where it should be, it might be time to think about neatening your system up, especially the wiring. Good airflow is essential in a modern PC, and in addition to case fans, rearranging the wiring in your system can substantially improve airflow and prevent dust from settling.

Bundling your cables also has the side benefit of assuring that a stray wire is not going to foul up your heatsink fan at some point. Nothing especially complex needs to be done with this, just some plastic ties to bundle loose wire out of the way of the airflow. Drive cables, while too thick to be bundled, can be safely folded over themselves, or tucked out of the way in a free drive bay.