Your business probably has a computer (or several computers) for everyday operations and business tasks. Whether your employees are using computers for work or yes, distractions, it’s important to make sure that they are running smoothly. As time passes, your computer will collect junk along the way in the form of unused programs, spyware and occupied disk space. All of these unnecessary applications only serve to clog up your system and slow down your computer.
5 Tips to Speeding Up Your Computer
Businesses don’t need a dedicated IT department in order to speed up company computers. To clean out and speed up your computers, consider the following tips which can be implemented by anyone:
1. Defragment
The hard drive will slowly become fragmented the longer a computer is in use; thus resulting in disorganized files. Defragmenting a computer will put these pieces back together and increase the efficiency of your computer. In order to access the Defragment tool in Windows, access the Start menu > Accessories > System Tools. The System Tools folder possesses a wealth of programs designed to help you speed up your computer, including Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter. However, there are also a number of quality third-party applications that will also perform the same job.
2. Clean up Disk Space
The Disk Cleanup Tool in the “Systems Tools” folder will clean up your hard drive, removing unused files from multiple sources. For example, Disk Cleanup will remove temporary Internet files, empty your Recycle Bin, and delete any installed programs that are no longer in use. If this is your first time performing this step, you may be surprised at the amount of space that will be freed up.
3. Run Anti-Virus Software
One reason why your computer may be running slowly is because it is bogged down by viruses and spyware. Spyware is a malicious type of software that is installed on computers without your knowledge. Difficult to detect, spyware works behind the scenes; thus leading to a slowed computer. In order to deal with this problem, users can install and run anti-virus software that is specifically designed for this problem. However when choosing anti-virus software, it is important to choose a solution that is relatively light-weight and reliable. Many commercial solutions are large and bulky which slows down the computer, putting the user a step back from his or her intended goal.
4. Browser Cache
As you explore the Internet, your computer collects a history of all the sites visited into a particular folder. As time passes, this folder takes up more memory space, which can have an effect on your computer. In order to clean up the browser cache, explore the History tab in your preferred internet browser; it should include an option that will allow you to clear your history. If successful, performing this action will clear your computer’s memory and allow your browser to load faster.
5. Uninstall Unused Programs
If you’ve had your computer for an extended period of time, chances are that it has accumulated a wealth of programs along the way. However, businesses may have a number of unused programs on their computers simply taking up space. Not only do these programs take up hard drive space, it also has an effect on the overall performance. Removing these programs will free up space in addition to speeding up your computer.
If your business is experiencing a dip in processing speed, take actions in order to repair the problem. Performing the above tasks regularly will help speed up your computer and keep it running smoother for longer.
Photo Credit: slowblogs.blogspot.com
