Most people who use computers today use them for work, games,
research or socialization. With more and more people trying to
begin home businesses, the computer has become the essential tool
for their business startup and operation. People want to optimize
their computers so that they will be as efficient as possible;
however, there are many factors associated with the performance
output of a personal computer.
In order for a computer to reach and maintain maximum
performance, many factors must be considered. On the hardware
side of the equation, one must consider their processor speed and
system memory. With regards to the software side of your
computer, you must be aware of your computer's privacy
protection, system security, and anti-virus software.
Additionally, you should do your best to take care of your
Windows operating system - such as Windows XP or Windows Vista –
including its registry and the files cleanup process.
To keep a PC running smoothly and error-free, there are some
basic steps that anyone can follow. Fortunately, none of these
steps are really at all difficult. Anyone can do these tasks,
with a little bit of basic education. Keep this article around
for future reference, just in case you need it again.
Shut-Down Processes
First off, it is important to understand that programs need to be
given the proper signals to shut down. It is strongly recommended
that you never simply unplug your machine to turn it off. Please
go through the normal shut down procedures, no matter how long
those processes might take.
If you lose power, it really is an unavoidable event. Microsoft
has done a good job at helping Windows know when it was shut down
improperly, so the next time you start up your computer, your
operating system might repair itself. Typically, when you restart
your computer after an improper shut down, it might take a few
minutes longer to boot up than usual. Let Windows do its long
boot up after it has unexpectedly shut down. The longer boot up
process is Windows attempt to repair any corruptions caused by
the unexpected shut down of your computer's operating system.
If you need to shut down your system more quickly than usual, we
strongly recommend that you utilize the Control-Alt-Delete key
combination, and then select Shut Down from your Windows Task
Manager window. By utilizing this shut down method, Windows will
make appropriate notes to itself that it will need to do some
cleanup on its next boot up sequence.
If Windows is not allowed to clean up after itself, you run the
risk of corrupting the operating system or different programs you
have loaded on your computer. Corruption of programs may force
you to reinstall those programs. Corruption of your data files is
the worst-case scenario – you could lose hours or years of work
in a single moment, as a result of your impatience. Don't be
impatient; let your computer do what it needs to do to repair and
protect your system files.
Unnecessary Applications Running In The Background
The "background" is not the image on your desktop. "Running in
the Background" is a reference to programs that are running on
your system in invisible mode. In some cases, they are completely
invisible, and in other cases, the only indication that they are
operating is their icon in your System Tray, next to your clock.
Certain programs think that they need to be operating in your
System Tray at all times. QuickTime, Yahoo Messenger, MSN
Messenger are three of these types of programs. Microsoft Office
even thinks it should be loaded and running in your background.
If you use these applications frequently and need access to them
almost instantaneously on a frequent basis, then yes, you
probably should let them run in the background. But, most of us
only use those applications on an infrequent basis.
The theory of having those applications running in the background
is that it prevents you needing to wait thirty seconds while the
software loads, when you need access to those applications. But,
there is a significant amount of trade-off for thirty seconds of
reduced wait time. That trade-off is a less-responsive computer.
In worst-case scenarios, the thirty seconds saved at program
start-up could trim minutes of productivity from your full
workday.
While your system is operating, you can right-click on any icon
next to your clock and most programs will allow you the option to
select Close Application. By closing unnecessary applications,
you can literally speed up the Windows operating system.
With most versions of Windows, you can also go to Start – Run and
then type in "msconfig" and click OK. Once the Windows System
Configuration Utility opens, click the tab that reads Startup.
You can review the list and deselect items that you will not want
to open when your computer boots up. It is important to note here
that you should only close applications that you recognize and
know that you can live without. Don't turn off an item in the
Startup window, unless and until you know what that file really
does. A quick search for that file name on the Internet will
generally turn up lots of pages explaining what those files do in
your Windows operating system environment.
Mean Kids On The Internet
Mean kids, who are also computer nerds, frequently grow up to be
computer programmers who create Viruses and Spyware
applications.
The mean teenagers of the programming world get their kicks from
turning our lives upside-down, with viruses that create a
multitude of problems on whatever machines they can get their
software installed. Virus writers with a criminal history
frequently grow up to be people who write trojans and Spyware
applications that seek to steal our private information
A trojan is a malicious program that pretends to be a screensaver
or some other non-threatening and fun kind of thing. When you
execute it on your computer, it installs malicious software and
then it does its dastardly deeds.
Trojans and Spyware typically try to harvest private information
from your computer for the financial benefit of its creator. Most
of these kinds of computer programs only want to shove their
advertising in your face (adware) or track your Internet usage
habits, so they can sell that information to other businesses;
but the really ugly versions try to steal your credit card data
and other financial data from your computer.
For some people, Trojans and Spyware computer programs are
responsible for as much as a 60% deterioration of a computer's
performance capability.
Forgotten Programs On Your Computer
Do you remember some of those 30-day free trial software
applications that you tried once or twice, but never used again?
Some of these applications may be running in the background of
your computer. All of these programs are also still taking up
space on your hard drive.
Never go into your Windows Explorer and simply delete folders
that contain the software programs you will never use again.
Instead, every two or three months, you should utilize your Add /
Remove Programs procedure, which can be accessed by going to
Start – Settings – Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs, and
remove old computer programs that you no longer use. This can
frequently free up a lot of extra space on your hard drive. It
can also free up some extra memory in your computer, if the
program had been running in the background of your operating
system at startup.
Final Closing Thoughts
If you still encounter problems after following the above
suggestions, you may wish to try out "Advanced Windows Care v2
Personal". It has been designed to help you perform all of these
essential protection and maintenance processes for your computer,
enabling you to get on with more important tasks like making more
money. This software can remove adware and Spyware programs from
your computer system, protect your privacy, prevent security
threats, fix registry errors, and much more.
This program is an all-in-one systems utility that only requires
a single click each day for proper computer maintenance,
optimization and protection. It is free, so try it out. Remember,
if you don't like the software, we have already taught you how
to remove it, if you ever wanted to do so. If you want to keep
the software, that is fine too.
Trever Soutter writes about computer software and system
maintenance and optimization. If you find that your personal
computer is starting to run slower and slower, then it is time
for you to do some serious system maintenance. The "Advanced
Windows Care Personal" software will clean and optimize your
system for maximum Windows performance, enabling you to speed
up Windows by as much as three times. Learn more and get the
free download here:
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