Below are steps for Microsoft Windows users that should help speed up the computer or determine why the computer is running slow.
Reboot
If your computer has not been
reboot recently make sure to reboot it
before following any of the below steps.
Background programs
One of the most common reasons for a slow computer are programs running in the background. Remove or disable any TSRs and startup programs that automatically start
each time the computer boots.
Tip: To see what programs are running in the background
and how much memory and CPU they are using open Task Manager.
If you are running Windows 7 or higher run Resmon to
get a better understanding of how your computer is being used.
If you've got an antivirus scanner on the computer,
spyware protection program, or other security utility make sure it's not
scanning your computer in the background. If a scan is in progress
it can decrease the overall performance of your computer.
Free hard drive space
Verify that there is at least 200-500MB of free hard drive space. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files.
Bad, corrupted or fragmented hard drive
- Run ScanDisk, chkdsk, or something equivalent to verify there is nothing physically wrong with the computer hard drive.
- Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.
Scan for malware
Today, spyware and other
malware is a big cause of many
computer problems including a slow computer. Even if an antivirus scanner
is installed on the computer we recommend running a malware scan on the
computer. Use the free version of
Malwarebytes to
scan your computer for malware.
Hardware conflicts
- Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts. If any exist resolve these issues as they could be the cause of your problem.
Update Windows
- Make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed in the computer.
- If you are on the Internet when your computer is slow also make sure all browser plugins are up-to-date.
Update your drivers
Make sure you've got the
latest drivers for your computer, especially the
latest video drivers. Having out-of-date
drivers can cause an assortment of issues.
Memory upgrade
If you've had your
computer for more than two years it's likely you're computer is not
meeting the memory requirements for today.
Today, we suggest a minimum of 1GB of memory (RAM).
By having enough memory for programs to run within memory your computer
will not need to swap information stored within memory to the swap file.
If your computer hard drive light is constantly active, its a good
indication of your computer is swapping information betewen your memory
and hard drive because of the lack of space in memory.
Hard drive upgrade
One of the biggest bottlenecks of a computer is the hard disk drive.
For anyone with a slow computer or just looking for something to
upgrade in the computer to improve overall system performance going from
a traditional HDD to a Solid State Drive (SSD) will significantly improve the overall system performance.
Run registry cleaner
We normally do not recommend registry cleaners. However, if
you have followed all of the above steps and your computer is still slow
try running a registry cleaner on the computer.
Computer or processor is overheating
Make sure your computer and processor is not
overheating. Excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer
performance since most processors automatically step the speed of the
processor down to help compensate compensate for the heat related
issues.
Dust, dirt, and hair can also constrict a proper air flow on
your computer, which can also cause a computer to overheat. Make sure your
computer case is clean and fans are not obstructed.
Erase computer and start over
If none of the above solutions resolve your issues, it is recommended that you either
reinstall Windows or erase everything and then start
over.
Old computer
If your computer is older than five years come to terms that
it is likely the age of the computer that is causing it to be slow.
Computers progress at an alarming rate as new programs and updates for
programs come out their minimum requirements increase and will cause older
computers to slow down. If your computer is older than five years we suggest
purchasing a new computer or just realize after following the above steps it is going to run slower than a newer computer.
Hardware issues
Finally, if your
computer continues to be slower than normal after going over each of the
above recommendations (including erasing and starting over) it's
possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware
related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be
a failing or bad
hard drive, CPU, RAM,
motherboard, or other component.
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