Tech Chic: Make your computer happier without downloading a thing
Flagler College, with its four CSC classes and no computer engineering major, is not the most computer savvy campus. Today I am here to help set that straight. Here are some programs already built into windows that you can run to make your computer happier if not faster.
Disk Defragmenter
Defragging, if you do not know what that means you probably need to do it. Fragmentation occurs when you move items around and by deleting files. A more in depth explanation is that when you delete a file a space is created on your hard drive. A fragmented file develops when you download a new program or software and the computer uses the space left by the deleted file for part of that program. Programs are often split into several “pieces,” but still run just fine as the computer knows where all the pieces are. Fragmented files can be reassembled by using the disc defragmenter.
To defragment your computer simply go to the start menu > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click on Disk Defragmenter. Once you have that open go ahead and click defragment. This process takes a while, especially if you have not defragmented your drive recently, or ever for that matter. Let the defragmenter do its thing while you are sleeping and you will not have to worry about how long it can take.
Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is another great program that comes with every windows machine. It helps to clean up downloaded program files, temporary internet files, the recycling bin and compressed old files that your computer no longer needs. This program is located in the same directory as the Defragmenter. The Cleaner can take some time getting started but once it has started up, you will want to check all the boxes that have a number other than zero on the right side then press ‘OK’. Like the Defragmenter, if you have not run this program recently this can take some time, but once it has finished you will have some more space freed up on your computer.
You should defrag your computer about once every two months and run the cleaner
Also… visit this site http://www.piriform.com/ where are 4 FREE programs for you (yes free, really free, full versions).
*defraggler – the fastest and safest defraggler I know
*ccleaner – better cleaner than the windows one
*speecy – easily look at your computer and discover what’s wrong with it
*recuva – restore/undelete deleted files from any media
Also I recommend Advanced System Care to be installed to any computer (it has a Free version and also lots of tools helping you optimize your computer in one click). It’s for more powered users (not noobs).
Also don’t forget running the SERVICES.msc and disabling the most services that you don’t need (this will result in less ram used, faster startup and faster processing)
Antivirus/Firewall: I recommend downloading Comodo Internet Security (also free version avaible, which is the most powerful for now) and disabling integrated windows DEFENDER and FIREWALL
Also downloading “EVERYTHING” (google it) and using it instead windows search (also disabling windows search) will speed up your computer almost twice.
I hope I helped some users that are new in security and tweeking.
Don’t look @ my post as a spam, I know I linked lots of stuff but they really worked for me so I decided to share them with the world.
See ya
You could also get a mac