Cleaning and speeding the computer

          PC Primer Monthly
           Roger Creighton    1-1-2012

Users need to have more personal connection with their computers. The amount of effort expended on maintenance and upkeep will be returned many times over; when you consider the improvements in speed, storage space and overall functionality.

What in the world am I talking about?  I am suggesting users learn the very easy steps of ridding the computer of unused junk files (this is done by using System Cleanup), Disk Defragmentation, and setting a restore point once the computer is as close to optimized as you can get it.

This is all very easy. Trust Me! (I know you have heard this before).
There are three things that you need to know to make this successful. First you need to use the programs already on your system tools menu bar they are: Disk cleanup, disk defragmentation, and lastly ,system restore. Follow the following steps to bring up the files needed.

1. Click on the Windows start button (lower left of you desktop screen). 2. Left click on all programs. 3. Scroll down to the folder named Accessories and left click on it. 4. Scroll down to the folder System Tools and Left click on it.

2. Scroll down to “disk Clean up” Right click on it.  Now from the pop up menu left click on “pin to start menu”. Hit the enter key.

3. Repeat the steps in instruction #1 /when you get to system tools scroll down this time to (either Diskeeper or to defrag depending on the operating system you are using). Right click and choose “pin to start menu”.

4. Repeat the process one more time. This time when you reach system tools right click on “System Restore” then again add to start menu.

Now you have all three folders on your start menu. To use the programs Firstly click on Disk Cleanup and allow the computer to examine its self. It will give you the choice of deleting all the junk that it finds. The only choice I ever make is to delete the files because there is nothing you can do with these files.

When that process is finished (the time consideration is directly connected to the frequency of you past disc clean ups.. If your computer is a few years old and you have never had this done, it may take a while), Be Patient…

Secondly use the “Defragmentation” feature and run a “System Defrag”.  If never done before this may take overnight to catch up with your changes. Be patient.
Lastly Return to the start menu and click on “system restore” This will take you to a new page where you are given the choice of restoring to an earlier time or creating a restore point.

You will be allowed to name the new restore point and I would suggest something like “ system optimized” telling you that the computer is at its best configuration. Now let it make the restore point and tell you that it is done. Now re-boot (turn off and then turn on your computer and it should be remarkably faster than before).  Good Luck, This one is really easy.