There are a number of good ways to speed up programs on your computer.  There are also several things you shouldn't do, if your goal is to speed up programs on your laptop or PC.  Here are four mistakes you shouldn't make if you want a fast running computer.

1.  Keep your computer constantly sending and/or downloading files on P2P sites.  You've already noticed the most obvious reason not to do this if you want to speed up the programs you want to run: uploading and downloading files on torrent or other peer-to-peer sites, slows both your computer and your internet connection!

There is another effect of file sharing that people unfortunately don't think about: malicious software.  Cyber-criminals often upload searched-after software to these sites, just so that they can bundle spyware, rootkits, or other software with it.  Once you download and install this software, these same criminals may then have access to your email or online banking accounts!

2.  Put off those annoying Windows updates.  After all, they'll just ask you to restart your computer when they're done--and isn't that a pain?

Actually, Windows updates will help speed up programs by adding various program patches and full system upgrades (known as "service packs") to your computer.

Yes, many of them do require you to restart your computer.  But it's worth your while to let Windows update do this if you want a fast running PC or laptop

3.  Don't run resource-hogging anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.  On one hand, this might seem like a good way to speed up programs on your computer.  After all, anti-virus and anti-spyware software takes up resources you need to run your other programs.

But this will ultimately slow your computer down.  Why?  Because you'll eventually have not one but several instances of malicious software that threaten to entirely destroy your computer!

The only way to stay safe from malicious software is to run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on your computer.

4.  Make sure you completely ignore your registry.  Finally, one of the best ways to insure that you don't speed up programs on your laptop or PC is to completely ignore the Windows registry.

The Windows registry is a database that acts as a control center for all of the process files on your computer.  Without it, your computer would crawl along at a snail's pace.

Unfortunately, your computer may also crawl at a snail's pace if you fail to update and clean it on a regular basis.  Find out how to speed up programs by utilizing free registry scans to keep your computer running like new.