Disabling Start-Up Applications

• 1). Click on "Start" on the bottom, then "Run" In the empty field type in "msconfig." Click on the "Service tab in the "System Configuration Utility" window that comes up, which will show you a list of applications that run automatically upon turning on your computer.
  
  
• 2). Click on and check the "Hide all Microsoft Services" box near the bottom, which hides from view the necessary start-up programs in your computer. Click the check-marked box next to the start-up services you wish to disable. Do not delete services you are unsure of disabling. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
  
  
• 3). Acquire more detailed descriptions of programs you are unsure of. Click on "Start" at the bottom, then click "Run." In the empty field type in "services.msc." Click on a program name from the list of services that pop up. A detailed description of the program and what it does should be in the left column.
  
  
• 4). Right-click on the program you wish to disable and click "Properties" in the drop-down menu. Click the drop-down menu under "Start-up Type" and select "Disable." To re-enable, select "Automatic" under the same drop-down menu.
  
  

Disk Cleanup

• 1). Click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop. Select the hard drive icon you wish to clean (likely (C:)). Right-click on the hard drive icon and select "Properties." Click the box next to "Compress files to save disk space" if not already checked. In the General tab, click "Disk Cleanup."
  
  
• 2). Wait for your computer to calculate how much space can be cleared from the hard drive. The Disk Cleanup window will have a list of files that can safely be deleted from your computer. Click on each item you wish to delete and click "OK."
  
  
• 3). Install a third party PC cleaner via an Internet search that may be more thorough than the Windows cleaner. Some applications (such as the one linked in Resources) will also help fix registry errors to improve performance.