Ten Quick Tips to Improve Your Computer’s Performance

Are you ready to throw your computer out the window? It is so slow that you can brew a cup of coffee and read the paper before it boots up or downloads your e-mail?

Before you shell out money for more RAM or a faster, bigger hard drive, there are some simple tricks you can try to improve the performance of your computer. Phoenix, Arizona-based computer consultant Tony Hawari offers these tips:


1. Is your computer using the most current version of its operating system, and are all the latest service packs and security patches installed? Your computer should automatically download upgrades. If it doesn’t, contact your IT person and ask.
2. Do you have the latest version of your Internet browser installed? You can check for updates in Firefox by clicking Help and then Check for Updates. For Internet Explorer, just run Windows Update on your computer.
3. Use free software such as Ccleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) to clean out all your temp files including Internet history and other miscellaneous files.
4. Make sure you have only one anti-virus software program installed. If you’re not paying for it, then you are not getting the latest protection for new viruses.
5. Disable excess pop-up blockers. Current Internet browsers have pop-up blockers built-in as do most anti-virus programs, so you may have several installed without knowing it. Select the one that you like best and disable the others.
6. Check what programs are trying to open at start-up. On a PC, search for System Configuration; on a Mac look under System Preferences/Accounts/Login or System Preferences/Applications/Startup (depending on your OS). Having too many programs trying to start will slow you down. The only programs you need to enable at start-up are a syncing program (if you’re syncing to your smartphone) and your anti-virus program. Some programs, like iTunes and Acrobat, will install unneeded services. Disable them.
7. Do registry tweaks! Search online for free tweaks available to optimize your operating system. PCTools.com keeps you up-to-date on the latest tricks for performance enhancement. Free MacWare has similar tools and tips for the Mac.
8. Defrag. Every time you add new programs and files to your computer it becomes “fragmented.” You can schedule regular defragmentation of your computer to keep it running smoothly. Defragmentation takes a while, so do it when you won’t need access to your computer for a few hours.
9. Adjust your settings. By simply using the performance tools on your computer, you can make some great improvements. Adjust the visual effects, power settings and more to ensure your computer is operating at maximum efficiency.

10. Go external. If you need more disk space, use an external hard drive to store huge files and programs that slow you down.

Once you get your computer to a satisfactory performance level, you may want to invest in an imaging program that brings your computer back to its current level without losing data. Norton Ghost from Symantec performs a full back-up of your hard drive in case you should run into issues down the road.