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scan) to use it to it's maximum effect, but leave some of the more advanced options alone if you are not comfortable with them. Programs sometimes install services and other processes to run in the background.

Typically, these processes will start when you log onto Windows, and then remain running, taking up system resources and slowing down your computer. These too can accumulate over time. To get rid of these, I recommend the Autoruns tool, available from the Microsoft website (do an internet search for 'Autoruns'). Autoruns allows you, at a stroke, to see all the processes that run at the startup of the computer, as well as a whole host of other options. Crucially, it also allows you to disable or delete these processes easily and simply. I would recommend leaving this alone if you don't know what you are doing, and if you come across something that you do not know the purpose of, do not disable it! Leave it, in case it is a crucial part of something. Lastly, run a full anti-virus and anti-spyware scan using reliable anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

There are many articles, both here on Helium and on the internet in general, discussing anti-virus, so I will not go into it here. However, if you do notice a sudden drop in system performance, then immediately run a full scan with both tools - such problems can be a symptom of infection. If you follow these steps, you are well on your way to giving your computer a good spring clean!

Learn more about this author, Jordan Cropper.
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