The first step to keep your computer running at it's peak performance is preventative maintenance. You can save yourself costly repair by spending 30 minutes a week running a few free programs that will keep your computer running like new. You are probably thinking, "this is a great idea, but how much is this going to cost me?" Well, it is not going to cost you a thing, other than about 30 minutes of your time per week! Here are the things that you are going to need to get started.

The first thing that you are going to want to do is to get rid of the unneeded files that accumulate from browsing the Internet and installing software. There is a great program that is free called CCleaner (formally know as Crap Cleaner). This nifty little program does all of the work for you, it deletes your temporary internet and temporary files. Temporary internet files are just like the name implies, files that are stored temporarily while you are browsing the internet. Temporary files are files that are only needed while programs are being installed. CCleaner knows where these files are located and will remove them once it is ran. You can download CCleaner from the Software section of this website. Once the program is downloaded you need to install it. To install it you can double click on the file and then click next and accept the default values. Next you will need to click run cleaner, next click on the Registry button and click scan for issues, then click fix selected issues, click no and then click fix all selected issues and that's it your done!

The next piece of software that you will need is called Spybot Search and Destroy and it is also a free program that removes spyware and tracking cookies from your computer. It can be downloaded from the Software section of this website. Once it is downloaded you will need to install it by double clicking on the file. You can accept the default vales for this as well. Once the program is installed it will open the first time run wizard which will create a backup of your registry as well as download updates and immunize your system, you will need to click create registry backup. Once it is done you will need to click on search for updates and then select a download location. Next you will need to click on immunize this system. OK the hard part is over, lets get down to letting the program do it's work.The next step is to click on check for problems and then wait, it will take around 15 to 30 minutes depending on the speed of your computer. You will see anything that it finds in the window pain below. It is safe to remove anything that it finds. You see what each problem is and what it is by clicking on the blue arrows to the right and then click on a individual result to see what it is. Next you will need to lick on the fix selected problems button. And your done!

You will want to run each program at least once a week to keep your computer running at it's best. Let me know if this article was helpful.