How to Maximize Your Computer's Performance

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How to Maximize Your Computer's Performance - By: Brian Williams, Posted on: 2008-05-19

Most of us use our computer at least once or twice a day, and many of us use our PCs for work, spending a considerable amount of time each week on it. There are some easy steps you can take to maximize your computer performance without needing a professional.

For instance, it's essential to clean up any disk errors, at least once a week, and this can be done by using the Check Disk utility. This can be accessed by clicking Start, then My Computer, then the drive you want to be error checked and this is usually C for most users, then select Properties, click Tools, then Check Now. Check Disk can take an hour or two to run, and it will start then next time your computer reboots.

Getting rid of any temporary files can clear up a significant amount of space, and help to maximize your computer performance. Disk cleanup will do this for you without a lot of hassles. Temporary files are kept when you surf web pages or use programs, including Word, on your computer, and these files can build up and occupy a huge amount of space on your system. Running Disk Cleanup will remove all temporary files, if you check the appropriate box before starting the process.

Disk Defragmenter should be run on a monthly basis at least if you want to maximize your computer performance. Over time your files can be fragmented to different areas of the disk, and this will cause your system to take longer to retrieve the files or run the program, because the computer has to search for every fragment and reassemble the file. Sisk Defragmenter fixes this, by bringing file fragments back together, making it much easier for the computer to find the file or program much quicker.

One step to maximize your computer performance is to reduce the size and duration of the history for web pages. It is best if you only save these pages for one day, but experts say do not save more than seven days under any circumstances or your computer may slow down significantly. Simply open the Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then change the settings as needed. This will maximize your computer settings and make it run much faster. You also should make sure you do not save encrypted web pages, because these pages can contain sensitive security information.

Install a quality anti spyware and anti virus program, because these will both keep electronic infections and malicious software off your computer. Make sure these programs are updated frequently, and that a scan is run with each program at least once a day if you stay connected at all times, like with broadband and cable connections.

The best and most efficient way to maximize your computer performance is to use a registry cleaner. When you remove programs, fragments can stay in the Windows registry after the program is uninstalled. This can cause your computer to become sluggish and perform badly. A registry cleaner will solve this problem by automatically editing the files in the registry and cleaning out any fragments of files that were removed or not needed.

Article Source: http://www.girlarticles.com

Brian Williams is a self-confessed PC fiddler dedicated to 'spreading the word' when it comes to fixing PC errors and helping people make the most use of their PCs. For FREE ACCESS to more PC tips n' tricks, just visit Optimize-Your-PC.com.