Whether it’s a fresh install of Windows 7 on that brand new quad core PC or it’s the same Windows XP-based PC you’ve been using for the past 9 years, there are ways to make your computer boot faster, open files and programs faster, and feel more responsive overall, without opening your computer case or spending any money.
Today I’m going to show you 5 ways to make your computer faster. Note that these instructions are for Windows PCs only. The procedures in this article may be different or impossible on a Mac or Linux-based computer. Also note that one or more of these steps may be version-specific.
1. Decrease Startup Delay (Windows XP Only)
a. Open the Start Menu
b. Click on Run and type in “regedit” (no quotes)
c. Navigate to the following registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Control>ContentIndex. (but just single-click on ContentIndex, do NOT go into any of it’s subfolders.
d. On the right you should have a large list of things. Go to StartupDelay.
e. Double-click it to edit it
f. Set the Base to Decimal
g. Enter 40000 into the text box (usually the default is 480000)
h. Save it
i. Restart your computer. Once you log in you will notice that the desktop will appear much sooner, sometimes up to 10 seconds faster. Not bad eh?
2. Run a virus scan with Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
a. Download the free version here.
b. Install it
c. Open it by clicking on the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (MBAM) icon.
d. Select Perform Full Scan and select your C drive and start the scan. If it detects anything, remove all malware and (as prompted) restart your computer.
3. Optimize your PC with CCleaner and Uninstall Software
a. Download CCleaner for free here.
b. Install it.
c. Close any other programs currently open on your PC and Open it by clicking on the CCleaner icon. (Note that on the first run it might ask you to save persistent logins (or something like that), it’s up to you but I recommend selecting Yes).
d. In the Cleaner tab (it should be there by default) leave all the default options checked and click Run Cleaner.
e. Next, go to the Registry tab on the left and select Scan for Issues. It will create a list of problems.
f. When it’s at 100% click on Fix Selected Issues (all listed issues should have a check mark next to them automatically). If you want you can back up the registry in a file in case there is a problem, but I’ve never had any issues with CCleaner and the registry. (Tip: to restore a registry file simply double-click on it).
g. Click Fix All Selected Issues. It should take a second or two.
h. Then Close that window.
i. Go to the Tools tab on the left. You should be at a screen titled “Uninstall”. If not, then click on the Uninstall link/button.
j. Find any programs you do not need (Games, Media Players, Toolbars, etc.). Uninstall them. Note that the uninstall function in CCleaner does the same thing as Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, but it’s easier and more convenient just to do it from CCleaner.
k. Once that’s done, click on the button marked “Startup”. Prevent any unneeded programs from loading at boot up and hogging memory by highlighting them and then clicking Disable on the right hand side. Do this for each one you don’t need. Hint: keep anything marked Windows, Microsoft, or the name of your anti-virus. Remove anything named Apple, Adobe, Google, Java, or anything suck as the software for your webcam (in my case Logitech QuickCam) which really doesn’t need to be running in the background all the time!
l. Close CCleaner.
m. Optional (but recommended): Restart your computer. You already may notice a significant performance increase.
4. Defragment
a. Open the Start Menu and navigate to All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. Defragment your C drive. This process may take a while to complete, so go have a coffee (well, if you like coffee, that is)…
b. Close the Disk Defragmenter when it’s done.
5. Remove Unnecessary Desktop Icons
a. Last (and definitely least), we’re going to do something that may or may not help your computer boot faster, depending on how cluttered your desktop is. Remember that anytime you view your desktop (boot up, closed or minimized a program, etc.) it has to render all the icons and stuff, and depending on the speed of your computer this may take too long.
b. Simply remove any unneeded icons, sort the documents into My Documents (just Documents in Vista/7), put pictures and images in My Pictures(just Pictures in Vista/7)
c. Right click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and Empty it.
d. Restart your computer one last time, marvel at how much faster it is, and discuss this article in our forum!
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