What Browser Uses The Least Resources?

This is fairly common question that many computer users are asking.  Believe it or not, the browsers are all very good at what resources they need. In many instances, the real problem is not the browser but the computer it is running on.

If your computer has up to date hardware, usually the real issue is spyware or malware and some simple software maintenance.

You may be having problems with your browser hogging resources because of malware. Most of the browsers you choose will work more efficiently once your computer is clear of internet trash. 

I suggest you use one of the free ones that are available like Spybot  and do a thorough scan.  (Remember to update the definitions)

Then update your Anti-Virus program and run that one too (I prefer AVAST, free home version).

Another overlooked area that will speed up any internet browser is cleaning out the temp files and temporary internet files. A good program for this is  CC Cleaner, also free.

Finally, defrag your hard drive.

 Once you have done these maintenance tasks, your computer will run like new and your choice of internet browser will be very speedy.

A tech shop will charge you big bucks to “tune up” your computer and then charge you for software…ending with a bill for maintenance you could do yourself.  So, give it a try and if you are not successful, then call your local tech shop for help.

Recommended Programs: Spybot,  Avast,   CCleaner

These are the programs I use and will do my maintenace about once a week.  Takes a few hours but the computer is a lot happier and so am I!

Finally: There is an excellent browser comparison study “Chrome and Firefox 3.5 Memory Usage” done by Dot Net Perls.com that compares Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari.  Easy to understand and quite informative.

How I save hundreds on software – and how you could too

Optimization Tip #1 -Clean Up Windows

It is very important to reduce file clutter on your computer. Windows leaves lots of junk on your hard drive every time you perform a task. Furthermore – Windows runs faster when you have more working disk space. In this first optimization I will show haw to clean up your computer with a free program and extremely powerful program called CCleaner.

Download and install Ccleaner now – www.ccleaner.com/download
Run CCleaner
1. Go to Start-> Programs (or All Programs) -> CCleaner, and then click on “CCleaner”.
2. Now click the “Analyze” button. This will analyze what needs to be cleaned up within Windows.
3. Click the “Run cleaner” button. (You will get a warning message saying it is going to permanently delete these files. CLICK OK)
4. Close CCleaner and restart windows.

Optimization Tip #2 -Defragment Windows

Over time files on your computer become fragmented. This means that one file or program can be scattered in several pieces throughout your hard drive. Windows Defragmentation utility will defragment your hard drive and eliminate “spaces” that may have been left where files were deleted or moved. It will organize all the files on your hard drive, making them easier for your harddisk to find them and in turn execute them faster.

Run this tool at least once a month.
Here are two important things to keep in mind before running defrag:
Make sure you run CCleaner before you run defrag (so you don’t realign unnecessary crap on your hard drive).
Try to keep the percentage of free space over 15% on the disk you are going to defrag – this enables ‘Disk Defragmenter’ to complete its job with optimal results.

Run Windows Defragmenter:
1. Go to: Start –> All Programs -> Accessories –> System Tools –> Disk Defragmenter
2. Select the disk C: from the column ‘Volume’ in the top window and then click ‘Defragment’ button.
3. Note: The defrag process will take quite a while to complete.
4. Once it is complete, the new windows will pop up and tell you ‘Defragmentation is complete for C’. Click the ‘Close’ button.
5. Repeat this process for your other hard drives and partitions.

Optimization Tip #3 – Remove Unused Applications

1. Click on Start > Control Panel > click on “Add or Remove Programs”.
2. Look through this list and see if you can spot programs you haven’t used for a long time and that you know you will not use again. They are just sitting there, wasting disk space and possibly decreasing your overall computer performance. Uninstall these programs by selecting the specific program with your mouse (1) and then clicking on the ‘Remove’ button (2).

Optimization Tip #4 -Turn Off Windows Indexing Service

Free Up System Resources

To turn off the Indexing service, follow these steps:
1. Double-click My Computer, point to Explorer Bar on the View menu, and then click Search.
2. Click Change preferences, and then click Without Indexing Service.
3. Click No, do not enable Indexing Service, and then click OK.

Optimization Tip #5 -

Turn Off System Sounds

Free Up System Resources

By Default Windows XP has sounds assigned to many actions on your PC. If you disable these you could be sure no PC performance is lost due to sounds.
1. Click START
2. Click SETTINGS
3. Click CONTROL PANEL
4. Click SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES
5. Click THE “SOUNDS” TAB
6. Under Sound Scheme Select “NO SOUNDS”

I just bought a new computer and I am looking for the top anti-virus and spyware protection. Any recommendations? Thanks!