How Fast Is Your Computer?

by Gwion, Mar 25, 2008

Six free tools you must have to dramatically speed up your system.

An Updated Anti Virus Software

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This is a rather obvious one when you think about it, not just for computer security but also for computer optimum! Some viruses are written specifically for the purpose of tying up your RAM (what keeps your computer running fast) so it is essential that you keep your computer updated. Most people go for the subscription type such as Norton or McAfee, this is fine however there are two that are completely free without advertisement for home use! Avast and AVG.

Did you know? Some banks require that you have an updated anti-virus software if you are to be covered when using their online banking services!
Spyware Destroyer

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Spyware is software that installs itself on your computer without your permission, often via third party software to which you have given consent. Spyware is getting increasingly intelligent and it has become to differentiate between spyware and viruses! Spyware often records browsing history, install additional software/toolbars, changes your computer settings and fill your computer with pop ups - all of this contributing to the slowing down your computer.

Spyware Search & Destroy beats them all here, even the paid services! This is a completely free program with many users reporting over 50 of these nasty spyware on their first scan! (Remember to keep it updated)
Adware Destroyer

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Similar to spyware, but less serious is adware. These are software that has been installed via the same methods as spyware, but the purpose of which is to play, download or show advertising material on the particular computer. Apart from being blatantly annoying this also slows down your computer.

How do you solve this? Ad-Aware. When kept updated Ad-Aware will scan your computer for advertising programs and zap them out of this orbit!
Abexo Registry Cleaner

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Again another brilliant free program! First click backup to backup your registry in case anything goes wrong at any time. After this click scan where it will scan your computers registry for broken, computer slowing registry entries. Once your scan has finished select the ones to delete and just click delete!
Windows Startup Programs

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This is not so much a program but a useful feature on Windows Computer that controls what starts up when your computer does, thus running in the background so potentially slowing down your computer if not required.

Just go to Start>Run and type in ‘msconfig' (without the ‘'). Go to the tab on the right hand side called "Startup". Here you will see all the files that start up when your computer does, any files that you rarely use should be deselected (they can always be opened once your computer has started). I normally deselect most here, e.g. mobile phone software, iTunes, P2P software and any other software that I will probably not be using. Everything can be changed back should you need, so don't worry!
Disk Defragment

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This is a useful tool that each of us have on a Windows PC. When memory gets saved to a hard drive, different parts of the file (particularly big ones) often get spread to different parts of the drive. This is because it cannot save it all as one file and so must do it in parts, between other files (often where other information existed before). Disk Defragmentation simply moves everything up and deletes this data that had once been "deleted" and allows for more files to be saved. Brilliant!

This can be had if you go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. Once here choose your hard drive, click analyze and it will tell you whether you need to defragment!