The Virtual Tune-Up: Tips on Improving Your Computer's Performance
Add RAM to Your Computer: Random Access Memory (RAM) is your computer's short-term memory. It provides temporary storage for currently opened processes. There are many RAM types available, so you might want to talk to a professional, such as a consultant at a computer or electronics store, to help determine which type of RAM your computer uses.
Scan for Computer Viruses: To keep your computer virus-free, you'll want to obtain an anti-virus software program. Staff and faculty may download a discounted copy of Symantec AntiVirus at my.ucdavis.edu/software, but before doing so, should check with their department as a virus scan license may already have been obtained for office computers. Be sure to run your virus scanning software weekly.
Remove Adware and Spyware: Spyware is software that gathers and reports information from your computer without your consent. Adware mimics spyware, but often appears in the form of pop-up ads and redirected homepages. Two effective-and free-removal programs are Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. As with virus detecting software, spyware programs should be run every week.
Shut Down Unused Services: (This relates primarily to Windows operating systems.) Identify which background processes constantly run on your computer. Some, such as anti-virus programs, are important, but others may just be slowing your system down. For help in telling the difference, consult is-it-true.org/nt/utips/utips76.shtml, a Windows Networking article outlining "unnecessary services."