There is no need to spend large sums of money trying to reclaim your computer's original performance. Your operating system comes with some maintenance tools and others are available online for free download. These steps need not be completed in any particular order, but the more of them you do, the more benefit you will see.
Registry Cleaners
Windows stores your settings and configuration for both the operating system and the other programs you use in the registry. Through normal use, the registry can become cluttered with entries that are unnecessary. For example, your computer may fail to remove all information from the registry about a program you choose to uninstall. This clutter slow your computer because it is forced to sift through unnecessary entries each time information is needed.
Fortunately, a variety of registry cleaning and repairing programs are available for free download online. The editors of CNET's Download.com recommend Piriform's "CCleaner," Auslogic's "Registry Cleaner," and Comodo's "Registry Cleaner." All three have straightforward, intuitive interfaces that can clean your registry in only a few clicks. Be sure to use your selected program's backup utility before allowing them to make any changes to the registry.
Defragmenting
Your computer can also be slowed when it is forced to save portions of individual files in several places. Fragmenting occurs when you edit a file after it has already been saved.
For example, if you write a document save it and do something like download an album before returning to the original document and making changes, the changes will have to be written in another location on the hard drive. The next time you try to access the document, your computer will have to look in several places and assemble the necessary information.
Windows operating systems include a defragmenting utility that you can use to keep your hard drive organized. Access this tool by opening the "Computer" page then right-click the drive you use most, probably C:, and select "Properties" from the popup menu. Click the "Tools" tab in the window that appears and click "Defragment Now."
Spyware Removal
Spyware, also called malware or adware, is any program that slips past your computer's defenses. These programs could be intended to gather information on your browsing habits, display targeted popup ads, or make changes like substituting a different home page. Spyware running in the background will slow your computer and can cause it to unexpectedly freeze or crash.
Spyware removal programs work by comparing a list of definitions with the file names on your computer. It makes sense to use more than one scanner because the "second opinion" may pick up something the first one missed.
PC magazine recommends the free programs "Malwarebytes' AntiMalware" and "Panda Cloud Antivirus Free Edition" to keep your computer spyware free. Malwarebytes' program works well as a scanner if you suspect your computer is already infected and Panda Cloud is recommended as a second opinion program because it uses an online database of virus definitions instead of storing them on your hard drive.
After completing these processes you should see an increase in your system's performance and stability, especially if you have used your computer for a long time without doing so. If you computer still exhibits problems, you can use the troubleshooting manual included with most PCs.
References
CNET: Registry Cleaner Downloads.
Microsoft: The Windows Registry.
PC Magazine: Antispyware Reviews and Price Comparisons.
Mike Smith - null
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