How to Fix a Slow Computer – Startup Programs
Hi Gang! Today I am going to show you how to fix a slow computer, but I want to first focus on startup programs. What are startup programs? When you turn on your computer and Windows boots up, you may notice small icons at the bottom right hand side of the screen next to the clock. These icons are some of the programs that windows loads when booting up. For the most part, they are your anti-virus, firewall, volume control and any other program you may have given the “ok” to start up when your computer boots. Some of these programs don’t ask if it’s ok to run when your computer is booted up, so they may feel like you need them turned on to make it through the day. Well, that’s crap! Anti-virus and Firewall, ok, but you don’t really NEED all the others.
Startup Programs Running
The startup programs listed here are just a small example of what could be running on your computer. There could also be a number of background programs running that are not displayed by the clock. In order to really learn how to fix a slow running computer, you need to open up one of two programs. The beginner/intermediate level program is MSConfig and the advanced level program is Autoruns.
Let’s first take a look at MSConfig. To open MSConfig, click the Start button, then click run (xp) or type run (vista) to bring up the run (open) box. In that box, type msconfig, press enter and you will see a box that looks like the one below. Next, click on the Startup tab.
MSConfig Startup
There are three columns in the startup tab and check boxes. If a box has a check in it, that means the file is set to run when the computer starts up. The first column is “Startup Item” which basically tells you the name of the program. The second is “command” which tells your computer the command for starting the program. The third column shows you where the program is set to start.
What we are going to do now is un-check (disable) the items that we do not need when the computer starts up. Some of you may be a little timid to do this but it’s really not a big deal. Un-checking a box doesn’t delete the program, it just disables it. If your computer doesn’t act normal after these changes, you can always go back into MSconfig and check some of the items back to turn them back on. Disabling these programs is a good example of how to fix a slow computer for free. There is no need to buy some expensive program that promises to fix everything. You can do this!
In deciding which programs to disable, I would suggest expanding the Commands column so you will have a better idea of what the program actually is based on the directory it is stored in. To expand the Commands column, put your cursor/mouse just to the left of the word Location (on the line to the left of Location), your mouse will then change into a plus sign. At this point, left click on the line and drag the line to the right expanding the Commands column as much as you need and let the mouse button go when done. I would say it is safe to un-check everything but your firewall and anti-virus. You really don’t need an instant messenger or Quicktime, or realplayer, or yahoo starting up when your computer boots, so disable those and others that don’t look like they are critical for startup.
I know this may be hard to comprehend so please take a look at this video demonstration of MSConfig:
I hope this has helped you understand more about your computer and how to speed it up. In my next post (How to Fix a Slow Computer – Part II, I will discuss the more advanced tool: Autoruns.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments sections.
Take it easy,
Steve
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Steve
