The most common issue I encounter when running a computer service is people's computers are too slow, so I put this together to help you to understand why your computer just isn't running like it once did. This is what I look at when you call me to do a "Deluxe Optimization" and will help you to understand just why it makes such a difference when I perform this role.
Startup Items
The first thing I'm going to cover are your startup items. These are programs that run when Windows first opens and cause your boot speed to fall, and can cause your system to be unresponsive when you first log into Windows. Many of these are designed for automation. Some update their parent program, some start background processes which monitor your system (some helpful, some not) and some are there simply to make certain hardware components work better. Most startup items are not necessary and can be disabled to improve startup speeds.
Background Processes
Next, we'll talk about your background processes. Just because you're not doing anything with your computer, doesn't mean your computer is idle. Your computer is having to run a great many programs in the background that you probably won't notice, except for the performance decrease in your computer. These processes run in the background, unnoticed, to help your system automate its tasks. Some of this includes updates, which CONSTANTLY monitor its parent website for product updates, which takes up your memory and CPU resources, but can also take up bandwidth, which is your internet speed. Most of the computers I run across have so many un-necessary programs installed that have their own background processes running at one time, that it will get overloaded when you try to get your computer to do something simple and you get "Not Responding" at the top of a window, which can cause it to crash. Elimination of the un-needed background processes causes your computer to at least be more responsive when you tell it to do something, rather than lock up on you.
Spyware
Now, I'll mention Spyware, and I'm always being asked what this is. There are many forms of spyware (which I sometimes refer to as "Malware" because it is ALL malicious to some point). The original form of spyware was browser cookies. Cookies are meant to help you keep track of your browsing history, it helps your browser's auto-complete feature for typing in web addresses and even usernames, passwords and e-mail addresses. The spyware cookie simply tracks the website you visit, your searches, etc. and when you visit a page that uses these tracking cookies, they use the information from them to show you advertisements, based on what you've been looking at. Say, you've been wanting to buy a motorcycle. You searched for a Kawasaki Ninja bike on Google or some other site. Ever notice you start getting motorcycle advertisements on some of the other websites you visit? They use the spyware tracking cookies to achieve this. Facebook is notorious for this.
The more invasive spyware will install a program and sometimes use a background process to throw pop-up ads at you, whether you're "online" or not. Some work like trojans.. You just thought you downloaded a "Smiley pack" for your e-mails, or more commonly lately "Strongvault Online Backup" that makes it sound like it automatically backs up your system, but in fact throws popups constantly.
Some spyware is so dangerous, it can even watch your keystrokes and mouse clicks, logs them and then sends info on what you type (Online or not) to their parent company. This can and usually includes credit card information and account logins with passwords.
I've even encountered spyware that will re-install itself when it is uninstalled, in order to survive on your system. Some of which also installs other programs on your system to make life even more complicated. One recent such program is one from the TV-advertised website "MyCleanPC.com" - this program claims to find all sorts of problems, then wants you to pay $39.99 to fix them. However, it also brings 6-7 of its buddies on-board (that claim to do something similar) and they ALL run as background processes and throw popups and slow your computer down. They can also hijack your browsers and search engines by adding toolbars, changing your search engines, etc.
There are also types of spyware called "Ransomware" which will lock your computer down so you can't get online and simply show you a page, saying you must pay blah blah or else. One of the more popular kinds of ransomware is the FBI ransomware. This displays a screen that looks very official, saying basically that you have broken the law and your computer has been locked, and that you must pay $xxx.xx to regain access to your computer and regain your freedom or you will be fined with court costs, etc etc.. these are fake and must be removed carefully. Do not fall for these scams.
Spyware comes from toolbars you've installed with programs, which can be hijacked, or they can come from inconspicuous places, such as unseen scripts associated with a picture or an object on a website that seems innocent.
The more invasive spyware will install a program and sometimes use a background process to throw pop-up ads at you, whether you're "online" or not. Some work like trojans.. You just thought you downloaded a "Smiley pack" for your e-mails, or more commonly lately "Strongvault Online Backup" that makes it sound like it automatically backs up your system, but in fact throws popups constantly.
Some spyware is so dangerous, it can even watch your keystrokes and mouse clicks, logs them and then sends info on what you type (Online or not) to their parent company. This can and usually includes credit card information and account logins with passwords.
I've even encountered spyware that will re-install itself when it is uninstalled, in order to survive on your system. Some of which also installs other programs on your system to make life even more complicated. One recent such program is one from the TV-advertised website "MyCleanPC.com" - this program claims to find all sorts of problems, then wants you to pay $39.99 to fix them. However, it also brings 6-7 of its buddies on-board (that claim to do something similar) and they ALL run as background processes and throw popups and slow your computer down. They can also hijack your browsers and search engines by adding toolbars, changing your search engines, etc.
There are also types of spyware called "Ransomware" which will lock your computer down so you can't get online and simply show you a page, saying you must pay blah blah or else. One of the more popular kinds of ransomware is the FBI ransomware. This displays a screen that looks very official, saying basically that you have broken the law and your computer has been locked, and that you must pay $xxx.xx to regain access to your computer and regain your freedom or you will be fined with court costs, etc etc.. these are fake and must be removed carefully. Do not fall for these scams.
Spyware comes from toolbars you've installed with programs, which can be hijacked, or they can come from inconspicuous places, such as unseen scripts associated with a picture or an object on a website that seems innocent.
Registry Problems
Despite popular belief that registry problems should be left alone, your registry will have errors in it that WILL affect your computer, even if just slightly. Yes, it is true that one should take EXTREME care while handling the registry. One slip and Windows will fail to run or some major program you use will fail to run. However, like any file that loads, the registry takes longer to run if it is fragmented or full of information that is no longer relevant. Programs that have been uninstalled usually leave tidbits behind, for example. When I perform a registry cleanup, I also defragment it and tweak some Windows settings, which improve startup and shutdown times, as well as internet/network speeds. Windows comes as a generic software - made to run on any machine. However, its settings are also very generic and are not made to fit each computer according to its individual needs.
Fragmentation
Hard drive fragmentation occurs when you save or move a file on your hard drive that can't be stored in one chunk on the file system. When this occurs, it takes your hard drive more effort and time to read each file that is fragmented, resulting in slower performance and more wear on your drive. Defragmenting a hard drive re-assembles and arranges the file system so that the hard drive only has to put out minimal effort to read and write files. (For a graphical representation of this, please visit my "Media" section.) In my Deluxe Optimization package, I take this one step farther. I do a full optimization which not only defragments the hard drive, but also puts them closer to the beginning of the drive, so the hard disk head can get to them faster than they would if they were stored on the outside of the platter.
My Deluxe Optimization package is a very tedious procedure that can take around 6 hours to complete, and the above is why. However, if you think the $100 is a lot of money, consider this. Take a very common flat rate for service for example. $60 an hour multiplied by 6 hours is $360. Computer shops have to charge rediculous rates to not only pay their technicians, but their shop leases, along with bills, city taxes, etc are rediculous. I work from home, and don't have this problem.