How to . . . speed up your computer

Everyday use, plus things added or deleted will, over time, slow down your computer. Here are three tools built into Windows that can help you speed your PC back up.

1. Free up disk space with the Disk Cleanup tool. Click the Start button, then go to All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools. Select Disk Cleanup and run the program. When you get your results, go down the list and tick off items to be deleted.

2. Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files, which lessens the time it takes to access data. Follow the directions in step No. 1. When you get to System Tools, select Disk Defragmenter. Run program. The results tell you if the disk needs defragging.

3. Error Checking scans your hard drive for file system errors and bad sectors. Click Start then double-click My Computer. Right click on the hard disk. Go to Properties, select the Tools tab. Click Check Now under Error-checking. Select Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors. Fix any that are found.