Speeding Up Your Computer by Disabling Selected Programs
Also see: System Mechanic by iOlo for system performance speed.
Start-up programs that you don't need to use may be slowing down your computer.
One of the most common reasons for slow performance by a computer is software pre-loading. Pre-loading means that computer code for a software program or "app" is copied from your hard drive into active computer memory when you start up your computer, your operating system or your browser.
When you log into Windows, for example, there may be anywhere from a half dozen to two dozen or so software programs that pre-load. Not all of these need to pre-load for you to do what you want on your computer.
These are some of the software programs that may warrant disabling from the start-up list:
- Cloud services - Most commonly OneDrive, Dropbox or Google Drive. These are programs designed for you to park files on a personal webspace so that other people of your choosing can retrieve them from the web. These are great services for people working on multi-user projects, but most people don't use or need them. If one or more of these programs is pre-loading when your Windows operating system starts up, it can slow down your computer. Disabling the apps through Msconfig or Task Manager can free up memory so you computer runs faster.
- Junkware - These are programs that usually get downloaded accidentally when you're trying to download something else, such as a legit program or a device driver or a PDF file. They get loaded on your computer if you happen to overlook little checked boxes that give permission to install them when you really just mean to authorize the particular item you want. They're like "drive-by" pests. Some of these end up pre-loading everytime Windows starts. Others get linked into your web browser software (Edge, IE, Chrome or Firefox) as "extensions", "add-ons" or "plug-ins", which can be removed through the drop-down menu for settings or options. Sometimes these pests also need to be uninstalled through Control Panel.
- Functionally Duplicative Apps - Sometimes when we replace one program with another, the old program never gets removed. This is a common occurrence when we make changes in anti-virus software or printers, for example. These types of programs often get linked deeply in our computer registry when installed. Neglecting to remove them when they've been replaced may tend to make your computer system run less efficiently. In these cases, uninstalling the old application entirely may be a good idea.
When disabling or uninstalling, generally I suggest the following order:
First, disable unnecessary or undesirable programs from the Start-up list.
Second, uninstall such programs from the Programs and Features list.
Third, disable and remove such items from your web browsers.
Following this, do a computer restart. Sometimes you may need to do an intermediary restart following the First step above.
After doing the above steps and a restart, it can be helpful to run a ChkDsk for HD errors and then run a program like CCleaner or Glary Utilities to get rid of dead links, registry errors, temporary files, etc.
As always, allow 10-20 minutes after any computer start-up that follows a major install or uninstall, system update or maintenance operation. This way, the computer can freshen up its internal mapping before you go about your business doing email, web searching, gaming, etc.
Going through a routine like this about every three months can help greatly with your computer speed, stability and security.
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