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How to fix a slow computer in less than 15 minutes?

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There are many ways to speed up computers and improve their performance, this article covers simple steps that anyone can follow. Implementing step 1 or step 2 should take no more than 15 minutes and will work for both PC and Mac users.

 

Step 1 -  Clean the computer registry

Slow computers often have errors in their registry. The registry is similar to the nervous system of the computer and its function is to connect software hardware and computer files. Errors often lead to the corruption of the registry, and reduce the computer speed . A straightforward step is to locate any errors in the registry then repair them. Users could in theory attempt to cleanup the registry manually, however this method is not recommended as it requires deep knowledge of both the structure of the registry and its functions. Using a registry cleaner software is a faster, more reliable option to eliminate errors, redundant files, incorrect links and deal with ActiveX components. Click on compare registry fix software for more information.

 

Step 2 – Delete and block adware and spyware

Another common reason leading to computers slowing-down, is the large number of spyware and adware, which are downloaded from the Internet, often without the users knowledge. This happens particularly often, when peer to peer networks are being used to download music and videos for example. A straightforward solution to improve the speed of any computer is to use an anti spyware or adware program to scan, remove then block adware and spyware. Most anti spyware or adware software have a free trial version and it is worth using this first to try out the program. The overall effectiveness of the software is obviously the main feature to consider, however other features are also important such as Ease of Download and Simplicity of Use, Automatic Backup, Quality of Customer Service. The best software tend to be the simplest to use and rely on a research capability that constantly updates the software for new threats. Click on best adware spyware removal for more information.

 

Step 3 – Eliminate viruses

Unsurprisingly many computer viruses can slow down computers and drive down response times. Often viruses damage computer files and use excessive resources such as large amount RAM and disk space. Running the latest version of the best anti-virus programs will fix many of the problems which are detrimental to computer performance.

 

Step 4 – Simple housekeeping tasks

There are many simple housekeeping tasks which can be done to improve the speed of any computer, for example uninstalling any software that is not needed.  Alternatively, stopping programs to launch automatically can also improve the performance of any computer. Small improvements can be expected from these simple tasks.

Step 5 – Optimise the Hard disk

For hard disks which are smaller than 2GB then at least 200MB of disk should be kept free and at least 500MB for larger hard disks. The amount of free space on the hard drive is a key factor of performance as it is used by temporary files needed by software to run. This is also used for swapping files when the operating system needs to use virtual memory as it runs out of RAM. In that event, unless sufficient  space is free on the hard disk, the system slows down significantly. To check the hard disk itself it is recommended to use a disk scanning programs such as Scandisk for Windows. For example, whilst the hard drive may be large enough, the problem may be that it is too fragmented or that some of its sectors have been damaged. Using a defragmentation program will also improve any computer’s speed. 

 

Step 6 – Optimising the RAM

Some programs are poorly designed and do not release RAM resources after they are closed. This reduces the amount of memory available for other programs. Computers frequently run out of RAM after a while. In order to overcome this, ugrading the RAM is probably necessary. Alternatively running certain programs simultaneously should also be avoided, this option is of course free.

 

Step 7 – Stop the computer from overheating

Faulty fans are a common cause leading to the computer overheating, slowing down then freezing as a result. To overcome this problem, installing a new fan is the best solution which will reduce the computer’s temperature by increasing the airflow and ultimately improve response time.

For more information click on how make my computer faster.

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