Clean up old and unused files

• Start cleaning the computer out by removing old programs and uninstalling the ones you are no longer using. Click on "Start" > "Control Panel" and under the "Program" tab click on "Uninstall a program." Wait until a full list of all installed programs has loaded, and go through it alphabetically. Click on the name of a program you want to uninstall and on the top bar it will give you the option to "Uninstall" that specific program and its files. Be patient, as the process can take a while if you have large programs and files to remove. Delete only programs that you are familiar with; if you are not sure whether a program is needed for computer operation, leave it alone.
  Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Cleanup." Select the option for all files on the computer to be scanned. This will check for any leftover files from uninstalled programs, remove Temporary Internet Files, and clean out the Trash Bin. The "Disk Cleanup" will also tell you the exact amount of space that has been freed up by running this scan.

Run a spyware scan

• A spyware scan is necessary to clean out any adware, cached cookies and malware that a browser picks up while visiting websites. AVG Anti-Virus and Avast both offer free trial versions for 30 days, and can be used to run a full-system scan. Webroot Spy Sweeper is another spyware detection program that is good to run every day. Run both a spyware removal program and an antivirus program, as it adds an extra element of security and protection. An antivirus may not be able to detect every adware infection, as some malicious scripts are written to trick an antivirus scan and appear harmless.

Run a virus scan

• An antivirus program is a must-have for everyday computer protection. Norton Antivirus and McAfee are two popular programs but have to be purchased after a 30-day free trial. Schedule an automatic full scan to run daily (or nightly) so that the computer can be checked for any suspicious files. Antivirus software will also protect from Trojan viruses and keyloggers that can steal personal information.

Defragment your computer

• Defragment your computer disk after a full computer cleanup has been completed. Allocation of files can cause your computer to fragment and misplace data, forcing it to work twice as hard to piece program files back together when you try to access them. This can impair the function of the computer.
  Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Defragmenter." Click on "Defragment now" and let the program run until the process is complete. The process may take several hours as it looks for data to piece together and arrange for easy accessibility. Once complete, the computer will show a significant improvement in faster usability.