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how can I clean up my computer? is there a disk defrag? ?

a friend sent me a link a long time ago and now i don't have it. any help would be appreciated. the computer runs slow... and i think there is just a lot of "junk"on here from previous users that i would like to get rid of

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes there is a disk defragmenter and you should also use disk cleanup. This will clean off lots of junk off your computer and your computer's speed will also increase.

    Go to Start---All Programs--Accesories---System Tools-- Disk Defragmenter or Disk Cleanup.

    When the disk cleanup thing comes up with the stuff it wants you to delete select each box and delete all of it. All of these files are useless and are only slowing down your computer.

    It is good to use disk cleanup and disk defrag about once every month or even more often.

  • 1 decade ago

    Assuming you have no hardware issues, do this to fix a slow or unresponsive computer:

    (1) Run a FULL anti-virus scan with a good virus scanner. Get free editions of AVast or AVG8. Use the latest virus definitions file.

    (2) Run anti-spyware scans with Spybot S&D and malwarebytes.

    (3) Ensure all Microsoft security updates are applied.

    (4) Run disk cleanup to delete old temp files and other junk

    (5) Run a thorough disk defrag. Use a good defragmenter for this, and also run a boot-time defrag to fix the MFT and page file if they are fragmented. You can check out Diskeeper 2009, which is widely acknowledged to be the best defragger around. Their website has free 30-day trial versions. http://www.diskeeper.com/

    (6) Disable unnecessary background processes and services that take up memory.

    (7) Make sure all the hardware components have the latest and most stable drivers. Video card performance in particular is strongly dependent on drivers.

    Good Luck!

  • jizmo
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    Uninstall all unwanted programs and remove junk from the drive.

    Use CCleaner or DiskCleanup to clear out the temporary files, internet cache, recycle bin etc. Run chkdsk.

    If you HDD is overloaded and cluttered with fragments, everything including startup will slow down. Fragmentation especially when its been ignored for a long time, causes performance deterioration by increasing file access time and drive activity. There are good automatic defragmenters like Diskeeper which you can set to run in the background as you go about using the PC. Its also said to defrag even if you have less than 15% free space. Try the 30 day free trial here

    http://www.diskeeper.com/

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Are you running Windows XP? If so there's a free PC Health-Check for Windows XP Systems at My Slow PC - just click on the link in the source and select "PC Health-Check" from the menu. If you post your report on their forum them can help offer advice. There's also an example report you can see linked below.

    Otherwise consider:

    1.) Disk cleanup

    2.) Chkdsk

    3.) Defrag

    4.) Scan for and remove spyware/adware - full guide here: http://myslowpc.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5

    5.) Uninstall programs you don't use anymore

    6.) Stop services/processes at startup that you don't need – AutoRuns is a great program for this (like MSCONFIG but way more powerful) – info here: http://myslowpc.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=41

    7.) Check your hardware - do you have enough RAM for example?

    8.) Install the latest updates from Microsoft http://update.microsoft.com/

    I hope this helps, let me know if you have questions.

    Good luck!

    Source(s): http://www.myslowpc.net/ - click on PC "Health Check" http://www.myslowpc.net/pchc/example.htm - Example PC health check report
  • 1 decade ago

    If you're using XP.

    Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

    If you're using Vista

    Click Start > Type 'Disk Defrag' into the search box and hit 'Enter'

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    if u dont like the defrag which is installed with xp u can download ones of the internet which can be better and faster AND FREE!

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