Is Your Computer Slow Speed It Up!

Does your computer run as quickly and efficiently as it did when you first got it? Chances are, if you’re like a lot of other folks out there, probably not.

So what, if anything, can be done about it?

Well, I’ve got some good news for you. Many of the methods you can use to restore most, if not all of your computer’s original speed are basic, easy to do and, for the most part, free.

Follow these basic steps and see if you don’t notice a huge improvement in performance:

1) Download (and then run) a spyware detection and removal program.

Spyware is the term used for programs that are installed on your hard drive WITHOUT your perimission.

That, in itself, is not cool, but it gets worse.

Once on your hard drive, they begin to send out information about everything you do on your computer. The web sites you visit, how long you stay, and how often you go there. Most any keystroke, including your passwords can be captured and sent to the spyware’s home site. For some one this is part of their Internet marketing, but this is not your problem!

2) Update your antivirus software.

What? You don’t HAVE an antivirus program? GET ONE! I’ve used Norton Antivirus with great success and highly recommend it. However, just as important as having antivirus software is to keep it continually updated. THIS IS CRITICAL!

Just follow the simple instructions provided by the software company, and you’ll be a step ahead of the virus creation losers.

Also, make sure that your “real-time protection” is always in the “on” mode to make sure nothing sneaks into your computer.

3) Purchase and use a hard drive cleaning program.

And I’m not talking about Norton Clean Sweep, here! While those applications do have their place, you need something that is much more comprehensive in the useless information it clears out.

These things are an invaluable tool, and they’re not just for sneaky husbands who surf those “undesirable” sites late at night!

Keep in mind that, as with the Spybot S&E described above, it’s important to go through the simple tutorials and help sections to fully understand what you should erase, and what is better left untouched.

For example, you might want to save certain “cookies” on your hard drive to make your internet surfing quicker and more efficient while visiting the sites you frequent most or do business with.

4) Defrag your computer’s hard drive.

No matter if you are just keen on the computer games for shooting PC games or do a job on it. Some folks do this far too often, but others totally neglect it, and this can definitely contribute to slower performance in some computers.

Defragging, simply put, consolidates related information on your hard drive so that your computer doesn’t have to spend as much time looking for it when you want to run a certain application.

If you use any version of Windows, a defrag program is included. I would recommend, depending on how full your hard drive is, defragging every two to three weeks to help keep that hard drive running smoothly.

Although there are many other ways beyond the scope of this article to boost the performance of your computer whether it be newer or a relative “dinosaur”, following the above four steps will go a long way to keeping you happy with your investment and not feeling like you’re wasting years of your life waiting for the thing to complete the simplest tasks.

P.S. It is ALWAYS about making choices with computers, learn how to break through the web of laptop comparison reviews.