Better Performance Sometimes Means Doing Things Differently
Computers are all about making work easier, and helping users to work smarter. Without a doubt, one of the complaints I hear most often is that a user’s computer performance is slow. There’s no apparent reason for it, but the computer is definitely slower today than it was the day it came out of the box.

Sometimes, the computer really has slowed down and I can find an explanation for the slow performance. The solution might better regular maintenance, including disk defragmentation and monitoring of the file system. It might be an upgrade to the computer’s RAM or graphics processing. It might be careful monitoring of system processes and applications that “steal” processor time or computer memory space. It might even be corrupted files, viruses or other malware.

Faster User May Be Cause Of Slower Computer Performance

Sometimes, I can’t find an explanation of why the computer suddenly seems slower. The performance indicators I use don’t detect a problem, the file systems is in good shape, the memory and CPU usages are where they should be and there are no detectable malware or virus infections that might cause the computer to slow down.

In those cases, I assume (maybe unfairly) that the problem isn’t that the computer has slowed down as much as it is that the user has gotten faster! Newer users tend to miss the fact that they’re developing proficiency with the computer. Proficiency sometimes means that users improve their computer skills, making it seem as though the computer is slowing down when in reality, they’re just getting more comfortable with the computer.

Assuming that your computer is working well, you can increase your own performance by incorporating a few shortcuts into the way you use your computer. Shortcuts, especially those that start an application you use regularly, or get you to a point in the file system that you visit frequently, can help you make better use of the time you spend at the computer. Windows Vista also allows you to customize your computer with shortcuts that automate routine tasks.

To get to the applications you use regularly, try adding these to the Quick Launch menu in Windows Vista. Quick Launch icons are found to the right of the Start Button at the bottom of the screen. This menu can help you get right to work. To add an application to the Quick Launch menu, you can either drag it from the its location in the Programs menu to the Quick Launch bar, or you can right click on the application and choose Add to Quick Launch from the contextual menu. If the Add to Quick Launch isn’t visible on the contextual menu, hold down the Shift key while right-clicking on the program you want to add. The Add to Quick Launch option should become visible in the contextual menu.

Photo Credit: WellsLogan1194, via Flickr