Reclaim Lost Computer Speed in 6 Easy Steps - Part 1

Is your PC acting sluggish? Are annoying windows inexplicably popping up on your screen? Do you have to reboot your computer because of errors and lockups? It may be time for some spring cleaning.

I’ll admit it: I’m a lousy homeowner. The gutters are stuffed with pine cones and leaves. The dormers still need a fresh coat of paint. The garage has become the kids storage unit and its walls are adorned with tools I haven’t touched in 5 years.

But I do keep my Windows-based PC in good working order. Much like your home, a computer needs to be inspected and thoroughly cleaned up once or twice a year. So follow these six quick and easy steps to ensure your computer performs at peak efficiency.

1. Keep Your Cool

Every spring, birds build their nests in my attic louvers. Left unchecked, my feathered friends will eventually restrict the air flow in the attic and lead to reduced cooling efficiency and higher utility bills.

As computers get faster and more powerful, they generate heat at higher rates. If dust reduces air flow to the point of overheating, not only will performance suffer, but your PC could be damaged permanently. Inspect the air inlets and fans regularly for dust buildup.

Also, take a look at your furniture. Some computer desks have special cabinet areas for the computer which if closed during operation, could contribute to heat build-up.

2. Give them the boot

During winter, leaves can clog the gutters of your house and cause ice dams on the roof. And at any time of year, programs that load whenever you turn on your computer can bog down your PC.

Take a look at your system tray (that box in the lower-right corner of your screen with the clock and all the little icons) to see how many programs are loading when you boot up. Hold the mouse cursor over each icon until a description of the program pops up.

Which should you keep? Some software needs to be running at all times. This includes your anti-virus software. But it doesn’t include iTunes. Or any application that you can easily access from the Start menu. Right-click the little icon and look for options or preferences. Uncheck or deselect “Start when Windows starts”. If that option is unavailable, check the preferences the next time you run that application.

3. Remove Unused Programs

Like the yard tools, welder, and paint scaffold that line the sides of my garage, getting rid of unused software will not only free up space, but it could also make your PC faster and more reliable.

But you can’t just throw the programs out; you have to remove them carefully. Almost every application sold today comes with an uninstall program. For a list of all the software on your computer that has an uninstall program, select Start, Control Panel and depending on your flavor of Windows, either Add/Remove or Uninstall Programs.

Next week in part 2, we’ll cover the remaining steps required for a complete PC “Spring Cleaning”.

Ken Ivey is a veteran technology addict, consultant, author, web designer, and president of MidTN Technology. His website is www.The-Tech-Reporter.com