30 Ways To Instantly Speed Up Your Computer

30 Ways To Instantly Speed Up Your Computer

Try these great tips and tweaks to enjoy a faster experience online and offline.

1. Use Disk Cleanup regularly

Disk Cleanup is a great utility to instantly free up a lot of space that has been occupied by temporary files or others that can be deleted safely. DCleaner is a great alternative to Disk Cleanup that performs all cleaning tasks.

2. Use memory in a storage device to get more speed

Windows Vista users can use a tool called ReadyBoost, where Windows will use space from an external drive (for example, a USB flash drive) to speed up the computer. Simply set ReadyBoost on a device by right-clicking and checking 'Use this device' in Properties->ReadyBoost tab of the device.

3. Update your System Drivers

Update your system drivers (middle-men between installed hardware and the system's operating system for a component) using a free service like Uniblue Driver Scanner.

4. Improve disk drive performance through devmgmt.msc

Open Run dialog box and type 'devmgmt.msc' to open your Device Manager. Look for Disk Drives and you will find your computer's hard drive listed in it. Right-click -> Properties and you will find an option to enable 'Advanced Performance'. Select this to improve disk performance.

5. Uninstall applications easily and completely from your system

Try Revo Uninstaller to remove programs completely from your system. This freeware cleans up all traces of the program from your system, and all un-does all changes made by the program to your computer.

6. Use a Registry Cleaner

The Windows registry contains how applications and settings have been configured for your system. Problems with the registry can cause many errors and lead to your computer crashing frequently. These happen due to various reasons and ways of computer usage, many inevitable. It is important to scan and fix the registry to eliminate these errors.

Try Eusing Free Registry Cleaner, CCleaner or Registry Mechanic - all freeware to perform cleaning.

7. Clear up browsing history and temporary internet files from Internet Explorer

It is always advisable to regularly clear all history, cookies and temporary internet files from your web browser. An advisable alternative is to use the excellent free tool, CCleaner, that does this for you, and for many supported browsers other than Internet Explorer also.

8. Use Disk Defragmenter

As files are used, saved, modified and deleted, they tend to become fragments that become scattered over various parts of the hard drive. Disk Defragmenter is a tool that rearranges all files on the system so that they can be accessed faster from one location itself. Defraggler is a great alternative to the default Defragmenter provided in Windows. Defraggler has a host of better features that make it a must-try. Download it for free.

9. Change Start-Up programs through MSCONFIG

To speed up your computer when it is booted, determine the programs that are supposed to start automatically too. In the Run dialog box, type 'msconfig' and hit Enter to run the System Configuration Utility and select/de-select the Services depending on use.

10. Use a free antivirus and anti-spyware solution that is updated regularly

Read this post on five of the best free antivirus solutions available for home users, on the internet. Download and install one of them, as they are some of the best free ones around and are also automatically updated with the latest listings.

11. Try an original, paid antivirus software for better performance

Why not try an original and paid antivirus solution like Kaspersky, which are available under $20-per-year with many additional features over the freely available ones. Most good solutions offer month-long trials that can be experienced before purchase.

12. Use OpenDNS to speed up your internet experience

Use OpenDNS, which is a free domain name resolution service, to speed up your internet experience considerably and also make your network safer in the process. Configure it with this easy tutorial.

13. Adjust for Best Performance in System Settings

In System Settings (right-clicking My Computer -> Properties), select 'Adjust for best performance' or determine specific settings by selecting 'Custom'. For example, disabling Transparent Glass option in Windows Vista will improve speed.

14. Convert any FAT file system to NTFS

Convert your file management system from FAT to NTFS for the drives on your computer to improve performance and speed. Learn why and how we should do this from this Microsoft tutorial.

15. Use a simple shortcut to instantly switch users for a multiple-user system

If the computer you use also has other users, set up this simple shortcut on your desktop to switch users with a single click. The shortcut is basically a link to the tsdiscon.exe file that performs the operation.

16. Eject a USB with a simple mouse left-click

A USB drive is easier to eject from your computer with a single left-click. Read the second point of this post to understand why and how.

17. Speed up your web browsers with simple tweaks (For Internet Explorer and Firefox)

If on a broadband connection, use this registry tweak to speed up Internet Explorer. If you are a Firefox user, you can refer the second point in this tutorial to speed up Firefox instantly. Alternatively, give a faster browser like Google Chrome a try. In case you are a devotee of Internet Explorer, you might want to install the Google Chrome Frame to use Chrome within Internet Explorer.

18. Use a Bookmarks Bar to instantly access your favorite websites

Use your browser's bookmarks bar to it's full extent by filling it up with links to websites used daily and rigorously by you. A bookmarks bar is usually placed below the address bar in a browser. Links can be bookmarked with their icons for you to instantly access them. Try this Firefox add-on to optimize your Firefox bookmarks bar.

19. Use Search Engines without visiting their websites

Today's best web browsers provide various search engines embedded in the browser itself. This reduces the need to visit the search engine's website to search for anything. Just simply type what you want in the search bar and choose the search engine with where you want to perform the search in. In the case of Google Chrome, you can use it's brilliant Omnibox to search from your address bar itself.

20. Delete un-deletable files with Unlocker

Erroneous files open throw up errors like 'Cannot be deleted' or 'File is being used by another program'. Try Unlocker to delete all such erroneous files that may hamper system performance. Unlocker basically deletes files that cause trouble when a delete operation is attempted on them. Unlocker is free to download.

21. Use Bookmarklets to perform common tasks faster

Bookmarklets are hassle-free Javascript codes that can be saved as bookmarks and perform everyday tasks with a click. To save any website as a PDF file or to download a video from YouTube or Google Video instantly or to translate a non-English website into English, get these awesome bookmarklets now by simply dragging them to your bookmarks bar.

22. Boost your Wi-Fi reception

Often, a poor network is a result of low productivity for users of Wi-Fi networks. Read this article that provides ten useful tips to help you boost your Wi-Fi experience.

23. Kill processes from Command Prompt as an alternative to Task Manager

Read this tutorial to learn how you can easily end processes from the Command Prompt in your system. Using Command Prompt helps end multiple processes easily.

24. Disable 'Recently viewed documents'

Disable the option to view recently opened documents and programs from Start Menu as listing them uses up computer space. Do this from Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.

25. Turn Off System Restore to save space

System Restore sets up restore points to which a computer can be reversed in case you want to undo changes made to a computer with usage. In case you don't feel the need to do this, simply turn it off from System Properties as it takes up necessary storage space.

26. Use Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Also learn other keyboard shortcuts.

Use computer shortcuts to become more productive and speed up and optimize time spent on the system by learning shortcuts. For example, the Ctrl+Alt+Del route can be substituted by a single Ctrl+Shift+Esc to instantly open up Task Manager. Here's a list of 100 most useful Windows shortcuts.

27. Try Online Virus Scanning

Try online virus scanning as an alternative to installing a virus scanner, although the latter is always recommended. Read the third tip on this post to find services.

28. Automatically check for updates of software

Try this freeware that monitors the internet for updates of the software that you would be using currently. This helps keep latest versions and patches of software in check. Alternatively, try the CNET TechTracker.

29. Run software from the web by installing this simple plugin

Many web browsers, Twitter clients, music players and video streaming software can be run directly from your browser, hence reducing the need to install them on your system. All you have to do is use the Xenocode plugin.

30. Launch applications in seconds with Launchy

Launchy is a great tool to launch applications in seconds, if not milliseconds. Install this freeware, hit Alt+Space to summon it from the background and simply type what you are looking for and Launchy will fetch it for you instantly.