Startup - What is running?
If you have downloaded and installed software from the internet or CD-ROM then there is a good chance this software might be running in the background, this will generally use up your RAM and slow down your computer. There is no need to have software running until you actually use it - right? So, let's have a look and see if we can take extra running programs out - Go to your Start Menu, select Run and type msconfig into the white space then select Open.

The System Configuration Utility will now open. Select the Startup tab. You'll now see a list of programs which are loading up when the computer is switched on. By deselecting each tick box beside the name of the software you can stop it running from start-up. But, STOP right there. You may wish to keep Antivirus, Firewall and any essential programs like ctfmon running. Your safest bet is to check out each Startup Item name in the search engines or Help menu within Windows. You'll have to reboot for the new settings to apply.

Slow Internet Connection - You may have Spyware installed
Spyware software can easily be downloaded from the internet while downloading freebie software - It runs when you connect to the internet and monitors and sends feedback to its originator, usually gathering info for marketing and research purposes. To remove Spyware there is a great free piece of software you can download called Ad-Aware SE which will do a full automated scan of your computer and report any programs which are deemed Spyware and allow you to remove them safely.

Defragmenting Hard-drive for File Optimisation
It's a good idea to regularly defragment your hard-drive to allow files to be properly stored and retrieved. Constant use of your computer without defragmenting will slow your machine down. Open your Start Menu, select Programs, select Accessories, System Tools and then Disk Defragmenter.
Select the drive you want to degrament and then click on Analyze - The result will tell you if you need to degrament your drive or not. Select Defragment to start the process.

Remove Unwanted Programs
You can easily remove unwanted programs and save some disk space by using the Add/Remove Programs tutorial.

Display Properties - Graphic Card Optimisation

Your screen (and computer) will refresh faster if you optimise your display properties settings:

• Right-click on your desktop
• select properties
• select Appearance
• click on Effects and untick all of the boxes - click on OK when finished
• click on the Desktop tab and remove any RAM eating backgrounds and select None
• click on Screen Saver - select None - another RAM eater!
• click on Settings and choose 16 bit color instead of 32 bit