Is your Windows Desktop dotted with files? Have you noticed that your fast computer has been running slower and slower? Do you see the hard drive light often flashing while you wait for the computer to respond to an action? To speed up your computer, clean your Windows Desktop.

How Many Files are on Your Desktop?

Each time Windows starts, operating memory is used for all files on the Desktop. If those files are Shortcuts, the total amount of memory used will be small.

If however, there are several or dozens of files on the Desktop, those will use lots of operating memory, essentially for no purpose or gain. With less memory available, the computer runs slower because it has to swap out information from operating memory to the hard drive. It does this process (called memory paging) to keep everything the user wants to do, running at the same time.

Clean Your Desktop

Put your files in the “My Documents” folder. If you have a lot of files, you can put them in separate folders. Create shortcuts on your Desktop for the folders or files you frequently use. In doing this, you will free up operating memory, reduce the time and frequency the hard drive is used and improve the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do. The simple action of cleaning the Desktop will make your computer run faster.

For more ways to optimize your Windows computer, also read Top 8 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer.