Computer Problems, part 4
The fourth problem I often see on PCs is an overloaded desktop. A lot of people don’t realize that everything you have on your desktop has to be loaded every time you boot your computer, which can really slow down your load time. Shortcuts aren’t too bad, though if you only use certain programs once a month, you might want to consider accessing them through the start menu instead. On the other hand, documents, photos, and programs (especially programs) should not be loaded on your desktop – you should always keep them somewhere else (such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Program Files, respectively), and just make a desktop shortcut to the ones you access regularly. Keeping your desktop clear can make a big difference in your computer performance.
Help: Troubleshooting Your PC For Dummies
2 comments
Permalink1
I don’t believe that your comments on
overloaded desktop are factual. I have shortcuts to many programs and they’re simply not
loaded at boot time. I’ve checked this with a process listing program. The information to run
the program is captured in the properties listings “behind” the applet.
Shortcuts can
be valuable for the programs that you use repeatedly and also for those used less frequently
since you don’t have to remember the details.
The only way to get programs loaded is
to include them in the startup list or in the registry. These can be viewed with
msconfig.exe.
Permalink2
Hi -
I didn’t mean that having a short cut means that the program is
loaded. I was making two separate points:
1. If you have a program actually installed on
your desktop, or if you have a file whose “home” is your desktop, that program/file is loaded
into memory at boot.
2. If you have dozens of short cuts on your desktop, but only use 3
or 4 of them regularly, you may find a slight improvement in performance if you delete the ones
you rarely use.