Make Windows go faster and faster
The following directions, if completed on a regular basis, will allow your computer to run at its optimal speed. Performance is greatly reduced over time, due to the accumulation of spyware, unnecessary files, a disorganized hard drive, and worst of all… viruses!
I. Temporary Internet Files
Every time you surf the internet, order something online, or read e-mail, information is stored on your computer for later use. Over time, this junk accumulates and eventually influences the performance of your computer.
Perform once a month. For heavy internet
users, perform once a week.
1 ) Open Internet Explorer
2) Click on Tools at the top right of the page and select Internet Options from the drop-down list
3) In the General tab, locate and click on Delete… under Browsing History
4) Locate and click Delete files… to the right of Temporary Internet Files section
5) Click on Yes to confirm deletion
6) (PLEASE NOTE: the following step will delete any usernames and/or passwords, preferences, etc. saved on previously visited sites). Remain in the Delete Browser History window. Locate and click Delete Cookies… and click on Yes in the confirmation box.
7) Click Close at the bottom of the Delete Browser History window
8) Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window
9) Close Internet Explorer
II. Disk Cleanup
This procedure frees up space on your hard drive by deleting unnecessary files that you can safely delete.
Perform once a month
1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on Computer)
2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop down list.
3) In the General tab, you will find a button labeled, Disk Cleanup. Click on it and select Files from all users on this computer. Wait until your computer scans the drive for unnecessary files (this step may take some time, please be patient).
4) In the Disk Cleanup tab, make sure all items are checked EXCEPT for Office Setup Files (if present) and Hibernation File Cleaner
5) Click OK. You will be presented with a confirmation box. Click Delete Files.
6) Your computer will now clean up your hard drive (please be patient, this step may take some time depending on how often you carry out this maintenance). Upon completion, the status box will disappear.
7) Close all open windows
III. Disk Defragmentation
This procedure rearranges the files on your hard drive so that they are accessed more efficiently by your computer. Over the long run, a disorganized hard drive can eventually crash and obliterate all stored data.
Perform once a month
1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on Computer)
2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop down list.
3) Select the Tools tab
4) Locate and click the Defragment Now… button
5) In the new window, click Defragment now (please be patient, this step may take some time depending on how often you carry out this maintenance)
6) Upon completion, click Close in the pop-up window
7) Close all open windows
IV. Disk Check
This procedure determines the integrity of your hard drive. Perform once every three months
1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on Computer)
2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop down list.
3) Select the Tools tab
4) Locate and click the Check Now… button
5) Check both boxes: Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
6) Click Start
7) Click Schedule disk check in the pop-up window
8) Restart your computer. Upon restart, your computer will determine the wellbeing of your hard drive (please be patient, this step will take some time). Upon completion, you will be brought back to Windows. An error will be displayed if there happens to be something wrong with your hard drive.
V. Unnecessary Programs
Many computers store a large number of programs which are never used. This procedure will allow the user to safely remove these unnecessary programs from the disk drive. If one tries to manually uninstall a program, there will always be remnants left behind (which only a professional can remove). Also, if you are not sure about a specific program, don’t delete it!
Perform once every three months or when you wish to remove a specific program
1) Click the Windows® logo in the lower left corner of your screen
2) Locate and click Control Panel
3) Locate and click Uninstall a program under Programs
4) In the Change or Remove Programs section, you will be presented with a list of installed programs (including the frequency of use, size on disk, and when it was last used)
5) To uninstall a specific program, left click to highlight it.
6) Click the Uninstall/Change button towards the top of the window.