Reboot
If your computer has not been rebooted recently, make sure to reboot it before following any of the steps below. In windows 10/11 the proper option is the Restart power option. The Restart option does a cleanup of Windows files on shutdown and restart. The shutdown option does not do run the cleanup routine.
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. (you can type Resmon in the Cortana search field).
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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. If this is the case, allow the scan to complete, and the computer's performance should improve.
Delete temp files
As a computer runs programs, temporary files are 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.
Temporary folder
Unfortunately, the Disk Cleanup may not delete every file in the temp directory. Therefore, we also suggest deleting temporary files manually. To do this, open the Start menu or select the Cortana search field and type %temp% in the Search field. You can delete all files found in this folder and, if any files are in use and cannot be deleted, they can be skipped. Do the same thing for the C:\Windows\Temp folder.
Free hard drive space
Verify that there is at least 20% of your hard drive is free 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.
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. |
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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 (www.malwarebytes.com) 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. We recommended that you install an antivirus program for active protection against viruses. Consider Bitdefender (www.bitdefender.com)
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. You can also try disabling browser plug-ins to see if one of them is causing the slowness.
Update your drivers
Make sure you have the latest drivers for your computer hardware, 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
Computer memory aka RAM. If you have had your computer for more than two years, you may need more memory. Today, we suggest computers have a minimum of 4GB of memory (RAM) for 32-bit system and 4-8GB for a 64-bit system. By having enough memory for programs to run within memory, your computer will not need to swap information stored in memory to the swap file. If the hard drive light is constantly active, it can be an indication the computer is frequently swapping information between your memory and hard drive.
Hard drive upgrade
SSD One of the biggest bottlenecks of a computer is the hard disk drive. For anyone with a slow computer or just looking for the best component to upgrade, upgrading from a hard drive to a Solid State Drive (SSD) can significantly improve the performance of a computer.
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 heat-related issues.
Dust, dirt, and hair can also constrict proper airflow inside your computer, which can cause a computer to overheat. Make sure your computer case is clean and fans are not obstructed.
Hardware issues
Finally, if your computer is still slow after trying all of the above recommendations, there may have a more serious hardware related issue, such as a failing component in the computer. Examples of failing hardware could include a failing or bad hard drive, CPU, RAM, motherboard, network card or another component.
Old computer
If your computer is more than five years old, the age of the computer could be the cause of the slow performance. As more advanced software programs are released, they are optimized to run more efficiently on newer computers. Older computers are not able to run these new programs as well, which can cause them to perform more slowly. We recommend that you consider purchasing a new computer or accept that your computer is not going to be as fast as a newer computer.
