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