Tips to Fixing a Sluggish Computer

Many people will be impressed with the speed of their new computer, but over time they will notice that their machine gets slower and slower. There are a number of reasons for this, although most people just think it is normal for a computer to get slower as it gets older.

With time, so more pieces of software get added, the hard drive gets slow and fragmented, and programs are continually added to the start-up process. Even the Windows registry gets bloated with unnecessary keys and values. Some people will get to a point where their computer is so slow that they buy a new machine.

There are though four things that can be done to speed up a computer, and thus the need for a new machine is avoided.

Background Programs

There are many programs that run in the background as a computer undertakes its business. These programs can be seen by looking at the icons next to the time in the bottom right hand corner of the computer screen. All these icons relate to programs running even if they are not being used. Many of these programs will start every time the computer is started.

The more programs that are allowed to start during the start-up period the longer start-up will take. There are pieces of software, known as Start-up Managers that can disable these start-up programs, although there is a manual way of doing it as well.

The manual should not be attempted by those who are not confident or knowledgeable about computers. The manual approach can be undertaken by following the path below.

Click Start >> Click Run >> Type msconfig >> Click OK

This will open up the system configuration, on which the Start-up tab should be clicked. This should lead to a window opening up, as per below.

Each box represents a program that is run every time the computer is started. Removing the tick from a box will stop a progress loading, and will lead to a faster computer start-up, and improved general performance.

System Tools

The Windows operating system has some useful system tools designed to check and improve the computer. These tools are Scan Disk, Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter.

• Scan Disk - Scan Disk is the tool that looks for errors and inconsistencies in a computer’s files, and will then fix the errors found.
• Disk Cleanup – This tool deletes unnecessary files within the hard drive thus freeing up space. Common files removed include those in the recycle bin, temporary internet files, temp files and old installation files.
• Disk Defragmenter – As this tools defrags the computer, it reorganises files into a logical and linear way. This is not a physical reorganisation, and rather than moving files, all it does is changes the way that the hard drive finds the files. Reorganisation can lead to a much faster hard drive and computer.

System tools are normally located using the following path –

Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools

Registry Repair Programs

The Windows registry gets fragmented over time with use, and it also becomes full of unnecessary registry keys. Problems with the Windows registry can make a computer slower, and even stop working altogether. A good registry repair program can fix registry errors without the need for manual repair.

Many good registry cleaners, like RegCure, offer a free download that will scan the Windows registry and identify errors.

Reformatting

Reformatting and reinstalling the Windows operating system is an option when looking to speed up a computer. This though does require backing up of important files and reinstalling; it is an extreme move and should only be used as a last resort.

Reformatting will basically create a new computer, which certainly will run faster, as there will be no fragmentation and no unnecessary registry keys and values, all of the rubbish that has built up on the computer will have disappeared. Reformatting though needs preparation as you must know which files, software and hardware need to be reinstalled after reformatting of the Windows operating system.

It is to be expected that without intervention that a computer will get slower and more sluggish over time. Regular cleaning using the system tools will help reduce this slowing down, as will the installation of good registry repair programs. It is fairly easy to get and keep a computer running like it should.