what can i do to back my computer from start without formatting?

Question

ive done a lot of downloading files,erase,delete,install,uninstall thats why i think my computer is slow now what can i do to back or speed my computer again without formatting is there a software that can do that?

Answer 1

Retrospect Express is GREAT for backing up files.



Here is my suggestion: get an external HD you can get em from newegg.com relatively cheap. I like seagate best. Then transfer all your images, music, files...everything except your software and other misc. files - anything YOU saved or created yourself using the programs basically... NOT LOG files, or system files....do not move those.



Keep all your personal files separate from your program files on your internal HD....your computer will run much faster and more efficiently probably once you clear that space.



You might also need to bump your RAM up, and run some minor maintainence on your computer - such as anti-viral software, spybot search & destroy, ad-aware, and CCleaner.

Answer 2

Go through the "My Documents" folder and delete anything you don't need. Then, go to the control panel and Add/Remove Programs via:

Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs



use that utility to uninstall any program or application that you don't or won't use. After that, you can go to:



Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup



It will run a scan for you and tell you about anything that coul be taking up extra hard drive space and slowing you down. Run whatever you are willing to, but you should be safe with every option because you'll mostly be turning off Windows features that you don't use.



Next, go to http://www.ccleaner.com/ download and install Ccleaner. After you are finished installing it, run the cleaner on default setting. After the cleaner completes it's work, go to the Registry tab. Tell it to fix all registry problems and make a backup of your registry, if anything goes wrong after the fix you can reinstate your old registry to fix it.



After all of that go to:



Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter



Run the defrag which, depending on the size and speed of your hard drive will take between 30 minutes to 3 hours.



After all of that your computer will be ready for a reboot and should run much more smoothly and quickly.



If you still need more send me an email.

Answer 3

I assume you have antivirus/spyware installed. If not http://free.grisoft.com/. Then download CCleaner at http://www.ccleaner.com/. Run Windows Disk Defragmenter and install http://www.soft32.com/download_194359.html (Registry Shower) and clean up your registry. After you've done that your performance should improve.

Good Luck

minder1