Another is to go into your my documents, set it to detail view, then organise it so that recently accessed stuff is at the bottom. Set yourself a marker and delete all the stuff above that mark (which is inherently files that you haven’t accessed for ages)

If there’s nothing causing it to be slow except that it’s a slow computer, there’s not much you can do, with or without spending money, except buying faster parts.

then boot up your computer as normal
then when its finished booting up
press control alt and delete keys so the task manger screen comes on
now click on the performence tab
this tells you how hard the processer is working
it should be about 1 to 4 % when no progs are running
any higher like 30 or 60 % then you will have probs loading websites
what this means is something is running
now click on the processes tab and see what process is using all your processing power
right click it and then click on end process
make sure the performance goes down to 1 to 4 %
and thats the one thats causing the problem
but you will have goto to the start up list by going to the run box and turn it off in there
click on start
click on run
type in msconfig
run
goto start up tab
all the progs in here will start when you switch on
untick any you do not need then click on apply
99% of them can be unticked
do not untick your anti virus prog
so where to begin
first boot up your computer as normal
then when its finished booting up
press control alt and delete keys so the task manger screen comes on
now click on the performence tab
this tells you how hard the processer is working
it should be about 1 to 4 % when no progs are running
any higher like 30 or 60 % then you will have probs loading websites
what this means is something is running
now click on the processes tab and see what process is using all your processing power
right click it and then click on end process
make sure the performance goes down to 1 to 4 %
and thats the one thats causing the problem
but you will have goto to the start up list by going to the run box and turn it off in there
click on start
click on run
type in msconfig
run
goto start up tab
all the progs in here will start when you switch on
untick any you do not need then click on apply
99% of them can be unticked
do not untick your anti virus prog

i think you will be happy if you do this service

good luck

First, get Adaware and get the spyware out of your system. then try ccleaner from filehippo. Defrag, too, as has been said.

There are also many sites on the net for this… but you better know what you are doing….

Clean out your system registry:
1) Download and install EasyCleaner: http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm
2) Go to Start, Programs, EasyCleaner, and click on EasyCleaner. (Right click and click "Run as Administrator" if you are running Windows Vista)
3) Run the registry cleaner (Press the "Registry" button)
4) Press "Delete All"

Uninstall nonpresent USB devices
1) Make sure you have administrator rights if you are using Windows XP.
2) Go to Start, Programs, Accessories and click on Command Prompt. Right click on Command Prompt and click "Run as Administrator" if you are using Windows Vista.
3) MAKE SURE YOU TYPE THIS IN EXACTLY. ANY SPELLING ERRORS COULD DAMAGE YOUR COMPUTER:
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
4) Press the "Enter" key
5) DO NOT CLOSE THE COMMAND PROMPT WINDOW
6) Type:
start devmgmt.msc
7) Click View and click "Show Hidden devices"
Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" category (click the "+" sign)
9) Right click and uninstall all of the devices that have their icon faded out. DO NOT UNINSTALL THE DEVICE IF THE ICON IS NOT FADED OUT.
Exit the Device Manager and the Command Prompt.

After you’ve done all of this, reboot the computer. It should run considerably faster now.

Oh, and to the guy who said "Get Ubuntu" – this guy probably doesn’t even know what that is. I would recommend it too in normal situations…but I think this guy wants to keep his Windows.