You may have a bunch of software packages on your hard drive that are no longer needed, or they were gratuitously installed when you downloaded some other package. Toolbars, file-sharing programs, free email enhancers, online shopping “companions” and download managers are notorious for this practice. These uninvited guests can put a big drag on your startup time, cause web pages to load slowly, and generally bog down your computer.

If you’re unsure about some programs, do a web search to learn about the ones that you need to keep.

Related posts:

1. XP Speed Secret #7: Disable File Indexing
2. Vista Speed Secret #8: Turn-Off Un-Needed Features
3. XP Speed Secret #1: Disable Extra Startup Programs
4. Vista Speed Secret #11: Shut-Off Windows Hibernation
5. XP Speed Secret #2: Optimize Display Settings