I hear this complaint from a lot people. The fact is, the processing power is still the same. The memory is still the same. Do you remember when you bought your computer, maybe two or three years ago? It was really fast back then. Why is it so slow now? 

There are several reasons for this. Your computer has to carry a lot more baggage now and has to work much harder. Some software applications, like Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader or Flashplayer, are much more resource hungry then the versions you had installed when you bought the computer. The main reasons however, are a combination of adware, start-up programs and other processes that may run in the background. You may also have installed trial applications over the years, that have long expired, but are still running in the background.

It is time to give your computer a good clean-up. I don’t mean physically clean it, but cleaning up all the clutter on the hard disk drive. I am Using Microsoft Windows XP, since it is installed on many older computers. Before you start, make a complete backup of all your important files. I’ve created a five step guide to help you through the entire procedure.

Remove all the applications you don’t need any more, like expired trial-software and old printer drivers. Don’t remove anything you are not sure of. To remove programs select Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs and select what you want to remove.

Select Start, Programs, Startup. Delete all shortcuts right of the Startup icon.
The field should be empty like in Figure 1

Figure 1

Those shortcuts are not required for the functioning of installed programs. They just consume memory and CPU resources. An application will start when you select it. Reboot the computer. You should already see an improvement in the start-up time.

Step3: Clean the Registry
All Windows computers have a registry. This is a hierarchical database that stores  options and configuration settings. This database gets bloated over time and needs to be cleaned up. For this task you need a registry cleaning program.

I am using Glary Utilities Free form Glarysoft. You can download it from

Glary Utilities Free is free for private use only, please read the EULA.

Just install Glary Utilities Free on your PC. Once installed, Select 1-Click Maintenance and tick the boxes seen on Figure 2.

Figure 2

Select Scan for Issues and let it run trough its pace. Once finished, select Repair Problems.

You need to defragment the hard disk drive. Over the years, files got copied and deleted and are all over the place on the hard disk drive. They just needed put back into order again. This can take a few hours to complete and you should not use the computer while performing this task.

Just select My Computer right click the C: drive select Properties, Tools, Defragment Now…

You will see a menu like in Figure 3. Select (C:), Defragment.

Figure 3

Once finished, restart your computer.

Update your anti-virus definitions and run a complete virus scan. I left this step until last, because earlier on, the computer may have been to slow to complete a virus scan.

Your computer should be much faster and more responsive now. This should be done at regular intervals to keep your computer running at its best.