Have your way with Windows

If your computer handles a heavy load of programs, deleted files, and temporary downloads, asking Windows to do your bidding is akin to disciplining a two-year-old child. You'll get your way in the end, but only after some resistance. Here are six top-rated, perfectly legal performance enhancers for Windows XP and Vista that help you regain control.

Tune-Up Utilities

TuneUp Utilities 2009 earns high praise for its capability to get to the heart of Windows' maintenance tools in a faster, prettier, and easier-to-use format. The modules tackle temporary files, superfluous registry entries, and start-up routines, and do so in a way that gets you maximum speed. In addition, the free-to-try application also packs on a host of performance accelerators, enhancers, and tweaks. There's also a file shredder, file recovery tools, and a tool to quickly analyze your problem areas. A button programmed with general presets gives those new to the optimizing game a one-click option for boosting performance.