Step 2: Defragmenting your computer’s hard drive using Defraggler.

You’ve heard of defragging your hard drive, but this tool is different. It allows you to quickly and simply defragment the important files – Something Windows built-in defragmentation tool doesn’t have.  Also, this tool is made by Piriform, the same authors of CCleaner, so you know the software is easy to use, contains no spyware, and best of all: free.

How to use Defraggler

This step is quite simple. After installing Defraggler, run the program and select your primary hard disk drive (typically, the ‘C:’ drive is selected by default). If you don’t know which drive it is, more than likely the drive you are looking for is the ‘C:’ drive. Alternatively, you could defrag all of the hard drives listed; It won’t hurt anything, and will help in optimizing your computer. Next, its as easy as clicking on the ‘Defrag’ button, and waiting for the drive to finish the defragmentation.

Defragmentation can take a long time, as in hours (depending on your drives current fragmented state). CompuTechs+ recommends performing this action before going to bed, unless you regularly defragment the hard disk drive. Vista Users: No need to use Defraggler, as Vista already has a built-in defragment function.

After defragmentation, you may want to schedule Defraggler to run automatically every week or so. Do this by going to Settings → Options → Schedule, select the ‘C:’ drive and check the ‘Schedule defragmentation for chosen volume’, and set the period to ‘Weekly’ (or your own personal choice. ATTENTION: there is no need to schedule more than once per week). Hit the ‘OK’ button, and lets move onto the next step.

Move on to Step 3: speed up your pc using Spybot Search & Destroy.

Many people avoid common maintenance of their computers, which slows down performance and decreases security.

1. Data Backup
2. Defragmentation (unecessary if you are using Vista or an SSD, or Solid State Drive)
3. CCleaner
4. Spybot Search & Destroy
5. AVG AntiVirus
6. Windows Update
7. Defragment Again! (after installing Windows Updates – Defragmentation isn’t necessary, once every two months should do fine)
8. Physical Appearance & Dust
9. RAM Upgrades

All of these are important to your computer or laptop’s health, but most of all: your sanity. Many people avoid common maintenance of their computers, which slows down performance and decreases security. All the computer software packages that we have listed are free, but we always recommend purchasing the full-license if you decide that you like the software (namely AVG & Spybot). It not only helps support the computer software developers provide you with better updates in the future, but the paid versions protect you better.