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"Few activities are more frustrating than staring at your old computer, helplessly willing it to move faster. In business, and especially when it comes to small businesses, a slow computer will not help your bottom line. Equally draining are the costs of constant visits from IT consultants and technicians. \nWhile age is a commonly cited cause of slow PC performance, there are usually additional reasons. Many users have no idea that their computers are bogged down with unneeded applications, adware, cookies, and massive amounts of background processes. Left unaddressed, these issues hinder PC performance, decrease productivity, and increase the amount of time spent dealing with IT problems. So what can be done? Here are seven things.\n1. Speed Up Boot Time\nOn average, more than 15% of programs that start automatically on computers are optional, which increases boot time. In addition, because these optional programs continue running in the background, they interfere with the ongoing performance of a computer. Lab testing showed that removing three resource-intensive startups decreased boot time by 41%. That's equal to a 117 second improvement. By using a built-in utility called msconfig  (in Windows, type \u201Cmsconfig\u201D in the search box located in the \u201CStart\u201D menu) you can sort through these startups  and decide which ones are necessary, and which can be removed. If you are not sure which of these items are safe to remove, there are free tools available that can identify them for you.\n2. Stay on Top of Your Updates\nSoftware makers are constantly releasing new versions of a software you\u2019ve already paid for. These updates can include enhanced features, and more importantly, patches against vulnerabilities. Microsoft, Adobe, Java, and others put out regular updates that contain bug fixes and help improve PC performance. In fact, vulnerabilities from using out-of-date software are one of the most common ways that malware infects a system. Software updates and patches often pop up automatically. Don't put them off, and when possible, remember to manually check for updates.\n3. Keep Your PC Clean of Junk\nA computer can become cluttered with junk files, temp files, logs, and browser bloat very quickly. Junk like this can affect PC performance tremendously over time. This is especially true for computers using traditional hard drives (non-SSD). By committing to regular maintenance of your drives, you can save yourself from the hassle of a bogged-down system and the sluggish performance that accompanies it. Microsoft provides a free utility in Windows called \u201Cdisk cleanup\u201D that can perform some of the Windows-related cleaning. However, there are free tools that offer more options, like scheduling. \n4. Get Rid of Extra Programs\nPrograms take up space, and if they don't serve a specific purpose, they are essentially dead weight. This is also true of browser toolbars, plugins, and extensions. Here too, having a clear sense of what is not necessary, and then removing those items, is a big step in improving PC performance.\n5. Defrag\nUnless you have already upgraded to a solid-state hard drive, defrag your disk regularly. On hard drives, as you save and delete files, the data gets placed in \u201Dsectors\u201D on the hard drive. This causes 'fragmentation' and can increase the time it takes for the computer to find the specific item you are looking for; defragmenting files on the disk will save your computer a great deal of time seeking what it needs. \n6. Keep Your Computer Safe\n Antivirus software is a critical component of any efficient computer system. AV software often comes pre-installed on new PCs, but it\u2019s up to the user to purchase or replace the pre-installed antivirus software. Great free alternatives such as AVG, Avast, and especially Microsoft Security Essentials are powerful substitutes if you are on a budget.  Just be sure not to have two antivirus applications installed at the same time \u2014 a common cause of computer performance issues and crashes.  \n7. Accept That Less is More\nWhen it comes to computer performance, one basic principle to follow is \"less is more.\"  The less time your computer wastes sorting through unused programs, unnecessary start-ups, empty space, and malware, the more efficiently it will run. If manually maintaining your PC seems like an overwhelming task, there is a range of PC optimization software that you can download, often free, that will automate all of these tasks.\nWhile the above steps will help improve PC performance, all computers eventually become obsolete. When buying a new model, follow these steps to address the same overload issues.\n\nCheck what's already loaded. Although we assume that a new computer comes clean and ready to go, there are a great deal of items that are just unnecessary. Check to see what's been pre-installed. Where possible, remove anything you know you won't use.\nCheck the antivirus software. Most PCs come some version. Make sure you are comfortable with the product that\u2019s on your machine. If not, or you don\u2019t plan on paying for it, get a product you feel good about. Some good examples include, Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG, or Avast.\nCheck your drivers. Every new model will have a series of updates that are necessary to help sync your new computer with your pre-existing hardware \u2014 printer, scanner etc. Make sure that these connect smoothly and you will save yourself headaches and money.\nBackup. After you finish cleaning your computer of items you don\u2019t need and installing all of the applications you do want, take a snapshot using imaging software and store it externally, so that if the unexpected happens (think hard drive failure) and you need to start over, you have a fresh image with everything ready to go.\n\n\n30 Years of Microsoft Hardware\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMice-a-Palooza\nMore Microsoft mice than I've ever seen in one spot.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMicrosoft EasyBall for Kids\nThis mouse was designed just for kids. The giant yellow ball was a perfect control interface for their little hands. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDevelopers were so proud they signed this MIcrosoft mouse\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis Microsoft Mouse is so old is worked on a 286 computer\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd it was ready for action with OS2, too\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYes Microsoft Once Made a Cordless Phone\nThere was a time in the late 1990's when tech companies were making corded and cordless phones that either came with or worked with your desktop PC. The trend did not last long.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMicrosofts stunning ArcTouch Mouse looks all the better with a designer cover\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore designer Microsoft mice\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of Microsoft's first ergonomic keyboards\nThese early keyboards over emphasized the separation of the two sides of the keyboard. later models made it much more subtle\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis handpainted Microsoft ArcTouch mouse is one of only 30 in existence\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe hand-painted ArcTouch Mouse has a unique paint job.\nThe surface has the same kind of gleam as the hood of a freshly-painted car.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArcTouch Mouse in cuvred mode\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne of only 30\nAnd you can't buy it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore classic Microsoft Hardware\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis model of one of Microsoft's earliest and most popular mice made me smile\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage courtesy of iStockphoto, iPandastudio\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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