After time your PC can get clogged with unnecessary files and seriously slow down your PC and internet

Using the simple maintenance routine below on a regular basis will keep it running smooth

Deleting Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and History

Once a week is usually sufficient

Go to Start/Control Panel/Internet Options and delete Cookies, Files and History (see below)

When you click on delete files this window will appear

Another way to clean all your temp files in one go (including java cache and recycle bin) is to download and run this free nifty little cleaner, which is endorsed by Community Feedback, so we know it's good!

I've been using this for a while now and it's great! It works for 2000, XP and Vista

Defragment your Hard Drive

What is fragmentation?
When your programs are saved on your hard disk in a discontinuous way, it is said to be fragmented. Hard disks get fragmented by time and the amount of fragments depend on how much you use your computer.

Why do I need to defragment my disks?
You need to defragment your disks because fragmentation slows down your computer considerably, since Windows must find all the pieces of the fragmented file (which is spread all around the hard disk) in order to load it

How often you defrag depends on how much you use your PC, the average user should defrag at least once a month

Before defragging, close down all running programs in your taskbar, including firewall and AV and then disable your screensaver

Go to Start/My Computer, right click on your C drive and choose properties, under the tools tab click on Defragment Now (see below)
 

This may take some time, so go do something else while it's doing it's stuff

When defrag is complete, reboot your PC

Dealing with Spyware

You may know spyware by one of its many names; adware, malware, trackware, scumware, thiefware, snoopware, sneakware.

Because of its stealthy nature, most Internet users are more familiar with the symptoms of spyware infection:

sluggish PC performance
increased pop-up ads
unexplained homepage change
mysterious search results.

For virtually everyone surfing the Internet, malware and adware are a nuisance, but if you do not detect spyware on your PC, it can lead to much more serious consequences like identity theft. Because of the threats that malware pose, a spyware remover installed on your PC is essential. Gathering spyware info also helps protect yourself from malicious attacks by adware or malware.

Here are a couple of good free spyware removers

Spybot Search and Destroy

Super AntiSpyWare

It is a good idea to have both these installed as they can both pick up spyware that the other one can miss

After installing, check for updates before running them

Some malware or trojans can't be removed by Super AntiSpyWare or Spybot, so if you are still having problems after running these, download Hijack This. Join Community Feedback and post your Hijack Log there for them to help you, DO NOT try and fix any issues in Hijack This yourself unless you know what you're doing. If you are unsure how to use Hijack This the folks at Community Feedback will guide you if you ask

Firewall

A firewall is simply a program or hardware device that filters the information coming through the Internet connection into your private network or PC. If an incoming packet of information is flagged by the filters, it is not allowed through. This stops would be hackers from hacking into your PC

A really good free firewall is Zone Alarm, click on the pic to download it

Anti Virus

At the very least a virus can mess up your PC and cause havoc with your files and programs, at worst it can destroy your hard drive

Here's a good free Anti Virus program

It scans everything you open on your PC automatically including web pages and email. I can recommend this one.....I use it myself

After downloading and installing check for updates

Windows Updates

Last but not least...........Get all windows critical updates for your operating system!

Windows Updates