Many Windows users find that, over time, their computers run slower than when they purchased them. Or worse, despite the system they've purchased being allegedly more powerful than their old one, it doesn't seem to run as smoothly. There are easy ways to maintain your computer to help knock out the problems that cause it to run slowly without having to hire a tech to do it.

If you are uncomfortable making any changes to your computer, there is a great safety tip that allows you to "reset" any changes you've made called a System Restore Point.

Vista Users:

1. If you're lazy like me, just type "system restore" into Vista's search box in the start menu. Tada, there it is!

2. Vista often automatically makes restore points by default, so you may see your last available restore and realize you don't need to make a new one.

3. If you do make a new one, follow the instructions at the bottom to "open System Protection."

4. At the bottom of that menu, hit the "Create..." button and give your restore point a description, then finalize.

I strongly suggest not relying on automatic restore points to be there before doing something major to your PC. Try to remember to set your own for best results, though even I admit I've been saved by the automatic ones a few times.

XP Users:

1. Go to "Start" --> "All Programs" --> "Accessories" --> "System Tools" --> "System Restore"
2. If you can't find it there, you may find it through "Start" and then "Help and Support." Under "Pick a Task" there should be one that says "Undo changes to your computer with System Restore."

3. Select "Create a restore point" to save your computer's data as it is, giving it a description as you please.

4. Finalize with "Create."

5. Return to this area if you want to restore from a previously created point.

System Restore is a fantastic, awesome tool that can help you prevent unwanted or unexpected changes to your PC in your efforts to install uncertain things like new driver or software updates. Use it and love it.

Now, on to actual changes that will help you speed up your PC.

By far the biggest problem I see in computers that are running slow is that, when the computer starts up, it automatically loads dozens of programs the user doesn't want or need. This makes starting up a slow process, but these programs also continue to eat resources in the background.

The easiest, fastest, and safest way to deal with this problem is:

1. Use the "Run" command and type in "msconfig" without quotes. In XP, the Run command is in the start menu by default. In Vista, you can bring up Run by hitting the Windows key + "r" simultaneously.

2. Hit okay, bringing up "System Configuration." Go to the "Startup" tab at the top.

3. Disable All in Startup. You don't need any of those programs. Advanced users may know they like certain programs to start when their PC starts (antivirus programs, for example). It's okay to have a few-- it's having a list of two dozen that causes problems.

4. Go to the "Services" tab. VERY IMPORTANT: Select "Hide all Microsoft services" at the bottom. There are some services your computer needs in order to function: hiding all the Microsoft ones will ensure you don't select the ones you need.

5. You can safely select "Disable all" after all Microsoft services are hidden. Again, you can keep services you know you want up. If you're not sure, then there aren't any you want up that you can't change later.

6. Click "OK." You will be prompted to restart. You can do it now or wait. Either way, the changes won't take place until the next time you do.

There's a high possibility most of the programs you just turned off you didn't know you had. Unfortunately, especially for Vista users, many computers come shipped with a variety of useless, demanding programs you don't even want. Unless you run a clean reinstall (very inconvenient and complicated for users who are not advanced), you'll have to remove these programs one by one.

The easiest way I've found to do this is by using a program called Revo Uninstaller, which makes sure to actually remove all parts of the program. (Many "natural" uninstalls don't do this, leaving annoying remnants behind.) Perfect Uninstaller is also very good with some added features; you may wish to try the demo to see which you like better.

See How to Remove Unwanted Programs in Vista for more details. XP users can follow the same steps, but skip the first step concerning User Account Control; XP users don't have that feature.

Computers need regular maintenance in order to keep running smoothly. No, I still don't mean taking your machine down to your local computer repair shop. These are all things you can do yourself, such as defragging.

Vista users will find their system default set to automatically defrag itself periodically. You can check this by going to your Control Panel and selecting "System and Maintenance."

At the bottom, under Administrative Tools, you should see "Defragment your hard drive." Clicking that will allow you to see the last time your PC was defragged and how often it's scheduled to do so. Once a week (the default, I believe) is fine. Don't let it go for less than once a month.

XP users will want to open "My Computer" and right click on the drive you want to defrag. (Most likely C:, unless you have multiple ones. You will want to address them all eventually if you do.)

From the right click menu, select "Properties." Under "Tools" is one called "Defragment Now." That's where the menu that allows you to defragment appears; click "Defragment".

Unfortunately for XP users, you cannot set it to do this automatically and will have to remember to do it at least once a month. The longer you go without doing it, the longer it will take. Set some time to start a defragment for several hours if it's been a while (example: you've never done this) when you won't be using your PC.

This is critical for laptops, but also very important maintenance for tower PCs. Your computer getting overheated will slow it down and cause a bucket of problems no amount of software tweaking will ever fix. I once had a laptop that run like molasses and could not figure out for the life of me why it couldn't sync videos and sound. I checked the fans-- an inch of dust clogging it. Once I cleaned it out, it was like my laptop was on fast forward again all of the sudden. It was my first laptop, so I didn't know better.

Keeping a laptop and other computer from overheating is easy if you know how. Condensed air can be used to clean fans of dust without having to take your computer apart. For powerful laptops, you can also buy cooling pads that will give you an extra boost. If you use your laptop for gaming, considering getting a cooling pad to help out.

Computers aren't failsafe devices (I'm sure you picked up on this). Sometimes, over a period of time, it ends up with broken data from all the data it's had to manage. Errors crop up in its recording, and mess up the Windows Registry. These small issues can make it harder for your PC to get the information it wants on demand, leading it to slow down. Over time, the results are noticeable.

I suggest Registry Fix (see link) as a registry cleaner. As registry cleaning software goes, Registry Fix is low on the bells and whistles-- it's not complicated, it doesn't eat extra resources (excellent when your computer is already slowing down), and scans and removes errors as advertised. Simple. The end. It also offers live support, something I think is very important and helpful for beginners.

That should cover the easiest, most basic things you can do for your PC to keep it from running slowly. Anyone can perform these simple tweaks, and though I always strongly recommend setting a System Restore before doing anything major (if only to build a habit), these particular pieces of basic advice were chosen so even a newbie shouldn't be risking any damage. I don't suggest paying a tech to do any of these things for you; learn yourself. It's easy! And you'll save money.