Is your computer:

• Slower than normal?
• Displaying odd error messages?
• Taking forever to start-up?
• Displaying “Windows is low on Virtual Memory” warnings?

Don’t waste your money on a “memory upgrade”, just spend some time and follow these instructions to get your computer running in better-than-new condition.

• The Cause
• The Fix
  • Step 1. Remove all unnecessary programs
  • Step 2. Disable programs set to automatically start
  • Step 3. Disable programs set to automatically start (2)
  • Step 4. Run Windows Update service
  • Step 5. Perform Disk Clean-Up
  • Step 6. Perform Disk Defragmentation
  • Step 7. Run Safe Mode Virus & Spyware Scans
  • Step 8. Conclusion

First, some info on the most common causes (or skip to the fix)

The Cause

“Extras”

Over time a computer will accumulate unnecessary, and poorly designed programs that will clog all system resources causing the symptoms above. And more. Most popular software includes completely unnecessary extras. From “speed launchers”, to “updaters”, and worse yet “toolbars”. Even new computers from all the major manufacturers are being shipped this way. They are some of the worst offenders. The reality is that these “extras” are nothing but hidden, sneaky, marketing tricks. All these “extras” are a drain to your computer, a threat to your privacy, and a pain in the ass. Completely, not needed! In most cases this can be removed fairly easily. Read the Clean-Up Procedure below, or give us a call for help.

“Spyware”

The other cause of a slow, problematic computer is malicious software. This type of software includes spyware and viruses. Malicious software will accumulate from a variety of sources, but the most common include:

• File sharing services
• Pornographic websites
• Illegal websites
• Unsolicited emails that are opened
• Infection from another machine

Spyware is a major cause of computer slow-downs. In most cases malicious software can be removed fairly easily. Read the Clean-Up Procedure below, or give us a call for help.

“Support Software”

Computers manufactures (Dell, HP, ext…), and internet service providers (Roadrunner, AT&T, ext…) normally include support software for their device or service. In most cases this software is completely useless. They normally contains poorly designed versions of features already included with Windows, and can be a major drain on your computer. This type of software can be removed fairly easily. Read the Clean-Up Procedure below, or give us a call for help.

The Fix

The first step to resolving the above issues are as follows (Note: Please proceed at your own risk, this information is provided for reference only):

1. Remove all unnecessary programs

• (XP) Go to: Start — Control Panel — Add / Remove Programs
• (Vista) Go to: Start – Control Panel — Uninstall a program

This will display most of the the programs currently installed on your computer. Starting at the top, examine this list, and uninstall any program that you do not use or do not need. Additionally, the following is a list of – in my mind – completely useless software, that should be removed (if you use some of the programs listed, don’t uninstall them!):

• Viewpoint Media Player
• Yahoo! Toolbar (will not affect other Yahoo! Applications)
• Google Toolbar (Windows has built-in pop-up blockers that work damn well)
• Google Desktop (a somewhat popular program that can cause a serious slowdown of your machine… only keep it, if you really need it!)
• MSN
• AOL (reasons too long for this post)
• All Software Update programs
• As mentioned above, in most cases, support software can be safely removed Important: Reboot the computer when prompted, and when you’re completed uninstalling programs.

2. Disable programs set to automatically start up via Start Up Folder

• (XP & Vista) Go to: Start — All Programs — Startup

This folder contains some of the items set to automatically run. 99% of the time, ALL programs in this list can be safely deleted. To delete a file here, right-click on an item, and click “delete”. Some common annoyances include:

• Acrobat Speed Launcher
• Office Launcher

3. Disable programs set to automatically start up via the Registry — PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

• (XP) Go to: Start — Run — type Regedit — Click OK
• (Vista) Go to: Start – type Regedit – Press Enter

This will load the windows registry editor. Browse to the following location:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Items located in these folders are set to run at startup. In both folders above, delete items that reference unneeded programs.

Reboot your computer.

4. Run Windows Update service

• (XP & Vista) Go to: Start – All Programs – Windows Update o (Vista) Go to: Start – type Windows Update – Press Enter

This will launch the Windows Update web service to install the latest updates for your computer. Follow the instruction given, and repeat the process until there are no more updates available for your machine.

Reboot your computer.

5. Perform Disk Clean-Up

• (XP) Go to: Start – Run – type Cleanmgr – Click OK
• (Vista) Go to: Start – type Disk Cleanup – Press Enter

This will delete unnecessary files on your computer. This will allow then next steps to complete faster, and provide additional protection. Follow the instructions to delete all temporary files, cookies, and web history.

6. Perform Disk Defragmentation

• Reboot your computer (will increase the speed of this process)
• (XP) Go to: Start – Control Panel – Performance and Maintenance – Rearrange items on your hard disk drive to make programs run faster
• (Vista) Go to: Start – type Defrag – Press Enter

This will analyze the hard drive and rearrange data to allow faster data access. This will also allow faster virus scans (the next steps).

7. Run Safe Mode Virus & Spyware Scans

• If you have anti-virus software installed, obtain the latest updates. If
  you do not have anti-virus installed, or are lacking a current subscription,
  go get it here for free: AVG Anti-virus
• Install the program, run the update process then close the program.
• Obtain at lease 2 anti-spyware programs. If you do not have any, go get
  these for free: Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware
• Install the programs, run the update process then close the program. 

This will allow the computer to boot to Safe Mode on the next boot.

• Restart the computer, and allow the system to enter Safe Mode.
• Run full system Anti-Virus scan, fix all problems found, then reboot the computer.
• Run full system Anti-Spyware scan, fix all problems, then reboot the computer
• Repeat until all scans are complete with no problems found

(Note: Some Anti-Spyware programs will not run in Safe Mode (i.e. Ad-Aware), finish all safe-mode scans where you can, then boot to windows normally, to complete scans.)

8. Conclusion

The process outlined above, while it may take some time, will return your computer to it’s best operating condition. As noted earlier, even new computers benefit from this procedure. Sometimes greatly, and especially Vista. This document is a work in progress, and will be updated and expanded upon regularly. If you would prefer assistance in cleaning up your machine or with anything else, please call.