Background apps consume CPU, memory, and other system resources, which can slow down your computer. The more apps running in the background, the greater the impact on performance.

If your computer starts running sluggishly, stopping programs from running in the background may free up the resources to get your computer running at normal speed.

Before you run out and buy a new computer, try these simple tweaks to speed things up and make your computer last longer.

Explorer.exe runs in the background of Windows 7 at all times; stopping this program from running and then restarting it simulates the effects of a reboot without actually rebooting your computer.

Limiting the number of programs starting up with your computer can help too: It means fewer apps running in the background, freeing up more memory and other system resources.

What is mDNSResponder.exe process on my PC? Is it a virus? How do I remove or disable mDNSResponder.exe / Bonjour? Find out details here.