7 Ways to Make Your PC Faster

Try these tips to boost your computer’s speed and performance
January 2009
by Robin Wark

A slow computer is extremely frustrating. It takes twice as long to complete routine tasks, and can behave extremely erratically.

Cluttered hard drives are a major cause of computer slowdowns. As your machine is always working with files – moving, saving, copying, etc. – unneeded ones will stick around and steal valuable resources, such as RAM. Cleaning your files, regular maintenance and warding off malicious code can all contribute to a faster PC.

Here are seven easy ways to make your PC faster:

  1. Free up disk space. It might sound simple, but by eliminating unneeded files you can improve your computer’s performance. You can remove temporary Internet files, delete downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets), empty your recycle bin (the files are not truly deleted until you do) and uninstall any programs you no longer use.
  2. Clean your registry. The registry records the relationship between your hardware, the Windows operating system, available memory and programs. When you make changes to the Control Panels or add and remove programs, the information is stored in the registry. As it expands, the registry can become cluttered with useless items and corrupt entries. A good registry cleaner will be able to find these errors and fix them for you, which can improve your PC’s speed.
  3. Defragment your drive. Fragmented files slow down your computer as it has to search the hard drive for the pieces. This increases the response time. Using the Disk Defragmenter once a month can help. You can access it by going to the Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then clicking Disk Defragmenter.
  4. Update your drivers. Your hardware devices and many programs use drivers to communicate with applications and the operating system. Some companies update their drivers several times a year. New drivers can increase system speed. Some innovative software can help you with updating your drivers and will let you know when new versions are available.
  5. Use an anti-virus and anti-spyware product. If you are spending any time on the Internet, chances are high your PC will become infected with a virus, spyware, adware or another type of malware. They can hurt your computer and, even if they are not overly harmful, they can rob your PC of memory space. Some quality virus and spyware solutions use active protection, which blocks threats when they try to download to your computer.
  6. Partition your drive. This allows you to allocate your resources in the best way possible. A variety of software programs can help you partition your drive. Then you can install large software (such as popular programs like Photoshop and Illustrator) in the second partition. When your RAM is used up, Windows will be able to use the available space in the C drive as virtual memory.
  7. Consider ReadyBoost if you are on Windows Vista. This is a new concept that allows you to use flash memory, such as USB drives and memory cards, to add memory to your PC and improve performance. When you plug in a flash device, Windows Vista will check to see if it will work and then it will ask you if you wish to allocate part of its memory to speed up the system.

When some people experience computer slowdowns, they believe it is time to look at buying a new computer. However, these simple steps can revitalize your computer’s performance.