Remove Temporary and Junk Files

• Run Disk Cleanup, which you will find in your System Tools menu. Disk Cleanup will scan your drive and provide you with a list of all the files you can safely remove from your hard drive. However, Disk Cleanup will not remove files held in the Temp folder. These temporary files are ones your computer hangs on to while you are on the Internet, and which you no longer need. To find your Temp folder, type "Temp" into the Run window. You can safely delete all files in the Temp folder. In addition, you can also use free tools such as Tree Size to determine what files your computer no longer needs and is not using.
  
  

Delay Start-up Files

• Slow start-up speed is often caused by the number of applications that all start when you boot up your computer. Stop these files from slowing your computer down by using Start-Up Delayer, a free tool that keeps all those programs from starting until after your computer is fully booted. This application allows you to determine the amount of time between booting up and start-up of individual programs. Another way to delay programs from slowing your computer is to disable start-up programs completely by using the MSCONFIG utility, which you can find by typing "msconfig" into the Run box. This will allow you to turn off any start-up programs you don't need.
  
  

Remove Unwanted Software

• New PCs often come fully loaded with software that you may never use and really don't want. These unwanted apps can include pop-up ads, trial software applications and unexpected connections to the Internet to check for software updates. Streamline your PC and speed it up by getting rid of these programs. A tool specifically designed to help you do this is PC Decrapifier, which is free. The program allows you to select the unwanted items on your hard drive that you want to uninstall.
  
  

Clean Your PC's Registry

• The registry on your PC is a database that keeps track of all information about your hardware and every piece of software on your computer. When you install new software, update software or remove software, your registry may hang on to the old information, thereby slowing your PC to a snail's pace. Clean your registry by using the Windows Registry Editor, which you can access by typing "Regedit" into the Run box. Many free registry cleaners are also available, including CCleaner, which also can help you remove browsing history and temporary files from your hard drive.