If you feel like your old computer is slow and performing poorly, you might not have to replace it yet. There are several things you can do to make your computer run faster without touching any of the hardware. If you'd like to speed up you computer, consider using these tips before you take a trip to the electronics store.
Malware Protection
One of the most common reasons for a slow computer is malicious software. This category includes viruses, spyware programs and adware. Some of these programs are obvious, but others run unseen, using up system resources and harvesting your personal information. Regularly running an anti-virus or anti-spyware program can help remove these dangerous pieces of software. It can also make your computer run faster. For best results, install an anti-malware program that runs while you use your computer, spotting malicious software before it can cause problems.
Remove Unwanted Data
A full hard drive can also slow down your computer. To make your computer run faster, consider removing temporary files and downloaded information that you're not currently using. Empty your computer's trash can or recycle bin. You can also delete old programs that you're not using anymore, remove optional components of your operating system and remove any very old copies from your system restoration utility. There's a good chance that removing this unnecessary information will speed up your computer.
Defragment Disks
Most computers store data on the hard drive wherever there's a free space. This results in many files being stored in locations all over the disk. Your computer takes longer to access data that has been split up like this than it does information that's been stored in the same location on the disk. To speed up your computer, run a defragmentation program that will pull the individual pieces of files from their spread-out locations and store them closer together. You may find that your computer accesses files much more quickly.
Check Disk Quality
A slow-running computer might also indicate a problem with the individual disk. It's important to run error checking utilities regularly to make sure that your files have not been damaged. If these utilities show bad files, the degradation may have occurred because sectors on your hard drive are going bad. Make sure you scan your drive occasionally to find bad sectors that can slow down your computer. A failing hard drive could soon threaten all your data. Replace your drive immediately if your error utility shows problems.
Upgrade Your Operating System
While newer operating systems use fewer resources to work, they aren't always the quickest option. You may be able to make your computer run faster [http://www.rapidwisdom.com] by upgrading to a newer, more efficient version of your operating system. If you use an open source OS, such as Linux, you may even be able to make this upgrade for free over the Internet. Most other systems require you to pay for an upgrade, but you'll often find that the degree to which a new OS can speed up your computer is worth the extra cost. Even if you're not ready for the next version of your operating system, make sure you apply all the new updates available for free. These can close security holes and make your computer run faster and more efficiently.
Malware Protection
One of the most common reasons for a slow computer is malicious software. This category includes viruses, spyware programs and adware. Some of these programs are obvious, but others run unseen, using up system resources and harvesting your personal information. Regularly running an anti-virus or anti-spyware program can help remove these dangerous pieces of software. It can also make your computer run faster. For best results, install an anti-malware program that runs while you use your computer, spotting malicious software before it can cause problems.
Remove Unwanted Data
A full hard drive can also slow down your computer. To make your computer run faster, consider removing temporary files and downloaded information that you're not currently using. Empty your computer's trash can or recycle bin. You can also delete old programs that you're not using anymore, remove optional components of your operating system and remove any very old copies from your system restoration utility. There's a good chance that removing this unnecessary information will speed up your computer.
Defragment Disks
Most computers store data on the hard drive wherever there's a free space. This results in many files being stored in locations all over the disk. Your computer takes longer to access data that has been split up like this than it does information that's been stored in the same location on the disk. To speed up your computer, run a defragmentation program that will pull the individual pieces of files from their spread-out locations and store them closer together. You may find that your computer accesses files much more quickly.
Check Disk Quality
A slow-running computer might also indicate a problem with the individual disk. It's important to run error checking utilities regularly to make sure that your files have not been damaged. If these utilities show bad files, the degradation may have occurred because sectors on your hard drive are going bad. Make sure you scan your drive occasionally to find bad sectors that can slow down your computer. A failing hard drive could soon threaten all your data. Replace your drive immediately if your error utility shows problems.
Upgrade Your Operating System
While newer operating systems use fewer resources to work, they aren't always the quickest option. You may be able to make your computer run faster [http://www.rapidwisdom.com] by upgrading to a newer, more efficient version of your operating system. If you use an open source OS, such as Linux, you may even be able to make this upgrade for free over the Internet. Most other systems require you to pay for an upgrade, but you'll often find that the degree to which a new OS can speed up your computer is worth the extra cost. Even if you're not ready for the next version of your operating system, make sure you apply all the new updates available for free. These can close security holes and make your computer run faster and more efficiently.
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