PC Doctor
Keep Your Computer Running Like New - Automatically!
Windows comes with several programs you can use to clean the hard drive and maintain your PC's software. The steps below will show you ways to keep your computer running smoothly, and best of all, how to run Windows's in-built cleaner on auto-pilot.
*1 Defrag* Your PC stores files in different parts of your hard drive, as programs are extended and new files created over deleted ones. This process is called file fragmentation. An easy way to make your PC run faster is to make it easier for your hard drive to find the files it needs, speeding up direct read times. To run your Defragmenter, go to Start -> Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> click 'Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs run faster'.
*2. Disk Cleanup* Disk Cleanup is a Windows application that will clear out old and unused files, saving your disk space for the programs you use routinely. Without realizing it, you may have documents that were relevant several months ago but their use has passed. You may have downloaded a lot of images attached to emails, such as a signature file. These have no use to you, but they take up room on your computer. To clear your old and unnecessary files, go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup and select the files you want to remove.
*3 Check For Viruses*
It's possible a slow PC is the victim of a malicious program or virus, sometimes called 'malware' or 'spyware'. Spyware keeps tabs on the information on your computer and may transmit it to thieves to use your credit card data or similar personal information. Check now if your firewall is turned on. Follow Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet Connections -> Windows Firewall.
Spyware will slow your PC down significantly and if you've got it, you should get rid of it immediately with an antivirus program. Click here for recommendations.
*4 Automate*
The best part is, you can automate everything above! Windows has a built-in feature to run the programs on auto-pilot. Follow the steps below and get your operating system to check and update itself regularly.
First, we need to create a Batch File. A Batch File contains a set of instructions you can define, for your computer to follow.
Second, we show you how to edit your Batch File.
*5 Create a Batch File*
Open notepad by clicking Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad.
You have a blank page. You will enter the text that appears below, but first, we need to save the notepad so your computer knows it's a Batch File to automate your Defrag, Disk Cleanup and virus checker.
Save the file in a location where you can easily access it, like your desktop. Select File -> Save As from the Notepad menu. You can see three boxes at the bottom of the Save As popup box. In 'File Name:' enter an easy name that you will remember, and make sure enter .bat as the file extension. For example, you might call the file 'cleanup.bat' or 'maintenance.bat'. The .bat after the name you choose is the file extension.
In 'Save as type:' select All Files from the dropdown menu.
Now you've created your Batch File, you need to give it the instructions to clean your computer.
*Auto Defrag*
To automatically defrag your hard drive, enter the following line into your Batch File:
"defrag:c"
*6 Auto Disk Cleanup*
We have to tell the Disk Cleanup program what parts of the disk to fix when the automated program comes around. Here's how:
* Click Start -> Run
* Type "cleanmgr /sagerun:1"
* Click OK
The Disk Cleanup Settings window will appear. Select the items you'd like to scrub as we did in step 2 above.
Next, to automatically have Windows cleanup your disk, enter the following line into your Batch File"
"cleanmgr /sagerun:1"
*7 Auto Virus Check*
Scheduling virus checks depends on the virus program you have. You're best to look at the support section of the website for the anti-virus company you use, or contact their support staff for instructions on how to automate the virus checker into your Batch File.
10 ways to speed up your PC.
*Defrag* Your PC stores files in different parts of your hard drive, as programs are extended and new files created over deleted ones. This process is called file fragmentation. An easy way to make your PC run faster is to make it easier for your hard drive to find the files it needs, speeding up direct read times. To run your Defragmenter, go to Start -> Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> click 'Rearrange items on your hard disk to make programs run faster'.
*Turn off autoplay* The Windows autoplay function is handy if you want to start a DVD or open a USB stick as soon as you insert the device in to the PC. However, if you use external devices with a lot of data stored on them, Windows will slow down considerably to open these automatically, every time you insert them. If you would prefer to do this manually, turn off the autoplay function by following these steps: Start -> Run -> type gpedit.msc and push Enter -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> double-click Turn off autoplay -> Enable -> select All drives in the drop-down list.
*Clear prefetch files* One of Windows's ways of speeding itself up is to store important parts of programs in a folder called Prefetch. The Prefetch folder allows Windows to quickly access programs you run often. This folder can become a burden when it fills up with files you've opened just once, usage up your PC's memory for a duplicated file it won't use again. To open your Prefetch folder, go to Start -> Run and enter prefetch in the dialog box. This will bring up all the files. You can delete them all without concern. The files you use everyday will be restored next time you boot up your PC.
*Turn off optional Windows apps* If you notice long delays to open a program, it's possible you have a previously opened app running on an endless loop, not shutting down. This eats up all your processing power without you realizing. To fix this, open Task Manager, right click on the program and select Set Priority -> Below Normal. This gives your other programs priority for your PC's processing resources.
*Visual performance* Maximize your memory for running your programs, not making the desktop look pretty. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> System Preferences -> Advanced -> Performance -> Select the radio button 'Adjust for best performance'
*Increase RAM* If you really want to see a big improvement in your PC's performance, you could consider boosting your RAM. Your Random Access Memory is the part of your computer that runs the programs you have open. The more RAM you have, the more programs you can use -- and the faster they will run. Upgrading your RAM means taking your PC to your local computer shop, where they will make the hardware change for you.
Clean out old files Find and remove files that you don’t need. You may have documents that were relevant several months ago but their use has passed. You may have downloaded a lot of images attached to emails, such as a signature file. These have no use to you, but they take up room on your computer. To clear your old and unnecessary files, go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup and select the files you want to remove.
Disable unused ports Save memory by turning off the programs you don't need when your PC boots up. This will stop Windows from finding and reading unnecessary apps at bootup, for example, the USB drive or CD-rom drive. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager. You'll see a list of devices Windows reads on startup. Double click one you don't want (COM 1 is the communications port for the USB), then select the dropdown box 'Do not use this device (disable)'.
*Check your firewall*
It's possible a slow PC is the victim of a malicious program or virus, sometimes called 'malware' or 'spyware'. Spyware keeps tabs on the information on your computer and may transmit it to thieves to use your credit card data or similar personal information. Check now if your firewall is turned on. Follow Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet Connections -> Windows Firewall.
Spyware will slow your PC down significantly and if you've got it, you should get rid of it immediately with an antivirus program. Click here for recommendations.
*Clear your registry* The registry is like a library, storing your computer's programs. With time, as programs are added and removed, and everyday programs opened more frequently than others, your registry ends up disorganized with files scattered everywhere. An old or cluttered registry will cause crashes and blue screen lags. Check out an instant registry cleaner here.
10 More Ways To Increase Windows 7 Performance
*Disable Aero Snap and Aero Peek*Windows 7's impressive visual performance and additional features will slow down your computer. This is particularly true if you've installed the new software in your existing machine, with an older graphics card. Turn off the bloat by going to Start -> Control Panel -> Ease of Access, and choose Make it easier to focus on tasks. Next, uncheck the box that says 'Prevent Windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen'. Then right click your taskbar that runs along the bottom of the screen, select Properties, and uncheck the box that says 'Use aero Peek to preview the desktop'.
*Boost Power and Performance* Windows 7 is shipped with default power settings to balance between energy consumption and performance. Get optimal performance by maximizing your power plan. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Power Options -> Show Additional Plans and select High Performance.
*Use Sleep and Hibernate* Instead of shutting down and restarting your computer every time you use it, why not quickly resume where you left and have your PC running in just seconds? Sleep mode switches your machine to low power so you can leave documents and programs open, come back to it hours or days later, and have your same session open and waiting for you. Initiate Sleep mode from the shutdown menu.
If you do want to close your computer down for a longer period, the Hibernate feature saves your current session to the hard drive, and your programs and files are restored next time you boot the computer up. Hibernate is not a default feature in Windows 7 so you need to configure it manually. Here's how:
1. Open Start -> Run and enter cmd.exe in the dialog box
2. Right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator
3. You will see a black text 'Command' box popup. Type powercfg /hibernate on and press enter
4. Next, open Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options. You will see your current power option selected. Click 'Change Plan Settings' next to it.
5. Click Advanced Power Settings
6. Select 'Sleep' from the list, then Allow Hybrid Sleep, and Select Off, then click OK
Now you will notice Hibernate in the shutdown options on your start menu.
*Disable Thumbnail Preview* Thumbnail view displays the contents of folders when you scroll over the folder icon. Along with the visual improvements in Windows 7 compared with XP, the thumbnail view feature is cute to look at, but not a good use of memory space if you're after performance. Turn it off by opening My Computer and select Organize -> Folder and Search options. Under Files and Folders, click View and then select the check box 'Always show icons, never thumbnails'.
*Disable startup programs* Windows 7 has a host of programs that open automatically when you boot up. Most of them are important, but some of them you don't need right away when you start the computer. Open Windows Defender and select Tools -> Software Explorer to reveal the programs Windows opens automatically at start up. Those you're sure you don't need to open overtime, click and select Disable.
*Streamline your sounds* Trim a little bit more fat from Windows 7 by turning off the sounds and alerts. Go to Start -> Run and enter mmsys.cpl into the search box. When the popup window appears, open the Sounds tab and under Sound Scheme, select No Sounds. Then click Apply and OK.
*Customize & Tweak Your Settings* WinBubble is a free software download that will easily allow you to change your Windows settings for optimum performance. These just five of the tweaks you can make:
* Edit Owner Information - speed up file and program opening
* Customize the Context menu - one click to change visual settings
* Copy/Move to - organize files, fast
* Add Disk Cleanup to right-click menu - quicker access to scrub your PC
* Customize Shortcut Icons - to easily identify your files
*Performance Updates* Keeping your software updated will maintain the best performance from your Windows PC. Software updates will install bug fixes and extra security on your machine. Bookmark windowsupdate.microsoft.com in Internet Explorer. Also, you'll notice periodic updates for your system drivers (audio, video etc), so also bookmark those manufacturers' sites.
*Check your firewall* It's always prudent to check your firewall settings. If you've noticed a change in performance with Windows 7, it's a possible sign of a malicious program or virus, sometimes called 'malware' or 'spyware'. Spyware keeps tabs on the information on your computer and may transmit it to thieves to use your credit card data or similar personal information. Check now if your firewall is turned on. Follow Start - Control Panel - Network and Internet Connections - Windows Firewall.
Spyware will slow your PC down significantly and if you've got it, you should get rid of it immediately with an antivirus program. Click here for recommendations.
*Clear your registry* The registry is like your computer's library that stores your programs. With time, as some programs are added and removed, and everyday programs opened more frequently than others, your registry ends up disorganized with files scattered everywhere. An old or cluttered registry will cause crashes and blue screen lags. Download a recommended hard disk scan and check for free if hackers have targeted your browser.
