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Whether you use a brand-new PC, or a well-seasoned system, there's probably one issue that's all too common: a sluggish machine. You often sit at your PC waiting while the hard drive makes its familiar whirring/grinding sound at a dauntless pace, the little hour glass icon steals away your mouse cursor, and yet nothing seems to be getting accomplished!

This situation is all too common on machines running any version of MS Windows. The trouble is that there are too many background processes clogging up your system's memory, or RAM. Surprisingly, new PCs can be the worst offenders, thanks manufacturers bundling a slew of preloaded and trial software on them. Picture it this way: say you have Solitaire, MS Word, and your instant messenger all running concurrently. On the Windows task bar you see that each of these applications running, and you're probably aware that too many apps running at the same time fills up your RAM and can degrade system performance. However, behind the scenes there are even more little apps running-clogging up your system's RAM and slowing down your cutting-edge PC.

Curious what else may be running backstage? Press all at once ctrl + alt + delete. Assuming you are using a relatively recent copy of Windows, a program called Task Manager should open. Choose the second tab in Task Manager, labeled "Processes." Everything you see there is a running program or process idling in the background.

Many of these programs are vital to ensuring your PC functions properly. For example, your anti-virus, firewall, printer services, and similar items are among those in that little list. However, in the background is where spyware, and other ill-intentioned programs like to hang out as well. Microsoft includes with windows a tool called the System Configuration Utility. It may be accessed by going to "Start," choosing the "Run" command, and typing msconfig. While an intimidating screen at first, what you're going to be interested in is the last two tabs: "Services" and "Startup."

First the services tab. Foremost, choose the "Hide All Microsoft Services" checkbox near the bottom of the window. This ensures that you won't accidentally disable any vital Microsoft services, which are generally necessary to Window's functioning. With MS services hidden, you can now see what other services are left. Do you see instant messenger, QuickTime, or other items you don't regularly use? You can go ahead and uncheck them. Items from your antivirus, printer, or other software/hardware

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