Is your PC a constant source of frustration?

Is it so slow that you can hardly complete a task?

Are programs taking forever to respond?

Have you had your fill of computer crashes, freezes or slowdowns?

If so, it's time to make a change, optimize your system and improve the performance of your PC!

The following fail-proof methods for improving PC performance will definitely bring results you'll be pleased with. Recommended frequency of usage is indicated for each method.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 1:
Cleaning up Windows Registry (Frequency - every day)

This method is often neglected, although it is necessary for sound PC performance. Most PC users don't understand the significance of cleaning up the Windows Registry, because no version of Microsoft Windows includes a clean-up tool.

Whenever a program is installed, changes are made to the Windows Registry, which is a large internal database that contains all Windows settings. These settings, which include thousands of entries, control how everything in the system looks and behaves.

When changes are made to the PC system, the Registry does not always handle them correctly, and this may cause conflicts and result in slowing down the PC. With time, this may cause the Registry to become corrupted. This is caused due to:

• Repeated installing and uninstalling of programs
• "Messy" uninstallation of programs (traces are left behind in the Registry)
• Hardware uninstalls which leave entries in the Registry
• Drivers which are no longer required on the system
• Spyware or other malicious programs that appear every time the computer is restarted.

The Registry can be edited manually using Regedit, a Windows program for editing the Registry; however this requires a considerable amount of skill and experience to complete successfully.

Luckily, there are programs that can automatically clean up the Registry and thus improve PC Performance.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 2:
Emptying the Recycle Bin (Frequency - once a week)

Don't forget to empty the Window's Recycle Bin. This frees up hard drive space and improves the PC performance.

When a file is deleted, Windows first transfers it to the Recycle Bin, instead of deleting it completely, to give the users a chance to restore the files to their original locations on the computer, in case they change their minds.

For better performance, make sure you empty the Recycle Bin at least weekly, or even daily. Emptying the Recycle Bin is done simply by right clicking the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and choosing "Empty Recycle Bin" from the drop down menu.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 3:
Removing Programs (Frequency - Once a Month)

Though most people are quick to install new programs, few think about removing programs once they are no longer required, and leave them unused on the hard disk.

Most programs have an uninstaller, and can be removed by going to the program's entry, accessed from "All Programs" from the Start Menu.

For programs that don't have an uninstaller, from the Start Menu, go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs. It will take a few seconds for the PC to assemble a list of all the programs installed on the computer.

Once this is completed, find the program you want to remove, click it and select Change/Remove.

Since some programs leave uninstallation traces in the Windows Registry, it's important to clean up the Registry after each uninstallation process.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 4:
Running Disk Clean Up (Frequency - Once a month)

For improving PC performance, Window's Disk Clean Up can be used, a built-in utility which initiates regular maintenance tasks like deleting Setup log files, Temporary Internet files and similar.

Disk Clean Up is started by double-clicking My Computer, right clicking the 'C drive and selecting Properties from the drop down menu, then clicking Disk Cleanup. It will take the computer a few moments to carry out the self-analysis.

Upon completion of the audit, Windows will display a list of areas which contain files for cleanup. By putting a tick at the check box next to an area, Windows will clean the files there. If you want to leave some files undeleted, remove the tick from the check box and click OK.

The computer will start a removal process. This process may take some time.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 5:
Defragmenting disk (Frequency - once a quarter)

When programs are stored on the PC hard disk, fragments of files are saved in the empty spaces nearby.

The PC then has to find these fragments and piece them together, which takes time and slows down the performance.

This can be easily solved by running the Windows program Disk Defragmenter, which assembles all the fragments of the programs and places them back in the correct order.

Once this has been done, the hard disk can find what it's looking for easily, which enables files and programs to load more quickly.

To activate the defragmentation, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then select Disk Defragment. Once the program has started up, click Defragment.

This process can take well over an hour to complete, which is why this usually isn't carried out very often.

It's recommended to defragment the hard disk about ever three months, for best results.

PC Performance Improvement, Method number 6:
Emptying the Prefetch Cache (Frequency - once a quarter)

In order to improve the time required for loading programs, Windows attempts to guess which files will be needed next and then loads them into a cache, a process known as prefetching. Though this process indeed works well, with time, the Prefetch Cache may become clogged with files which are no longer required. This causes Window's startup to slow down considerably.

The remedy is to clear Prefetch, by choosing Run from the Start Menu, and typing "Prefetch" in the text box that appears. This will result in a window filled with many icons. To select them all press Alt+A and delete them.

The cache will resume its regular use and refill with files and links required by Windows. The result will be that the system will be more responsive and the PC performance will improve.

These 6 methods are sure to result in much better computer performance. Repeat them regularly as indicated, and you will enjoy a revitalized PC.