| Whether you're a home user or you use your | | | | run slower. |
| computer for business purposes, a slow running | | | | Integrating a pop-up blocker into your browser will |
| system can be quite annoying. It doesn't take long | | | | also speed up the amount of time it takes pages to |
| for a once fast computer to seemingly slow to a halt. | | | | load. Some sites are full of pop-up's that eat up CPU |
| Older computers are expected to be a little slower, | | | | usage to load. There are several free pop-up |
| unless you've done a lot of upgrading they just aren't | | | | blockers available and many browsers will offer |
| equipped to keep up with todays standards. But, | | | | plug-ins that will block pop-ups. |
| even a brand new computer can become slow after | | | | Most of the things that will slow your computer |
| even a few months of use. | | | | down actually occur over a gradual period of time |
| A computer can become slower due to hardware | | | | and are sometimes not real noticeable. But, if your |
| problems, but many times the problem occurs simply | | | | computer ran fine yesterday and is dragging today, |
| because there's to many processes running at the | | | | the most likely cause is a virus, spyware or trojan. |
| same time. Often when you install a program it will by | | | | Never run your computer without a anti-virus and |
| default set itself to start as soon as you start your | | | | firewall and make sure to do perform regular |
| computer. | | | | updates. The best way to keep your anti-virus |
| There are probably processes running in the | | | | updated is to set it to do automatic updates, that |
| background that you're not aware of and they're | | | | way you won't have to remember to do the |
| consuming your computers resources. Anytime you | | | | updates! Having an outdated anti-virus program is |
| install any program carefully watch the selection | | | | almost as bad as not having one at all, any new |
| screens, sometimes you will be offered the option of | | | | threats since the last update will not be detected. |
| either automatically starting the program or manually | | | | Just as your hard drive becomes covered with files |
| starting it. | | | | that are no longer needed, your registry also contains |
| If the choice isn't offered then you will need to go | | | | left over files from things such as uninstalled |
| into the preferences tab in the program itself and | | | | programs that can decrease the speed of your |
| customize the options. Aside from your operating | | | | computer. |
| system the only programs that should run each time | | | | Finding and using a registry cleaner will remove these |
| you start your computer are your anti-virus, firewall | | | | file fragments and speed up your computer. |
| and anit-spyware programs that you have. | | | | However, the registry contains everything that |
| Another major cause of a slow computer is a | | | | windows needs to run and one deleted file can |
| crowded or fragmented hard drive. Your operating | | | | prevent your operating system from working at all! |
| system needs a little "elbow room" to properly | | | | Before you download and install any registry cleaner |
| perform, at least 10% of your hard drive space | | | | do some research, there are many places online that |
| should be left free for paging operations. | | | | offer individual reviews of programs. After running |
| Even during normal use files become separated and | | | | the registry cleaner, always look through the list of |
| stored in different places on your hard drive. But, | | | | files to be deleted. |
| moving, deleting files. installing or uninstalling programs | | | | Sometimes files are included that are necessary to |
| leave fragments of files behind. Performing the | | | | the operating system or programs that you use on a |
| defrag option on your computer will rejoin these files | | | | regular basis. If you're unsure whether or not to |
| and help optimize the performance and speed of | | | | delete a particular file, do a internet search and see |
| your hard drive. | | | | what the file is for. |
| Regularly clearing your cache files and cookies can | | | | If you've taken all the steps needed to increase your |
| provide faster internet browsing. The cache files | | | | computers speed and it's still running slow, then the |
| consist of temporary files that are stored each time | | | | problem is probably with the hard ware. Either |
| you visit a web site. These eventually take up much | | | | something is experiencing problems or just needs to |
| of the memory of your computer and will cause it to | | | | be updated! |