Here at ChicaLogic, we are all about speed and efficiency. We know that your life is busy (because our lives are busy) and we know that you hate it when your computer slows you down (we do too!).

If your PC is acting sluggish, we’ve got some great troubleshooting tips from Windows Support—and one fantastic tip from ChicaLogic—that will help get your PC back on the fast track.

[Note: Depending on which Windows operating system you are running, there may be very slight variations in performing the tasks listed below. If you run into trouble, click on your computer’s Start Menu; then click on “Help and Support.” In the search field, enter a key phrase for the desired task (e.g., “delete programs”). You will receive instructions for how to complete the task for your operating system.]

1. Delete programs you don’t use: When you buy a new computer, it usually comes installed with several extra manufacturer programs that you didn’t order and may never use. These are generally trial versions that are installed with the hope that users will upgrade to the full version once the trial expires. But if you never upgrade, that program sits on your computer taking up precious space. To uninstall an unwanted program:

• Click on the Start Menu
• Go to the “Control Panel”
• Click on “Programs”
• Click on “Programs and Features”
• Click on “Uninstall a Program”
• Select the program you wish to uninstall
• Click “Uninstall”

2. Limit the number of programs that run at startup: Depending on how your computer was configured by the manufacturer, you could have a number of unnecessary programs that load when you start your computer, which can double startup times. To disable programs at startup:

• Click on the Start Menu
• Go to “All Programs”
• Click on “Windows Defender”
• Click on “Tools”
• Click on “Software Explorer”
• Select “Startup Programs” from the Category dropdown menu
• Select the program you want to disable at startup
• Click “Disable”
• Repeat for each program you want to disable at startup

3. Defragment your hard drive: To learn about hard drive defragmentation, read “What is Hard Drive Defragmentation and Why is it Important?”

4. Clean up your hard disk: The Disk Cleanup tool helps free up disk space by emptying the Recycle Bin and removing temporary files and other files you no longer need. To clean the hard disk:

• Go to the Start Menu
• Click on “My Computer” or “Computer”
• Highlight the C: Drive, but do not double-click on it
• With the C: drive highlighted, right click the mouse
• Click on “Properties”
• Click on the “General” tab
• Click on “Disk Cleanup”
• Disk Cleanup will then calculate the amount of space it is able to free up by examining which files can be deleted
• Select the files you wish to delete (these are generally temporary files)
• Click “OK”
• Click “Delete Files”

5. Run fewer programs simultaneously: Have you been working on your computer for hours and hours? Does it seem like your computer is running at a snail’s pace? Take a look at how many programs you have open at the same time. If you have several documents, Web browsers, and other Windows open, try closing out the items you aren’t using for faster response times.

6. Run a Virus/Spyware/Malware Scan: Open your computer’s virus program and run a scan. You should make sure that your anti-virus program is set up to run scans automatically at least once a week. Also, make sure to download all of the latest virus updates (which are free to subscribers).

To learn more about computer viruses, read “What are Viruses, Worms, and Trojans?” To protect your computer from viruses, worms and Trojans, ChicaLogic recommends the state-of-the-art virus protection offered by SPAMfighter. Sign up for a free 30-day trial of VIRUSfighter PRO and enjoy the following benefits:

• Protection against viruses and other malicious software
• Virus removal tool
• Optimized system scanning
• Regular updates for ongoing threat protection
• High rate of virus detection
• Extended language support
• Free phone and email support
• and much more!

Visit www.SPAMfighter.com/VIRUSfighter/ for more information.

7.Download ChicaPC-fix! To increase your computer’s speed and optimize its performance, read all about the cost-effective benefits of ChicaPC-fix.