PC Tuneup / slow system performance / improve system performance

Step1:

Create Restore point

Warning: Before we begin, lets create system restore point so that we can revert the changes (if required).

System Restore takes a 'snapshot' of critical system files and some program files and stores this information as restore points. You can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state.

1. Click Start then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Click System Restore.

2. Select Create a restore point from the options provided.

3. Type the description for the restore point (Name:Pre TuneUp_Today's Date) and then click Create.

4. Close the System Restore Window once restore point is created.

Step2:

Disk Cleanup

Run Disk Cleanup to remove unwanted files.

• Clear all unwanted files.

• Delete old restore points.

For more information, click How to perform Disk Cleanup

Step3:

Update Antivirus and Anti Spyware Software

Help the customer to update and schedule the scan.

Important: iYogi recommends to schedule weekly anti spyware scan and monthy antivirus scan for the customer.

Step4:

Configure Windows Firewall and Windows Updates

Turn on Windows Updates

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Security Center and Select Windows Update.

3. Turn on Windows Update. (Recommended)

Click on the link for more information on How to Configure Windows Firewall

Step5:

Browser Optimization

Delete the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder.

Disclaimer: Take permission and educate the customer before you delete any temporary files.

1. On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.

2. Click Delete Cookies, and then click OK.

3. Click Delete Files, and then click OK.

4. Click Clear History, and then click Yes.

5. Click OK.

Note: Educate the customer about the third-party browser extensions before disabling third-party browser extensions.

Third-party browser extensions

1. Click Start, right-click Internet Explorer, and then click Internet Properties.

2. Click the Advanced tab.

3. Click to clear the Enable third-party browser extensions (requires restart) check box.

4. Click Apply.

5. Click Ok.

For additional information about how to optimize Internet Explorer, click the following solution to view the article in the Knowledge Base:

How to reset Internet Explorer 7
How to optimize Internet Explorer 6

Step6:

Clear Temporary Cache

1. Click on Start, Run and type temp.

2. Select all the files by pressing Ctrl+A.

3. Right Click and selected files and press Delete from the drop-down list.

4. Click on Start, Run and type %temp%.

5. Select all the files by pressing Ctrl+A.

6. Right Click and selected files and press Delete from the drop-down list.

7. Click on Start, Run and type prefetch.

8. Select all the files by pressing Ctrl+A.

9. Right Click and selected files and press Delete from the drop-down list.

Step7:

Disable Startup Items

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig , and then click OK.

2. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Startup tab

3. Uncheck unwanted Startup Items (ask customer before un-checking).

4. Click Ok.

5. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.

Note: Make a note of all the items unchecked and document it.

Step8:

Place the system back to Normal-State

1. Click on Start, Run and type regedit.

2. Locate the following keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Msconfig
   CAUTION : Export the above mentioned keys before making any changes.

3. Right Click on the folder and Delete.

4. Restart the computer.

Step9:

Create a final restore point

1. Click Start then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Click System Restore.

2. Select Create a restore point from the options provided.

3. Type the description for the restore point (Optimized PC Restore) and then click Create.

4. Close the System Restore Window once restore point is created.

Step10:

Schedule Task

• Schedule Weekly Disk Cleanup

Follow the steps to run schedule Task:

1. Click Start, All Programs , Accessories, System Tools and then Click Scheduled Task.

2. Click Next on the Scheduled Task Wizard.

3. Select the program from the list and then click Next.
   
   

4. Type the name for the Task Selected and select when you want to perform the task.

5. Click Next.
   
   

6. Select the time and day to start the task and then click Next.
   
   

7. Once prompted for user name and password. Please specify user name and password.

8. Click Finish.

Step11:

Schedule Task

• Schedule Monthly Disk Defrag

Follow the steps to run schedule Task:

1. Click Start, All Programs , Accessories, System Tools and then Click Scheduled Task.

2. Click Next on the Scheduled Task Wizard.

3. Click the Browse button.
   
   

4. Select dfrg.msc from the following location 'C:\Windows\system32', click Open.
   
   
   

   

5. Type the name for the Task Selected and select when you want to perform the task.

6. Click Next.

7. Select the time and day (Monthly) and then click Next.
   
   

8. Once prompted for user name and password. Please specify user name and password.

9. Click Finish.

Step12:

Defrag system from Safe Mode

• Boot Computer in Safe Mode

1 Restart computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard
2. Select an option when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER Windows Advanced Options options.
3. When the Boot menu appears again, and the words 'Safe Mode' appear in blue at the bottom, select the installation that you want to start, and then press ENTER. want to start, and then press ENTER.

• Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

• Windows XP

• Windows Vista

1. 
   

   

2. Select the drive and then click the Defragment button.