COMPUTER PERFORMANCE

1) Back ups

A) USB drive/Data disc/Flash drive

B) Create folder with intuitive name

C) Drag and drop files (most files you will want backed up are in your documents folder within your user profile)

2) Cleaning temp files

A) Download CCleaner from file hippo (free software)

B) Run program to delete temp files and fix registry errors

3) Cleaning out start up programs

A) Run program “msconfig”

B) Clean out unwanted items in startup tab

C) Make sure any sync programs or antivirus programs are still enabled

D) Clean out start up folder in the start menu

4) Spybot

A) Download most recent version

B) Update and run immunization (preventative)

C) Run scan and remove any unwanted items

D) This will sometimes flag legit items, make sure to read what they are and not just delete

5) Windows updates

A) Turn off auto updates and run manually once a month to avoid problems

B) For added security run Microsoft updates (scans for office and other software updates)

C) Check for and install hardware updates if current hardware is problematic

6) Change Performance Options

A) Right click “My Computer” go to properties.  This should open the “System Properties” window.

B) In “System Properties” click on the “advanced” tab and then under “performance” click “Settings…”

C) Select the radio button to “Adjust for best performance” click apply.

D) To restore an “XP” style theme right click on the desktop and go to properties, select “themes” tab.

E) Under the “themes” tab in the drop down menu select the “Windows XP” theme.  This gives you the “Adjust    for best performance” option with the “XP Theme”

7) Other Tips

A) Defragment your hard drive quarterly (start>all programs>accessories>system tools>defragment)

B) Disable indexing (right click C drive> general tab uncheck “allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties”) makes machine slightly quicker but makes searches (Ctrl+F) significantly slower.

C) Additional Disc Cleanup (right click C Drive > Properties > under “general” tab select the option to “Disk Cleanup”) this is windows built in cleaner, use it for added disc space but CCleaner is better at purging unwanted/problematic temp files.