If you run Windows and you use the Internet, you just stay up to date with the system patches that come out in reply to the privacy and security efforts that are discovered always. Failure to do so is an open missive to hackers and crackers to invade your privacy and subject your computer in a spam spewing network. To acquire the most recent fixes and configure your system for automatic updates, open Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then Windows Update.

You have to run a good anti-virus program, with automatic updates .Viruses and malware can slow down your system a LOT, because they use your resources to generate popup ads, send spam, and often interfere with the operation of good programs.

You may have a lot of software packages on your hard disks that are no longer needed, or they were gratuitously installed when you downloaded some other package. Toolbar, file sharing programs, free email enhancers, online shopping companions and download managers are infamous for this practice. These uninvited guests can put a big drag on your start up time, cause web pages to load slowly, and normally bog down your computer. Go to Control Panel, then Add/Remove Software to see what packages are installed.