| This information mainly applies to laptop or desktop PC | | | | downloading CCleaner. Select all boxes apart from |
| computers that are have Microsoft Windows XP, | | | | "Wipe free space" at the bottom. Press "Run Cleaner". |
| VISTA or 7. Optimising your computer by removing | | | | Once that is done click on the "Registry" button and |
| unnecessary processes can improve, and in some | | | | select all the check boxes. Then press "Scan for |
| cases, repair your computer by fixing reoccurring | | | | Issues", when 100% complete, click the "Fix selected |
| problems you may be having. | | | | issues" button, repeat these steps until all registry |
| It is important to follow all the steps in order: | | | | issues are resolved. |
| 1) Virus/Malware/Spyware scan | | | | To complete the clean-up process go to Start menu |
| These pests can really slow your computer down and | | | | -> All programs (not XP) -> Accessories -> System |
| make it sluggish. Restart your computer and constantly | | | | Tools -> Disk cleanup. Select the C: drive and click OK. |
| tap the F8 key until a menu appears, choose: | | | | When asked click OK to remove temporary files. |
| SAFE-MODE WITH NETWORKING. When you see | | | | - Clean-ups help save on disk space and reduce load |
| the desktop, open an Internet browser and navigate to | | | | times in Windows. |
| the Malwarebytes website, you can download and run | | | | 4) Check disk |
| the free version of their excellent anti-malware tool. | | | | Open Start menu -> My Computer. Right-click the C: |
| - By removing malware and repairing any system files, | | | | drive and choose Properties. Click the Tools tab at the |
| you should see an improvement in performance. | | | | top. Click the Check now button. Check both check |
| 2) Windows Update | | | | boxes. You will be asked to restart your computer, |
| Start the computer as you normally do and open an | | | | please do so. |
| Internet browser, go to Microsoft Windows Update. | | | | - Using Check Disk (chkdsk), you can repair the |
| Make sure there are no critical updates that need | | | | computer hard disk of any errors contained on the |
| downloading and installing. If there are, then download | | | | disk. |
| and install them. If you are asked to restart your | | | | 5) Disk defragmenter |
| computer, do so. Then go back to Microsoft Windows | | | | Open Start menu -> My Computer. Right-click the C: |
| Update and check for more updates. Continue the | | | | drive and choose Properties. Click the Tools tab at the |
| process until all updates are completed. | | | | top. Click the Defragment now button. Make sure you |
| - Installing the latest versions of drivers and patches | | | | select the C: drive and click defragment disk. |
| for your operating system is a good way of repairing | | | | - Defragmenter helps improve hard disk performance |
| computer problems. | | | | by sorting most used files into their relevant place. |
| 3) Clean-up rubbish and temporary files | | | | If you follow these steps in full, you will see speed |
| Over time your computer collects lots of temporary | | | | improvements to your computer. I recommend running |
| and obsolete files that it doesn't need, you can remove | | | | this process once every six months to maintain |
| these by going to the Piriform website and | | | | performance. |