Argh! A slow computer can be so frustrating. Using a slow computer can make a 2-minutes task seem like a hassle. It can be very especially annoying when you can do nothing to speed things up.
Not to worry. We know just how you feel. Here's how to fix a slow computer:
Reboot your computer
Rebooting your computer is the first thing you should do to fix a slow computer, especially if you've not rebooted it recently. Restarting your computer will resolve any slow-downs resulting from software conflicts or bugs.
Close background programs
TSRs (terminate-and-stay-resident programs) and start-up programs can cause your computer to run slowly. To see programs running in the background:
Open the Task Manager by clicking Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your windows computer. You can right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
Look for tasks heavily using your computer's memory.
Right-click the tasks and click "End Task" to close them.
Close browser tabs
Opening too many tabs on your browser can slow down your computer. Closing down browser tabs will reduce RAM usage and increase computer performance.
Update your web browser
An outdated web browser can cause your computer to run slow. So check to see if you're using the latest version. Generally, you can view this information in the about section of the browser. Also, allow new versions to install automatically, so you don't have to do so manually.
Free up hard drive space
If your hard drive is packed, there won't be enough space for windows and other installed programs to store temporary files, thereby reducing the performance of your computer.
For better performance, your hard drive should have between 500MB of space. You can free up space by deleting rarely used applications or moving files to an external drive or the cloud.
Delete temporary files
Temporary files can also become so large that they consume so much space.
Deleting large temporary files can free up space and improve your computer's performance. To find the temporary files folder, close all programs, press the Windows key + R, type in %TMP%, and click OK.
Empty the recycle bin
Deleted files go into the recycle bin. These deleted files are ignored, but they use up hard drive space. To empty the recycle bin, right-click on the recycle bin icon and click "empty recycle bin."
Scan for viruses and malware
A computer infected with viruses and malware will run slowly. How do you fix a slow computer caused by viruses and malware? Install the latest version of an anti-virus program and run a scan to find viruses and malware that may be affecting your computer's performance.
Install system updates
Latest window updates and drivers are crucial for a computer to perform excellently. You can install new updates by opening the start menu > settings > update and security. If you need to update anything, you'll find instructions on how to do so.
Reinstall Windows
You've done the above, and your computer is still slow. It's time to reinstall Windows. Doing this will get rid of unused programs and files quickly. Reinstalling Windows will also remove most viruses and malware. However, you want to back up your files before you commence.
Your computer is still running slow. What next?
If your computer is still slow after trying the above solutions, a computer repair expert, like LoriTech Computer Repair, can help you diagnose the problem and fix it.