Difference between revisions of "Optimize Windows 7"

If your Windows 7 computer is starting to chug, there are a variety of optimizations you can perform to breathe new life into it. The tweaks range in simplicity from a few clicks to installing new hardware. All of them will lead to performance increases on your Windows 7 computer.

If your Windows 7 computer is starting to chug, there are a variety of optimizations you can perform to breathe new life into it. The tweaks range in simplicity from a few clicks to installing new hardware. All of them will lead to performance increases on your Windows 7 computer.

== Steps ==

== Steps ==

#Open the web browser that you typically use. If you've been using your web browser for a long time, it could be accumulating cruft that will slow down your browsing experience. Removing the excess add-ons and files can give your browser a significant boost.

#Open the web browser that you typically use. If you've been using your web browser for a long time, it could be accumulating cruft that will slow down your browsing experience. Removing the excess add-ons and files can give your browser a significant boost.

#Remove any toolbars you don't use. If you've installed extra toolbars for your browser, they may be slowing you down. If you've found that you aren't using these extensions, remove them to increase performance.

#Remove any toolbars you don't use. If you've installed extra toolbars for your browser, they may be slowing you down. If you've found that you aren't using these extensions, remove them to increase performance.

#Delete the cache and temporary files. Your browser will store data to help improve the time it takes for websites to load. Over time, however, these files can build up and do more harm than good.

#Delete the cache and temporary files. Your browser will store data to help improve the time it takes for websites to load. Over time, however, these files can build up and do more harm than good.

#*You can quickly access the Delete Cache window in most browsers by pressing {{keypress|Ctrl|Shift|Del}}.

#*You can quickly access the Delete Cache window in most browsers by pressing {{keypress|Ctrl|Shift|Del}}.

#Reinstall your browser or switch to a new one. If you are using Internet Explorer, you may want to switch to Chrome or Firefox, as both boast performance gains over Internet Explorer. If you are using a different browser already, reinstalling may fix poor performance.

#Reinstall your browser or switch to a new one. If you are using Internet Explorer, you may want to switch to Chrome or Firefox, as both boast performance gains over Internet Explorer. If you are using a different browser already, reinstalling may fix poor performance.

===Getting Rid of Adware and Viruses===

===Getting Rid of Adware and Viruses===

#Install an antivirus program (if you don't already have one). In this day and age, having an antivirus program is essential to protect your computer against online threats. You should only have ONE antivirus program installed at a time, as having more than one can cause conflicts and errors.

#Install an antivirus program (if you don't already have one). In this day and age, having an antivirus program is essential to protect your computer against online threats. You should only have ONE antivirus program installed at a time, as having more than one can cause conflicts and errors.

#Download and install a few anti-malware programs. Besides an antivirus, you should really have a couple different antimalware programs on hand to scan for malware and adware. These are malicious programs that aren't as serious as viruses, but can be significant  personal security risks and can also slow your system down.

#Download and install a few anti-malware programs. Besides an antivirus, you should really have a couple different antimalware programs on hand to scan for malware and adware. These are malicious programs that aren't as serious as viruses, but can be significant  personal security risks and can also slow your system down.

#*Some of the most popular programs includes [[Delete Personal Antivirus Using Malwarebytes|Malwarebytes' Antimalware]], [[Get-Spybot-for-Windows-8|Spybot Search & Destroy]], [[Get-Rid-of-Conduit-Search-on-Google-Chrome-with-AdwCleaner|Adwcleaner]], and [[Install-and-Use-Ad-Aware-for-Spyware-Removal|Lavasoft Ad-Aware]]. Unlike antivirus programs, you can and should have multiple antimalware programs installed.

#*Some of the most popular programs includes [[Delete Personal Antivirus Using Malwarebytes|Malwarebytes' Antimalware]], [[Get-Spybot-for-Windows-8|Spybot Search & Destroy]], [[Get-Rid-of-Conduit-Search-on-Google-Chrome-with-AdwCleaner|Adwcleaner]], and [[Install-and-Use-Ad-Aware-for-Spyware-Removal|Lavasoft Ad-Aware]]. Unlike antivirus programs, you can and should have multiple antimalware programs installed.

#Reboot into Safe Mode. Safe Mode boots Windows with only the essential system files, which can help find and remove more viruses and malware.

#Reboot into Safe Mode. Safe Mode boots Windows with only the essential system files, which can help find and remove more viruses and malware.

#Run your antivirus scanner. Allow your computer to complete a full virus scan while in Safe Mode. Quarantine or delete any infected files that are found.

#Run your antivirus scanner. Allow your computer to complete a full virus scan while in Safe Mode. Quarantine or delete any infected files that are found.

#Run each of your malware scanners. Run through each of your antimalware programs, allowing each one to perform a complete scan. Remove or quarantine any infected files that each scan finds.

#Run each of your malware scanners. Run through each of your antimalware programs, allowing each one to perform a complete scan. Remove or quarantine any infected files that each scan finds.

===Reformatting and Reinstalling===

===Reformatting and Reinstalling===

#Back up all of your important data. One of the easiest ways to get the best performance possible out of Windows 7 is to simply wipe your computer clean and start over again. This may seem like a hassle, but once you've backed up all of your data, it should only take about an hour.

#Back up all of your important data. One of the easiest ways to get the best performance possible out of Windows 7 is to simply wipe your computer clean and start over again. This may seem like a hassle, but once you've backed up all of your data, it should only take about an hour.

#Find your Windows installation disc and product key. You will need your Windows installation disc in order to start the reinstallation process. You will also need your product key in order to reactivate Windows. You can usually find the product key on your installation disc's case, but it may be affixed to your computer instead.

#Find your Windows installation disc and product key. You will need your Windows installation disc in order to start the reinstallation process. You will also need your product key in order to reactivate Windows. You can usually find the product key on your installation disc's case, but it may be affixed to your computer instead.

#Insert the disc into your computer and reboot.

#Insert the disc into your computer and reboot.

#Restart your computer after setting your BIOS. Press a key when prompted to boot from the Windows 7 installation disc.

#Restart your computer after setting your BIOS. Press a key when prompted to boot from the Windows 7 installation disc.

#Follow the prompts to install Windows 7. The installation process has gotten much more straightforward over the years, and Windows 7 requires minimal input to reinstall.

#Follow the prompts to install Windows 7. The installation process has gotten much more straightforward over the years, and Windows 7 requires minimal input to reinstall.

===Upgrading Your Hardware===

===Upgrading Your Hardware===

#Use a spare USB drive to increase your available RAM. Windows 7 allows you to use a USB thumb drive as a "RAM expansion" using a utility called ReadyBoost. This let's you repurpose old USB drives to help improve your computer's performance.

#Use a spare USB drive to increase your available RAM. Windows 7 allows you to use a USB thumb drive as a "RAM expansion" using a utility called ReadyBoost. This let's you repurpose old USB drives to help improve your computer's performance.

#*Click {{button|Apply}} then {{button|OK}} to save your settings.

#*Click {{button|Apply}} then {{button|OK}} to save your settings.

#Upgrade your RAM. While ReadyBoost can give you a performance boost, physically upgrading your RAM will provide much greater benefits. The type of RAM you need depends on the type of hardware you have installed in your computer, so this will be a little more involved (and expensive) than using ReadyBoost.

#Upgrade your RAM. While ReadyBoost can give you a performance boost, physically upgrading your RAM will provide much greater benefits. The type of RAM you need depends on the type of hardware you have installed in your computer, so this will be a little more involved (and expensive) than using ReadyBoost.

#Install a solid state hard drive. Solid state drives are a newer technology that use memory chips instead of spinning disks like a traditional drive. This can lead to massive boosts in performance for tasks that are hard disk dependent, such as booting up your computer. Solid state drives are still pricier than traditional drives, but prices are going down.<ref>http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-speed-up-windows-7/</ref>

#Install a solid state hard drive. Solid state drives are a newer technology that use memory chips instead of spinning disks like a traditional drive. This can lead to massive boosts in performance for tasks that are hard disk dependent, such as booting up your computer. Solid state drives are still pricier than traditional drives, but prices are going down.<ref>http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-speed-up-windows-7/</ref>

#Install a new graphics card. If you play a lot of games, installing a new graphics card can take your games to a whole new level. A good graphics card can be pretty pricey, but the performance gains are often worth it if you take games seriously.

#Install a new graphics card. If you play a lot of games, installing a new graphics card can take your games to a whole new level. A good graphics card can be pretty pricey, but the performance gains are often worth it if you take games seriously.

#Upgrade your processor. The processor is the "brain" of your computer, and is one of the main factors involved when determining the speed at which things run. Upgrading your processor is one of the more complex upgrades you can perform, and it is also one of the most expensive.

#Upgrade your processor. The processor is the "brain" of your computer, and is one of the main factors involved when determining the speed at which things run. Upgrading your processor is one of the more complex upgrades you can perform, and it is also one of the most expensive.

== Tips ==

== Tips ==