I am sure computer optimization is not fresh news for most users. Since there are a number of methods to improve system performance, some would like to use certain specific tools while some do that manually and the rest may turn a blind eye to it. No matter what you choose, to neglect reducing performance should not happen any more.
Well, I would like to tell you certain methods of computer optimization by hand but not by certain software.

Put the shortcuts reasonably.
In most situations, you run software by using its shortcut. Many users like to put shortcuts on the desktop. As more and more applications are installed in the computer, there are an increasing number of shortcuts in the desktop. In this way, excessive shortcuts cannot only daze the users but also decrease the computer performance because they take up too much system resource that can result in unstable system.
Therefore, you had better use shortcuts properly and put others to “Start” menu and shortcut starting column and then delete all the shortcuts of uninstalled software so as to improve system performance. In addition, do not use repeated shortcuts as possible as you can.

Use certain software cautiously.
Certain software means those real-time anti-virus software and firewall. Such kind of software can occupy plenty of system and CPU resource, even more than thirty percent. The best way to protect your computer is not to visit those unstable and unsafe websites. It is more fundamental than over clocking the CPU.

Use hard disk properly.
First of all, let us learn the physical structure of hard disk briefly. Hard disk is basically divided into certain sectors on every track. Since hard disk is running mechanically, the less density of sectors is, the faster hard disk is searching, reading and writing. So, you can categorize your hard disk properly. It is advisable for you to put different applications to different disks. For example, games software is put in D disk and video files in others.
Besides, do not forget defragmenting disks regularly. It is quite useful for hard disk and computer optimization; because it can help you manage those disk fragments clearly so as to free up disk space to run applications smoothly.

And, you should not make desktop background too complex.
Even some users make active desktop. Beautiful as it is, it can not bring any tangible benefit to system. On the contrary, system may become unstable by using such function. In this regard, you can forbid active desktop for sure.

Although active desktop can display Web components, it has obvious influence on CPU processing speed and reduces Windows performance as well. Therefore, it can improve system responding performance by forbidding this specious function. You can right-click desktop to find “Properties”, choose “Web” option and cross out the options of viewing active desktop by Web and IE channel.

To sum up, you are able to improve system performance a lot by using the methods in this article. Besides that, you can try to simplify your system after making computer optimization. It can not do any harm to your computer indeed.