Computer Performance and Stability Tips

Computer Performance and Stability Tips

Tip 1: Always leave at least 15% free hard drive space.

Why:  A hard drive that is nearly full has to work much harder to manage files, and during some operations, more memory is required than you have, so the operating systems uses something called virtual memory which means using some hard drive space as temporary memory.

How: Double-click on “My Computer” and then right-click on each hard drive and choose “Properties”. This will tell how big the drive is and how much free space is available. Here are a few ways to easily clean up hard drive space.

Do a disk cleanup:

• Choose Start
• Programs
• Accessories
• System Tools
• Disk Cleanup and run it.

Delete all of the files on your hard drive with an extension of tmp.

• Choose Start
• (Search or Find)
• Files and Folders, and in the file name part type *.tmp ,
• Select all the .tmp files found, and then hit the delete key.

Tip 2: Defragment hard drive monthly.

Why: During day to day computer operations, files are constantly being written to and taken off the hard drive. When a file is removed, it leaves behind a hole. When a file needs to be written to the hard drive, the file is placed in the first available hole. If the file is bigger than the hole, then part of the file is written to the first hole with more information that tells where the next hole is. A big file can be written too many multiple holes and the hard drive has to be able to read each hole/location in order to read the entire file. This uses up a lot of resources, and shortens the life of the hard drive.

How:

• Choose Start
• Programs
• Accessories
• System Tools
• Disk Defragmenter.
• Choose the drive to be defragged.
• Click on the Analyze button to see how fragmented the drive is. If you see some red sections in the display rectangle, then run disk defragmenter.

Note: Before defragmenting your hard drive, back up all of your important files.

Tip 3: Take programs or shortcuts out of startup

Why: Over time, programs and drivers are installed and uninstalled.  Many old programs and drivers that are not being used are still running in the background slowing the system down and causing lockups.

How: For Windows 2000 and XP Pro

• Right-click on Start button
• Choose Explore.
• Click on the main local hard drive
• Chose Documents and Settings
• User (such as Administrator, your name, all users)
• Start Menu
• Programs
• Startup.
• Remove the shortcuts in that Startup Folder you do not need.

How: For Windows 7

• Right-click on Start button
• Choose Open Windows Explorer.
• Click on the main local hard drive
• Choose Users(such as Administrator, your name, all users)
• AppData
• Roaming
• Microsoft
• Windows
• Start Menu
• Programs
• Startup.
• Remove the shortcuts in the Startup Folder that you do not need.

Other startup items are found in Services

• Start
• Settings
• Control Panel
• Administrative Tools
• Services.
• Stop and disable any services that you do not need. If you aren’t sure, then don’t do it.

Tip 4: Back up everything, reformat your hard drive, reinstall your operating system and programs you use once a year.

Why: Over time, when programs and drivers are installed and uninstalled, many useless files and programs end up running in the background on your system and they are congesting and slowing it down. Doing a fresh operating system install will remove all of those. Just remember to back up all of your data first.

Tip 5: Use stable device drivers

Why: Systems can crash due to an old driver that has errors in it. This is especially true of Video and Printer drivers. Get quality drivers from the manufacturer when possible. Use Microsoft Certified drivers for greater compatibility and stability

How: go to website of computer manufacturer and look for sections such as support or drivers to find downloadable drivers

Tip 6: Windows 7 to Disable Aero

How: To disables PC intensive aspects such as transparent windows and shading.

• Right click on the desktop
• Choose Personalize
• Select a Theme from the Basic & High Contrast Themes List.

Tip 7: Take items out of system tray

How: These are the icons at the bottom right hand corner of the monitor by the clock. Right click on each one, and you will find options to exit, close or disable.

Why: If a taskbar program is performing no useful function right click on it and either close or disable it so your CPU can concentrate on more important matters.

Tip 8: Check task manager for unnecessary processes (check the internet for other processes to determine if they are needed or not) 

Necessary programs in processes of task manager

The programs you should see include:

-taskmgr.exe
-explorer.exe
-iexplore.exe
-spoolsv.exe (maybe)
-svchost.exe (even 4 or 5 of it)
-winlogon.exe
-lsass.exe
-services.exe
System
System Idle Process

Check online before you remove anything to make sure you don’t delete another process your might need.

How: Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete at the same time and choose Task Manager and click on the Processes tab.

Tip 9: Disable Smooth Fonts (for Windows XP only)

How:

• Right click on the desktop
• Select Properties
• Select Effects
• Uncheck the highlighted box

How: run Malwarebytes ( www.malwarebytes.org) 

Why: Spyware is software that is inadvertently picked up when web surfing. This runs in the background and sends information about you to an outsider without your knowledge.

Tip 11: Utilize Windows Updates

Why: When you utilize Windows updates, you stay up to date by receiving critical system patches that fix privacy and security holes in the operating system, bug fixes to improve Windows stability.

How: To insure you receive the latest updates, make sure Windows Update is activated. For the best possible protection, configure Windows Update to download and install Windows updates automatically.