Laptop running slow

[Jim64]

Does anybody know if there are a few simple things to do to clean up my laptop to try & speed it up ?

[romko]

download and run ad-aware free version.
Be sure you have 10% of your hdd free.
Under start menu -run -enter 'msconfig' and under 'startup' disable all but the two or three system processes.

these 3 have served me well over the years, clearing up 90% of slow running probs.

[alan-r]

download "cc cleaner" it's free, clean up files and registry it's safe & reliable
then de-fragment your hard drive (s)

[ACtheTROLL]

I disagree with rom's blanket approach - disabling all but is a good way of writing off your system ... gently gently - 1 at a time ... and check what they are before you do anything - disable your virus scanner and you are in trouble

I tend to use this
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
rather than msconfig - nothing is permanent untill you decide it's ok

free space - ms recommend a minimum of 25% ... but 20 is fine.

ccleaner - stick with the basic defaults ... clean the rubbish - don't get into registry "optimisation"