10 Tips For Speeding Up Your Computer Without Buying a New One

Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Active Desktop. If there is no check next to it, then it isn’t on. Don’t choose it. Instead, just click the desktop again to get out of the menu.

b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content. Again, if there is no check next to it, then it is not on. Do not check it.

c. In Windows XP, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no websites chosen here. If there aren’t any, then Active Desktop is not on. Cancel and go back to the desktop.

Tip #7. Install and run a good AntiVirus program to keep out viruses that can take over your system. One of my favorites is Zone Alarm. It is not only a really good AntiVirus program, but it has a firewall as well. Norton is another really good anti-virus program. Do not use a free anti-virus program. Anti-virus software that is free is usually not as good as commercial anti-virus software. For something so important as the protection of your computer, don’t be a cheap skate.

Tip #8. Get rid of Spyware. A lot of computer users have Spyware and don’t even know they have it, much less how to get rid of it. If your computer has been taking you to websites that you don’t want to go to, or if you get pop-ups when you aren’t even on the Internet, or if your computer has been running extremely slow, for no reason, you probably have Spyware.

My favorite anti-spyware program comes with Zone Alarm but again, there are lots of good anti-spyware programs on the market like Norton. Once again, do not use a free anti-spyware program.

In some cases, when the Spyware has become too entwined into your system, even a computer repair technician can’t get rid of the Spyware. At this point, it is better to just backup only what you need and have the operating system reinstalled. Believe me, when your computer gets to this point, you don’t want to just put a “band-aid” on it. Just start from scratch with a clean system. It’s the best way to go.

Tip #9. Check your MSCONFIG file. One thing that really causes a huge performance decrease