By pressing the windows key and e, you can start the windows explorer

The windows help files have a list of all the shortcuts available

Remove the background: One of the things that slows down Windows from loading is the background picture. Depending on size and resolution it really can make a big difference. The picture also takes up valuable RAM Resources, resources that unnecessarily slow down all other applications. To remove the background picture, right click a free part of the desktop screen, click on properties. In the following window, click on none.

Remove start up ballast: Click on START then on Run and type in msconfig and press  ENTER. Click on Start Up and remove checks from all programs that you do not want to start at start up. Careful: Do not uncheck any instances of LoadPowerProfile, ScanRegistry, TaskMonitor and SystemTray. These are essential Windows programs that need to be running all the time.

Disable search for removable drives: During every start up, Windows searches for new removable drives. Since one doesnt install new removable drives everyday (If you are one of those who does - just skip this one! Cheers!) this search can be safely disabled.Right click My Computer click on Properties, click on FileSytem, then on the tab Floppy Disc and unchk the option Search for new drives.....

Normally the Maintainence Wizard can be started by clicking on START then Programs, followed by Accessories, then System tools.

The maintainence Wizard: This is Windows housekeeper. It rids the computer of unnecessary files, empties the bins, checks the harddrives  and arranges the files on the computer in an orderly manner.  It is comprised of three individual programs.

Disk Cleanup removes all the temporary files, empties internet caches and the recycling bins.

Scandisk scans the structure and accessibilty of the harddrives, marks defect or suspect areas, checks files if they are complete. And when possible, repairs the damages.

Disk Defragmenter arranges files in neat stacks, makes sure that all parts of a required file are stored at adjacent locations. This speeds up the computer while accessing files - the processor does not have to scan different parts of the drive to look for parts of a file - it increases actual place on the harddrive by creating empty blocks of space. Although you may not see the actual increase in storage space, the increase is there. Before defragmentation, the harddisk is full of empty spaces in between files. While trying to store (save) new files or file parts, windows always looks for a space that is big enough to encompass the whole of it. It overlooks small spaces and these are then lost spaces. Through the defragmentation, the files are all stacked neatly next to each other, end to end, no empty spaces in the middle and reduces so the “lost” to nil. Click on detail while defragmentation is running and you can follow a graphical presentation of what the progam does. It never ceases to amaze me.

How often the Maintainence Wizard should be run depends on the usage of the computer. The more usage, the more often. I run it at least once a week.

The Registry Database in window keeps track of all the software and hardware installed on the computer and stores information about the particularities of the components. After installing and uninstalling and even configuration changes in the registered programs, the windows registry can become corrupted or just so messed up that the computer literally gets confused and starts making mistakes.

Windows provides a very useful tool for the maintainence work on the registry. Because the registry data base is constantly in use, it is only possible to use this tool in ms dos mode.

Click on Start then on Shut down , click on the option Start in MS DOS mode and click on ok.

Detailed information on running Scanreg  is available on the Microsoft site.

When the prompt C:\Windows> appears type in scanreg /fix. After a short delay a message window will appear, informing you that the registry has been succesfully repaired. Press the enter key to acknowledge. When the prompt C:\Windows> appears again, type in scanreg /opt. After a short delay, the prompt C:\Windows> appears again.

Microsoft also has a registry cleaner, it is however, a utility that is not on the Windows CD. You can download it from here. Detailed instructions on usage are available at the Microsoft Site. Click here to view them.

Windows, in addition to the RAM, uses a part or parts of the hard disk for storing temporary files and information.These are data that are not required immediately. For example, when you minimize a window, or have an application running in the background. Although Windows management of the virtual memory has grown efficienter, it still tends to access the hard disk very often. Most times absolutely unnecessarily, because it is programed to keep the RAM free. With a little bit of tricking, you can optimize this access, not only making sure that Windows uses this feature sparingly and sensibly but speeding up file access generally.

Before you do the following steps, run the Disk Defragmenter.
Click on My Computer, select option Properties. Click on the tab Performance, then on the button Virtual Memory. Activate the second option Let me specify my own virtual memory settings. Set the Harddisk to your fastest drive if you have more than one hard disks installed on your computer.

Rule of the Thumb Method:
Double click the entry under Minimum and multiply the amount of RAM you have onboard with 2 and enter the result here. For example, if you have 32 MB RAM, enter 96; for 64 MB RAM, enter 192 and so on. Enter 3 times the RAM you have for Maximum . Click on OK to save the settings. Windows normally flashes a warning at this stage. If you get cold feet after reading it, press cancel or if you are feeling daring enough press OK to proceed. You will be informed that Windows needs to be restarted. If you have unsaved work open, then do not restart Windows immediately. First save and close the files you have open and then restart Windows.

“Sceintific” Method
Start the System Monitor (START > Programs > Accessories > System Programs > System Monitor). If you do not have the option, then you need to install the System Monitor from the Windows CD. Click on START > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Click on the Tab Windows-Setup then double click on System Programs and then check the box in front of System Monitor. With a click on OK, the program will be installed onto your computer. Please have the Windows CD at hand, it will be required for the installation.
Run the System Monitor. Click on Edit and then on Add Source. Double Click the Memory Manager on the right hand side, then choose the Minimum Swap file and Maximum Swap file options and click on ok.The graphs on the System Monitor window will adapt accordingly. Over the next days, note downthe values where the daily minimums and maximum peak. Take the average maximum value and set it as your minimum and double it to attain the maximum value.

The second step is to delay the accessing of the hard disk, reserving it for the occasions where it is really needed. To do this click on Start then on Run. Type in System.ini. Click on OK. Once the System. Ini file is open, press F3. Type in 386Enh and click on Search. Close the search window by pressing the ESC key. You will see the entry [386Enh] highlighted. Press the key End. Press the Return (Enter) key to insert a new line after the [386Enh]. Type in ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1. Double check the entry for Typos. The text should look like this:

     [386Enh]
    ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1

 When you are sure that is correct, close the System.ini and save the changes. The changes will take effect after the next start of Windows.

If you cannot find what you are looking for here try the Windows 95 section!!