Have you ever noticed that your computer isn't always as fast and responsive as it used to be when you first brought it home? Why does it get so slow after just a few weeks of using it? Is it time to upgrade it already? You could never be more wrong! The computer can become slower after only a few weeks of using it due to the buildup of temporary files and unnecessary data that starts piling up on your system. Accepted! But, is there a way to have your computer running smoothly as ever. Yes! there is.. Ilogix shows you how you can make sure that your computer is always running fast as it was advertised to you. You just need to follow a few simple tasks regularly..

1. Did you set a System Restore Point?

When you first get your new Computer, make sure that you have set a System Restore Point before you do anything else. You can be sure of being able to restore your computer to a time when it had been working perfect in case your computer develops a problem.

2. Check your Hard disk regularly for bad sectors or any file errors:

A Hard drive could develop Bad sectors or file errors which would cause your system to frequently crash or a slower performance. It would pay to regularly scan your hard drive for any errors. The Windows Scandisk is a perfect tool to scan your hard drive's health. You should scan your hard drive at least once in a month.

3. Defragmenting your hard drive:

The Windows Disk defragmenter organizes files and data into areas that helps the computer run smoothly. It moves the frequently used files to an easy access area and the least used files, the opposite. It also gathers fragmented files and groups them back together. You should defrag your computer every 10-15 days.

4. Remove unwanted and junk files:

Unwanted files and junk that pile up in your Windows temporary folder, junk that gets stored up when you browse the internet or perform a software installation could clog up your hard drive and also cause your system to run slower. The Windows tool "Disk Cleanup" is a perfect tool to clean up the junk and have your system running smoothly. Running the Disk Cleanup tool once in a month should be a part of your Maintenance schedule.

5. Removing unwanted Programs:

It is a common practice for everyone to install every program or application that they can lay their hands on and it is a bad practice. Install only those programs/ applications that you would genuinely use and have need for.

Uninstall all unused programs and trial versions which have expired. This will free up hard drive space and also prevent any file conflicts on your system. Make sure that all your programs/ software are regularly updated with the latest updates.

6. Register your Programs:

You might have noticed the nagging box that asks you to register your programs frequently. You should either register the program or check the option that says never to show this window again. If you don't do it, this would be just another process that would be running in the background taking up precious Process resources.

7. Check for Viruses regularly:

If your system gets infected with a virus, you can be sure that it slows up your system drastically apart from causing you to lose important data or information. You should have a good Anti-virus program running on your system and take care to have it updated regularly atleast once in a week.

Also, limit your browsing to trust-worthy websites and do not visit warez or porno sites as these usually clutter your system with trojans, viruses and malware unknowingly into your system.

8. Clean up your Outlook Inbox regularly:

If you use an email client such as Outlook or Outlook Express, make sure that you delete all unwanted mails regularly atleast once in a week. Having your inbox piled up with unwanted mails will take up precious hard drive space and also put a load on the system whenever you open up the email client. The deleted mails are stored in the Deleted folder. So, make it a habit to delete them from that folder too.

9. Get an Annual Maintenance Plan:

And the best thing of all is to always have an Annual Maintenance Plan or AMC covering up your precious Computer. This will have your system covered towards any unforeseen problems and will keep you from shelving out huge repair bills. AMCs are available at very reasonable prices and it would be a smart idea to invest on one.