Every time you buy a new Windows computer, it comes with a lot of software programs that you may not want or need, and this can really slow down your PC.
You can optimize your system, making it faster and saving hard drive space, by disabling the applications that just aren’t useful. Here’s how:
Using Windows 7:
1. Click the circular Windows button at the bottom left and then select the Control Panel.
2. Select “Programs and Features”.
3. Click on the link “Enable or disable Windows features”.
4. You should see a list of system features. De-select or uncheck the boxes of the software applications you want to disable. For instance, you can uncheck the box in front of optional components for Tablet PC if you do not have a Tablet PC, or Windows Gadget Platform if you don’t use or plan on using gadgets on your desktop.
6. Finally, click on the OK button at any time you can re-checking features and return them in their previous state.
Using other versions of Windows:
1. Click on the Start button and then Settings > Control Panel.
2. Click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.
3. Now click Add/Remove Windows Components.
4. A list of default Windows features will be displayed; remove the ones you don’t need, such as Message Queuing and Fax Services (if you use neither).
5. Select the “Next” button to save your changes.
You can also speed up Windows by managing what programs launch at startup. This is a little harder to do by yourself, but PC TuneUp Maestro has tools that can help.