PC hangs or running slow

I often get questions from friends and families on their system performance issues and system slowing down etc. I believe the steps I have mentioned below should help everyone looking to cleanup the garbage and enhance their system.

VERY first Install this AntiSpyware software on your system. Its likely that your system is infected by lots of adwares and spywares. This software has a Freeware edition which scans and remove all spywares. Only drawback with this freeware is it doesn't provide Real-time protection.. But that's ok.. You can RUN it manually on weekly basis with Full scan option.

• Click:http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWARE
• It will download the installation file and save on your desktop
• Run the file and install the AntiSpyware software.
• Once installed, scan your computer.
• Use the Complete Scan radio button
• This might take some time to finish so let it finish.
• Possibilities are it would find lots of spyware
• Once found select the option to remove/clean on next screen
  

Second step is to run a Computer Cleaner tool that I recently found and use it for myself. It is freeware so no need to spend any money on expensive anti-spywares off the shelves that doesn't really do a good job on cleaning.

Its called "CCleaner" and I have included the link below for you to download directly.
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/downloading
Download the file on your desktop. Once you download the ccleaner, run that file and click till you Finish the installation. Now, you should see the CCleaner icon on your desktop.
Before you continue, you can take this Quick Tour about this tool to get yourself familiar. http://www.ccleaner.com/help/tour/1-after-installation
Click the Icon on your desktop to start the CCleaner..

• You should be on "Cleaner" tab
• Close all application including Internet browser
  
• Click Analyze. Depending on the garbage on your computer, it may take couple seconds to minutes
  
• It will give you the log with title "ANALYSIS COMPLETE" and tells you how much to be removed (example: 7,20.40KB to be removed. (Approximate size)
• At this point click on "Run Cleaner" button and it will throw away lots of temp files that are created by applications
• Once done, click on "Registry" tab on the left most icons between "Cleaner" and "Tools" icons
• Click "Scan for Issues". Be patience.
• Once scanning is done, click "Fix selected issues" button
• You will be asked "Do you want to backup changes to the registry?", SELECT "YES", it will open "Save As" dialogue.. Save the file under the "My Documents".
• If you save it somewhere else, note down the path. click Save
• Next you will be prompted with four buttons.
  
• Select "Fix All Selected Issues"
• Repeat the same task from "Scan for Issues" till you see no issues here.
  

You might want to try another utility called "Glary Utilities" besides "CCleaner" I mentioned below. Personally I use both CCleaner and Glary Utilities so that if CCleaner can't clean something, its covered by Glary or vice versa. Use this link to download and install this freeware.
http://www.download.com/Glary-Utilities/3000-2094_4-10508531.html

Once you install, open up and simply
- Click "Scan for issues" on "1-Click Maintenance" tab
- This will identify all the issues on your machine in Red color
- Once scanning is done, click "Repair Problems"
- you are done


Now,the next part is securing your system with continuous monitoring and that is using Firewall and Anti-virus software.

1) Make sure you have virus scan software suite or something.

Many Comcast users don't even know that Comcast.net provides free McAfee Internet security suite on their website. If you are already using McAfee suite through Comcast.net then you are fine.. Just make sure you have all recent updates that it downloads and installs automatically.

If you don't have any Internet security (Virusscan, Firewall),

• Goto comcast.net
• Click on "security" link on the top right corner
• Next screen click on "Get McAfee Now"
• This will open another window
• Login to your Primary comcast.net account
• click "I Agree" button
• Next screen you will see "McAfee Product Download" screen where click "Download" button and save the fiel on your desktop
• Write down the entire serial number below Download button. You will be asked for this number during installation
• Rest McAfee suite will take care of security part with live monitoring
  

2) Run a Defrag on your system. This process might take several hours so you can do this before you goto bed. All Microsoft windows comes with built-in Disk Defragmentation utility. But I don't like it much. So, I will point you to download the Defrag utility at defraggler.com. To do this follow the steps here:

• Goto http://www.defraggler.com/download/downloading to download the file directly
• Save it on your desktop and run the file and complete the installation.
  
• Open "Defraggler" utility from Desktop or Start menu
  
• Click "Analyze" button at the bottom of this screen
• Upon completion it will show you the Analysis results:
  
• Click "Defrag" button and let it complete. It might take several hours to finish.
  

Once all these steps are done, restart your computer. See if these have helped. I'm sure it will make huge performance enhancements in your computer.

Comments are welcomed.