Start Up : usually the first place you want to start. Unfortunately everything you want to download or upgrade wants to be in the Start Up menu but that doesn't mean it should be or needs to be and most people have no idea of what should be.
Getting to Start Up menu:
Right click on bar at bottom of pc (taskbar) select properties...select start menu...customize
or you can download & use Autoruns">Autoruns to manage Start Ups or install CCleaner or install Revo Uninstaller All of which are great programs that all pcs should have and embrace for various uses and make it easier to manage start ups.
Rightfully so, you should have only 3 or 4 programs in your start up menu especially if you have less memory. This makes booting up fast and easy. I don't put even the security in start up as it's always working anyway to protect your pc. I just use programs that I want to see right away like: filehippo updater that checks all the programs for the latest update or the various desktop apps that show my desktop. But programs like messenger or sidebar or google apps that always want to be in the start menu should not be.
Most average users will find they have 15 to 20 programs in their start up menu including the virus protection security. Hello...That is what is going to slow down your pc. You can see what is on start up from any of the programs above then you can google any individual exe which they are called to find out what its is and does before you enable it or disable it.
Memory: Is another reason your pc may be slow. Most pcs will show the memory on the front or go to start - program - Accessories, then click 'system information', here you will get all the information about your laptop memory or Right-click on My Computer and select 'Properties'. It will tell you at the bottom right.
512MB is the low end of pcs and if you have a lot of programs or downloads you're going to experience a slower pc. The higher the memory the faster the the pc.
Defrag: Defragging your pc is like cleaning up errors that have been created over the use. It's the one thing most average users have no idea about but all it is is a maintenance tool to make your pc run smoother. Users will often find their pcs fragmented files 30% or higher which slows down pcs. All pcs have maintenance programs to run but I use Defraggler . Select drive, analyze and defrag is all it takes to clean up all the errors and make things sweet again. It should be done once a week or every 2 weeks at the most while it is around 10% fragmented.
