Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Computer Tech - How to tune up your computer for free!

The following are ways to optimize your computer and increase overall load times and memory usage. I have been doing this for several years now and have found these methods very effective on customer computers. This is the true "Free PC TuneUp"!

1. CCleaner
CCleaner is a program that will clear out your computers temp files and fix your registry. I run this program on every computer i receive regardless of what it needs.

2. Msconfig
Msconfig is a windows tool that is used to configure startup programs. Search for it on your computer or start/run/msconfig. Click the startup tab and from there you can configure what programs you actually use when you start your computer. I usually only leave the entries that relate to drivers or the computer, though you do not have to. If its an entry for a program like quicktime/skype/google/messenger/adobe/office etc. I uncheck it. You can drastically increase your startup time and overall computer performance using this tool. This is one of the most useful tools in windows.

3. Disk Defrag
Defragmenting your hard drive will increase your read/write times to your hard drive which will increase your performance. Check out Defraggler by piriform, the same company that makes CCleaner. I use it along with the standard windows defragmenter every couple of months.

4. Others
If you have a desktop computer make sure it is free of dust. Spray it out!
Reset your internet explorer to all defaults in internet options if you use it.
Check what plugins and addons you have installed in firefox! Remember everything you have added increases the amount of memory needed to run firefox. If necessary reinstall firefox or reset it to get a fresh fox with no additional addons or plugins. The difference in memory usage can be huge sometimes!
Update your computer with windows update! Stop ignoring it, I know you do!
Uninstall programs you do not use.
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38 comments:

  1. AstyMarch 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    useful, as always

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  2. SportsGuyBrandonMarch 22, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Already downloaded CCleaner but will continue to follow this post. Thanks for the help.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    CCleaner is awesome! i use it daily

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  4. Biff TannerMarch 22, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I love cc cleaner on of the best.

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  5. DaniellaMarch 22, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Great and easy to follow instructions!
    Really helpful to those who don't know how to tune up their computer :)

    thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. bipolar bearMarch 22, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    thanks! that's some really useful info!

    ReplyDelete
  7. frameaj1March 22, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    As a Technician I can say we use all of these on our clients machines :)

    great post and informative.

    Another great program is "Teracopy" faster than normal windows copying.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gajewa469March 22, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    Thats awesome. Thanks for all the information.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JayMarch 22, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    i've been using ccleaner for a while now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jordan VargasMarch 22, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Like frameaj1 said, as a technician these are products I use to tune-up my client's comptuer(s).

    Nice background btw :p

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lazy The KidMarch 22, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Or just buy a mac (for now at least)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    windows advanced system care seems to be an all-in one program.

    ReplyDelete
  13. steveMarch 23, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    @-M
    Windows advanced system care is made by a corrupt company. I'd rather use my methods over IOBit software anyday.
    http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/a/iobittrustingantivirus.htm

    ReplyDelete
  14. RawMarch 23, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Nice tips, I use all of these.

    ReplyDelete
  15. BassislvMarch 23, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    nice tips! thanks for posting

    ReplyDelete
  16. MerlyyMarch 24, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Thanks, I needed that.

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  17. souichirouMarch 24, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    great tips for end-users! just make sure that you don't go switching things your not sure about when using msconfig or your computer might have trouble when it boots.

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  18. Patti D.March 25, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    Very nice! thanks for the info

    ReplyDelete
  19. J. ReaperMarch 25, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Once again, great info! I'll probably use this, actually.

    ReplyDelete
  20. ChasesMovieThoughtsMarch 26, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    CCleaner worked for me !

    ReplyDelete
  21. AntiquatedMarch 26, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Great info I already use all of them, but I'm sure there's a ton out there that are clueless. Keep em coming!

    ReplyDelete
  22. JoelRiterMarch 26, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    All good stuff but pretty common knowledge. I really hate those "speed up your computer" commercials. Preying on the computer illiterate to make money... oh wait... I'm trying to do the same... Oh well...

    ReplyDelete
  23. ClayMarch 26, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    I'm going to look more inro this, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. -March 26, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    Yep, this is a good list. *Tips hat at you, sir* --Computer Manufacturing Engineer

    ReplyDelete
  25. YazureMarch 26, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    i've used CC cleaner, its a very good program, but you have to use it often if you dont like it taking ages.

    ReplyDelete
  26. timMarch 26, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    CCleaner will be used today :D

    ReplyDelete
  27. MikeMarch 27, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Good info, will use this later

    ReplyDelete
  28. Elliot MacLeod-MichaelMarch 27, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    thank you. this is definitely relevant to my interests

    ReplyDelete
  29. red9987March 27, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    great info! another awesome addition could be ninite. it lets you bundle applications for easy installation from the internet. just run the tiny program it gives you and it auto downloads and installs all the software you selected opting out of any crap add-ons. ninite.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. TrapperMarch 28, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    great read following for sure!

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  31. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    CCleaner is good, been using it for over a year now.

    ReplyDelete
  32. FlamesMarch 28, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Great guide!

    ReplyDelete
  33. ZeroTimeMarch 28, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    CCleaner is a really great program

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  34. AlphaMarch 28, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Good stuff, good stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownMarch 28, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Great tips. I know to defrag my computer at least but not the others.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Butcher BradleyMarch 28, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Good guide for common people.

    ReplyDelete
  37. ChrisMarch 28, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    I'm a computer forensic examiner. CC cleaner really screws us over if used properly.

    ReplyDelete
  38. RandallMarch 28, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Good info. You reminded me I need to do a defrag

    ReplyDelete

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