In Windows Speed Up Tips we talked about ways to help recoup some of the original speed of your computer. Today we'll talk about more ways to increase your computer's performance.
More “Juice”
The fastest route to seeing a noticeable difference is to add more RAM. To view how much "memory" your computer currently has installed, right-click the My Computer icon and click properties. In the general tab, toward the bottom of the window, you will see your computer processor, along with it's speed and amount of memory installed.
My PC has 2 GB of RAM. If you have Windows Vista you should have, at a minimum, 1 GB. For Windows XP, 512 MB or greater is recommended. The more RAM your PC has the faster it will be able to accomplish tasks and run programs. If you would like to add PC memory to your computer, a terrific place to shop is Crucial.com. They have a Memory Advisor Tool and a System Scanning Tool that can help you choose the proper memory module to purchase. Your shipment will include documentation that explains how to properly install the memory modules but there is also a How-To available at the website.
Curb Windows Animation
Another increase in performance, although small, can be achieved by adjusting Windows Visual Effects.
To reach the settings tab, right-click the My Computer icon and choose properties. Then click the Advanced Tab and finally the settings button in the Performance section.
Choose the visual effects tab and adjust the settings to your liking.
The following is a screenshot of my visual effects settings:
Squeeky Clean Windows
I use an excellent freeware program called Ccleaner to keep my computer free of unnecessary temporary files and optimized for peak performance. It is extremely customizable and can be set to run when windows starts for automatic cleaning.
PC Tweaking Is Fun
Don't be afraid to add memory, a new DVD drive or hard drive to your PC. They are all relatively simple yet extremely rewarding projects. All new Computer parts come with detailed instructions and toll-free numbers to call if you run into problems.
Modifying a few settings and running specialized software can lead to happier computing. Have fun tweaking and experimenting.
As always, a backup is recommended before tinkering with your PC.