Although there are numerous things that can affect the performance of your computer, there are a few simple things you can do each month to help keep your computer running at maximum performance. This article will focus on two problems that effect the performance of your computer and will then specify what you can do about it.
Problem #1: Computer Hard Disk Files
Your computer is forever writing information to your hard disk, no matter what you do. Your computer attempts to keep all file information in the same location on your hard drive. As you add and delete files, blank spaces are left between your files. As you add extra programs or files, your computer tries to use these blank spaces.
Over time, this reading and writing of files can affect the way your computer performs. The files eventually become scattered in multiple locations on your hard disk rather than in the same location.
Your computer will still recover the information. However, the extra scattered the information becomes on your hard drive, the more accesses your computer has to make to retrieve (and gather) the information. This requires your hard disk to perform harder and do more reading/writing than is required. It will slow down your computer by as much as 200% and causes increased wear and tear on your hard drive.
Problem #2: Spyware
If you use the Internet, at some point you will download a file or software program onto your computer. Sometimes you will know something is being downloaded to your computer. Other times you will have no idea. (Although this article will not talk about small files called "cookies", you might like to look up information on this issue. Cookies are written onto your computer from the Internet.)
Complimentary computer programs (often referred to as Freeware) are a large winner on the Internet. Every day thousands of users download these "free programs". Although there are a number of impressive freeware programs, these programs often allow advertisements or tracking code associated with their application. The word "Spyware" refers to programs that assemble information about your computer and (Internet) surfing habits without your realization. This information is then sold to a third party company as a method of generating revenue.
The drawback with Spyware is that it additionally impacts the performance of your computer. It can make your computer very sluggish and unresponsive.
Three Steps to Improved Computer Performance
Now that we've discussed two problems that affect the performance of your computer, let's discuss three things you can do to get your computer performance back to normal. You should do these three steps in the order presented. Ideally, you should repeat them approximately once a month or every time you notice a difference in your computer's performance.
Step #1: Delete Spyware
The foremost thing you must do is to delete spyware files or programs from your computer. To do this, you can use a free software program such as Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition from LavaSoft. As soon as the program is installed, you can scan your computer for spyware files. After that, you can select and delete them from your computer.
Note #1: Always be certain to make use of the "Check for updates now" option to keep your program current.
Note #2: You need to be aware that after you delete spyware files, a number of of those "free" programs you downloaded might not continue to work properly. If you have a program you've downloaded and would like to continue to operate, check very carefully what you choose to delete from the "Scanning results" once the scan has been completed.
Step #2: Clean up your Hard Disk
Once the spyware is removed, you need to clean up temporary and not needed files from your hard disk. To do this on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Next, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Cleanup".
Select the drive you require to clean from the pull-down menu and select OK. Generally, this is Drive C. If you have more than one hard drive, select one at a time. This program will then scan your computer for files that could be erased from your computer. You can safely erase all temporary and Recycle Bin files. You can also check the box of any other files you would like the program to erase.
Step #3: Defrag your Hard Disk
When all the spyware and temporary files are removed, you need to defrag your hard disk. This process simply rewrites your computer files so they are no longer scattered all over your hard disk, but are written in the same location for quick sequential access.
To defrag your hard disk on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Next, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Defragmenter". First, select the hard drive from your computer. Usually, this is Drive C. However, many computers have multiple hard drives. Select one at a time.
You can select "Analyze" to have the program check out the hard drive and perceive if it needs to be defragged. The program will prompt you at the completion of its analysis. Use the defragment option as prompted.
Note: If you've never used this option in the past, I would suggest that you choose the defragment option.
Once you've finished these three steps, your computer and hard disk should be able to run at maximum performance. Don't overlook to go over these steps at least once a month or each time you notice a difference in your computer's performance.
