If your PC has slowed down, first take a look at the hardware. If you are operating without enough RAM (operating memory) or hard drive space, your computer will begin to slow down. A lot. Make sure that you are running the Windows OS on hardware that is adequate to support it. Hardware makes a difference. You don’t expect your TV to work great missing its speaker or other parts, right? The first step to a fast computer is proper hardware.

Malware, viruses, spyware—things that every computer knows about and every computer user should fear. They attack your computer’s various programs and apps and they will slow you down when you are operating your Windows OS—sometimes, they will metaphorically kill your computer by causing it to crash. Avoid these computer predators by getting a good antivirus program and using it to scan and protect your computer regularly.

There are a lot of programs and applications on PCs—so many, in fact, that we users sometimes have no idea how many are not being used. Excess apps and programs clog up your computer’s registry and hard drive and thus create a slower PC experience. Take the time to identify and uninstall programs that you do not use so that your PC can run faster.

A very good way to free up space and speed on your computer is by making use of a registry cleaner. Registry cleaners get rid of junk and gunk files on your PC’s registry by scanning for and eliminating them. They are a time-efficient tool since they scan the entire registry for you—imagine how long that would take you manually! However, registry cleaners are not perfect. If you decide to use one, you will need to make sure that it has a good reputation. Some registry cleaners have the propensity to delete files that you need to run your OS and some are really just malware in disguise. Be a smart PC user and research your options before you download a registry cleaner.

How many of us have sat waiting, frustrated beyond belief that it takes 5 minutes or more for our settings to load when we start up the computer? This is a common problem that many of us experience. One way you can avoid this pitfall and simultaneously speed up your computer is to disallow the certain programs from automatically starting when you turn on your PC. When too many programs start automatically, it means that you have to wait longer for them all to load their settings. Why wait—load programs as you need them not all at once.

If you want to have a faster PC experience, then give your CPU a break. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) gets strained when you have too many programs running simultaneously, and this strain causes your computer to both slow down and freeze up. Only keep programs that you absolutely need open when you are using your PC, this will help everything move at a faster pace.

Until this point we have discussed quick fixes ways to be preventative when it comes to the curse of the slow PC. However, sometimes more drastic measures need to be taken to speed things up. When you have exhausted all other options, then it may be time for you to ring in the big guns—you may need to either defragment your computer or reinstall the OS.

The process of cleaning all the old files and folders on your PC’s hard drive is called defragmenting. Defragmenting causes your computer to run faster by optimizing the organization of these files and folders—it reorganizes them in a more efficient way. Each Windows OS comes with its own type of defragmenting tool. To find yours, look up your computer’s defragmenting options in the “System Tools” part of your OS.

Now for the absolute, final last ditch option. Sometimes nothing that you do to quicken your PC’s pace seems to work. Your computer is slow, freezing up and seemingly on the brink of disaster. This may be the point when you decide to reinstall your PC’s entire OS. Again, this should be your last resort—exercise all the aforementioned options first! To reinstall your OS you will need to make sure you back up everything on your computer onto an external hard drive.  You will then need to wipe your hard drive clean and reinstall the Windows OS using the disks that came with your PC when you purchased it. However, do not take making this decision lightly. Reinstalling your OS should really be your last ditch effort at saving your PC’s speed.

Waiting on a slow computer is the absolute pits and nobody wants to do it. Our lives are too fast paced and we have too little time to stare at the computer screen when it is not working for us. The good news is that you do not have to suffer from the curse of the slow PC is you become a smart PC user. Learn to read the signs and understand what makes your PC slow. Learn to take care of the minor issues that lead to a slow computer before they spiral out of control. Just like anything in life, a computer only runs as good as its caretaker takes care of it. You can’t expect an optimal PC experience if you don’t take a hand in making it optimal. The key to increase your computer speed is increasing your computer awareness and proactivity.

Despite the fact that Internet Explorer is a foundation stone of the internet world, users can still run into frustrating problems when employing the web interface. Let’s take a look at some of the common internet explorer problems users run into with and how to solve them for an optimal user experience.

When something goes wrong with Internet Explorer the most likely culprits are malware, viruses or drive-by installers. Problems with Internet Explorer are usually related to problems with your computer. Of course, there is an occasional glitch with the actual Internet Explorer interface but this usually only results in freezing or force quitting—nothing too major (albeit annoying).

However, many of the virus strains and applications out there target your Internet Explorer browser specifically. There are many reasons that viruses want to sabotage your Internet Explorer experience. There most common aim is to modify search pages or your main home page as their creators can then make money off of your web surfing.

How infuriating! Additionally, the internet pirates find a way to re-register your DLL files. This can wreak havoc on your computer since DLL files contain the data and codes needed for the programs on your OS to function and communicate properly—either alone or together.

So how do you fix Internet Explorer when it has been attacked by the internet pirates?

Luckily fixing issues related to a changed home page is relatively simply. To fix your home page simply go to the Microsoft menu and select Tools. From there you will need to click on Internet Options and you will see a new box pop up with all of the choices your computer can help you make related internet browsing.

This box is called the Internet Options Box. You will see a section that is called Homepage and it will provide you with a text box that will allow you to paste in the link to the website that you want to have as your home page. Simply paste the link that you want back into the box and presto! You have solved the home page Internet Explorer rather easily—no tech expertise required!

If the internet pirates have attacked your searches by way of a nasty script or virus then you need to act fast. The last thing you want is for your web searches to read that you have been looking up things that are dangerous or even illegal. You can fix corrupted Internet Explorer searches by going to the search box in the upper right hand corner of the Internet Explorer web browser and clicking on the magnifying glass.

This will allow you to click on the find more providers option so you can get your search engine code from Microsoft’s website and then change your search engine back to its original, safe setting. Again, it is important not to ignore search engines that have been tampered with because they could lead to trouble in the long run—make it look like you have been searching for things that can get you into sticky situations with family and friends or worse the law.

If the internet pirates have attacked the hull of your PC ship, then you may need to call in the assistance of an app to save the day. Luckily this only requires a little more work than fixing your home page. If you download an app called the Fix IE Utility you can run it and simply sit back and relax and wait for it to run its course.

The Fix IE Utility is an excellent tool because it is free and it re-registers all of your DLL files for you without you really even having to know what DLL files are or what they do (although as a responsible PC user you should know these things). Again, Internet Explorer problem solved easily and without the need to possess technical expertise.

What if it’s not internet pirates causing your Internet Explorer problems?

However, the internet pirates are not always responsible for problems with the Internet Explorer interface. The Internet Explorer browser can become annoyingly slow or lack the ability to run certain websites and applications. A lot of the time this is due to the simple fact that your Internet Explorer version is too old.

This is a problem that can be easily solved by downloading and installing the latest version of Internet Explorer. This is a free and easy task and again it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out how it is done. Simply visit windows.microsoft.com to get the latest upgrade.

Since the internet really has become the portal to the world and all of the important tasks we need to function in our daily lives, making sure your internet browser functions optimally is crucial to your productivity and satisfaction.

Internet Explorer is an excellent web browser with an excellent reputation, but excellent is not synonymous with perfect; there are still many problems that Internet Explorer users can encounter. Since being a PC user means being the constant prey of the internet pirates and their nasty viruses and malware, your Internet Explorer browser will never be 100% safe.

The best thing you can do to avoid Internet Explorer problems is to be a proactive and vigilant computer user: enlist the help of a good anti-virus program, keep your PC’s registry clean, and learn about the basics of computers so that you can monitor how well your PC is functioning. It is a general truth that many problems on PCs arise when their owners are not paying enough attention to maintenance. Just like a car, a computer needs to be taken care of.

If you want to avoid Internet Explorer problems or any other aspect of you computer, then you need to take good care of your PC. It is worth it and will help you maintain the user experience you deserve.

In the same way as in the tip above, you can also see that hide the list of the programs you have recently worked in. It is just uncheck the option to save and view a list of recently used programs under the heading of privacy.

12. Faster Start Menu

The new search box in the Start menu is very useful because you can quickly find programs in the Start menu and search for fi smile in your user folder, look for e-mails, and more. The disadvantage is that it takes a little extra time to search through all the different locations. If you want to speed up the search for programs in the Start menu, you can set the search feature so that it only searches for programs.

Start by right-clicking the Start button and select Properties. Click the Customize button and select the option Do not search for files that you find under the heading Find files. Then, uncheck the option to search in Favorites, and History and the Search of communication. Finish by clicking OK.

13. Back to Run

In the Start menu in Vista is missing the Run command. Although you can use the new Search field in a similar way (see tip above) but it goes a little TOUGHEN due to the search takes place in real time. Fortunately, the command continues but it is hidden by default.

To get back the Run command to your Start Menu, right-click the Start button and select the option Properties. Click the Customize button in the dialog that opens. The list of items, check Run command and click OK.

14. Run from the keyboard

Do you have a keyboard with the Windows key, you do not add to the Run command in the Start menu. Hold in place down the Windows key and press R.

15. Customize the power switch

To the right of the Search field to find the button switch, which by default is set to not turn off the computer without putting your computer in the state Vila. If you’d rather have the computer is switched off, this is easily arranged.

Start by clicking the Start button and type in energy alternatives in the search field. In the Power Options window that opens, click the option Specify how the switches to function. The list box to the right of the text when I press the power button, select Shut down and then click the Save Changes button.

So you control Desktop appearance and use the help function, maximum

16. Up with the icons on the Desktop

By default, it is only the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop in Vista. Sure, you should try to keep clean on the desktop but some icons Computer and Network makes life easier in front of the computer.

To add to the system icons on the desktop, start by right-clicking on the desktop and select Customize option. In the adaptation, which opens, click the option Change icons on the desktop, you can find under the heading Activities. Under the heading, select the Desktop icons since the icons you want shown.

17. Change the size of the Desktop Icons

Unlike the previous version of Windows Vista, you can easily change the icons on the desktop. It is just right-click the desktop and choose Show. Here you can choose Large Icons, Medium-sized icons and Classic icons.

18. Zoom in and out among the icons

As in Internet Explorer and certain other programs, you can use the mouse wheel button to zoom in and out.

By holding the Ctrl key and scroll wheel on the key, so to speak, zoom in and out of the Desktop. What happens is that you change the size of icons from the very, very small to very, very big.

19-21. Three ways to open Sidebar

Sidebar allows you to add the so-called gadget. To start Windows Sidebar.

Via the message field: Double-click the Windows Sidebar in the message field.

Via the Start menu: Click the Start button and select All Programs, Accessories, Windows Sid panel.

Start automatically: To get the Sidebar to start automatically when you start your computer, right-click the icon on the Windows Sidebar and select Properties. In the dialog that opens chips you Start Sidebar when Windows starts.

1-2. Fast Start menu

Start menu in Vista is the most natural place to go when you want to start a particular program
or access certain settings. There are two ways to open the Start menu from the keyboard.

With the Windows key: The absolute fastest way to open the new Start menu in Vista is pressing the Windows key on your keyboard. To close the Start menu, just press the key again.

With the shortcut: If you do not have a Windows key you can press Ctrl + Enter. Use the shortcut to close the Start menu.

3. Smart search feature

A novelty in the Start menu is the built-in search field. Search field is activated automatically when you open the Start menu and make it easy to find documents and programs on your hard disk.

The search takes place in real time and it is not certain that you need to enter the full name of the document or program before it found. Once you find what you’re looking for in the search results, just scroll down to the desired option with the down and press Enter. Is it just a result
which shows it is sufficient to press Enter.

4. Run without Run

The new search box can be used much the same as the Run dialog box in previous versions of Windows. It is just typing the name of the program and press Enter.

5. Change the first applications for the Web and e-mail

Top left of the Start menu appears as the default shortcuts to Internet Explorer and the new e-mail program, Windows Mail. These, you can easily replace with other programs that you use. Right-click the Start button and select Properties. Click the Customize button and make desired settings under the heading View on the Start menu.

6-8. Open Programs

All Programs menu option contains just as the previous shortcuts to any programs installed on your computer. But instead of showing a bunch of submenus displayed all the programs and folders in the left side of the Start menu. When the Start menu is open Cedefop are three ways to open All Programs.

With the arrow keys: Press the up and then right in the Start menu has been opened.

With mouse click: Click on All Programs with your mouse.

With your mouse: Let your mouse rest of the text for a short time.

9. Attach favorite programs on the Start menu

You can still get shortcuts to programs you use often to always appear at the top of the Start menu. It is just right-click the shortcut and choose the desired option Pin to Start menu.

10. Hide what documents you have used

If you do not want anyone to be able to see the photos and documents you have worked with right-click the Start button and select the option Properties. In the dialog that opens, make sure to fl iken Start menu is selected. Under the heading Privacy, uncheck the option Save and view a list of recently used files. Finish by clicking OK.

If for some reason you decide to get rid of your Norton Antivirus, then you need to know how to properly and fully uninstall if from your PC, and this includes your registry. Failing to do so can be a major hassle for you in the long run; since the installation of Norton imprints multiples entries into your PC registry, there are many opportunities for vestiges of Norton to be left behind and join the ranks of other old or pesky files that crowd your computer and slow it down.

Luckily, fully uninstalling Norton isn’t all that difficult and Norton doesn’t try to impede your decision to remove their software–in fact, they make the whole process quite easy. The software company that distributes Norton Antivirus, Symantec, also produces the Norton Removal Tool which makes getting rid of Norton Antivirus fast and easy. Here’s how:

Your first step is to download the Norton Removal Tool. When you do this, you have to make sure that it is compatible with your Norton Antivirus version; otherwise the download will be in vain.

You second step is to double-click on the Norton removal tool that you have just downloaded and make sure that it really is compatible with your Norton Antivirus program. You can do this by making sure it is the version listed in the programs that are to be removed that appear on the main window of your computer.

Your third step is even simpler than the previous two. Simply click on “Next” and then sit back and wait for the Norton Removal Tool to begin the job of completely removing the Antivirus files from your registry. The Norton Removal Tool will then notify when it is ready for you to restart your computer so that it can completely finish removing the files. Once your computer is back on, it is ready for use!

Removing Norton antivirus is a fast and easy experience. Instead of taking the time to try and manually remove the software yourself, which can lead to errors and leave behind files, make use of the Norton Removal Tool so that you can rest assured that your registry is clean and clear.

Registries can very easily get clogged with corrupted or useless files that can lead to every computer user’s nightmare: slow, freezing, or crashing computers. One excellent method of avoiding these problems is by making use of Windows registry cleaner software.

Windows registry cleaners help you to rid your computer of excess, damaged, and obtrusive files. They scan your computer’s registry and locate and eliminate problematic files that are causing your computer and its various applications and programs to run slower than molasses. They should be viewed as your cooperative computer partner and they facilitate and all-around faster and positive user experience.

Most Windows registry cleaners are compatible with all Microsoft OS’ which means that most registry cleaner will service whichever OS you have. This is because the core structure of the Windows registry has not changed all that much since the introduction of Windows 98.  However, since the programs and applications that support each OS undergo changes with each new iteration, it is important that you select a registry cleaner that is sensitive to the nuances of your specific OS, in this case Windows 7.

One example of a registry cleaner that will serve the Windows OS in its many different forms extremely well is SpeedyPC Pro. SpeedyPC Pro is specifically Vista and Windows 7 compatible, but it is also one of the top rated registry cleaners on the market so it will function fine with other versions of the Windows OS. Speedy PC Pro takes a nuanced approach to registry cleaning with an easy to use, intuitive user interface and a very low margin of error relative to accidentally deleting important files or missing important problem areas. The low number of errors committed by SpeedyPC Pro is maybe one of its most important features since many registry cleaners have the propensity to commit many (sometimes extremely damaging) errors.

If you are a Windows user, then keeping your PC healthy should be one of your main objectives. Smart users research ways to keep their computer in top shape, so take the time to find a registry cleaner software that works best with whichever Windows OS you possess for a better overall user experience.

The Vista interface has the potential to be plagued with errors, crashing, freezing, and slow system speed. Employing a good registry cleaner will help mitigate these symptoms and keep Vista from driving you up the wall.

Since the release of Windows 98, the core design of the Windows registry has remained the same.  However, each ensuing iteration of the Windows suite imbues each new Windows registry with a sensitivity to the special features that constitute each new OS. Thus, many registry cleaners will work with your Vista registry, but not all of them will be sensitive to its needs, not all of them will understand exactly what makes the Vista OS tick and how all of the applications and programs are connected. This is why you want to make sure that any registry cleaning software that you download states explicitly that it is Vista compatible.

So which registry cleaner is the best for Vista? It is not always easy to say, but an excellent choice is Regcure. It comes with a user interface that is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate the software’s information and commands.  If you read the RegCure review you will find that it is adept at identifying problem files in the registry that many other registry cleaners miss and it is sensitive to the specificities of the Vista interface. Additionally, RegCure performs the following tasks:

• Backs up and restores features
• Automatic repair
• Custom scans
• Automatic scheduling tool

All of these features contribute to a seamless RegCure user experience, the main objective of all software designers. Downloading and using RegCure will not harm your computer and it will not clumsily clean your PC registry without taking the Vista OS into account.

If you are a loyal Vista OS user then it is vitally important that you find a way to keep your PC registry clean without the hassle of software programs that do not understand the nuances of your computer’s system. RegCure is most likely your best bet for achieving this goal so take the time to

If you are looking to remove old software from your Windows registry, then you want registry cleaning software that can get the job done without ruining your PC’s user interface. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Windows registry cleaning software programs available to you.

One highly recommended registry cleaning program is the all-in-one product PC Health Advisor. PC Health Advisor is one of the best because it is a collection of a comprehensive set of software features that perform the following tasks with a very high level of success:

• Cleans the registry of junk and gunk files
• Fixes errors
• Gets rid of malware and spyware
• Eliminates all files associated with software programs you want to delete

Thus, employing PC Health Advisor will give your whole system a tune-up while also helping you get rid of old software files.

Another registry cleaner that sits at the top of the registry cleaner mountain is the Registry Reviver. Users and reviewers love this product because of its intuitive user interface and its ability to cleanse a PC registry effectively while also providing an automatic back-up of the old registry settings. In comparison to PC Health Advisor, Registry Reviver has a narrower scope in terms of what it does–Registry Reviver is not an anti-virus tool for example. However, if you want to purge your registry of old software files then Registry Reviver is one of the best and a surefire way to keep your PC healthy and functional.

It is always difficult to say which software product is the best–there are so many programs out that that rating them generally turns into creating a mish mosh pile of the good programs and a scrap pile of the bad programs. However, the two programs mentioned above give you an excellent opportunity to keep your PC healthy and clear of old, unwanted software files. And as we all know, having a healthy PC is critically important in this computer-dependent day and–a healthy PC keeps us all from feeling like we are edging towards the brink of insanity!

Your Windows 7 registry contains hierarchal data necessary for various configurations on your PC user interface. These include hardware devices, applications, and various settings for personal users. Any damage to this vital part of your computer can cause slow functioning or corruption resulting in a loss of usability. Damage most often comes in the form of adware or spyware and clogging from old junk files. For these reasons, it is important that you keep your Windows 7 registry healthy and this is why many people take the time to download registry cleaning software.

Registry cleaning software does a job that would manually take you hours and be extremely error-prone unless you consider yourself to be a technology wizard. The amount of programs and application interfacing that goes on from your Windows 7 registry requires that you do regular maintenance.

Not all registry cleaning software is safe, however. Unfortunately many are error-prone, deleting important files from your registry or missing files that are actually harming your PC. Additionally, many free registry cleaning software programs are really adware or spyware in disguise, doing nothing more than worsening the condition of your PC. Due to the fact that registry cleaners cannot always be trusted, it is crucial that you make sure you back up your original registry as well as enlist the help of a good anti-virus program at all times.

Each OS is a little bit different and you want to make sure that the registry cleaning software program that you choose it fine tuned to the nuances of each respective OS. So given this information, which registry cleaning software programs are the best for Windows 7? It is important to know so that you can avoid the sneaky, junky ones that are out there masquerading as good programs. Programs like PC Health Advisor, RegCure, and Registry Mechanic are all sure-fire bets for optimal Windows 7 registry cleaning, as they are sensitive to the specificities of the Windows 7 user interface and are Windows 32bit and 64bit compatible. You can do a comparison between those three registry cleaners here: registry cleaner comparison.

The roots of Vista’s registry cleaning problem extend to the time of its release. Vista was released at the end of 2006, a highly vaunted OS that turned out to be a major disappointment; InfoWorld ranks it 2^nd on their list of the top 25 tech flops of all-time. Many users lamented Vista’s overly complicated user interface and other aspects of its infrastructure. Many people downgraded back to their original Windows XP versions. In short, Vista was not an overall success (although there are still many users who swear by it).

Now, we are not here to castigate Vista or debate the finer points of its usability, but it is important to understand why many Windows registry cleaners are not Vista suitable: Vista was a complicated and short-lived Microsoft user interface. Many registry cleaners came out before or after Vista, and even those that are compatible with the Vista OS can fall prey to its complexities. All registry cleaning software products are vulnerable: all registry cleaning software products have the potential to delete important files or glaze over problem files that need to be addressed. It is the nature of the beast. A complicated OS like Vista only exaggerates this issue, whether or not the registry cleaner at hand is especially formatted for Vista.

Cleaning your Vista registry is a task that should be done with caution (although this is true of cleaning any Windows OS registry). First, you have to make sure that the software you choose is really Vista compatible, as many registry cleaning software products aren’t aware of the nuances that come along with the Vista OS. By clicking here you can do a registry cleaner comparison of the top registry cleaner software that are Vista compatible. Second, you have to be even more aware of the pitfalls of registry cleaning software in general, as Vista’s complexity can worsen registry cleaning errors. Make sure you back up your original Vista registry and do your research on which programs are best to use for the Vista OS.   Be a safe and conscientious consumer and now matter which Windows OS you prefer, you will benefit from caution and care.