Has Windows XP slowed down for you lately?* Would you like to speed it up?* Yes?... then read on:

1) Use msconfig to disable startup programs, a good guide written by moi can be found here:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/tutorials...-programs.html

2) Change to the Windows Classic view, aka Windows 98 look because that new teletubby look will put stress on your CPU.* To do this:

Click on Start
Click Control Panel
Under the heading "Control Panel" on the left hand side, click "Classic View"
Double click on "Display"
In the "Themes" drop down box select "Windows Classic"


The following section should be done in Safe Mode

To start the computer in safe mode
1. You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start and then click Shut Down.
3. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.*
On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and then press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Next run a virus scan on your system.* A selection of tools can be found in my signature.
Also run an anti spyware scan, again tools are found in the links in my signature.* (If you have trouble with HiJackThis, post your log in the forums to be analyzed)

Now to get some spyware protection on your system to keep out those nasties, i find the Spybot Search & Destroy resident and Spywareblaster to be sufficent.* These need to be updated regularly.

Ok now you have done that, its time to defragment your hard disk to keep it in tip top shape:

Windows XP

1) Click Start
2) Scroll to "All Programs"
3) Scroll to "Accessories"
4) Scroll to "System Tools"
5) Click "Disk Defragmenter"

This may take a while depending on the size and how many files you have on the Hard Disk

Things to do regularly:

Clear tempory files.* Use a program such as "CCLeaner" and the built in Windows "Disk Cleanup"
Clean your "Prefetch Folder".* This is usually found in C:\WINDOWS
Clean out your hoidden folders such as "History" and "Tempory Internet Files Folder".* Instructions found below:

Show hidden files and folders:


For XP:

1.On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.
2.Click the View tab.
3.Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.
4.If you see a warning message, click Yes.
5.Click Apply.
6.Click OK.

Well that concludes this guide, if you think anything else should be added, feel free to drop me a PM.