Remember when your computer was new? The new computer smell, and extremely responsive interface? Today the time it takes to boot up your computer seems to take forever compared to it’s younger and more youthful years.

You might think what is going on with this slow computer. I just bought it last year. Well to be honest what you are experiencing is very common and can be easily fixed.

As you continue to use your computer, you install new programs, surf the web, and download music, and movies. Your computer becomes very bogged down. I have compiled a list of tasks you can do to keep that computer running just like it has been pulled out of the box.

1. Remove any old files, folders and programs from your computer.

• The easiest way to remove programs from your computer is to navigate to your control panel under your Start Menu click on control panel and navigate to Add/Remove Programs if you are on Windows 200o or XP. If you are on windows vista please click the icon titled Programs and Features. In this window it will show all the installed programs on your computer and tell you how frequently each program is used. You can remove any program you know is old or you are no longer using.

2. Remove all temporary or cached files from your internet browser.

• Assuming that the majority of you are running Internet Explorer as your browser navigate to the tools tab and click Internet Options. In the first window you will see an option to erase both your cookies and Temp Internet Files. It is alright to remove both because all that is stored is some simple information about where you have been on the internet and some pre cached images that will help the page load quicker next time you visit.

3. Disable programs from running at startup.

• You may have noticed when you installed a program that a new icon now shows up next to your systems clock even when the program is not open. This means that the program you installed runs in the background. Most of the time programs do this to make it quicker to start the program when you are ready to use it. However if you have to many programs running at startup your computer can become very slow and even unusable. To remove programs from startup go to your Start Menu and click run. In the run dialog type msconfig and press enter. You will see a new window on the desktop and you will need to navigate to the startup tab. In this tab msconfig will show you all the programs that run when you boot your computer. Please uncheck any box next to a program you do not wish to run at startup. Note! – IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT A PROGRAM IS DO NOT UNCHECK THE BOX NEXT TO IT. IT COULD CAUSE YOUR COMPUTER TO BECOME UNBOOTABLE. Once you have removed all the startup items you wish click ok and restart your computer.

4. Organize your files and folders.

• This may not get your computer running any faster but just like you clean your car or home your computer does need it’s own spring cleaning. Try to put common files in folders and label them. Trust me you will not regret taking time out of your day to do this when you save time not searching for that paper.

5. Update your anti-virus, anti-spyware, and Windows.

• This is a MUST DO. Installing the latest Windows updates and ensuring that your Internet Security software is up-to-date is crucial to the health of your computer. If the updates are not installed or your Internet Security software is not updated your will be at risk of getting a virus that could render your computer useless. Please make sure this step is completed if none of the above are. The tech community and I can not stress enough how important this step is!

Other ways to get that new computer smell back.

• Install more memory. – Join the live chat at http://geekologist.net/live and we can help you find the right memory for your computer.
• Get an external Hard Drive for your files. – Keep your music and photos externally to save valuable space on your Hard Drive.

Keep your mac running like new coming soon!

If you have anymore questions or would like to offer your own tips to our readers do not hesitate to leave a comment below!

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