1. Empty your recycle bin
2. Clear cached internet files
3. Remove unused programs
4. Reboot
5. Disable unused Internet Explorer add-ons
6. Review your favorites list
7. Perform a full anti-virus scan
8. Consider a disk defrag
9. Back up important files

Empty your recycle bin

Some folks do not realize that files are not actually removed from their hard drives until the recycle bin is emptied.  We've had clients with thousands of accumulated files there!

Right-click on the "Recycle Bin" icon on your desktop and select "Empty Recycle Bin."  A full bin looks like this:  An empty recycle bin looks like this:

Clear cached internet files

Internet Explorer creates a local copy of every web page that you've visited.  This speeds up access when you return to the same page in the future, but over time accumulates a lot of unnecessary files on your local hard drive.

Right-click on the Internet Explorer icon and select "Properties".  In the Browsing history section of the tab, click the [Delete...] button under "Delete temporary internet files."  On the "Delete Browsing History" window, under "Temporary Internet Files", click the [Delete files…] button.  When prompted "Are you sure?", select [Yes].  It may take several minutes for this operation to complete, depending on how long it has been since you last cleared the files and how active an internet user you are.

There are other types of stored internet information (cookies, history of pages visited, form fill-in values, and stored passwords) that you can choose to retain or delete as you prefer; these do not typically use as much space as the cached page copies.

Remove unused programs

If you're like many folks, over time your desktop becomes cluttered with icons that you never use.  If the icon represents an installed program, then just deleting the icon is not enough; you'll want to uninstall the program to clear it from your hard drive completely.  Some programs also have service components; uninstalling them will free up memory and can help your computer start up and run faster.

If your operating system has an option to clean up unused desktop icons, run it (right-click on the desktop background, select "Arrange Icons By" from the context menu, and then "Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard" from the next menu).  Then you can peruse the "Unused Desktop Shortcuts" folder for candidates to uninstall.  Otherwise, just examine your desktop icons and try to remember the last time you used each one.

If the icon represents just a shortcut to a file or browser link that is no longer used, simply delete the desktop icon.  If, however, the icon represents a program that you installed but no longer need, then uninstall the program as described here...

From the start menu, select "Control Panel", and then "Add or Remove Programs."  You'll see a list of all programs installed on your computer and how big they are.  Some programs, when you click on them in this window, will also show an indicator of how often they are used and/or the last date they were used.  To remove an installed program from your computer, click on the program name on the "Add or Remove Programs" window and then select the [Change/Remove] button.  Each program uninstalls a bit differently, so follow the screen prompts as they appear.

Even though they may show up on the list as not being used recently, you should typically NOT uninstall Windows patches or Windows service packs from your computer.

Reboot

Several years ago, home computers were often turned on when we wanted to use them, and then turned off again when we were done.  Now, with power-management features and power-saving monitors, most computers are left on all the time.

If you have not rebooted your computer in a while, reboot it now.  Select "Turn Off Computer" or "Shut Down" from the start menu.  The either select "Restart" to stop & restart it in one step, or select "Turn Off".  If you used "Turn Off", then once the computer stops completely, let the hardware rest for a little while (30 seconds or so), then press the power button on the computer to bring it back up.

It is good practice to reboot your computer on a weekly or monthly basis, to clear out any dead program carcasses from memory.

Disable unused Internet Explorer add-ons

Does Internet Explorer start up slowly?  Try this:  right-click on the Internet Explorer icon and select "Start Without Add-ons".  Much faster?  You may be a victim of over-accessorizing.

Right-click the Internet Explorer icon again and select "Properties".  On the tab, click the [Manage add-ons] button.  To disable an add-on, click on its name and then select the "Disable" radio button.  Be especially ruthless with the add-ons of type "Browser Extension" or "Toolbar"; these slow you down each time you start up the browser.  Definitely disable any AOL (America Online) browser extensions; these are notoriously inefficient and problem-prone.  If you regularly use AOL, just put the AOL web site on your favorites list instead.

If after using the browser you decide that you want some of the features back, you can reverse the process by selecting "Enable" on the Manage Add-ons page again.

Review your favorites list

Speaking of browser favorites, how long has your list grown?

Review your favorites list to see which can be removed.  For those that you still want to keep, organize them into favorites folders.  They'll be easier to find, and you'll feel almost as good as when you clean out the "junk drawer" in your kitchen.

Perform a full anti-virus scan

Use your anti-virus software to perform a full system scan.  If your anti-virus software supports it, enable the option that checks for "malware" or "spyware" as well.

If you don't have anti-virus software, get some!  For home use, you may want consider freeware alternatives such as Avast Free 5.0.

Consider a disk defrag

If you have the budget for it, consider running a disk defragmentation software package.  Your computer will thank you for it… plus it is kind of fun watching all those red bars turn into nice blue blocks on the defragger console.

Back up important files

If your backup plan consists of "I'll copy important files to [my mem stick/external hard drive/CD/other networked computer] on a periodic basis", when is the last time you did so?   Do it now!   Then think about how you can remind yourself or automate the process so it really does happen on a periodic basis.

Or, consider subscribing to an internet-based backup service.  These have become quite inexpensive, and have the advantage that your data is stored remotely from your house (so it is safe even against localized catastrophe like fire or flood).  However, internet backups are only practical if you have a high-speed internet connection.