A Perfectly Clean Uninstall
In this blog post, we'll discuss the different ways to safely remove old, unwanted software and apps from your computer. This will not only free up space on your system but it will also prevent any potential security risks that come with letting these programs stay installed.
As always, we advise you to make sure you have a recent backup of all of your files before starting this process. Now on to what you can do:
#1 Optimize your storage space - Delete unused apps and documents from your computer's hard drive. Remove anything that is no longer needed like old games or ringtones.
#2 Create a full system wipe - Run a clean sweep of your system by either using the System Restore tool or manually renaming and moving the files. Be aware that this can be time consuming if you have a lot of apps and files.
#3 Delete all cookies - This will significantly help with disk space on your hard drive. This is also important as it will delete any trace of cookies that could potentially be used by hackers to gain access to your personal information on your computer.
#4 Clean up old software - There is no better way to slow down your computer than by letting old software hang around. Delete unneeded programs and files and make sure you have a recent backup as this process can be time consuming.
#5 Clean up your update history - Installing new software can be a great convenience, but it can also cause issues with your computer's performance. If you are not sure what you are running, just run a clean sweep and remove the unnecessary updates.
#6 Old logs - This will free up space on your hard drive. While these may not be malicious in nature, they do use up some space on your computer. If there are any that you do need to keep, don't delete them in mass amounts and instead put them into folders to keep track of them.
#7 Empty your recycle bin - This is a no-brainer, but it's also something that most people forget about. If you do not empty your recycle bin on a regular basis, there will be a lot of wasted space and hard drive room.
#8 Free up memory - Simply put, if you are using old programs and apps, they will be taking up space on your system and using up memory resources. By deleting these apps you will free up space to run programs more smoothly.
#9 Windows updates - Sometimes there can be more than one version of an update in the "updates" folder. Run a check and make sure that only the current version is still installed on your computer.
#10 Defragmentation - This can help with your computer's overall performance, but it will also free up space. To do this, simply run the hard drive defrag software that you have on your computer or schedule an automatic one to run at least once a month.
#11 Delete old power settings - If you've ever been frustrated by an old power setting that took too long to boot up or shut down, then you know just how annoying this can be. By removing these from your system you will be benefiting from a faster and more efficient computer.
#12 Update your Power Management - One of the main causes for slow booting or shutting down could be your power management settings. These will change depending on what computer you have, but if you are unsure how to go about changing them and getting the most out of your computer, then we have a blog post that can help.
#13 Manage startup items - This is one of the best ways to optimize startup times. If you have ever had to wait on your computer to boot up, this is one of your best options. Not only will it help with startup time but it will also free up space by removing unnecessary apps and services that run automatically at start-up.
#14 Remove unneeded services - Many programs have services that run automatically in the background. If you are unsure what is running, this is a great place to look. You will want to check your services and remove those that you do not need in order to free up memory and processor power.
#15 Delete any temporary files - Temporary files tend to pile up on your computer over time and they can be used by hackers as they contain many of your personal details. To delete them, go into "C:\windows\temp" or similar drive depending on where your temporary files are located and delete the files in that folder. You should also delete any cookies from your internet browser to help with any potential security risks.
#16 Empty your Recycle Bin - While it is important to empty your recycle bin on a regular basis, once every month or two is more than enough. This will both free up space and help with memory problems. If you do not want to delete all of the files in the recycle bin, it may be enough to just empty the "old" folder as these tend to grow as new files get moved out of there.
#17 Delete unused programs - As we previously mentioned, if an old program is no longer needed on your computer, remove it from your list of programs. Be sure to check with your computer manufacturer or the manufacturer of the program to get an idea of what is required.
#18 Clean up your start menu - Program shortcuts can get very cluttered and this will only make them worse. To remove any unwanted shortcuts, create a new folder in your start menu and rename the original one. Now, delete all of the files from this folder and you will have achieved a clean start menu without any unnecessary programs on it.
#19 Free up ram - This is also an essential part of freeing up memory that can help with everything from booting speed to overall performance. On Windows 7 you will want to check for additional programs in "App & Feature Control. If you see any programs there, remove them except for antivirus software. For Windows 10 users, this will be "Programs and Features" that you will want to clean out.
#20 Remove unnecessary file types - If you are not sure what a particular file type is, it's probably best to delete it in case it is a virus or a tracker of some kind. By removing these files from your system you will help speed up the execution of your computer as well as free up memory and hard drive space.
#21 Remote Desktops - If an old remote desktop is still running on your computer, remove it completely as this can cause problems with other programs. To do this, access the control panel and choose "Uninstall a program." From there remove any programs that you no longer use. When you are finished please make sure to restart your computer for any changes to take place.
#22 Reduce Unnecessary Contacts - This is something that many people forget about until it is too late. If you have contacts in your address book from a previous computer or phone number, they may no longer be needed and they can cause problems with your computer's performance. So if there are still any on your system, just choose one at random and delete it using the "Uninstall" option on the control panel when choosing a contact to delete.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there is no quick solution for fixing slow computer issues. Thankfully, many of the slower computer issues can be fixed with a little bit of research by the end user. By following the steps in this article you will be well on your way to a faster performing and more efficient computer.
If you did not find what you needed or if you have any questions regarding how to speed up your computer, please leave a comment below and we will get back with you as soon as possible.