There are different ways to streamline the performance and functionality of the computer. I'm going to show you five very useful methods that I learned in the field to keep your computer running smoothly. Some are free but there are some that will require a small investment that is well worth the cost. I have provided a few links at the bottom of this article to help you decide which tools to invest in. This article is intended for Windows 2000 / XP users only.
1. Clean up your boot menu - This is possibly the fastest way to improve overall performance and boot speed. To do this, go to the run command line from the start menu and type msconfig. Please use ONLY the boot tab at the top !! Go through the list of startup programs and turn off messengers, updaters, and apps that are not in use at all times. (quick task, winzip, Ituneshelper). The rule of thumb here is to turn off what you know you don't need and not touch anything that you don't understand or recognize, these are probably drivers and system files.
2. Run Disk Defragmentation - If you notice that your applications are taking a long time to load or not performing as well as those used to perform disk defragmentation. This will basically organize your hard drive to run more efficiently. To run, go to your start menu, program files, accessories, system tools, disk defragmenter. Click on the Analyze button to see if you need to defragment and if you do click on the Defragment button. Please note that while running this utility, you should not make any changes to the system, including saving and deleting files, installing and / or uninstalling programs, or moving files to your drive hard. It is better to start it and let it run. It may take up to 5 hours depending on the size of the drive and the amount of fragmentation in the volume. It's easier to start before going to bed.
3. Use Antivirus - I can't stress this enough, if you are on the internet you need antivirus. Not only will it protect you from attacks, it will actively scan all the files you open and stop most viruses BEFORE they infect your computer. You will need to buy it for your computer and I have provided some helpful links to some good antivirus programs. These should be configured to run at all times through the antivirus program settings and updated weekly, if not daily.
4. Run spy bots regularly - Spy bots are not the same as viruses. A virus aims to infect and deter your computer from functioning properly. Spybots can steal your information, passwords, logins, and are generally malicious. I consider them more dangerous than viruses because they can literally steal your identity without your knowing it and open the door for viruses to automatically download to your computer. I have also provided links for effective spy bot removal tools. These should be performed twice a month.
5. Registry Cleaners - A little known tool for dramatically increasing your computer's performance is running a registry cleaner regularly. Basically, they remove any unnecessary items from your registry left over from updating your software, deleting a program, or deleting program directories. By doing this, it will help your computer find the correct paths it needs to execute the commands given to it and will help avoid "confusion" by removing "broken pieces" from the registry.