Win a copy of PC Tools Performance Toolkit

An article by Claire    5 Comments

The tough economic climate means our frequently used possessions need to last longer, and replacement or repair is something we’re keen to avoid. Over time, PCs accumulate clutter and errors through general use that can slow them down to a sluggish pace or even stop them working altogether. A PC that that takes too long to start up, or regularly lets you down, can be a source of frustration for many!

Luckily, PC Tools Performance Toolkit can rescue a slow PC with its range of powerfully simple performance, privacy and recovery tools which speed up and organise your system, making it faster for longer. It helps make your computer cleaner, more responsive and most importantly, faster. Privacy tools erase your browser and search history, while recovery tools restore your lost photos, music, and other documents. It’s like a regular service for your computer, helping to bring back that new PC feeling.

Brighton Mums has 3 copies of PC Tools Performance Toolkit to give away, worth £39.99 each and valid on three PCs for 12 months – it’s a quick and easy way to improve the performance of PCs in your home. Visit www.PCTools.com for more information. Enter a comment in the post below, leave your e-mail address (it’s private) and you’ll be entered into a draw. Deadline is midnight Sunday 16th September, 2012.

Top tips:

Time for a Tune up – keep your PC in Tip Top shape for optimum performance so you can get on with more important things

“I’ve bought a new PC a while ago, it was top of the line and now I want to throw it out the window.”

Sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone. Over time PCs get clogged with temporary and left over files from browsing or installing and uninstalling programmes, registry errors, viruses and general clutter built up over time. So no wonder your once trusty computer slips from breakneck pace to snail pace or even stops working altogether. Just like us, PCs need TLC to keep them running at optimum speed and performance.

Richard Clooke, Security and Performance Expert from PC Tools talks us through some easy performance enhancing tips for PCs:

1. Empty the Recycle Bin
Get rid of all useless files that are cluttering your PC by regularly empting your recycle bin

2. Delete Unused Programmes
Once you’ve taken care of these maintenance basics, you can really start cleaning. Delete duplicate files and remove programs that haven’t been used for a year. Not only will you benefit from more hard drive space and a less cluttered start menu, but your computer will run faster too

3. Clear out all temporary internet files and cookies
It’s simple but effective. Most browsers have an option within browser settings to clear out internet browser history and cookies with one click (this is also very handy if you share a computer and don’t want anyone to see what you’ve been up to). Your browser might also have a private browsing mode that stops you collecting cookies in the first place.

4. Run Disk Cleanup
Follow these steps – click Start, then Programs, then Accessories, and finally you’ll get to System Tools which will allow you to remove temporary files, downloaded programs and all sorts of other junk from your hard drive

5. Defrag your PC’s hard disk
This is also located in your computer’s start-up menu and in system tools. Depending on which OS your PC has, it can be part of the administrative tools or standard system tools. It takes a while to run but you can do it overnight or set it to run as you leave to catch up with mates in the pub.

6. Make sure your internet security is up to date
Most Internet Security programmes now have automatic updates which work in the background. Make sure you have the most up to date virus protection and run a full system scan. Cleaning your PC of any malware, Trojans and spyware will help your PC perform better and help protect you from identity theft

7. Get some software to do it all for you
We don’t all have the luxury of time and it costs less than a fun night out with your mates to buy some software. You can download programs that will run an ‘MOT’ on your PC and make a variety of changes to improve the performance. PC Tools Performance Toolkit will scan your Registry and defrag your hard disk, optimise your PC’s startup processes and remove unnecessary files that you no longer need. It updates automatically and runs silently in the background, so once it’s installed you can get back to the bar and leave it to do its thing.