When you do use your computer there are a thousands, if not millions of different processes going on in your computers. At times these processes go wrong and they leave a nasty trail in you computer, leaving it extremely slow. I will not go in to why this happens as this article would be far to technical if I do that so I will just touch these three reasons briefly, explaining why it happens and what to do about it.

Reason 1: Over time your computer will be saturated will temporary files of all kinds, it could be from your internet browser, other software on your computer or even Windows. These files are at first created to speed things up, if you do return to the same point where they where created. Thing is, you don’t really return to that point all that often. After a while they will just sit around on your computer and drain space and resources. Not good at all!

Reason 2: When you use your computer Windows and other software are initalized the the Windows registry. The registry is a book that keep track of all different kinds of software in you computer and how to start and handle them. Again, over time these will become obsolete, redundant, errounus and faulty. The registry is intialized every time you start your computer meaning that every all those obsolete, redundant, errounus and faulty will be loaded, causing  both you and I to ask ourselves – why my computer is extremely slow.

Reason 3: While this isn’t as much of an error it still drains both you and your computers of power, error messages. When your computer runs slow there is a reason to that problem. Many times Windows will try to make you aware of the problem, often with cryptic error messages. Many of us, including me don’t reallt understand why these problems occours and the meaning of the messages. I’t could be any of the two above but you can never be to sure, that is if your not an expert. Add to that the the messages are a clear sign that Windows needs to repaired, the question is just how.

Now to the good part, there is a free solution out there that will help cure all of the above problems and more. It’s called ErrorFix and I did a review of it here. I suggest you check it out. I gained a nearly 50% performance boost after just one use and it completely erased all of my problems.

For all if you out there that dont have time to read the whole reaview this below is a snippet from what I wrote in the final verdict.

The result of this free registry cleaner are amazing. I would never ever believe that my computer was in the state it really was. Shocking to say the least. On the other hand, you will need some basic computer knowledge if you want to use this software. But you have the backup feature which, after I learned the hard way, worked perfectly, allowing you to play around and get the most out of your system. So my opinion is that it’s up to you. My final grade is 4/5 - The advance features and all, the software really doesn’t cater to the complete novice, leaving 1 point on the table, but tha said, its not hard to use. Download is freely available over at their homepage, here.

The trick to be able to skip shell out large amounts of money on PC repair online or any other repair service for that matter is installing the right tools. Meaning a registry utility that will keep your system up to date, a anti virus solution, a firewall and backup tool to take continuous backups of your system if and when it do fail. The following list will contain the tools that I personally always install whenever my computer or Windows fail and I have to perform a complete sweep and reinstall everything.

Anti Virus

Researchers believe that there are millions of different malware as they are called out there that can potentially harm your computer. Every malware, whether it be a trojan, virus or worm has it own characteristic meaning that can wreck any kind of havoc upon your computer. Horror examples are identity theft, theft of personal information or just corrupted and non-functional systems.

My favorite tool to protect me against any threat out there are F-Secure Anti Virus package that will give me full real time protection against all above mentioned threats including spýware. Updates are almost daily meaning that the database containing the list of threats are always up to date with the latest threats. Add the face that its easy to install use it’s the ultimate package. Download F-Secure Anti Virus!

Firewall

While there are threats that you can protect yourself from with a anti virus solution there are still a barrage of attacks that occurs daily without you being infected. These attacks will exploit weaknesses in your system, either Windows or any third party software and in such a way gain access to your system. To thwart these threats you need a firewall that only allow any communication to your computer that you have granted.

For this i use a application from Check Point called Zone Alarm Pro. Zone Alarm Pro block and unwanted communication to and if so may happen from you computer. This tool is invisible to the hackers to they will never be able to identify it to circumvent it, leaving you protected. Alsome comes with a tool to protect your wireless if you happen use such solution. Download Zone Alarm Pro!

Backup Solution

No matter what you should have some kind of backup solution so that you can save your most valuable information and files on a secure location other than your main computer. But, burning CD’, DVD’s or dragging all your files to a external solution just added hassle.

Instead I use is the KeepIt online based solution. This solution is so awesome. You just download a little application, specify what folders you want to back up on a regular basis and that’s it. All new, old or changed files in those locations will automatically be encrypted and uploaded to a secure remote server from where you can, if anything happens and they disappear from your main computer, download them again. Secure and best of all, fully automated. Just install and forget! Download here!

Registry utility

A registry utility will maintain critical parts of your system such as temporary files, browser files and most of all, your registry which contain your run time information on how certain parts of your system and installed software behave.

Registry Fix is the number one tool I use too keep my PC blazing fast. Registry Fix is a registry cleaner/utitlity that will correct any error in your system and keep a host of other issues in check. Amongst other it will maintain missing file associations, missing dll files and of course keep your registry free from broken, faulty and obsolete entries. Try a free scan with Registry Fix here!

Registry Cleaners

Sloow! My computer feels so slow! Don’t worry, you are not alone. Windows has it share of flaws and the registry is one of them. Luckily there are tools that will cure this, bringing your computer back to life in no time! These registry cleaners amongst other things scan and delete any of the faulty, broken or obsolete registry entries in your computer, at times boosting performance up to 50%.

Registry Fix

Award winning free registry cleaner software with well over 13 million downloads thus far. In my review I talk about the software beeing so easy to use that anybody can handle and benefit from it. All in all its about installing the software, pushing a button and reaping the benefits. For me this software found and fixed 78 different errors in under 5 minutes. Download here!

Error Fix

No frills application for the advanced user seeking to gain as much as much performance and speed as possible from their computer. Found, identified and repaired over 300 errors on my computer. Vista certified, custom scan and and automatic scan among its main features. A good suite for anyone seeking improve the performance and and speed of their computer and feel that their computerskills might apply and come to use with a bit more advanced set of tools. Download here!

Registry Easy

Enormous application with well over 70 different features at hand, ranging from computer speed and performance to internet security and computer customization. Even with that amount of different features, with just a basic understanding of computers you will be able to attain great results. All in all I found well over 1500 errors with this software across all the different areas of this application. Great application! Download here!

My Registry Doctor

My Registry Doctor was my first ever review. This software was as easy as a pie to use. Even for those not familiar with these kind of software there is a way out, since they provide free customer support . Perfect for anyone that get stuck. Feature and resultwise this software is well on par with what one can expect from this kind of software. Download here!

Anti Virus

Trojans, Worms, Viruses, they are all called malware and can seriously damage you as a person or you computer itself, loosing all data. There are a way to overcome all these threats, using a proper anti-virus solution. Install one today and you don’t have to worry about your data being shipped of to criminals anyday soon.

Kaspersky Anti Virus

Great application that will give you full protection agains any malware and spyware out there. It will scan all of your files, emails and internet traffic for any sign of malware. Fully automatic updates daily will ensure that you are always one step ahead of the viruses. This is a must get if you want to tweak all setting by yourself! Truly no holds barreld! Download here!

F-Secure Anti Virus

F-Secure Anti Virus is ideal for anyone that feel that they lack the type of skill needed for these type of applications. The install is easy and fast and configuration is one click of a button, literally. Updates are automatically and on the fly. Install and you are all set, protected against virus, worms, malware and rootkits. Download here!

Trend Micro Anti Virus

This application has one big ace up it sleev. It will not drain your computers resources as other solutions might do. I hardly noticed it even when it performed a search of my entire harddrive, and that was while I watched a movie. A neat added feature is that it will delete any and all temporary files that your webbrowser will leave, protecting your privacy. Download here!

Firewall

Every day there is thousands if not millions of attacks on unprotected computers all over the internet. The attackers seek to either steal valuable information such as personal information or take control of your computer, using it for illigal activities such as spam. Seize control of your own computer and block any possible attack in the door with a firewall.

Zone Alarm Pro

Easy to use Zone Alarm will gives you an solution that fit any knowledge level yet providing state of the art technoly that will protect you from virtually any threat. Features include Network and Program protection including identity theft protection. Download here!

F-Secure Internet Security

F-Secure provides an all in one solution to anyone that feel that they just need one solution. Every possible feature is included in this package that are surprisingly easy to use despite it’s wealth of features. One of the main features are the DeepGuard 2.0 that will protect you against yet to be found and identified threats in the wild. Download here!

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro

As F-Secure above this is an all in one solution that just about anyone will feel comfortable with. The interface is well designed and will fit anyone at any knowledge level. Comprehensive tools that will not only protect your computer today but also tomorrow. Also included is a tools to prevent identity theft. Download here!

Kaspersky Internet Security

The Kaspersky Lab has up until now been mostly know for their antivirus solutions have brought together this great application that combine a personal firewall and an anti spam-filter into a powerful tool. During my testing I personally blocked a lot of hacker attacks of various kind. Great interface that will allow you tweak every setting possible. Great for anyone looking for a application careing to the more technically advanced! Download here!

First step would to be to delete any and all of you files that you don’t really need. You might not believe me but having many files spread across the system will cause your computer run slow. By that I mean that your hard drive will be forced to seek across its surface, seeking data. If you already didn’t know a hard drive is mechanical thus it isn’t as fast as one would believe.

Secondly, browse through your system and identify any software that you don’t use. There is no use for these programs to sit on your computer. They will just fill up valuable hard drive space and hog performance.

Next in line of our fixes is to run some kind of disk-cleanup software. In essence this program will delete all the obsolete files that the unused software that you just de installed. Trust me; there are a lot of different files they leave behind. Examples are temporary data files and/or configuration files. Although not reviewed here on my page, I have tried and used Advanced Defrag with great success.

Next I would suggest that you either find your own host of software that protect, maintain and manage your system or read my post below, My Computer Slows down – the answer where I guide you to a few of them.

Now, there you have it. The suggestions above are just some of the the slow computer fixes that are out there. I will try to add some tip every day so that you guys always can have a fresh computer acting as it was supposed to.

As my blog name suggest the registry is one reason, but I believe that there are more to it. Therefor I have written this post to sum up a few of the main reasons that you by yourself can handle with some free ready available tools.

Reason: Virus – Not having proper Anti-Virus solution installed and up to date is way more common than you believe. But be vary, even with today’s modern technology any software will not find almost 50% of all virus out there. Still, a solution is needed and will spare you a lot of grief.

Cure: Any kind of Anti-Virus. I suggest MicroAntiVirus. Key feature to look for are real time scanning and a virus database that update on a daily basis.

Reason: Spyware – With more and more of our personal life on the internet there are a host of different software that criminal minded people will try to install on your computer. These kind of software will try to steal your personal information – some times they succeed and sometimes they don’t. But, they will also cause any computer to slow down becouse of their often bad programming.

Cure: There are a million of applications around that can fend of these kind of problems. I recommend Spyware Cease for a good all around solution.

Reason: Adware – Adware will install on your system and once again steal your personal information. This time by tracking what you do and show relating ads on you computer, violation your personal space. These kind of programs are often poorly written to, causing your system to run slow.

Cure: There is only one option here, Ad Alert - as mentioned on CNN.

Reason: Registry Malfunction – Well, just surf around here on my blog and you will get why these kind of problems will cause your computer to slow down. They are one of the main reasons for you wondering why my computer slows down.

Cure: Check out my Registry Cleaner Overview for a complete selection with reviews.

My opinion is that all of these application might not get you out of all trouble, but they will take you far. Combine these and you will never ask yourself; my computer slows down, never ever.

Let’s get down to the problem. What it comes down to is that it’s not always vile viruses spreading through your computer that causing your computer to run slow, fooling us into the slow computer virus myth. What it might as well be is Windows itself and it’s underdeveloped procedures to handle broken, faulty and obsolete entries in the registry.

What happens is that through all your daily, weekly and yearly use there is a constant buildup of entries that in the end will bring your system to it’s knees.

Even a small buildup of these kind of entries will force your computer to run slow. Instead of focusing on it’s main tasks, that is support you, it will iterate through these entries again again and again, trying to locate the faulty or non existing addresses in the system that the entries point towards.

Since these kind of activity’s by default has main priority in the Windows core system other applications like Firefox, Winamp, Itunes or any other non system application will suffer, having a smaller amount of system resources to share among themselves. And since we we all will use them on a daily basis we will in just a short while notices the great decline in performance, hampering our daily tasks and chores.

So, while it very well be a virus, there is also the chance that it might be the above mentioned problem. What to do then?

I suggest that you first install a Anti Virus solution if you dont have one. Next you should choose a registry cleaner that can search through and identify all the bad entries. If you have a hard time finding the right solution you should check out my allready tested and reviewed solutions here on the right or my registry cleaner overview. The overview will be a easy shortcut, outlining their respective features and of course their final grade.

Myself I got a host of different criteria that I examine every time I find a new software and consider using it. You might not be as picky as me, but I do believe that having some guidelines will eventually help you come up with the best solution just for you.

First I use a well know, established reference and note it main features and characteristics enabling me use these notes as a kind of template for further comparison. From there I will give you five main features I look for and grade when I compare registry cleaners.

• Interface – How do the interface look like? Is it bloated or do every part of the application it own well defined and tidy area? Do all the buttons and available selection relay what the do and what they might hide?

• Functions – How many functions can I find in the application? Are there just a few basic or a gazillion of them and are they needed? While extra features sometimes is welcomed they might just as well bloat the software and hide the key features I am looking for.

• Speed – Can I start the software in second without it loading a bunch of additional material? How long do a scan take? I usually don’t have all day, meaning that I cant wait forever for a scan to complete. Im looking at a few minutes, tops.

• Usability – Is it easy to use? Will I loose myself in all tabs and features available? Ideal would be 2,3 clicks and I am off with a complete default system scan.

• Results – Well, this is of course might important. We don’t want a software that misses half of the errors in the system and obsolete entries in the registry. The only way to know how it performs is to compare it to a second solution, enter our reference template. The reference, will give you a estimate of what it to be found in your system. Perfect data to compare.

So, there you have it. I do look for a host of other criteria too when I compare registry cleaners, but I think that these ones will get you started. After a while, when you have used these kind of software for a while you will get to know your own preferences, and know that exactly you are looking for.

If you dont want to do the dirty work yourself I have a selection of reviews of different applications here on my left, or you can check out my Registry Cleaner Toplist where I crown the reign registry cleaner king.

Over any period of use Windows, and especially the registry will start to collect unhealthy amounts of obsolete, damaged and even vulnerable entries, all causing your system to either run slow, perform bad or even fail. Your system is in desperate need of Windows registry cleanup.

Where Windows lack these kind of in depth features a third party solution is needed. But, mind you, any products on the market will not be sufficient. There a a host of applications to choose from, all got their own special features and solutions. What you want to look for is a set of features that will fix your specific problem.

Below I have, in no particular order, listed the features that you should look for in any software. These are the bare minimum a software would need to make any kind of difference to your computer.

First and foremost you will need to look for any application that can display testimonial from other users that they perform what they say they do. There is no point going for the unknown little obscure application if it’s not verified and approved. Secondly you look for an application that show a certain set of basic features. The main ones are a registry scanner, registry repairer, backup tool and a temporary file remover.

In short these four tools is all that is needed to perform a monthly, if not weekly Windows registry cleanup that will maintain your system, ensuring maximum performance and in todays information age that your computer will not fail, thus loosing all your information stored on your computer.

I would suggest that you look through either my latest reviews or my registry cleaner overview for a selection of free registry cleaners that already has been chosen for their specific set of tools and performance. Or you could go right for the kill with the registry cleaner I rank highest at the moment.

Whenever you perform a task in Windows there are a myriad of different actions taking place, ranging from writing temporary files to handling entries in the registry. One of the most common reasons for you waiting forever for your Windows to start is these registry entries. Despite Windows trying to handle the build-up of these entries over time, lacking certain features it will fail, leaving thousands upon thousands of obsolete entries.

What you want to do is to acquire a third party software that can handle the problems arising from the daily build-up. There are a host of these kinds of software available, so finding the right one to fix your Windows XP slow startup problem can be quite a task. What you want is a software that can handle two specific abilities, registry scanning (and cleaning) and startup program managing.

A third party registry scanner will, opposite to Windows XP search and find most, if not any, obsolete, missing or corrupt registry entry. This way, you will never have any entries in you registry that during boot will cause any errors forcing Windows to go through unnecessary routines trying to fix what is most likely not broken, just obsolete.

Secondly, a start-up program manager will help you specify which certain software that should start during boot. Let me explain. During a computers lifetime you will install and de install many kind of software. Some you use on a daily basis, some you dont, you might think. Thing is that many of today’s software will put itself as auto start during boot, acting behind the scenes until you do start it. These is mainly due to performance reasons such as as faster start when you do use the program but in the end it will render your Windows XP startup slow.

So, all in all, find the right software with the specific features and you will be all set, bringing Slow Windows XP startup back to the way it used to be. My tips would either be to check out my reviews here on the right, get a bigger pictures and choose one that fit your needs. Or, for a quick fix, check out my registry cleaner overview.

First of, you need to establish which kind of operationg system you run. Its a fact that some of these applications woun’t run as good on one as it would on another, so gather information what OS you run and if the free registry cleaner you are looking at supports it.

Next thing to look for is if your registry cleaner has gone trough the extensive Windows Visa certification program. If it has been awarder a Windows certificate you can be almost sure that it will work. If its not, try it at your own risk, you might be lucky, other times not so.

Third thing to take note of if it allows you to take a backup (and restore) of your registry and any other files it might affect. This is crucial if for some reason something do go wrong, for example something critical in your registry is damaged or any important file get’s deleted by misstake.

For all you less educated in computers, ready available customer service is always a plus. They will, should and can guide your through any issues you encounter during your use of the software.

I suggest that you when you first encounter and want to use a registry cleaner is to look for these features foremost and as a second step, take note of all the other features such as the different scanning areas, miscellaneous features and what not. Try to look for a combination of the above mentioned and large collection of added features, or a simple, more robust registry cleaner if you are after that. Every case has it’s own solution.

Adhearing to these tips will surely help you to find which registry cleaner you should use, saving you much time and effort!