Introduction Hi there, it's come to my attention that the question of "How do I speed up my computer" has become rather ...
Introduction
Hi there, it's come to my attention that the question of "How do I speed up my computer" has become rather common. Quite frankly I'd imagine that y'all are getting tired of answering it. So I'm going to make a how to, that way we can simply point them over to this.
Steps (10 total)
(Thanks to CBERG) The question "Why is my computer slow" usually results in a slow internet connection or browsing experience... Why? Because 90% of what we do on the computer is through a web browser.
(Thanks to jiheirng) Does your browsing experience seem small? Are you looking at the webpage through a 1/2" slit under 500 toolbars? Maybe you should look at removing some of those. It's a simple as going to your control panel, viewing the installed software (or called "add or remove programs") find the tool bars, and destroy them!
What to do?
Make sure you get what you pay for!
Do you know what speeds you pay for? If you do, run over to speedtest.net or a similar speed testing site and verify you're REALLY getting those speeds.
Do you know what speeds you pay for? If you do, run over to speedtest.net or a similar speed testing site and verify you're REALLY getting those speeds.
Then after getting your speeds check your countries average. Ideally you would be at least at your countries average, since the pages in your country are more than likely built to be viewed at that average speed.
http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/
http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/
Next up your web browser. Are you using Internet Explorer? I would suggest you try another. Namely Google Chrome as it is renowned for its speed (although Firefox's speed it getting better every day). These browsers are also more secure because they aren't built into the core of Windows (good enough for lamens terms?).
For the number of tools available many will ask for your money. Don't do it. Especially not in a personal environment. I personally use Glary Utilites, but if you downloaded Smart Defrag from my previous step they also have a program called Advanced System Care (now free for personal use) so feel free to take your pick.
After downloading and installing it really is a click start and let it sit kind of process.
Side Notes:
1. Because it's free for personal use doesn't mean it's ok to use it on your work computer. Be aware of that.
1. Because it's free for personal use doesn't mean it's ok to use it on your work computer. Be aware of that.
2. Even though the commercials you've seen promise you the world with these programs, the difference it makes it slightly noticeable at best, they aren't magic they can't make your computer faster than it already was.
There are a few ways to do this. In a business environment your best bet will be windows disk derangement. On windows Vista/7 it's as simply as opening your start menu and in the search bar typing "defrag".
For XP how ever you'll need to follow these steps:
1. Open My Computer
2. Right Click your hard drive with Windows
3. Select Properties and go to the tools tab
4. From there select Defragment Now.
1. Open My Computer
2. Right Click your hard drive with Windows
3. Select Properties and go to the tools tab
4. From there select Defragment Now.
In a personal environment how ever there are many free tools that I prefer to use over windows built in tool. Namely Smart Defrag.
Addendum (thanks to Bryce Katz): If your defrag tool doesn't show more than say 10% fragmentation, then letting the process run isn't particularly necessary.
Addendum #2: If you already have a solid state drive installed DO NOT DEFRAG IT, there will be no difference in performance and (last I checked any way) it will shorten the life span of the drive.
Addendum #3 (Thanks to DailyLlama): Being in IT I sometimes forget what takes admin rights and what doesn't. It was brought to my attention that you will need admin rights in order to run a defrag.
(Thanks to Kelly Armitage) You should also scan for malware. A good tool to find and remove these infections is Malwarebytes. It's much like the cleaning tools instructions. Install, run, and let sit!
(Thanks to Henry J F) But not more than 1. Having more than one program set to scan the same thing won't only cause a slower computer, it will also lead to multiple false positives as they will try to out compete each other, take it from someone who used to think running 2 antivirus was a good idea... DON'T.
Of course, also try out a free Antivirus program for a quick scan if you don't already (hopefully you do) I used to like AVG. Remember if you do have a virus these programs usually can't remove them, but your IT department/guy can!
(Thanks to Kevin1407) MSConfig isn't your only option! Some alternatives may even be better for you, check out this one (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902), it will allow you to sort through what start up programs are from Microsoft (and therefore probably needed) and the ones that aren't.
You probably have a list a mile long of programs that Windows says "hey when you log in these need to start" it makes those programs open faster sure, but it's at the cost of valuable performance. This of course is for the programs you use/want on your computer, but you just don't want running in the background.
In Vista/7 simply open your start menu and search "msconfig". From there go to the start up tab and get removing.
In XP open your start menu, click run and type "msconfig".
Addendum (Thanks to DailyLlama): If your running windows 8 your task manager will have a tab for this purpose, feel free to use that tab.
(Thanks to Andres719)
Tell your computer that you WANT that performance. In Vista/7 open your start menu and search "adjust the appearance and performance of Windows". From there tick "adjust for best performance" and apply.
For XP it goes Start > Run > "sysdm.cpl" > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Visual Effects > Adjust for best Performance > Apply.
(Thanks to DailyLlama) We really should change your power settings. Unless you go on long trips and have no means of charging do you REALLY need to get 4 hours of battery life from your laptop? I think not! Lets make it faster!
It's really quite simple, all your going to do it right click the battery icon, select power options, show the hidden options, and select high performance.
(Thanks to Kelly Armitage) This is a direct copy paste, but it worked quite well for me.
Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
On the Windows menu, click HKEY_CURRENT_USER on Local Machine.
Click the \Control Panel\Desktop folder.
Double-click the MenuShowDelay value, type a number representing the menu display delay (in number of milliseconds) in the String box, and then click OK. You can enter any whole number between 0 and 4,000. If you use an entry of 0, there is no menu display delay.
Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
On the Windows menu, click HKEY_CURRENT_USER on Local Machine.
Click the \Control Panel\Desktop folder.
Double-click the MenuShowDelay value, type a number representing the menu display delay (in number of milliseconds) in the String box, and then click OK. You can enter any whole number between 0 and 4,000. If you use an entry of 0, there is no menu display delay.
Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
Not for the faint of heart. If you aren't familiar with the installation process, drivers, etc skip this step.
Here's a good test, in order to reinstall windows on you computer do you need to look up a step by step guide? If so, don't do it on the computer you rely on day to day.
Addendum (thanks to Andres719)
If you are competent enough to reinstall Windows 7, you probably also should look into buying a Solid State Drive to reinstall Windows to. The faster speeds of these hard drives actually make a very noticeable difference in performance!
If you are competent enough to reinstall Windows 7, you probably also should look into buying a Solid State Drive to reinstall Windows to. The faster speeds of these hard drives actually make a very noticeable difference in performance!
Yes installing Linux could be equated to step 8. But hey, integrated drivers and the advances in the user friendly nature means I can finally recommend it to the common user.
Here's the deal though, all those programs you use on windows wont run unless there is a version made for Linux. Yes there are ways around it but they get rather complex quickly.
If you just use your computer for Facebook and general use (no particular programs you had to buy separately) try out Linux (namely user friendly Distros such as Mint and Ubuntu)
Conclusion
That's it. Short of say, upgrading your hardware or buying a new computer that's about what you can do.
No comments
Post a Comment