How to fix a slow computer.

Image via CrunchBase

In a perfect world there will ONLY be Macs ... but as you may already have notice .... it is not a perfect world. When we went computer shopping, some of us didn't know enough about computers to stay away from a PC loaded with windows. Yet others knew about the problems with windows but found the cost of a Mac to be prohibiting.

In any event, now you are stuck with a Windows PC  and is working at a 10th of the rate that it did when you first got it; also you feel like there could be potential problems related to a computer virus, spyware, and rootkits.... Yes?

Well today is your lucky day. On this article I will show you a list with links of FREE programs that I  have been using for a while to clean and maintain all my PCS (Im stuck with 4). Some of these computer repair programs will not only clear your slow computer, they will work quietly in the background to prevent unwanted intrusions and virus infections.

1- CCleaner. (crap cleaner)

This freeware program is used for system optimization, privacy and cleaning your computer. After you have been on the web your computer system has thousands of files left behind by the websites you just visited. CCleaner removes these trash files, old unused files and internet history from your computer, thus allowing your Windows PC to run faster and freeing up tons of hard disk space.

In addition CCleaner brings a full feature registry cleaner. It's is also fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!

Cleans the following:

• All major popular browsers.
• Windows - Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.
• Registry cleaner.
• Third-party applications.
• 100% Spyware FREE.

get it HERE

2 - Spybot Search & Destroy

This program detects and removes spyware. Spyware is a new kind of threat to your pc that is not always covered by your anti-virus software. What spyware programs usually do is silently track your surfing behavior. In doing this the people that infected you with the spyware can create a marketing profile for you , and this profile is transmitted without your knowledge to the people that infected your PC and sold to advertising companies.

If you notice new toolbars in your Internet browser that you have not installed, if your browser crashes for no reason, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is probably infected with spyware.

Spybot-S&D is free, and it can also clean usage tracks, a good function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you have been up to on your PC.

get it HERE

3 - Avast! Antivirus

In my opinion avast is the best antivirus protection currently available on the market...paid or free. And Avast happen to be FREE. This software has a very small footprint on your computer. And in addition to detecting and removing the latest viruses from all over the world, it also features active protection which prevents viruses from infecting your PC and it warns you about potential harmful sites while you surfing the web.

Its features include:

• Anti-spyware built-in
• Web Shield
• Anti-rootkit built-in
• Automatic updates
• Virus Chest
• Antivirus kernel
• Simple User Interface
• Integrated Virus Cleaner
• Resident protection
• Support for 64-bit Windows
• P2P and IM Shields
• Internationalization
• Network Shield

Get it HERE

4 -  Firefox

Internet Explorer, the web browser application from microsoft, is one of the main points of entry for junk in your computer. Microsoft has been unable to fix countless security issues with the browser, so instead, you have to constantly answer pop ups, which essentially warn you that IE will not be able to protect you if you procede

So what are you to do? Well forget IE and from today on use Mozilla Firefox. Firefox sets the bar for secure browsers, with dozens of new features to deliver a faster, more secure and customizable Web browsing experience.

User Experience.
Firefox provide the best possible browsing experience of any web browser. The new Firefox smart location bar, aka "Awesome Bar," learns as people use it, adapting to the user preferences and thus finding  better matches over time.

Performance.
Firefox is built on top of the powerful Gecko platform, which in turn gives you a safer, easier and more personal browser.

Security.
Firefox is unmatched for security. With added malware and phishing protection it protect from viruses, worms, trojans and spyware keeping everyone safe on the Web.

Customization.
Add-ons galore!. Firefox lets users customize their browser with more than 5,000 add-ons and counting.

Get it HERE

5 - A-squared

Emsi Software provides the Malware scanner a-squared completely free of charge for private use. This free version in not limited, it is a full tool to clean your computer from Malware.

It not only detects Spywares, as detected by classic Anti-Spyware programs, but also especially Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers, Keyloggers and a lot of other destructive pests, which makes it dangerous to surf the web.

The advantages to you:

• Frees your PC from Malware
• Quarantine for emergency
• Exceptionally easy to use

a-squared reliably detects:

• Trojans, Backdoors, Keyloggers
• Spyware, Adware, TrackingCookies
• Worms, Bots, Viruses
• Dialers

Get it HERE

6 - Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is excellent at detecting and removing malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start.

Key Features:

• Support for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista (32-bit only).
• Light speed quick scanning.
• Ability to perform full scans for all drives.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Protection Module. (requires registration)
• Database updates released daily.
• Quarantine to hold threats and restore them at your convenience.
• Ignore list for both the scanner and Protection Module.
• Settings to enhance your Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware performance.
• A small list of extra utilities to help remove malware manually.
• Multi-lingual support.
• Works together with other anti-malware utilities.
• Command line support for quick scanning.
• Context menu integration to scan files on demand.

Get it HERE

There is more to come so check back soon.