Spring is here, and it's time for a bit of Windows cleaning. Scraping the gunk--unneeded files and resource hogs--off of your Windows 9x install will greatly reduce its virtual wind resistance, resulting in a faster, more smoothly operating PC.

A familiar and unfortunate problem with Windows 9x/Me operating systems is that they tend to need lots of optimization before they come anywhere near their peak performance. In fact, each subsequent version of Windows comes loaded up more background programs and applets, and fewer Windows installation options to prevent their automatic activation. Stuff like scheduling agents and system restore apps might come in handy in certain situations, but if you care about your PC's performance, the drain they put on its resources isn't worth the added "convenience."

Worse, computer makers like to shove even more programs, icons, applets and other junk into retail PCs. A brand-new, freshly installed Win9x OS is bogged enough with its default settings; a Dell, Compaq, etc. "enhanced" install is downright crippling.

You can spiff up your Windows in just a few minutes with these simple tips.

A messy Windows desktop can play havoc with your resources. Icons, wallpaper, and other clutter cause your system to slow down ever so slightly. The reason: icons and wallpaper are cached in memory and frequently redrawn, and that eats CPU cycles.

Keep your icons relegated to your Start menu. If newly installed programs and/or games ask if you'd like a desktop icon, say no. If they don't have the decency to ask first, delete any desktop icons they leave behind with extreme prejudice.