Updating Windows

Windows isn’t my favourite operating system but a majority of PC users use it and with that comes hackers, operating system security holes and so on.. So it is imperative that you keep your Windows operating system up to date. Fortunately this is relatively easy with Windows as it comes with a self updating application built in to the operating system.

Here’s how to check and setup your PC to keep Windows updated.

1. Click “Start”.
2. Goto “Control Panel”.
3. Select “Windows Update”.
4. Choose “Settings” and select how and when you would like Windows to download and install updates.

Follow my video of how to setup Windows updates.

Application Cleanup

Have you ever taken the time to look at all the installed applications on your PC? How many you actually use? I mean I see computers with piles and piles of apps installed which the owner hasn’t accessed for quite awhile, so many unneccessary toolbars which only clutter your system. Well it’s time for a spring clean of your apps to gain some performance from your PC.

Follow the steps below to cleanup your system applications.

1. Click “start”.
2. Goto “Control Panel”.
3. Click “Add/Remove Programmes”.
4. Browse your list of applications and programmes and un-install the ones you won’t use including rubbish browser toolbars.

This will free up some harddisk space and improve your computer performance overall.

Disable Visual Effects

In this post I will show you how to extract more performance from your computer by disabling visual effects. Visual effects-What are they? Visual effects are the eye candy you see in your operating system. This eye candy or nice visual effects use up valuable resources your computer could use elsewhere.

For me it’s all about performance so if you want some much needed responsiveness from your PC then follow my guide below or the video of How to Disable Visual Effects in your operating system.

1. From desktop “start” or the “Windows” button in Vista.
2. Right click “My Compter or Computer” in the menu and select “Properties”.
3. Select “Advanced System Settings”.
4. Click the “Settings” button in performance.
5. Check the “Adjust for Best Performance” button and click “Apply”

You will see your nice visual effects disappear but your PC’s responsiveness will greatly increase. Below is the video of how to do this.

Harddrive Defragmentation

Disk defragmentation is a term used to describe the process to reduce fragmented files on your harddrive. Windows does have a defragmentation programme included in system tools but we will use a much better piece of software. This free software will not only reduce the fragmented files and organize these files so they are close together and contiguous but the programme will also optimize the placement of the files.

The performance boost to harddrives is explosive, your applications will open and run faster

Download Ultimate Defrag

I will also show you how to optimise your harddisks for peak performance simply using some harddrive tweaks.

Follow my video of how to setup and run UltimateDefrag and How to Optimize Harddisks.

PC System Cleanup

In our first part of this series I will show you how to cleanup your PC system. I like to start any system optimization with a clean base. Please download CCleaner (Crap Cleaner). This is a very lightweight and powerful application for any computer system cleanup. Follow the steps below to clean the crap from your system or alternatively see my video below performing the system cleanup steps using CCleaner.

Run CCleaner

1.Install CCleaner.
2.During installation at the “Install Options” screen uncheck “Automatically check for Updates” and “Add CCleaner Yahoo! Toolbar”, then proceed with install.
3.When running the programme for the first time you will see two tabs “Windows and “Applications”. Click the “Windows” Tab and ensure all checkboxes are ticked. (This is what will be cleaned up)
4.Click the “Analyze” button. CCleaner will inform you how much waste will be removed from your computer.
5.Finally click “Run Cleaner” (Ensure no browsers are open as it will interfere with the cleaning process).
6.Click the “Applications” tab and repeat the “analyze” and “Run Cleaner” steps as previous.

You are well on your way to a faster system by simply performing this step. You have effectively cleaned up your temp files, emptied the trash, cleaned caches, internet history and cookies.

Follow this video of how to cleanup your PC system