I would like a simple 1, 2, 3 step process for getting my computer
cleaned up and running much faster.  Thanks

I am going to assume that you are running Windows XP.  If this is not
true please let me know.

1. Go through your Add/Remove program list and remove any application
that you don't use.

Start > Settings* > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs

*if using classic mode

2.  Stop unnecessary programs from starting when Windows starts.

Go to Start > Run and type "msconfig" and click "OK".  You will get
the "system configuration utility".

Use this page for instructions on how to narrow down which ones to stop.
http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/

3.  Make sure that you are running a good antivirus / anti-spyware program.

There are plenty of free programs out there for spyware, but I suggest
purchasing a program that does both from one of the major companies:

http://www.symantec.com/index.htm
http://www.mcafee.com/us/

Obviously there are many others as well.  The important thing is to
get one and keep it up to date.  Run a full scan of your system right
away.

4.  After all of this you should be running much faster than before. 
Lastly defragment the hard drive.

http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/windows/instructions/defrag.htm

If you have trouble defragmenting start here:
http://forums.pcworld.co.nz/archive/index.php/t-27143.html

These steps will free up hard drive space, memory usage, and processor
usage.  If you have any questions about any of these steps please let
me know.

Thanks!

The BEST way is to fresh install your operating system.

(When doing so put your OS on a seperate partition.

Other than that it will likely be more than 3 steps!

Of course you should ALWAYS be doing the following 3:
Run Antivirus/Spyware/ADware programs.
Disable all unneeded tasks in task manager.
Do a disk cleanup and defragmentation (when recommended by system).

One simple step could be to use Mozilla Firefox rather than Internet
Explorer, if you're not already.  I used to have problems with spyware
and random programs running but now I never get anything like that
with Firefox.  You can find it here:

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

I also would recommend to get rid of AOL Instant Messenger if you're
running that.  It adds spyware to your computer and all kinds of
unneeded processes run in the background and everything else. You can
download a program like Gaim or Trillian that runs all instant
messenger clients:

http://www.trillian.cc
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/

In addition, you can try a different antivirus program. The usual ones
you find in stores-- McAfee, Norton, Symantec, etc., are very
inefficient in how they check for viruses, constantly checking for the
same viruses over and over, and use up a lot of your CPU.  There are
others which are much more efficient, such as Nod32 and Avast.

Nod32
http://www.eset.com/

Avast
http://www.avast.com/

I think that these steps would help you a lot (especially when
combined with canadianhelper's advice).

You can install Ccleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) which is freeware
that cleans up all your useless files(Temporary internet files,
cookies ect.) it works really well from my experience.

Something I always find helpful after doing any manual cleanup is to
run a good registry cleaner, such as you can find at
http://www.registryoptimizer.com/

There are free registry cleaners out there, but nowhere near as
thorough as the one listed above (which is not free, at least not for
more than 20 errors).

Running such a tool will prune out references to old, moved, or
deleted files, DLLS, fonts, etc.