Malware
Possibly the greatest contributor to a poorly performing computer is malware.
Action 1. Revise the definitions of your antivirus and operate a complete scan of your hard disk in Safe Mode. Resolve any unfixable problems. Notice that some viruses need additional steps before they could be removed; ordinarily a websearch will find specific directions or a particular removal tool. Use the BC forums to request help, if you fail to find a solution.
Step 2. If the slowness is unanticipated, and you have recently saved an application, the problem might live there. Check this by fully removing it. A wise user will normally perform a internet search about the program before getting because in most instances, any potential problem with malware or poor performance will have surfaced.
Step 3. Adware and Spyware can drastically impact your personal computer’s performance, and these are throughout the Web. A very recent study showed that one out of every 20 executable files on Websites is spyware, and 1 in 25 domains comprise at least one bit of spyware waiting for sufferers.
Update the definitions of your antispyware programs and scan your hard drives in Safe Mode. Experienced customers will regularly operate two or three of these applications, because each company has its own criteria for what constitutes spyware and will simply search against their own set. (A set of quite good, free antispyware programs is supplied by BC). Again, solve any open issues before continuing to the next step.
For additional reading about Malicious software and some malware removal applications, use BC’s Tutorial section; most of the applications have really great Help files that describe how they operate too as the unique characteristics of each.
Uncontrolled Applications
Stage 4. Review programs that self-start on startup. You computer may become a arena for your interest. Many programs, for instance, install a fast-start feature which permits them to be exposed swiftly; other programs may include an automatic update feature that requires them to be running in the background. Each of these slows down your launch Windows and each requires a little bit of sources while your computer is running.
The easiest approach to review and than to manage start-ups would be to work with one of the many small utilities available (see the BC list of free applications). If you’re uncertain about what may be safely deleted, remember that BC maintains a really comprehensive Startup Database that contains info about whether the questioned item is needed, optional, or unnecessary.
At-the same time, remember that those symbols in your Background also take a modest number of boot time to set themselves.
Lack of Maintenance
Stage 5. Clean-up your hard drive (preparation for Action 7). Delete unused applications and exchange old files to a CD. Unplayed games, lots of family images, zipped files that you have previously opened, applications you have not used in two years, software for the old printer you threw away last year—these are some types of files you can delete.
(Note for advanced users: some experts would include the added maintenance stage of cleaning up the Windows registry, and you will find plenty of applications to help try this. For the most part, registry maintenance will not make a major difference, and unless you’re quite comfortable with Windows, and cautiously make copies of the registry, you may do significant harm by making registry changes, so this step is not included
Stage 6. Have it mend Windows Updatesoutlook.
Stage 7. Defragment your computer.
Hopefully, since you have have finished, you will find a marked improvement in computer functionality.