How to Tune up Your Windows XP PC
August 4, 2009 – 8:15 am- Run “Windows Update” regularly, or use the automatic “Critical Updates Notification”.
- Install anti-spyware software (Ad-aware, Spybot S&D & Spyware Doctor are all good ones) and keep it updated. Spyware Blaster runs in the background and stops spyware installing itself.
- Run the anti-spyware program regularly to keep your PC clean.
- Install & regularly update your anti-virus software.
- Run the anti-virus program on a regular basis.
- One option is to enable “Microsoft Firewall”. However MS Firewall does not control outgoing connections (ie. a virus/worm trying to ‘phone home’). Download and install ZoneAlarm – a free version is available.
- Make sure there’s nothing in the Startup list. (Start Menu> All Programs> startup) Unless there are programs in the list that you need to run when the computer starts up, it should be empty.
- Uninstall unnecessary or rarely-used programs in “Add/Remove Programs”.
- Clean the Desktop icons you don’t use. Put them in a folder (preferably not on the desktop) if you are nervous about deleting them.
- Clear the Recent Documents & Programs list, on Taskbar & Start Menu properties.
- Internet Explorer users:
- In “Temporary Internet Files”, delete cookies, and delete files.
- In the “Advanced” tab, uncheck all “Install On Demand” items and disable Javascript and VB Script listed under “Microsoft VM”.
- In your “Windows” folder, manually delete files in the “Temp” folder.
- Delete unused system tray programs.
- Remove startup programs with the MSConfig application (Start>Run> “msconfig”, OK).
- Run Windows Disk Cleanup. Do this at least twice a month. Make sure ‘Recycle bin’ is checked to periodically empty it.
- Run MS Disk Defragmenter. Do this at least once a month (Start Menu> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools).
- Update your drivers for CPU, memory, video card and sound card, etc. Download the driver updates from the manufacturer’s web site.
Source:wikihow
