Speed up computer's performance

stevep81 · #1 1st Sep 2007, 10:32

What's the best way to speed up my computer, preferably free?

**evilfantasy** · #2 1st Sep 2007, 12:34

Welcome to TCF. Here are some things to do. As always they are reliable and free.

Go into add/remove programs and see if anything is there that shouldn't be and un-install it. Toolbars are one thing to look for.

Run CCleaner. If you do not have CCleaner install it by clicking Here.
In the "Cleaner" tab you can free up plenty of space to help make your machine run faster.
There is also an option to clean the "Registry" in CCleaner.
Note: Registry cleaning can be dangerous so always back up before cleaning in the registry.
It is also overrated. I have never seen an improvement in performance after cleaning the registry.

Run Spybot Search & Destroy. You can download it Here.

Keep your Anti-Virus up to date.

Use a good start-up manager. I would recommend Start-Up Tool

Use a faster Defrag utility then the on built into Windows. Auslogics Disk Defrag

If you need any advice just ask.

**xactly** · #3 3rd Sep 2007, 08:50

overclocking?

**talldude123** · #4 3rd Sep 2007, 10:34

i would recommend cleaning up the MSCONFIG (Start -> Run -> type "msconfig") and removing unnecessary stuff, like adobe reader, photoshop loader, office, etc.

**evilfantasy** · #5 3rd Sep 2007, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by talldude123

i would recommend cleaning up the MSCONFIG (Start -> Run -> type "msconfig") and removing unnecessary stuff, like adobe reader, photoshop loader, office, etc.

Thats where the StartUp program I suggested comes into play.

It actually removes items from start up instead of using Selective Start Up.

~~johnpol78~~ · #6 18th Mar 2009, 02:19

There are many ways to perform on the system to make your system free and reliable means faster n faster. first try to Delete all Temporary Files and folders from your system. and the Delete Prefetch. and then try to run MSconfig and the clear all unauthorized and un-microsoft utilities installed on your system and finally run Disk Difregmentation and Disk Cleanup Utilities and make space and also system reliable and speed. ry the Best.

**evilfantasy** · #7 18th Mar 2009, 08:40

Guys. MSconfig is NOT a startup manager. It is meant to be used for troubleshooting. It's a widely misunderstood part of Windows.

Read this to better understand why not to use MSconfig: Dealing with Startup Processes

Also cleaning the Prefetch now and then is OK but doing it on a regular basis will decrease your computers performance. See here for more information on the Windows Prefetch folder. One more time: do not clean out your Prefetch folder!

**bluefox** · #8 18th Mar 2009, 17:32

Evil is right, is better not to mess with msconfig, although it is tempting. Really the best way to increase performance is to increase your ram, memory is pretty cheap these days, I mean $200 for 8 Gig is insanely cheap, just shop around.

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**evilfantasy** · #9 18th Mar 2009, 18:04

Hi bluefox.

If you want a signature you need to follow the CJ rules and use an actual signature and not add the link following each post. It's the same rules for everyone so please don't think we are singling you out.

See here for more information. Why should I donate to the forums?

~~jamesbraken~~ · #10 19th Mar 2009, 23:44

Make a system restore point then delete junk and unwanted files(temp, %temp% and prefetch) start > run >type temp..................................run disk cleanup, disk defreg, uninstall unwanted software from add/remove programs and update to windows , anti virus, spyware and optimize the IE.