Ten Easy Ways To Speed Up Your Computer

Have you ever noticed that computers seem to become slower all by themselves?  No, you’re not alone, and it’s not just you.

“My computer is running too slowly” is one of the most common issues we see at ANALYSYS.  Although there are many reasons why this could be happening, most performance related issues are quickly and easily resolved with a few simple steps.  So, don’t replace that computer… Let’s tune it up!

Curious to know where all these ideas came from?  We interviewed ANALYSYS team members for their top picks.  Some are certainly more controversial than others, but any combination will certainly help, and some may even surprise you.

1. Install Google’s Chrome browser.
It’s free, it’s functional, and we find that it operates much faster than Internet Explorer.  Keep in mind, however, that certain websites still require you to use IE, so be prepared to switch between browsers from time to time.  Also, be prepared… Chrome certainly takes some getting used to.  It’s a slightly different browser than Internet Explorer.  If you are not comfortable with the interface or don’t want to make the switch, consider Firefox or Opera as alternatives.  Here’s where you can find these great web browsers:

Link to Google Chrome
Link to Firefox
Link to Opera

2. Run Disk Defragmenter.
Disk defragmentation utilities have existed for many, many years in one form or another.  Although running these utilities are just as important now as they were in years past, their use has unfortunately become much less common and much less frequent.

First, let’s describe the importance of this utility.  Data is stored on a computer’s disk drive in a linear fashion.  As new files are created and deleted free space, or gaps, appear which are then later filled in with new data.  Eventually this process creates a jumble that your computer must sort through in order to access the data you need.  Disk Defragmenter is a utility that comes preinstalled with Windows that reorganizes fragmented files and folders so that data is stored neatly, and can be accessed much more efficiently.  Microsoft’s recommended best practice is to run this utility once per month.  This can best be done using the scheduler feature which can be found in the control panel.  Consider running disk defragmenter also when you add or delete and have normally large amount of data, you upgrade to a new version of Windows, or you are running with less than 15% free disk space.

Microsoft Windows Disk Defragmenter

3. Remove that wallpaper and replace it.
As much as the picture of the kids looks great on your desktop, if it’s a large picture file, it can actually slow down your computer substantially.  Consider keeping the file size of your wallpaper under about 200 kilobytes, or simply switch to a flat single color background.  Changing these settings can be found by right clicking on an area of the background of your desktop.  Then click Personalize, then Desktop Background.

What the Desktop Backgound screen looks like.

4. Upgrade your random access memory (RAM).
If your computer is less than a year old, simply add more.  If your computer is older, you may want to research whether the RAM you have in there now has been superseded by faster technology.  A generous amount of RAM is one of the most important elements in overall performance, and also happens to be one of the easiest ways to make a big impact.  Best of all, the cost of RAM is negligible.  Need to know what type of RAM is best for you?  The ANALYSYS Online Store has a memory sizing tool you can use to find the part numbers you need for your specific computer type, make, and model.

ANALYSYS Online Store – Memory Sizing Configurator

Although it is an easy upgrade with a little research, you may find the prospect of working with the inside of your computer undesirable.  If this is the case, Vista and Windows 7 users can consider Windows ReadyBoost as an alternative.  ReadyBoost allows you to use a flash memory device such as a USB flash drive without having to add the additional memory inside the computer.  The drawback-memory added with ready boost is not as fast as conventional RAM.

Learn more about ReadyBoost for Vista
Learn more about ReadyBoost for Windows 7

5. Clean up your hard drive.
Over time your system becomes crammed with software, files, and other data, some of which is not used.  Not only does this data take up space but in some cases it substantially impairs performance.  Consider the following:

• Manually clean up the data you don’t need.  Be sure not to delete programs or operating system data here.  You are looking for files and folders of things that you saved like videos, documents, or pictures that you simply don’t need anymore.
• Use Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup utility.  This tool quickly identifies otherwise hard-to-find data that you can safely remove, and then allows you the choice of what you would like to eliminate.  Disk Cleanup removes things such as temporary Internet files, data in the recycle bin, and downloaded programs that you don’t use or don’t need.  Find it in the Start menu under Accessories, then System Tools.
• Uninstall software you don’t use anymore by going to Add/Remove programs in the Windows Control Panel.  In addition to potentially freeing up a tremendous amount of space, this is generally the only way to safely remove installed programs from your computer.

6. Get rid of slick visual effects.
Newer versions of Windows offer a progressively appealing visual experience.  However all of the graphics and animation require additional processing power.  Especially if your computer is an older one, you may consider removing these effects as a way to increase performance.  Check these settings out…

For Vista Users
1. Click Start, Control Panel, System Maintenance, and finally Performance Information and Tools.
2. Click Adust Visual Effects.  Enter the password if prompted.
3. Click the Visual Effects tab and then select Adjust for best performance or simply choose your own settings from the list.

For Windows 7 Users
1. Click Start, and Control Panel.
2. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and select Performance Information and Tools from the search results.
2. Click Adust Visual Effects.  Enter the password if prompted.
3. Click the Visual Effects tab and then select Adjust for best performance or simply choose your own settings from the list.

Gadgets and the Windows Vista Sidebar are another great example of these types of resource hogs.  To disable, right click on the sidebar and click Properties.  Uncheck the checkbox labelled Start Sidebar when Windows starts.  Click OK.  The sidebar will be gone on the next time you restart your computer.
-

-
7. Scan for and protect against viruses and spyware.
Viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and other malware run in the computer’s background, largely undetectable while they sap resources for their nefarious purposes.  Fortunately Microsoft now offers a 1-2 punch that small office/home office folks can obtain completely for free.  Look for Security Essentials – that’s the virus client.  Microsoft’s spyware utility, called Windows Defender, is included automatically with Vista and Windows 7, and is available as a free download for Windows XP users.  For businesses that do not qualify for the free version of Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft’s business antivirus software is called Forefront.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials
Download Microsoft Windows Defender
Purchase Microsoft Forefront (36-month subscription, listed price is per month)

8. Shut off unneeded services at startup.
A surprising amount of software automatically loads every time you turn your computer on.  Pare down to just what you need with Microsoft’s System Configuration utility.  You can run this utility by typing msconfig in the Run box of your Start menu.

Microsoft System Configuration MSCONFIG Utility

9. Eliminate the comprehensive software firewall.
Programs like Symantec Norton 360 which include a virus scanner, spyware scanner, spam filter, firewall, and more certainly serve an important purpose.  However, analyze carefully whether these tools are redundant and disable features which are not necessary.  You can also consider replacing these tools entirely with a hardware-based solution, such as a SonicWALL TZ 100 series firewall.  This hardware alternative costs slightly more but the results will be increased speed and reliability.

10. Scan your hard disk for errors.
Windows comes with a utility called ScanDisk this utility corrects errors in your file system caused during the normal use of your computer.  It also can identify  a budding hard drive failure.  Vista and Windows 7 users can click on Start, then Computer.  Right click on the disk drive you want to check and click properties.  Go to the tools tab, and click Check Now, under Error-checking.

Microsoft Scandisk Utility