| When you first buy your computer, it often comes | | | | have and what you have downloaded on your |
| with a few things already installed. Check out your all | | | | computer. |
| programs list, or even better, go to Control Panel, | | | | Some people tend to collect security or maintenance |
| then Add or Remove Programs (a.k.a. Programs and | | | | software on their computers because they download |
| Features on Windows Vista and 7). From here you | | | | every helpful free program they see that might help |
| can not only see all your installed programs, you can | | | | their computer run faster or safer. As great as some |
| also remove unused programs. Any program like a | | | | of these programs are, unfortunately having three |
| messenger, toolbar, security program, or installation | | | | antivirus programs will probably not make your |
| software for a dial-up should probably be removed if | | | | computer safer. In fact, it will simply be slower, the |
| you aren't going to use it. First of all, it's taking up | | | | programs will probably conflict with each other, and |
| space on your hard drive that can be used for the | | | | for good reason. They're all doing the same job! Pick |
| programs you actually want, and secondly, these | | | | on you like and uninstall the rest. |
| programs are probably starting themselves up every | | | | Please note that not all security or maintenance |
| time you turn on your computer. This means that | | | | programs perform the same task, so you can still run |
| they are using your system resources and possibly | | | | more than one of them if they are different. For |
| even your bandwidth, both unnecessarily. | | | | example, an antivirus program is not a spyware |
| You may have received a free trial of a security | | | | scanner or a firewall. These programs are all security |
| suite, like Norton Antivirus or McAfee. You can | | | | elements and certainly not the same. |
| certainly use them, at least until you install other | | | | Once you have narrowed down the software you |
| security software, but if you don't upgrade it when | | | | want and don't want, you should have a core |
| the trial runs out, you would definitely want to | | | | collection of software that will actually benefit you! |
| uninstall it. Programs like these are constantly running | | | | The next step is to keep them upgraded! Software |
| and performing maintenance tasks. Again, they are | | | | is constantly changing and improving over time. Some |
| using up your system resources, so try to uninstall | | | | of the improvements fix bugs in previous versions, |
| any antivirus or anti-spyware programs you don't | | | | improve the layout and features, or add compatibility |
| want to use. Even if it has "run out" and asking you | | | | to new web apps, etc. Some upgrades will not be |
| to upgrade, it's still using your system resources-not | | | | necessary, but they usually benefit you in some way, |
| to mention being an annoyance with constant | | | | especially if you use the program while you are on |
| reminders to "renew now!" | | | | the Internet, like a browser or messenger. |
| Check your system tray for programs that are | | | | If you are not sure you want to upgrade, do some |
| running on your computer every time it is turned on. | | | | research on the company's website! Find out what |
| It's in the lower right corner of the screen, just | | | | the improvements the upgrade has. If you don't use |
| beside your clock. You may see an arrow button | | | | the program very often and it will just make it a little |
| that will show you more icons if there are more than | | | | faster or change the layout, you don't have to |
| 3 or 4 programs running. Each icon in the system tray | | | | upgrade. Keep in mind, though, that many companies |
| will tell you what it does if you hover over them with | | | | do not offer support for older versions of their |
| your mouse. You will probably see a volume icon to | | | | products. |
| adjust your sound, an Internet connection icon, and | | | | When you eliminate unnecessary programs, and |
| an icon for your antivirus program. You probably have | | | | update the ones you use, your computer and user |
| other icons, depending on the type of computer you | | | | tasks will run faster and more efficiently. |