By default Windows XP indexes files on your hard drive and stores them in memory to speed up its' built-in search. But if you rarely use Windows search, turn off indexing to free up memory and CPU horsepower for the files and applications you actually do use. ...
To turn off indexing....
1. Open up "My Computer."
2. Right-click on your hard drive (usually "C:") and choose "Properties."
3. Uncheck the box at the bottom that reads "Allow Indexing Service to…"
4. Click OK, and files will be removed from memory. This removal may take a few minutes to complete.
To disable the indexing service:
1. In the "Start" menu, choose "Run."
2. Type "services.msc" and press Enter.
3. Scroll-down to "Indexing Service" and double-click it.
4. If the service status is "Running", then stop it by pressing the "Stop" button.
5. To make sure this service doesn't run again, under "Startup Type:", choose "Disabled."
Windows search will still work if you perform these steps, but it will work a shade slower
also get
ccleaner slim....the standard versions have a toolbar and a few tools that are best left alone...
http://www.ccleaner....oad/builds.aspxthe standard setting are fine...run the cleaner and tell us how much "junk" it removes...