How can I safely clean out files and programs to improve performance?

1. Uninstall unused programs: Look through your installed programs list and identify any programs that you do not use anymore and uninstall them.

2. Delete temp files and caches: Temporary files and caches can take up a lot of space and slow down your system. Use the Disk Cleanup utility or a third-party app to delete these.

3. Defragment your hard drive: Fragmented files can reduce your PC’s performance. Use Windows’ built-in defragmenter to analyze and defragment your hard drive.

4. Delete large files and folders: Look for and delete bloated files, programs, and folders that are taking up unnecessary disk space. Look in your downloads folder and “Documents and Settings” folder for large files.

5. Run a malware scan: Malware can take up resources and slow down your system. Use a reliable antivirus and anti-malware program to scan for and remove malicious programs.

6. Disable startup programs: Many programs startup when you boot up your computer and can slow down the boot up process. Disable unneeded programs from starting up when you turn on your PC.

7. Adjust your visual effects: Visual effects may look fancy, but they often consume a lot of resources. Adjust the visual effects settings to a level that looks right to you but won’t take as much resources.