10 Ways to Fix a Slow Computer
HOW TO & ADVICE
Wondering why your computer is running at a snail's pace?
Whether it's clearing out unnecessary startup programs, defragmenting your hard drive, or enhancing your hardware, this guide will aid you in pinpointing the causes of your computer's sluggishness and resolving them.
1. Shut Down & Reboot Your PC
While it may seem obvious, many of us neglect to restart or shut down our computers as regularly as before. Although modern systems and operating platforms excel at sleeping or hibernating and quickly resuming, infrequent shut downs can lead to a buildup of unneeded data in the system's memory. As time progresses, this can cause the operating system to become less efficient so it's important to power off your computer completely and allow for a few minutes of downtime to refresh the system.
2. Identify Resource Heavy Programs
To address this issue, you need to either reduce the number of running programs or boost your computer’s storage and processing capabilities.
Your computer may be inundated with high-level applications launching automatically and running in the background, or perhaps by a program that was opened and forgotten. Shutting down or uninstalling unnecessary programs can provide an instant boost to a slow computer.
For Mac: Use Spotlight Search (Command + Space) to open the Activity Monitor. Here, you can identify active programs and their CPU and memory usage. Close any unused programs.
For Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager. In the Processes tab, you can observe active programs along with their CPU and memory usage. Close any unnecessary programs.
If you rarely use or no longer need certain programs, consider uninstalling them.
Some programs may automatically open upon computer startup. Disabling these startup programs is another effective method for improving computer speed.
For MacOS 13 (Venutra) or later, go to System Settings, click on General, and then select Login Items to view a list of apps that open when you log in, along with those allowed to run background processes.
On MacOS 12 (Monterey) or earlier, open System Preferences, click on Users & Groups, and then access the Login Items tab to see a list of apps, files, and folders that open during login. These lists are specific to each user account. Most items on the list are added by apps you've installed, usually with your permission. You can manually add items to the list using the (+) button or remove items using the minus sign (-) button. Additionally, you may need to log in to your Mac user profile to apply changes.
For Windows Access Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and deactivate unnecessary programs using the Disable button.
3. Take a look at your internet browser and its add-ons
Every time you open a new browser window or tab, your computer uses up memory and processing power, which can slow it down over time. If you're experiencing slow internet browsing, make sure your web browser is updated to the latest version and you can also use the option to install updates automatically.
Try avoiding unnecessary browser add-ons and extensions, which you can change in a menu called Add-ons or Extensions in your browser settings to view and remove any that you don't use anymore.
For a detailed breakdown of the extensions and tabs that might be causing issues, you can use Task Manager. Just click on the arrow next to your browser's name.
If you're using Chrome, you can access its built-in task manager by pressing Shift+Esc or clicking on the menu button > More Tools > Task manager.
If your browser is consistently slowing down your computer, consider using a different browser or keeping track of the number of tabs and windows you have open at a given time.
For Google Chrome Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, go to More tools > Extensions, and review the list of installed extensions. To remove an extension, click the Remove button and confirm. You can also disable an extension by toggling the switch off if you want to keep it but not use it all the time.
For Microsoft Edge Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Extensions. Click Manage Extensions to see the list of installed extensions. To remove an extension, click Remove and confirm. You can disable an extension by toggling the switch off if you want to keep it but not use it all the time.
4. Optimize your hard disk drive (HDD)
Hard disk drives (HDDs) store data in small groups across the disk, and over time, related data ends up scattered. This can slow down the system when it needs to find and access different pieces of data to run programs or apps.
Defragmenting your HDD will bring related bits of data back together and help speed up your system, however solid-state drives (SSDs) do not need to be defragmented due to their different technology.
For Windows to defrag your HDD, click on the Start menu or Windows button, select Control Panel, then System and Security. Under Administrative Tools, click on Defragment your Hard Drive. You can choose for the process to run on a regular schedule, or you can click Analyze Disk to check if the process needs to be run immediately.
5. Keep Your Software Up to Date
Don't forget to keep your software up to date. While it's important to do this regularly to prevent security and performance problems, many people tend to postpone updates by clicking the "Later" button. To check for software updates on your Windows computer, go to "Start" > "Settings" > "Windows Update" > "Check for updates."
For Mac users, check for updates by going to "App Store" > "Updates," and if any updates are available, click the "Update" button.
6. Free up hard drive space
A full hard drive can significantly impact your computer's performance, regardless of the operating system. When the hard drive is nearly full, there isn't enough space to efficiently manage virtual memory and temporary files, crucial for smooth operation. This lack of free space can cause applications to hang or crash, slow down system processes, and increase boot times. It's generally recommended to keep at least 10-20% of your hard drive capacity free for optimal performance.
To free up space on your computer, start by identifying large files and unused applications. Each operating system offers tools to help you analyze which types of files are taking up the most space. You can use built-in storage management features to review and delete old files, duplicate files, and large media files that you no longer need. Additionally, regularly cleaning out your Downloads folder, clearing old email attachments, and emptying the Trash or Recycle Bin can also free up valuable space.
Another effective solution is to move large files, such as videos, photos, and backup files, to an external Solid State Drive (SSD). External SSDs are fast, reliable, and provide a convenient way to expand your storage without overloading your internal drive. By transferring rarely accessed but important files to an external drive, you can free up critical space on your internal hard drive, significantly improving your computer's performance. This not only helps maintain system speed and responsiveness but also provides a backup of your important data, enhancing your overall data management strategy.
7. Upgrade storage to an SSD
The key difference between a traditional HDD and an SSD lies in their technology. An HDD has moving parts, which mechanically move an actuator arm to read data from a storage platter. Conversely, an SSD uses flash memory to store data, offering faster access times and better reliability. Upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve your computer's performance and responsiveness.
Popular options include SATA SSD, NVMe & M.2 drives
8. Add more memory (RAM)
Increasing RAM, unlike the permanent storage of your SSD or hard drive, serves as short-term storage, holding current data so that it can be speedily accessed. It can be compared to a desktop space where you have organized the files, notes, and tools you are currently using.
Whenever you perform activities such as moving your mouse, opening and switching between internet browser tabs, typing an email, creating a spreadsheet, editing photos or videos, playing a game, listening to music, or watching a video, you are utilizing RAM memory.
The more RAM you have, the more of these tasks your computer can efficiently handle simultaneously. Adding more memory is a simple way to address repeated slowdowns. Resolving a slow computer doesn't necessarily require significant changes. These adjustments and upgrades will boost the speed of your PC, ultimately saving you time, stress, and money!
9. Check for Viruses or Malware
To ensure the security of your computer, it's important to check for viruses and malware. Viruses, malware, and malicious software are intended to utilize your computer’s resources to carry out unauthorized tasks. If your computer is running slowly, it could be a sign of an infection, although this is less common than other issues addressed in this article.
To begin, you can search for "Windows Security" in the search bar located on the taskbar or under the Start menu to access a summary of all security options on your device, including virus scanning tools. It's also possible to use various antivirus programs available online, but it's crucial to select one from a trustworthy source, such as the official Microsoft store. Be cautious as there are numerous deceitful apps online masquerading as antivirus software.
10. Pause OneDrive Syncing
If you utilize Microsoft OneDrive for storing files in the cloud, your computer will regularly sync with the cloud to ensure your files are up to date across devices. However, this syncing process can consume significant computer resources and possibly slow down your PC. If you're experiencing performance issues, temporarily pausing OneDrive syncing can help free up resources and potentially improve your computer's speed. To do this, locate the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, access its menu, go to Settings, locate the sync options, and disable any preferences you don't need to automatically sync. You may also have the option to specify the duration for which syncing should be paused.
