How to Speed Up Your Computer with Windows 7

With society's dependence on computers today, there's nothing more annoying than a slow computer. We are often tricked into spending hundreds of dollars on software that is said to make your computer run "as fast as when you bought it". The truth is, all of this software commands your computer to do tasks that you could easily do yourself with a few minutes of your day. The average person may not know these easy, simple, and FREE methods to speed up your computer. Just follow the steps outlined below each method.

1. Free up disk space. (Clears up unwanted files, faster access throughout hard drive)

• Go to the start menu.
• Click "Control Panel".
• Click "System and Security".
• Under "Administrative Tools", you should see "Free up disk space" in a smaller font. Click that.
•  The Disk Cleanup tool will then calculate how much space you will be able to free up.
• When this is complete, the program will re-open showing multiple check boxes. Most people should check all of these boxes.
• Press "Ok".
• When the Disk Cleanup tool is finished, it will close automatically.

2. Disk Defragmenter (Speeds up loading times, access to data)

• Repeat the first three steps above.
• Under "Administrative Tools", click "Defragment your hard drive".
• Make sure that the hard drive, "(C:)" is highlighted.
• Click "Analyze Disk" to find out if you should defragment your hard drive and estimate how long it will take.
• Click "Defragment Disk" to begin the process. The disk defragmentation will usually take a lengthy amount of time to complete. *If you leave your computer on overnight, it should be finished in the morning depending on how much data is stored on your hard drive and the amount that is defragmented.
• When the process is completed, close the program.

3. Take advantage of ReadyBoost

*ReadyBoost is a tool included in Windows Vista and Windows 7 that allows users to use flash memory to improve performance without spending money on RAM (Random access memory).

• Plug your flash drive or flash memory card into the computer.
• An "Autoplay" dialog box should appear. Click the option to "Speed Up My System".
• In the properties dialog box, click the "ReadyBoost" tab.
• Now click either "Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost" for maximum performance, or use the drag bar to specify the amount of space on the device that you want to dedicate to memory.
• Click "Ok".

4. Turn off useless Startup programs. (Annoying things that pop up as soon as you start up the computer.)

• Go to start.
• In the text box at the bottom of the start menu, type in "msconfig" and press enter.
• Click the "Startup" tab.
• Uncheck any programs that you do not want to start when you turn on your computer. 

*Be careful when reading the programs in the list that appears. Do not uncheck any boxes that have to do with Microsoft or your computer's sound and display drivers. 

Through these four simple methods, you should notice a significant speed increase in older computers, and newer computers that have become bogged down with useless unwanted files. Best of all, there was no need to spend your money on useless computer programs that do almost the exact same thing. If this does not help, there are yet more advanced ways to increase your computer's performance that can be found online. If you are still unable to perform simple tasks such as surfing the internet, playing music, or viewing videos and photos on your PC, it may be time for an upgrade or a new computer altogether.