Why Does Your Computer Slow Down?
Few things beat the feeling of buying a brand new computer. It works fast, your hard drive does not contain a lot of files, and it looks beautiful on the outside.
As time passes, that once new computer no longer has the same glamour as it once had. Neither the outside nor the inside of the computer are immune to wear and tear. While there isn’t a program to help clean up the outside of a computer, there are several utilities that can help with the inside. An old computer can be restored to its like-new state through this process.
It is crucial to identify the causes of slow computers before considering software utilities that may help combat such causes. If you are not very knowledgeable about computers, it can be difficult to figure out why your computer slows down. In order to prolong the life of the computer, you can take some simple steps that will prove beneficial in the long run.
What Causes a Computer to Slow Down?
Computers can slow down for a variety of reasons. You can have some issues self-inflicted while others are just a result of general computer use. A few of the leading causes are the following: RAM space issues, lack of disk drive space, an aging or fragmented hard drive, too many unnecessary programs launching at startup or running in the background, an outdated operating system, a machine that is infected with malware or viruses.
How to Speed Up a Slow Computer
Typically, most users do not care why their computers are slow: they just want a quick fix. The following fixes are pretty easy to apply and work better than you might expect.
Computer Restart
Restarting your computer is a simple solution to issues that works more than you might realize. A lot of users fail to turn their computers off and restart them regularly. Eventually, the computer will slow down because it is clogged up with programs running in the background and many tabs open in an internet browser.
By restarting your computer, you eliminate most programs that you may not need and that only take up resources. It also allows for updates to be installed, which might include anything from Windows updates to significant changes for a program.
Generally, this simple fix is easy and effective. Try this out before doing anything else.
Disable Background and Startup Programs
Too many programs running at once can make the computer struggle. If you open up Task Manager, you might be surprised by how many processes are running.
Too many programs running simultaneously will use up a lot of processing power and, therefore, reduce your computer’s performance. It’s nice to have some necessary programs running in the background, but too many and your system’s speed will take a hit.
Startup programs are also a bit of a hassle. Oftentimes, these come preinstalled on your system. If you open up Task Manager and go to the “Startup” tab, you’ll be able to see which programs are launching at startup and disable any that slow down your system.
Clean or Defrag the Hard Drive
A brand new hard drive comes with lots of free space, so disk management isn’t a priority at first. However, small downloads and minimal programs can fill it up close to capacity as time goes on. A hard drive with little to no space will make the system slower, as Windows needs space to operate.
When this happens, you should perform some basic cleaning and defragmentation on your hard drive. Usually, a simple manual clean is sufficient as you go through your computer to see what files and programs you no longer need. It may be possible to increase disk space by deleting just a few large items. You can often make a final decision on whether to delete something based on the last time it was used.
Defragging a hard drive might be necessary if a lot of cleaning is going on. Basically, as you delete programs and files, “fragments” of the file are left behind on the drive, still taking up space. Defragging is when a tool sweeps through the drive, removing any such fragments permanently.
Fixing a computer in this manner can be very effective, but it can be daunting for those with little experience. Even though there are step-by-step tips on getting everything squared away, many will rely on a program like iolo System Mechanic® to get the job done. Instead of following more complicated instructions, it just takes a few clicks with this utility to get all kinds of fixes for a better-performing computer.
Seek More Help
All of the tips above are meant to help users fix performance problems manually. Everything is relatively easy to handle, but what if these basic fixes do not work? At this point, additional help might be necessary.
As mentioned briefly already, one way to combat computer speed problems is by using a utility like iolo System Mechanic. It is an inexpensive solution that helps with computer optimization to make the user experience much better (and faster) overall. It is easy to download, helps fix problems and protect against future issues, and takes up little space on a computer. Essentially, it’s an assistant that helps prolong the life of a computer.
There is also the option of going to a professional to check the computer. They might be able to identify the exact issues causing a problem to give a more customized solution. However, such a solution can be expensive and take more time than you have. It often leads to spending hundreds of dollars on a fix that might be pretty simple.
Getting A Slow Computer Fixed Today
You cannot expect a slow computer to fix itself on its own. It’s critical to address such an issue as soon as possible. Otherwise, it runs the risk of getting worse over time. Run through all of these tips to see what works to get your computer performing as it should.
