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Perform Complete Backup

To backup is to make spare copies of files and store them separately from the originals (i.e., not on the hard drive). Better safe than sorry. A backup of all of your important data marked with the date will help you recover if your hard drive fails. You can use CDs or other media to store your backup files.  If you have your files organized by topics (documents, photos, music, etc.), it will be easier to determine which files need to be backed up. 

Start Up Programs

Instant messaging programs, media players and many other programs weasel their way into automatically starting with Windows. They just slow down your boot time and guzzle system resources.  Whether you need them or not, they're using memory and CPU cycles. Windows 98, Me, and XP users can disable unnecessary background programs using the Startup tab of the MSCONFIG program, which you can launch from the Start menu's Run dialog. Windows 2000 users will need a third-party tool, such as StartUp Inspector.

Disabling anything listed in MSCONFIG should be safe, but keep in mind that if you disable the system tray, you'll lose the clock and volume control in the system tray. You'll see a number of programs listed. Some names are easy to figure out, but the majority are difficult to decipher. You can find a list of entries and explanations here:
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

Also, one or more instances of LoadPowerProfile or TweakUI do no harm, because they don't remain in memory.

A simpler method of cleaning out your start up programs is a free utility -  StartUp Inspector. This handy tool lists all the programs which start when you boot your computer and gives a description of the program indicating whether the program is necessary or not needed.  StartUp Inspector will display more running programs than MSCONFIG and will identify which programs are necessary in startup and which ones are not needed.

For more detailed information on how start up programs affect your computer, visit PacMan.

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Check For Windows Updates

Users of ALL versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system can visit Microsoft's Windows Update web site which should automatically take you to the correct set of updates for your computer's version of the Windows operating system. Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a selection of updates tailored just for you.

Check to see if there are any new critical updates or patches you need to install. The latest patches from Microsoft will help to secure your system. When you connect to the website, they will automatically detect which updates are necessary for your computer and will list them accordingly.  Read the summary on each one and determine which ones are necessary for your particular computer - you do not need to install all of them.  The critical updates should always be installed.

When these updates are installed off the Microsoft site, When it tells you to reboot before continuing you must do this in order for the update to "take".  It is also essential that the updates be installed in the order set forth by Microsoft. And, remember, you must reboot on update's request.

For a detailed guide (from UMBC) on how to install the updates,

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