Windows XP Freezes
Windows XP Freezes are still alive and well even thought the Microsoft Operating System is nearly 10 years old. By far, XP is the best OS that Microsoft released, but it is far from perfect. If you have a computer with XP on it, then I am sure you have had some issues with it at one time or another.
I can distinctly remember when Service Pack 2 was released. As an IT Professional, it was an absolute nightmare to get rolled out to computers. It contained huge security enhancements that we have grown to like today, but weren’t too keen on back when they were first introduced. Two major aspects of Windows XP that were introduced were the Windows Security Center which included the Windows Firewall. Both have turned out to be pretty nice additions to the operating system, but they both caused major headaches at the beginning.
SP2 for XP caused everything from Windows XP Freezes to the dreaded blue screen of death to messing up the installation of XP so bad that a repair or reinstall was needed. Those are weeks and months that I sure am glad are well in the past.
Another big ‘issue’ that is dealt with on a regular basis is that computers that still have Windows XP on them are now getting pretty old and nearing the end of their life cycle. However, a lot of businesses and home users want to make what they have work for them for a few more years because they just don’t have the funds to go out and buy a new computer.
Having a computer that is 4 or 5 years old can present a lot of problems if you haven’t done proper maintenance on it. To prevent Windows XP Freezes, you should be doing things such as:
- Running a windows defrag at least once a month
- Running Disk Cleanup once every 2 weeks
- Running a spyware/malware program such as Malwarebytes every 2 weeks
- Performing monthly registry cleaning/maintenance
The items listed are just some of the more critical things that you should be doing on a regular basis if you still have a computer that as XP on it and you want to make sure you are doing everything you can to prevent windows XP freezes. If your thinking about or planning to upgrade to a new computer in the near future, you may want to read about what I have to say about Windows 7 Freezes. 
photo credit:Alberto_Montoya