restoring computers original settings

[Guest]

I am not wanting to deal with the plethora of programs and files that is
signifcantly slowing my computer down. I forgot how to restore it to its
original state so I can start anew. Not using system restore

 

[Leonard Grey]

Most computers sold over the last few years come with either a set of
recovery CDs or a hidden recovery partition, either of which will erase
your hard disk and restore all the software that was on your computer
when it left the factory. The computer manufacturer can show you how to
use these. The exact procedure varies slightly among computers.

You really sure you want to do this? Everything you don't backup will be
lost. You'll have to update your software all over again, and setup the
computer the way you like all over again. If you've changed the hardware
you may have to undo your changes. And there's this: If you don't figure
out how you got into this mess in the first place, what's stopping you
from getting there again?

 

[Guest]

Installed programs don't slow a computer, at least not unless they are badly
written and damage Windows itself.

Slowdowns are more often due to memory-resident junk, most of which is
visible as an icon in the system-tray at bottom right. Digital cameras,
scanners, etc are notorious culprits for installing trash of this kind.

Open a Run box and type 'msconfig'

On the far right pane of the multi-tab, you can see the processes which run
at startup. Generally it's quite safe to disable them all, and do a test
reboot. If it turns out some are needed, the process is reversible. Don't
disable any which relate to your antivirus software, of course.

BTW, what antivirus are you using? If it's Norton, that will take 50% off
the performance of the computer in one go.