Here’s a silly question: If you could enhance the performance of your PC — using tools already installed on your computer — would you do it? Of course you would.
With a few easy-to-use applications that came prepackaged on your PC, you can make your computer run faster and more efficiently, protect yourself from malware and increase your privacy while browsing the Internet. Soon you can enjoy better computing by using these tools for Windows and Internet Explorer.
Enhancing Speed and Performance
Have you noticed your PC isn’t running as quickly as it once did? Does it take longer to start up? Do your applications seem sluggish? Is web browsing slower than usual? If so, you may need to use these tools to give your PC a tune-up.
Defrag Your Hard Drive
Your computer has a strange habit: Sometimes your PC will break files into different parts and then store these file fragments in separate areas of your hard drive. Your PC does this for efficiency, but as the files update and multiply, the retrieving and rebuilding of these files when you need to use them becomes more work for your computer. Thus, your PC slows down.
To put the file fragments back together and help your PC run more efficiently, you will need to run your Disk Defragmenter tool. This tool is found on your Control Panel under Administrator Tools. Note that you will need to be signed into your PC as an administrator to use this and the following tools.
Remove Disk Errors
Every once in a while, a program on your PC will crash or you will experience a power outage. The result of such an event is often errors on your hard drive, errors that result in a slower PC. To repair these errors and improve performance, run the Check Disk tool, which is found on your Control Panel.
Remove Temp Files
Your PC is a bit of a hoarder. Each time you surf the Web, your computer stores temporary files on your hard disk that make Web-page loading faster. Also, when you use programs like Word, your PC keeps many temporary files to ensure that you don’t lose important data. Eventually the sheer bulk of these files adds up, and they slow down your computer.
Manage Startup Applications
Some software applications may be set to start automatically whenever you turn on your PC. This can be useful for programs you consult frequently, but too many programs running automatically can cause startup delays. Use Windows Defender in your All Programs list to limit your startup applications.
Remove Malware from Your PC
Spyware, viruses, adware —you can hardly surf the Web these days without running into them. And if you do contract some of this malware, not only can it compromise your personal privacy and information, it can reduce your PC’s performance. As these applications run in the background of your PC, they take up processing power, leading to slowdowns.
Enhancing PC Privacy
Maintaining your privacy is important when surfing the Web. Keeping your critical data hidden from hackers can thwart identity theft and financial loss. Hackers are also keen on tracking the Web sites you visit, keeping tabs on pages viewed and even recording each keystroke you make while there. Such keystroke trackers can reveal your passwords to hackers.
InPrivate Browsing
This Internet Explorer tool allows you to surf the Web without your PC storing data about your browsing session. Information such as history, cookies and temporary files is not collected, keeping this data from being usable by hackers. You can access this tool through the Safety menu.
SmartScreen Filters
Other Internet Options
Under the Privacy tab you can set your personal privacy level (Accept All Cookies; Medium; Block All Cookies). This is also the place to turn on the Explorer pop-up blocker, which prevents pop-up advertisements from opening while you surf the Web.
Finally, under the Content tab, the types of Web content that can be viewed while surfing can be controlled. This is where you will find options for parental controls as well.
