Tired of complaining about loading startup programs that seem to take forever to open? Surfed the Web but you couldn't even make it to the login page without slowing your system down? These are symptoms of a PC running slow, but it doesn't mean that it is already the end of the world. With a little maintenance procedure and a few good practices to follow in installing programs, you can stop the problem today.

If your computer finds it very slow to boot up, there might be some startup issues that we need to take care first. Learning how to manage startup processes can solve a case of congested traffic of programs, the most probable cause of a PC running slow. Start by typing "msconfig" in the 'Run' command. Next, deselect all unimportant processes, such as music drivers, games, or adwares that do not need to start right away. This will give extra speed in return, and perform a reboot to see if it works. Get rid of a PC running slow by keeping programs at a manageable number-if you don't need it, trash it. Give your hard disk a favor by freeing some disk space which in turn maximizes your system's efficiency and minimizes RAM requirements due to a fewer number of processes, thus making your computer run faster.

A PC running slow can be best prevented by performing a few maintenance actions for your computer. First, there is a Disk Cleanup feature in Windows which fetches the name and size of files that may be deleted without harming your system. You can find it at Accessories, under the System Tools. Next, another service under the System Tools is the Disk Defragmenter, which enables you to speed up computer processes by defragging your system, thus making it easier for your computer to fetch the needed information as it compresses and reassembles fragmented files. Make it a habit to empty your Recycle Bin, and to clear the cache. Temporary internet files and cookies are sometimes the cause of a PC running slow especially in internet browsing. It becomes very annoying when these add-ons eat up your memory cache, thus making your computer respond very slowly. Go to 'Internet Options' and delete these files, and see how your computer improves the next time you open the Web.

Finally, here is a warning in installing applications: repeated installations of programs congest your Registry, thus compromising your PC performance. A PC running slow can be avoided by refraining from constantly installing and uninstalling applications, as it clogs your Registry with unnecessary entries. Registry entries of an uninstalled program should be deleted in order to optimize your computer speed. You can cure the problem of having a PC running slow by running a registry fix in your system. There a lot of free software in the Internet that can help you spot unwanted registry entries and programs. Run the free software (such as HijackThis) and it will give you a log file that enumerates the entire processes running in the system. You can quit these processes to give your PC a higher amount of available RAM, thus boosting your speed up and optimizing your system operations.