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First of all you need to have your windows reinstalled. That will solve a lot of your problems. 30 mins for shutting down is way too slow.
If it's impossible to reinstall your OS, then you should check registry with some soft, like CCCleaner (don't treat as an ads). You can clean your temporary files in %windows%/Temp (by default). But it won't help a lot.
Have your OS reinstalled. And format your HDD :).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.