Hardware

• The main part that makes a computer speed up is RAM, also known as memory. This is what the computer uses to store short term information that it needs to reference while it is processing. If there is not enough accessible memory for the processor to function to its fullest, then it will slow the whole computer down. It is fairly easy to purchase and install more memory in order to get the most out of your processor.
  
  

Software

• Generally, a computer will use what is known as the registry to locate start up items and programs. This can become bogged down with unnecessary start up keys which will slow down the computer, especially at start up. In order to clean out these unneeded programs, click on "Start," then "Run" and type "regedit" and press "Enter." Then locate HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run. There will be a key called "Default" which will need to stay there. Other than that, any key that is not a recognizable program can be deleted. Repeat this step for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run, and clean it out the same way. Then locate the Start Up folder under Start/All Programs/Start Up and delete any program you do not want to start up when the computer first comes on.
  
  

Malfunction of Hardware

• Sometimes computers slow down because hardware breaks down with use and wear. This generally happens when the hard drive fails to read/write at the speeds for which it was designed. To check this, you will need to run the Disk Defragmenter, followed by the Disk Check utilities. These will check to make sure your hard drive is still functioning properly, and will also reorganize the files stored on the hard drive, making them easier to access.