A slow computer can be incredibly frustrating. There are many potential causes for a computer running slowly, but thankfully there are also many things you can try yourself to speed it up before taking it to a professional or buying a new one. Here is an in-depth guide on how to speed up a slow computer yourself.
Clean Up Your Hard Drive
One of the most common reasons for a slow computer is having a hard drive that is nearly full. As you use your computer over time, many temporary files, browser caches,downloaded files and other data accumulate and take up precious hard drive space. Here are some tips for freeing up hard drive space:
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Use Disk Cleanup – This is a built-in Windows tool that finds and deletes unnecessary files. To run it, type “Disk Cleanup” in the Windows search bar and choose the drive you want to clean up.
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Remove unused programs – Uninstall software you no longer use. Be sure to use the uninstall option within the program; don’t just delete it.
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Empty the Recycle Bin – Your deleted files still take up space in the Recycle Bin until permanently removed. Right click the Recycle Bin and choose “Empty Recycle Bin”.
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Remove temporary files – Temporary internet files, downloaded program files and other miscellaneous temporary files can build up. Use Disk Cleanup or a third party tool like CCleaner to remove them.
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Move files to an external drive – If you have a lot of large files like photos, videos or music, consider moving them to an external drive. This will free up substantial space on your main hard drive.
Add More RAM
Another easy way to help speed up a sluggish computer is to upgrade your RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM is like short-term memory for your computer – it stores information your system needs right now to run programs and processes. Upgrading to more RAM allows your computer to access that data faster. Even an extra 2-4GB of RAM can make a noticeable difference in performance.
Make sure you buy RAM that is compatible with your computer. Installation is simple – just open up your case, slide in the new RAM chip into the motherboard slot, and boot up your computer.
Change Power Settings
Your computer’s power settings could be slowing you down without you even realizing it. Make sure your computer isn’t set to “Power Saver” mode – this throttles performance to conserve battery life.
For desktop PCs, ensure the computer is set to “High Performance” mode. For laptops, use the “Balanced” power plan while plugged in to get the best performance. These changes can often be made right from the Windows Power Options menu.
Disable Startup Programs
Too many programs starting up when you boot your computer can really slow down the startup process. To disable startup programs:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the task manager, then select the “Startup” tab. Here you can disable any unwanted programs.
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Type “msconfig” in the Windows search bar and open the Startup tab. Uncheck programs you don’t want starting automatically.
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Use a utility like CCleaner to disable startup programs as well.
Be cautious and only disable programs you are sure you don’t need.
Run a Virus Scan
Viruses, malware, spyware and other nasty software can secretly install themselves on your computer and run in the background, slowing things down.
It’s important to have antivirus software installed. Make sure yours is up to date, then run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious programs.
A few good free antivirus programs are Avast, AVG and Windows Defender.
Check for Overheating Issues
Computers produce a lot of heat. If your computer is getting too hot, it may begin throttling performance to prevent overheating and damage.
Check for dust buildup in your computer, especially on the fans and heat sinks. Clean out any dust with compressed air. Make sure your case and components have adequate airflow. Laptops in particular need room underneath for air intake. Use a laptop cooling pad if needed.
Also monitor CPU and GPU temperatures using a system utility while running intensive programs. Consistently high temperatures could indicate an overheating issue.
Reinstall Windows
If you’ve tried everything else, the nuclear option to restore peak performance is reformatting your hard drive and doing a clean install of Windows.
Back up any important data first, then you can boot from the Windows installation media, wipe your main hard drive partition, and perform a clean install. This will give you a fresh start with a new Windows operating system.
Reinstalling Windows can be time consuming to redo your settings, but it can work wonders to fix performance problems, especially those caused by software issues.
When to Take It to a Professional
While many performance issues can be addressed yourself at home, sometimes it’s best to take your sluggish computer to a professional technician if:
- You suspect a hardware failure like the hard drive or motherboard dying
- You have attempted all troubleshooting steps but the computer is still very slow
- You do not feel comfortable performing some steps like upgrading RAM
- There are worrying symptoms like random crashes or error messages
A technician can run diagnostics to pinpoint hardware issues or deep OS problems. They also have access to more advanced tools and methods.
Don’t give up hope – with some focused troubleshooting, there are many ways you can speed up a slow computer yourself before taking more drastic measures. Follow the tips outlined here and your machine will be zipping along in no time.
