It's often lamented that each subsequent version of any given software product--especially Windows--suffers from bloat. Microsoft and other companies likes to cram features, programs, applets and other crap, most of which nobody wants or needs, in new releases of their products, possibly only to justify their existence. One bit of good bloat that was introduced in Windows 98 is the System Configuration Utility, which helps you safely clean up any background files, drivers and processes. While it's billed as a troubleshooting tool, it's actually a pretty good optimization utility.

Invoke the System Configuration Utility by opening the Run command in the Start menu, typing msconfig in the text box and clicking OK (another, more long-winded way to fire up the program is through the start menu: navigate to Programs/Accessories/System Tools and click on System Information. When that applet starts, pull down the Tools menu and click on--you guessed it--System Configuration Utility).

A window with lots of tabs will pop up. It's used to selectively prevent various programs, applets, TSRs, drivers and other data nuggets from loading when your computer boots up. The default tab, labeled General, allows you to deselect entire groups of startup instructions; each of the other tabs goes into further detail within each group.

Leave System.ini alone unless you're too experienced to be reading this little tutorial. Start with the Win.ini tab. Click on the little plus sign next to the word Windows. If any programs are listed in the lines labeled run= and load=, clear the checkboxes next to those lines. Make a note of the names of the programs listed; if one of your apps or devices stops working, you can restore its functionality by returning to the System Configuration Utility and filling in the appropriate check box.