Windows Backup software, do I need this?

[kinderBOOsurprise]

My pc is has got really slow in the past weeks. A friend told me to take off some software that is not needed. I have just noticed that I have a Windows Backup programme that takes up 4095MB.

Do I need this software? I do backup copies every so often, mainly letters, work etc.

At that size it's unlikely to be a programme, but an actual backup file for your PC. To be honest, the amount of data on the hard drive is unlikely to effect the speed of the PC (unless it is particularly high and there's less than 1Gb free on your C drive).

What you might want to do is run a disk defragmentation - this can speed things up (you should be able to get the instructions on doing this through the Windows Help files).

The problem is there are many things that can cause a computer to run slowly - and general housekeeping (such as defragging) is unlikely to make much of a difference if there is a significant issue on your PC. There could be some virus activity for example that is hogging the computer resources.

You can check to see if there is a particularly CPU intensive process by looking at task manager. Press Ctrl+shift+escape to access task manager. Then click on the processes tab to view all processes. Make sure the box for "show processes from all users" is ticked and then sort in order of CPU activity by clicking on the CPU column (click where it says "CPU"). Click it twice to sort in order of highest activity first.

If there is anything other than "System Idle Process" showing over 50 consistantly then that is likely to be the problem. Please note that it is perfectly acceptable and normal for any process to jump up to near 100 for a few seconds at a time - as long as it is not staying that way (except for the System Idle Process again).

Sorry for rabbitting on. I am actually DH of MeltingandScreamingIcarus - I just noticed your post as I was nosing at the PC and thought I'd offer some advice.

I may find tomorrow that I am no longer DH but just H for hijacking my beautiful wife's Mumsnet account....as long as I don't end up being F'ing H!

Thankyou so much DHofMSI, I thought all the geeks had gone to bed already.

I have already done the defragmentation. The CPU shows loads of processes. My friend said that this could be the problem. None fo them are consistently over 50%. My main problem is that the computer takes ages to start.

MSI
Thanks for lending me your DH's expertise, please do not be too narked at him for using your MN.

The golden rules are -

Have a decent anti-virus/firewall package running all the time (AVG Free Edition, Windows Defender, Adaware SE Personal - all free and low RAM use)

Run a disk clean-up weekly

Run a disk defrag weekly if needed

Run an anti-virus prog weekly

Use a peer gaurdian prog when surfing

Remove any un-wanted/un-unused progs from HD weekly

Remove any files such as MP3's/Pictures from HD if unlikely to be accessed frequently.

JOB DONE.

Thanks Eric, I do have antivirus protection with my broadband package. Will do some serious cleaning and see if that helps.