Step-By-Step: Get a Free Tune-Up for You
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Use Windows' built-in tune-up utilities to return your PC to tip-top health.
Is your PC growing sluggish, acting strangely, or even occasionally locking up? Although these symptoms could indicate a serious problem, it's more likely that a quick Windows tune-up is all you need to return your PC to tip-top health.
There are a legion of add-in utilities available for Windows, and you might have to lay down the bucks (if you haven't done so already) for a comprehensive utility suite such as Norton SystemWorks or Ontrack's SystemSuite 4 to iron out any thorny problems. In most cases, however, you can get by with Windows' built-in tune-up utilities. Other applications (such as virus checkers) are available for free. If you decide to go with a full-fledged utility suite, check out our review of SystemSuite, SystemWorks, and other popular packages.
1. Scan for Viruses
A virus can play havoc with your computer and cause it to behave in truly strange ways. Make sure your PC's antivirus software is up-to-date. Then perform a full-system scan. If your PC does not have an antivirus utility installed, try Trend Micro's HouseCall, a free utility that scans your computer over the Internet.
2. Do a Backup
Windows includes a basic backup utility. (It won't, however, back up to CD-Recordable discs.) To access Backup, select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Backup and follow the directions. (If you don't see Backup in System Tools, you need to install it: Open Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, select the Windows Setup tab, double-click System Tools in the Components list, check Backup, and click OK twice; from there, follow the directions.)
If you don't want a full backup, at least back up your Windows Registry. Copy System.dat and User.dat (which are tucked away in the \Windows directory). Windows Me users also must copy Classes.dat.
You'll need to change Windows Explorer's properties to view these hidden files. From Explorer, select View, Folder Options (or View, Options or Tools, Folder Options, in some versions of Windows), click the View tab, and choose Show all files or Show Hidden Files and Folders.
3. Scan Your Disks
Windows' ScanDisk analyzes your hard drives for errors and problems. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, ScanDisk, select a drive, click the Thorough option, and check Automatically fix errors. Then click Start. Repeat for each drive.
4. Defragment Your Drives
Your hard drive saves files wherever it has free space--not necessarily in one place. A drive can work dramatically faster when it doesn't have to jitterbug all over the disk gathering pieces of files. Disk Defragmenter makes each file contiguous. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter, select a drive, and click Start. Repeat for each of your drives.
5. Sweep Out Unneeded Files
Normal PC use, especially Internet browsing, can fill your hard drive with hundreds of unneeded files. Choose Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup, choose a drive, select OK, and you'll see a list of various files that you can delete. Check the file types you want to remove (Windows provides an explanation for each) and click OK. Repeat for each drive. You'll find additional choices under the More Options tab.
6. Automate Your Tune-Up
Now that you've performed individual tune-up chores, you can automate the process. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Maintenance Wizard and follow the directions
7. Set System Restore Points (Windows Me Only)
Windows Me saves critical settings that you can restore if your PC runs into problems. You can also manually set restore points--a good idea when installing new software or hardware. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, click Set a Restore Point, select Next, enter a description, and click Next again.
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