Broadband Guide

Spring clean your PC

Updated: Tuesday 04 January, 2011

By Garnet Roach - garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Even if you’ve got a superfast broadband connection, a slow PC will still drag you down, so clean up your cache, upgrade your browser and boost your broadband speed.

Clear your cache

Each time that you visit a web page your web browser will store, or “cache” it. This is to speed up your surfing, as your computer can call up some, or all elements of a previously visited webpage from its local memory, taking less time to display the page.

However, all of the items stored in your cache do take up space and over time it can get very full. Periodically clearing out your browser’s cache will make it work faster and free up more space on your PC.

Internet Explorer 8: Open your web browser and press the Alt key to bring up the options at the top of the page. From the Tools menu, click Delete Browsing History, choosing Temporary Files, Cookies and History.

Firefox: Open your web browser and go to the Tools menu. Select Clear Private Data and then choose Cache. You can also clear your Browsing History and Cookies from this menu.

Safari 4: Click on the Tools button - the gear icon - and select Reset Safari. If you are a Mac user, click Safari, then Reset Safari. Check the Empty the Cache and Remove all Cookies boxes and click Reset.

Chrome: Click on the Tools button - the wrench icon - and select Clear Browsing Data. Check the Empty the Cache and Delete Cookies boxes, then select Everything from the drop down menu to the right of Clear Data from this Period.

How to speed up your computer by spring cleaning your PC

Upgrade your browser

Upgrading to the latest version of Internet Explorer, or switching to a different browser, such as Firefox, can make a real difference to your surfing speed. Simply visit the website of your chosen browser to install the latest version for free.

Turn off auto start-up and peer to peer software

Peer to peer (P2P) programs like Sky’s online Sky Player can often run in the background, even after you think you’ve closed them. This will slow down your computer as well as using up your download allowance.

Set P2P programs to only run when you're using them. Go into the Settings menu and make sure that the software is set so that it does not allow P2P access.

Other programs, like MSN Messenger, Skype and even antivirus software can also run in the background, slowing down your PC. Make sure that you fully exit any programs you don’t need to use and set your antivirus software to scan your computer when you're not using it - though you should never turn this off completely.

You can make sure you have fully exited programs by checking your Task Manager, which is accessible by right clicking on the Task Bar at the bottom right of your screen or pressing Ctrl, Alt and Delete simultaneously.

Finally, go into the Settings menu on each program and uncheck the box that tells it to start up automatically each time you turn your PC on.

Compare broadband deals

Save up to £363* when you include TV and calls with your broadband

CLOSE [X]

*Enter your postcode to find the best broadband deals in your area. We value your privacy, please see our privacy policy.

Why we need your postcode