Ways you can Speed Up Your Computer!

Working on a slow, disorganized computer can be maddening, and it is a common problem for many of us. In an attempt to resolve this annoyance consider using two of Windows 7’s utilities – Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter. Both tools can restore your computer to good health!
Let’s take a quick look at Disk Cleanup. This utility found in System Tools, first searches and analyzes the hard drive for files that are no longer of any use, and then offers you the choice of removing them.
These are the different file categories that Disk Cleanup targets when performing its initial disk analysis:

• Compression of old files
• Temporary Internet files
• Temporary Windows files
• Downloaded Program files
• Recycle Bin
• Removal of unused applications or optional Windows components
• Setup Log files
• Offline files

Now let’s see what Disk Defragmenter does! This utility, also available from System Tools, is designed to increase access speed by rearranging files stored on a disk to occupy contiguous storage locations. I always have trouble getting my head around the word “contiguous”. A better choice of word would perhaps be “adjacent” or even “adjoining”.
The process is called defragmentation. Defragmenting a disk minimizes head travel, which reduces the time it takes to read files from and write files to the disk.
Clean Up Your Programs
How many of us collect applications, often downloaded from the Internet that we may or may not use. If you haven’t used that application in a long time, ditch it!
Take a quick look at the applications listed in All Programs. I bet you’ll see one or maybe more you haven’t used in ages. If this is the case don’t beat about the bush, uninstall them.
Often when you uninstall an application, remnants of it remain behind in the Registry. To remove them, consider using the freeware program, CCleaner, which has a complete set of cleanup tools — Cleaner (a similar utility to Disk Cleanup) and Registry (an alternative to Disk Defragmenter).
Spring Clean Your Files Regularly
After you have produced a viable file system, inspect and clean it regularly. Routine maintenance tasks include deleting old or duplicate files and folders and seeing that important files are within their correct folders. This can save you time and reduce frustration.
Cleanup your Email, Address Book and Favorites
These are three other areas where a little pruning is required. Consider these questions!

• How often do your delete old emails?
• Is your Address Book full of old redundant addresses?
• Do you need all those websites listed under Favorites?

Do a bit of spring cleaning here too!
Look at Your File Storage
Once you have performed these maintenance tasks the problem may be where you store them. The longer you use your computer the more document files, MP3 clips, and digital photos you accumulate. Just saving these items within the Libraries – Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos Libraries is not enough!
Are you accumulating too many files? Perhaps you should consider buying an external hard drive and shift some of this material there. Too many photos, songs and videos can slow your PC down.
Organize Your File Storage
A little planning goes a long way, think it through and take the time to plan the best way to organize your files. Here are a few questions you could ask yourself:

• What sort of files do you create?
• Where do you want to store them?

After you work out the kinds of files you produce and need to save, the folders can be tailor-made to indicate the kind of data contained in each file.

Create Folders and Sub-folders within each Library
When creating a new folder, be logical, and use an easy-to-understand name. For example, when working in My Documents create additional folders on specific subjects for example Garden Projects, Budget, Letters, and Trips etc. Then as your files expand create sub-folders. Within the Garden Projects folder you could create sub-folders for different projects – Watering Plan, Deciduous Shrubs, and Fruit Trees etc.

• To create a new sub-folder with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, right-click anywhere in the folder, click New, and then click Folder. Type the name for the new folder, and press the Enter button.
• To create a new folder in Windows 7, in Widows Explorer, click New Folder at the top of any folder or library. Type the name for the new folder, and press the Enter button.

So there you have it. These are just a few ways you can make your computer run a little faster!