Software to boost PC performance?
- Thread starter jokenkil
- Start date
Zen
Posts: 763 +49
Some small utility's that may increase your computers speed!
Auslogic's Disk Defrag......
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/
CCleaner.....
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
AVG 2012 (Free Edition).....
http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition-2012/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
The Auslogic's Disk Defrag is what I've been using for years, works just as good as the default Windows defrag, but only take half the time to get the job done. That will put all your files in their proper place on your hard drive, therefore it will save you a little time, by not having your computer work as hard to locate and then give the file or files or program to you.
CCleaner, great utility to help you clean up you computer. It will do both "application" and "registry" cleaning and repair. By having your system cleaned up, again it won't take your computer as long to offer up a file or files or program. Plus a scattered, dirty and damaged registry can hurt computer responsiveness.
And AVG 2012, one of the most "lightest footprint" antivirus programs I've seen for free. By having a liter footprint on your computer, it will increase the speeds a little bit, by not bogging down a file or files or program you wish to open and use. Also for even a liter footprint on your computer, you could always got to Microsoft.com and look up "Microsoft Security Essentials" and run with that. In some instances Microsoft Security Essentials does a tad bit of a better job than AVG.
Using these utility's together should speed up your system!
Ps- Perhaps entertaining the notion of upgrading your RAM will do you some good here. That would help with things a lot.
Auslogic's Disk Defrag......
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/
CCleaner.....
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
AVG 2012 (Free Edition).....
http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition-2012/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
The Auslogic's Disk Defrag is what I've been using for years, works just as good as the default Windows defrag, but only take half the time to get the job done. That will put all your files in their proper place on your hard drive, therefore it will save you a little time, by not having your computer work as hard to locate and then give the file or files or program to you.
CCleaner, great utility to help you clean up you computer. It will do both "application" and "registry" cleaning and repair. By having your system cleaned up, again it won't take your computer as long to offer up a file or files or program. Plus a scattered, dirty and damaged registry can hurt computer responsiveness.
And AVG 2012, one of the most "lightest footprint" antivirus programs I've seen for free. By having a liter footprint on your computer, it will increase the speeds a little bit, by not bogging down a file or files or program you wish to open and use. Also for even a liter footprint on your computer, you could always got to Microsoft.com and look up "Microsoft Security Essentials" and run with that. In some instances Microsoft Security Essentials does a tad bit of a better job than AVG.
Using these utility's together should speed up your system!
Ps- Perhaps entertaining the notion of upgrading your RAM will do you some good here. That would help with things a lot.
learninmypc
Posts: 9,791 +739
6 ways to speed up your PC
1. Remove spyware, and help protect your computer from viruses
Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the websites you visit to user names and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using the PC safety scan from Windows Live OneCare. This scan is a free service that helps check for and remove viruses.
Download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your system in the future from viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious software (also known as malware). Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system protected from emerging threats.
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is another utility that checks computers running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software, including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom, and helps remove any infection found.
2. Free up disk space
The Disk Cleanup tool helps you to free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.
Use Disk Cleanup to:
Remove temporary Internet files.
Delete downloaded program files, such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets.
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files, such as error reports.
Delete optional Windows components that you don't use.
Delete installed programs that you no longer use.
Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.
Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.
To use Disk Cleanup:
Windows 7 users
Windows Vista users
Windows XP users
3. Speed up access to data
Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk as a file is opened (to piece it back together). The response time can be significantly longer.
Disk Defragmenter (sometimes shortened to Defrag by users) is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end to end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.
When to run Disk Defragmenter
In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals (weekly is optimal), there are other times you should run it, too, such as when:
You add a large number of files.
Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.
You install new programs or a new version of the Windows operating system.
To use Disk Defragmenter:
Windows 7 users
Windows Vista users
Windows XP users
Running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis is a proven way to help keep your computer running quickly and efficiently. If you'd like to learn how to schedule these tools and others to run automatically, please read Speed up your PC: Automate your computer maintenance schedule.
4. Detect and repair disk errors
In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.
As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.
If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.
Run the Error Checking utility:
5. Learn about ReadyBoost
If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory—like a USB flash drive or a memory card—to improve performance without having to add additional memory.
Learn more about ReadyBoost in Windows 7.
Learn more about ReadyBoost in Windows Vista.
________________________________________
6. Upgrade to Windows 7
If you try all the previous remedies and your computer still isn't as fast as you would like it to be, you may want to consider updating to Windows 7.
Find out if your computer can run Windows 7 using the Upgrade Advisor.
Compare Window 7 editions.
Read a third-party review of Windows 7 by David Pogue of The New York Times.
If the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor determines that your computer can't run Windows 7 and you still have the need for speed, it might be time for a new computer. There are some great deals on new computers right now:
Shop for new desktop computers.
Shop for new laptop computers.
Shop for netbooks.
1. Remove spyware, and help protect your computer from viruses
Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the websites you visit to user names and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using the PC safety scan from Windows Live OneCare. This scan is a free service that helps check for and remove viruses.
Download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your system in the future from viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious software (also known as malware). Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system protected from emerging threats.
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is another utility that checks computers running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software, including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom, and helps remove any infection found.
2. Free up disk space
The Disk Cleanup tool helps you to free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.
Use Disk Cleanup to:
Remove temporary Internet files.
Delete downloaded program files, such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets.
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files, such as error reports.
Delete optional Windows components that you don't use.
Delete installed programs that you no longer use.
Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.
Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.
To use Disk Cleanup:
Windows 7 users
Windows Vista users
Windows XP users
3. Speed up access to data
Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk as a file is opened (to piece it back together). The response time can be significantly longer.
Disk Defragmenter (sometimes shortened to Defrag by users) is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end to end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.
When to run Disk Defragmenter
In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals (weekly is optimal), there are other times you should run it, too, such as when:
You add a large number of files.
Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.
You install new programs or a new version of the Windows operating system.
To use Disk Defragmenter:
Windows 7 users
Windows Vista users
Windows XP users
Running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis is a proven way to help keep your computer running quickly and efficiently. If you'd like to learn how to schedule these tools and others to run automatically, please read Speed up your PC: Automate your computer maintenance schedule.
4. Detect and repair disk errors
In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.
As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.
If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.
Run the Error Checking utility:
5. Learn about ReadyBoost
If you're using Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory—like a USB flash drive or a memory card—to improve performance without having to add additional memory.
Learn more about ReadyBoost in Windows 7.
Learn more about ReadyBoost in Windows Vista.
________________________________________
6. Upgrade to Windows 7
If you try all the previous remedies and your computer still isn't as fast as you would like it to be, you may want to consider updating to Windows 7.
Find out if your computer can run Windows 7 using the Upgrade Advisor.
Compare Window 7 editions.
Read a third-party review of Windows 7 by David Pogue of The New York Times.
If the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor determines that your computer can't run Windows 7 and you still have the need for speed, it might be time for a new computer. There are some great deals on new computers right now:
Shop for new desktop computers.
Shop for new laptop computers.
Shop for netbooks.
Doctor John
Posts: 200 +15
Agree with all the previous, I would emphasise RAM upgrade, and/or OS upgrade (to Win7 or Linux)
bobcat
Posts: 678 +69
There are many measures you can take to improve computer performance, some are not very effective, while the list depends on the advisor. But here are a few simple ones that should have a significant impact.
First of all, Vista isn’t an efficient system, consider going over to Windows 7 if practicable.
Now, go to your Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs and have a critical look at all the apps you have installed. Uninstall all those you are not using. You not only improve performance and gain space, but also reduce the target area of malware aimed at you.
Next, replace resource hogs with lighter apps. Typical example is the heavyweight Adobe Reader, which should be replaced by the featherweight Foxit Reader or something similar. If your antivirus is holding up your system excessively, a frequent occurrence, replace it by a lighter one, such as the excellent and free Avira or Windows Security Essentials.
Finally, stop all apps starting on their own unnecessarily. The best tool for doing this is Autoruns by Microsoft SysInternals. But be careful not to stop anything useful such as antivirus, firewall and system services. If you’re in doubt about something, better leave it.
Of course, occasional disk defragmentation is another good measure, but personally I do not recommend Registry Cleaners, because any gains are small and overweighed by risks of damaging the system.
If you are scared and/or lazy and want to buy your way out, get more memory. It’s very cheap and highly effective.
First of all, Vista isn’t an efficient system, consider going over to Windows 7 if practicable.
Now, go to your Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs and have a critical look at all the apps you have installed. Uninstall all those you are not using. You not only improve performance and gain space, but also reduce the target area of malware aimed at you.
Next, replace resource hogs with lighter apps. Typical example is the heavyweight Adobe Reader, which should be replaced by the featherweight Foxit Reader or something similar. If your antivirus is holding up your system excessively, a frequent occurrence, replace it by a lighter one, such as the excellent and free Avira or Windows Security Essentials.
Finally, stop all apps starting on their own unnecessarily. The best tool for doing this is Autoruns by Microsoft SysInternals. But be careful not to stop anything useful such as antivirus, firewall and system services. If you’re in doubt about something, better leave it.
Of course, occasional disk defragmentation is another good measure, but personally I do not recommend Registry Cleaners, because any gains are small and overweighed by risks of damaging the system.
If you are scared and/or lazy and want to buy your way out, get more memory. It’s very cheap and highly effective.
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