| Computers always seem to be slower than you'd like. | | | | weren't always using their program, so they often |
| So how to make your computer faster again? | | | | make sure that the setup program asks Windows to |
| 1. Make sure your anti virus software is up to date | | | | run their software every time it boots up. Sometimes |
| New computers often come with a trial for popular | | | | they will ask your permission during the setup routine |
| anti-virus software such as Norton. But since viruses | | | | but often they just tick the "yes" box for you and let |
| come out all the time, you need to make sure that you | | | | you decide that you'd prefer the program doesn't run |
| keep your anti virus software slap bang up to date. If | | | | all the time. The trouble is that all these different |
| you don't do this, there's a chance not only of getting | | | | programs are using up computer power and memory. |
| your files or data corrupted but also of a nasty | | | | So they will be slowing down your computer, often |
| program running itself on your computer and slowing | | | | without you knowing. Get ruthless - you probably don't |
| everything down. | | | | care whether or not you have absolutely the latest |
| 2. Keep your firewall on | | | | version of iTunes or Adobe Acrobat so long as the |
| Most recent versions of Windows come with a | | | | software works. Double check online but you can |
| firewall to help protect you whilst you are connected | | | | almost certainly turn off the auto-updaters for most |
| to the internet. Make sure that this is always switched | | | | software programs and free up your computer power |
| on so that malicious programs can't creep in and use | | | | for yourself again. |
| your computing power for their own ends. | | | | 5. Clear out the Registry |
| 3. Watch out for spyware | | | | Specialist software is the safest way of doing this. |
| This is different from viruses, so there's a good | | | | The Registry is Windows equivalent of your attic |
| chance that your anti virus software won't pick it up. | | | | storage combined with your garage combined with a |
| Spyware does exactly what you'd expect from the | | | | handful of actually useful things. It stores information |
| name - it spies on you. Its cousin is Adware, which | | | | about your machine. But whilst most software is quite |
| flashes up unwanted adverts or new unexpected | | | | happy to install settings in the Registry, it's less happy |
| browser windows. Both these types of software can | | | | to uninstall them when they are no longer needed. |
| be sloppily programmed and can therefore cause | | | | Quite often, even uninstall routines will leave scraps of |
| crashes and memory leaks, generally slowing down | | | | completely useless information in the Registry. Which |
| your computer. | | | | will slow Windows down when it comes to trying to |
| 4. Switch off unwanted background programs | | | | find the settings it really needs. |
| Lots of software programmers assume that you will | | | | 6. Buy more memory |
| always want their program immediately to hand. Even | | | | Modern software is memory hungry. Feed it more |
| if you only use the program once in a blue moon. It | | | | memory - you'll be grateful! |
| would dent the programmer's ego to learn that you | | | | |