Having a slow computer can be very inconvenient, particularly when you are completing a particular task or want to engage in some fun and recreation or gaming. These are the reasons that can cause various issues, and often, they are pretty simple and can be solved relatively easily, for example, due to crowded disks, unneeded start-ups, or old equipment.
Luckily, there is a successful strategy that is often used for this purpose, and a person does not need to purchase a new computer to achieve that. Are you getting anger and want to know How to Fix a Slow Computer? These are a 7 ways on how to fix a slow computer that I believe can help, and by doing so, you should be able to fix your slow computer:
- Free Up Disk Space
- Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
- Manage Startup Programs
- Run a Virus Scan
- Update Your Operating System
- Upgrade Hardware
- Reinstall the Operating System
If you want to learn the details of the above steps and how to do all of them, then stick to this article and continue to read.
1. Free Up Disk Space
Why Disk Space Matters?
You need to know that, for one, when your computer’s hard drive is nearing its full capacity, it will seriously slow down the system.
This is because your computer requires a certain amount of disk space for the operating system to store temporary files and perform optimally… When all the space is occupied, your system begins to lag and slow down to the point where even opening a simple program becomes significantly slower.
How to Free Up Disk Space?
Almost the first step in fixing disk space issues is eliminating these items from the recycle bin:
- Non-essential files
- Downloaded items
- Cache
- Invalid files
- Deleted files
You can also transfer large files, for example, videos or photos, to a flash drive or cloud storage. In the operating system, applications can help you find those unnecessary files, such as Disk Cleanup if you have Windows OS or Storage Management if you are using the macOS operating system.
Tools to Help with Disk Cleanup
If you want to pick the files, some programs can help you find them. For instance, CCleaner does that. These are typical programs intended to clean the system from unnecessary files while avoiding deleting the files necessary for the system’s work.
2. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Identifying Un-Needed Programs
With time, your computer might contain programs you no longer use. These programs may not be required to be used daily, but they could occupy a sizeable chunk of your disk space, use up system resources, and cause the computer to slow down.
It is imperative to always check the list of programs installed and delete any program that is not necessary.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling Programs
For Windows:
- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Programs and Features.
- Select the program you want to uninstall.
- Click Uninstall.
For macOS:
- Drag the application to the Trash.
Reminder: Check for any leftover files or folders that may still occupy space.
Benefits of Regularly Uninstalling Software
System and setup junk files are associated with software that has not been used for a while; eliminating them relieves:
- Disk space
- CPU
- RAM workload
This not only speeds up the computer to lightning speed but also makes it efficient in the future.
3. Manage Startup Programs
Impact of Startup Programs on Boot-Time
Some of them are programs that are supposed to start running the moment your computer turns on, and this can considerably delay the start-up process.
These startups are always present, perform some activity in the background, and use up system resources even if they are not actively being used.
How to Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs?
For Windows:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Navigate to the “Startup” tab.
- Select any unnecessary program.
- Click “Disable” to prevent it from auto-starting.
For macOS:
- Open “System Preferences.”
- Go to “Users & Groups.”
- Click on the “Login Items” tab.
- Select the application you want to disable.
- Click the minus (
-) button to remove it from the startup list.
Recommended Startup Programs
In fact, not all of these programs are utterly terrible for startups. Basic services such as antivirus software should not be turned off, as it will compromise the security of your machine.
It is easy to interfere with below programs such as
- Media players
- Chat applications
- Cloud storage clients
without significantly affecting the system’s performance.
4. Run a Virus Scan
How Malware Affects Computer Speed?
Viruses and malware slow down computers by using computer resources, modifying files and settings, and installing other unfavorable programs.
At times, the malware can run in the background and slow and incrementally hinder the device’s operations.
Best Practices for Running Virus Scans
Because viruses may be on the internet, it is always safe to scan your computer for viruses and to make it faster. All the antivirus currently available on the market come with further scan options, including the express or rapid scan and the complete or deep scan.
A full scan, although it takes more time than a quick scan, offers a complete scan that may be able to identify threats that may have been undetected in the initial scan.
Recommended Antivirus Software
The best-defending software includes
- Norton antivirus
- Bitdefender
- Malwarebytes
5. Update Your Operating System
Importance of OS Updates
There is hardly any doubt that one of the most vital aspects of your computer is always ensuring that the operating system (OS) is well-updated.
OS updates are carried out to fix problems related to security, fix bugs, and add new features that enhance the overall flow of the computer.
How to Check for Updates?
- For Windows Users:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
- For macOS Users:
- Open System Preferences.
- Click on Software Update.
- Tip: Enable automatic updates to save time.
Common Issues Solved by OS Updates
They include system crashes, slow performance, and software incompatibility. An updated operating system can correct these problems.
This is very important as it makes your PC run with new procedures and gives it a high level of protection from all the new viruses that are developing every day.
6. Upgrade Hardware
Signs You Need a Hardware Upgrade
After completing the above software solutions, your computer’s speed may still be low, and this is the right time to consider the computer’s hardware.
Some symptoms that may make you think that you need new hardware include the computer freezing, slow loading, and not supporting new software.
Common Hardware Upgrades
Hardware upgrades that are most often seen are increasing the RAM of a device, replacing a slow hard disk with an SSD, or upgrading the processor.
These improvements can lift your machine’s engine considerably if your rig’s age predates several years at least.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Upgrading vs. Replacing
There are two things to consider before upgrading. First, it may be cheaper to buy new hardware than a new computer.
Depending on the conditions, it can make a lot of sense to simply upgrade parts of the machine, while in other circumstances, it might be better to get a new machine altogether.
7. Reinstall the Operating System
When to Consider a Clean Install?
That said, if your computer is still running slow after you have attempted all the other solutions, then the only remaining option would be to do a clean install of the operating system.
This one makes a factory-fresh copy of the OS, deleting all the files, programs, and settings, which helps to solve some intricate problems that none of the other options can.
How to Reinstall Your OS?
- Backup Your Files: Ensure all important files are backed up before proceeding.
- Windows:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security.
- Select Recovery > Reset this PC.
- Choose Remove Everything or Keep My Files.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the OS.
- macOS:
- Restart your computer in Recovery Mode by holding Command + R during startup.
- Select Reinstall macOS.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Precautions Before Reinstalling
Before installing a fresh copy of the OS, it is recommended that you take a full backup of your data. Also, you must have installation media or a recovery drive in case something goes wrong during the process.
Conclusion
Solving a slow computer doesn’t always require costlier solutions or buying a new one. Suppose you can do all seven methods, including freeing disk space, removing unnecessary programs, handling startup programs, scanning viruses, updating operating systems, upgrading hardware, and doing operating system reinstallation.
In that case, you can increase the performance of your computer and, subsequently, the longevity of your computer. It is always wiser to be proactive with your computer, so apply these tips frequently to help you maintain your computers effectively. I hope this guide on How to Fix a Slow Computer? will help you to fix your computer instead of buying new one.
FAQs
What causes a computer to slow down over time?
To be specific, computers can slow down because of cluttered disk space, obsolete applications, new applications being put in the start-up folder, virus invasion, and physical wear and tear on the computer hardware.
Is it better to upgrade hardware or buy a new computer?
Replacing hardware is always risky and expensive and may not give you the performance upgrade you seek, but acquiring a new one is cheaper if your machine is old – perhaps two to three years old.
How often should I perform maintenance on my computer?
Likewise, general maintenance like disk cleanup and virus scanning should be performed on the system at least once every month to enable efficient computer operation.
