Computers can often be plagued with speed issues. No matter the brand (HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, Asus) or which Windows operating system they’re running on (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8), people tend to experience this problem from time to time. Do you know how to fix a sluggish computer? Check out these great solutions!
Like any new technology, a computer will eventually run slow no matter what brand you use. Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or 10 does not make it exempt from this rule either. Fortunately though, there are plenty of simple but effective tricks that can help speed up your PC if it becomes too bogged down.
1. Your PC hard drive is getting full
Saving too many files on a hard-drive with limited storage space slows down computers considerably. For example, if you are using a light device such as a Netbook or Laptop, then freeing up space is going to result in faster processing speeds over time.
How to fix it: clean up hard drive.
Sadly, it’s not as simple as it may sound because many times we don’t know where to start when we’re trying to reclaim some of the storage space on our computer. The first step is always locating the old files and duplicates – such as pictures and videos – that take up a lot of room. Then, one can either move them to an external hard drive or delete them if they are no longer needed. One other place where people often forget about looking is their list of unused software. Uninstalling these will help free up storage space as well!
The best course of action is to use a system cleaning software, such as CleanMyPC. This program is the most useful system cleaner software available, scanning every inch of your computer and erasing any excess files that take up too much storage space and slows down your PC. In addition, it offers several other features for maintaining your Windows-based PC.
2. Startup programs are slowing you down
In the background, many apps and services load up when you press the start button on your computer. They won’t just take up space when you first turn on your computer – they’ll also use up precious system resources like CPU and RAM for as long as you’re using it.
How to fix it: disable unneeded startup items.
With Windows 8 and 10, there is a Startup Manager included in the Task Manager that can be used to manage what programs or services start when you turn on your computer. Select Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Click Startup tab and uncheck any items that you don’t want running automatically when you log in. For Windows XP/Vista/7 systems, there’s an easy built-in way to disable unwanted items from starting up – just use MSConfig utility.
You can also use CleanMyPC to delete all of the auto-start programs in one click. For best results, we recommend having as few items on this list as possible because it will increase your computer’s performance. You’ll start noticing an immediate difference once you delete some files from here; just wait and see!
3. Malware and adware are on your PC
Malicious software such as malware and spyware are often the cause of many PC issues, including how slow it can run at times. Various forms of malicious software have emerged recently, such as adware. This particular type slows down internet browsing by adding unwanted flash advertisements to websites you visit in your browser which makes pages load slower than usual.
How to fix it: scan and remove any malware.
You might find it difficult to identify what kind of malicious program is harming your computer if you’re unfamiliar with computers. The best method for identifying these harmful programs are antivirus tools like Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which catches much more spyware and adware than other anti-virus software. Try to avoid using security protection that takes up too many system resources; they’ll only slow you down instead of protect you from whatever’s making the problem worse
Too many programs run in the background
Computers are human-like. They become less efficient when we try to do too many things at once. If there’s a lot of extra programs or files being operated at the same time, then system resources like CPU and RAM can be rapidly depleted; which makes it so that your computer can’t even run one program without crashing.
How to fix it: find resource-hungry programs.
5. You’ve got Windows system issues
If your Windows Registry becomes corrupted, hardware device drivers become out of date, your PC hard drives becomes over-fragmented during data writing activities or your Windows lacks updates; Your computer will run more slowly over time.
How to fix: diagnose and fix Windows issues.
There is a lot more to this than it seems. For example, repairing registry errors can be risky because you must know what you’re doing. Updating to latest drivers requires technical knowledge and is time-consuming. The quickest and safest way to fix these issues is to use a tool like CCleaner which can automatically detect any problems and then fix them without need for human error. This means no more mis-operations or risk of damaging your computer system – saving both time and money.
6. Your PC hardware is getting too old
Sadly, your computer is starting to show its age and the hardware has deteriorated. While you’re trying to tweak it for a better performance, your computer’s speed has dropped drastically and there isn’t much you can do about this other than replacing the old parts altogether.
How to fix: add more RAM or install a new hard drive.
You’ve read this blog post and tried all of the strategies listed, but you’re still having PC issues. Time to retire old hardware! Too bad replacing older parts isn’t always possible – especially if you’re not using a major brand like Dell or HP. One thing we know will always work? Swapping out your RAM (the computer component that stores temporary data) for a new one! For example, go from 4GB to 8GB so there’s plenty of room for multitasking without slowing down. SSDs are faster but more expensive than HDDs. Remember these tips and tricks when upgrading your pc!
But it all begins with having a good computer habit.
Don’t save everything on your desktop, organize your computer files. Today, images and videos can take up a lot of space, so it’s best to keep them on an external hard drive or use cloud storage services like DropBox or Google Drive (they’re more secure). Keep track of programs you install; make sure they don’t automatically add themselves to the startup list.
Additionally, you should make sure that any third-party programs are downloaded from the official websites of those companies. If a program seems sketchy or unreliable, don’t be fooled – there are plenty of trusted sources out there who provide quality downloads (just do some research). Don’t open too many applications at once while working on your PC either, as this can slow it down significantly. Lastly, always keep your hard drive clean and healthy so that it runs smoothly; and vice versa – if you’re running low on space than this will also degrade the performance of your computer.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information! I hope it was helpful. Taking care of your computer can really pay off for you down the line.
