Tip: This page only covers an overall slow computer and not a computer that has a slow boot up or slow Internet.
Below are steps for Microsoft Windows users that
can help speed up the computer or determine why the computer is running slow.
Reboot
If your computer has not been rebooted recently, make sure to reboot it before following any of the steps below.
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 have an antivirus scanner on the computer, spyware protection
program, or
another security utility, make sure it is not scanning your computer
in the background. If a scan is in progress, it can decrease the overall
performance of your computer.
Delete temp files
As a computer runs programs, accesses web pages, and is
being used in general, temporary files are being stored on the hard
drive.
Deleting these temp files can help improve computer performance.
First, we suggest using the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to delete temporary files and other files no longer needed on the computer.
Unfortunately,
the Disk Cleanup may not delete all of the files in the temp directory.
Therefore, we also suggest deleting temporary files manually by opening
the Start menu and enter
%temp% in the Search field (in Windows XP and prior,
click the Run option in the Start menu and enter
%temp% in the Run
field). Press Enter and a Temp folder should open. You can delete all
files found in this folder and if any files are in use they can be skipped.
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.
- Determining available hard drive space.
- Regaining computer hard drive space.
Bad, corrupted or fragmented hard drive
- Run ScanDisk, chkdsk, or something equivalent to verify there is nothing physically wrong with the computer's hard drive.
- Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.
- Use other software tools to test the hard drive for any errors by looking at the SMART of the drive.
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.
Scan for viruses
If your computer is infected with one or more viruses, this can cause your computer to run slow. If your
computer does not have an antivirus program installed, you can run Trend Micro's free Housecall
online utility to check for viruses on your computer, as well as
remove them. It is also recommended that you install an antivirus
program for
active protection against viruses.
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
on the computer.
- If you are on the Internet when your computer is slow,
make sure all browser plugins are up-to-date.
Update your drivers
Make sure you have got the latest drivers for your computer, especially the latest video drivers. Having out-of-date drivers can cause an assortment of issues,
including slow performance.
Reboot computer again
If you have done any of the above steps but your computer is still acting slow try rebooting the computer again at this point.
Memory upgrade
If
you have had your computer for more than two years, you may need more
memory. Today, we suggest computers have a minimum of 1GB of memory (RAM) for 32-bit system and 2GB for a 64-bit
system. 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
that your computer is swapping information between your memory and hard drive because of the lack of space in memory.
- Determining how much RAM is installed and available.
- How much memory or RAM should my computer have?
- What type of computer memory to use in a memory upgrade?
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,
upgrading from a traditional hard drive 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
because most processors automatically reduce the speed of the
processor to help compensate for the heat related issues.
- What temperature should my processor be running at?
Dust,
dirt, and hair can also constrict proper air flow
inside your computer, which can cause a computer to overheat. Make
sure your computer case is clean and fans are not obstructed.
- Steps on cleaning your computer.
Erase computer and start over
If none of the above solutions resolve your issues, another
option is to either reinstall Windows or erase everything and then start over.
Erasing everything and starting over can increase
performance by getting rid of old software or drivers that may be on the
computer and causing the computer to be slow. Installing a fresh copy
of Windows, software programs, and the latest drivers help verify there
is no software related issues causing your computer to be slow.
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.
Old computer
If your computer is older than five years, the age of the computer
could be the cause of the slow performance. Computers advance in technology
and capabilities and newer, more advanced software programs come out to run
properly on the new computers. Older computers are not able to run the new
programs as well, which can cause them to slow down. If your computer is older than five years,
we suggest purchasing a new computer or accept that, if all the above options
do not work to speed up your computer, it will just run slower than a newer computer.
When the touchpad stops working, there are a few things you can do to try and fix it or work around the issue.
