One of the most common complaints computer users have is that their computer has become slower over time. They may be having problems with it freezing up or showing different error messages.
There are many reasons why computers slow down. When a computer is new there is plenty of hard drive space, there are not many programs installed and probably not many programs loading at startup, temporary files have not accumulated and the computer is virus and spyware free.
Try these suggestions to get things moving again.
Reboot
I find many people never think of rebooting their computer and while computers can be left on for long periods of time, if you find things are slowing down or programs are not working properly your first step should always be to restart the computer.
The longer your computer has been up and running without being restarted or shut down the more likely it is that you will have problems.
Startup Programs
Startup programs are programs that load and run in the background every time you start your computer. Many times, when you install new software, the program is added to the startup list. You might not see the program or be aware that it is running, but if you start task manager you may see the program listed.
Some programs need to run at startup, for example your anti-virus software is a program that must run all the time. But most programs do not need to load and run each time you start your computer. If you want to use a program you simply open the program when needed.
Each one of the programs running in the background uses system resources and memory and can potentially cause a conflict with other programs you have installed. Eliminating startup programs will improve boot time, speed up your computer, use fewer system resources and leave less room for conflict.
You do want to be careful when disabling startup programs. Some services that run are necessary for the proper functioning of your computer and the programs you have installed. If you are not sure if a program is safe to disable do a Google search for the program name to find out more.
Adjust for Best Performance
You can turn off or adjust some of the visual effects in Windows to improve the overall system performance. Open Control Panel and go to system and then click advanced system settings. Click the advanced tab in the system settings dialog and then click settings under performance. Put a check in “adjust for best performance” and click OK.
Disk Cleanup
Over time as you use your computer temporary files are created and can accumulate. Deleting those files will free up disk space and may help your computer run better.
Clear Browser Cache
Every web browser creates a cache. A cache consists of stored web pages, images, cookies, temporary internet files and other downloaded content. Cookies are small text files that are collected by your web browser for pages you visit on the internet. A cookie file stores information about your browsing habits. The web sites address, the information you filled out on the site, the time of your visit, your location and other personal information so clearing your cookies can protect your privacy. Not all cookies are bad. For example, a “session” cookie is used by web sites to ensure that the user is recognized when moving from page to page within the web site. Over time these files accumulate and you want to delete them.
Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Many new computers come with “bloatware” this is a term used to describe the list of junk and trial programs that come pre-installed on a new computer. Depending on the manufacture the list of programs can be quite large. Many of these programs are unnecessary and sometimes even harmful. Uninstalling them will improved the overall performance of your computer.
You may have also installed programs in the past that you no longer need. Removing unnecessary or unneeded programs will free up disk space and system resources. Many programs include an uninstall option. If the program does not include an uninstall option use the add/remove programs feature in Control Panel to uninstall the program.
You can also use the Apps menu in Windows to remove programs and apps. Click the start button and then click settings. In the settings menu select “apps” scroll through the list of installed apps and select the apps you would like to uninstall. Once the app has been selected click the uninstall button. The app will be removed.
Testing Memory
Faulty memory can cause a number of different symptoms. You may experience crashes, slowness, freezing or other issues if one of the memory modules in your computer is faulty. Windows has a built-in tool that will test the memory installed on your computer.
To test the memory, use the search feature and type “memory diagnostic” in the search results menu select Windows Memory Diagnostic. You will have the option to “Restart now and check for problems” or “check for problems the next time I start my computer”
Select the option you would like to use.
The progress of the test will be displayed on the screen. When it is finished the computer will restart.
To view the results of the memory test, open Control Panel and then select system and security and then administrative tools. Select Events Viewer from the list.
Expand the Windows Log folder and then right click system and select find. Type MemoryDiagnostics-Results in the find what window and click the find next button. Select MemoryDiagnostics-Results to view the results of the scan. If the scan found no problems you will see a message saying that the memory has been tested and no errors were detected. If the results show a problem was found you can try reseating the computer’s memory and running the test again. If a problem is found again it indicates that one of the memory modules is defective and needs to be replaced.
Adding Memory
Adding more ram (memory) is one of the best ways to speed up a computer.
To find out how much memory your motherboard can support go to the computer manufacturers web site and pull up the user manual.
You can also go to Crucial’s website. They sell quality memory for a reasonable price. On their site you can click the scan now button to run their memory scan. The scan will tell you how much memory you currently have installed, how many memory banks are currently filled and empty and how much memory you can add. You can then purchase memory from their website. When you run the scan, the results will display a list of compatible memory for your computer.
Crucial US | DRAM, Solid State Drive (SSD) & Memory Upgrades
Installing additional memory is a relatively simple process that most users can do themselves. If you are not comfortable installing the memory yourself you can take your computer to a local computer repair shop and they can do it for you.
Clean The Inside
Overtime the inside of your computer will accumulate dust and other debris. When the fans and other components are dirty you may suffer performance problems and over-heating issues. Before cleaning the inside of the computer unplug the power cable and all other peripherals connected to the computer. Mouse, keyboard, printers, USB devices, network and phone lines, etc.
You can use a vacuum cleaner with small attachments, a can of compressed air, a soft cloth and Q-tips to clean the inside of the computer. Cleaning kits can also be purchased.
Be very careful working on the inside of the computer. The motherboard and other hardware are fragile and can be easily damaged. Pay particular attention to the case fan, CPU fan and power supply. These become coated with dust and debris very easily. You should clean your computer every 6 months or at least once a year.
Position your computer in your home so that it is not on the floor or in a cabinet that is not well ventilated. When your computer is on the floor it is more susceptible to dust and other debris getting inside. Placing the computer inside of a cabinet does not allow for proper ventilation and will cause the hardware to overheat which will lead to failure. Place the computer on a table top in a well-ventilated area.
Malware & Viruses
Trojans, viruses, spyware, grayware, rootkits, backdoors and worms. All of these can slow down your computer and cause other problems.
Always have a good antivirus program installed. Windows comes with Windows Security. I use that program but there are other antivirus software programs you can use. Some are free and some you must pay for. Configure your antivirus software to update and scan automatically on a schedule.
Keep your operating system up to date. When a Windows update is released be sure it is installed. Microsoft releases patches, fixes and security updates regularly. These are important to keep your system protected.
Keep other software on your computer up to date. Many times, malicious programs gain access to the system through security holes and flaws in a program. Vendors release patches and fixes when a problem is detected with the software.
Do not open email messages from someone you don’t know or that seem suspicious.
Do not respond to any email messages requesting personal information such as your password, SocialSsecurity number, address, bank account number, etc.
Do not respond to chain letters or other email messages that are sent to groups of people. And do not forward those types of messages to others.
Never allow anyone who calls you on the phone or sends you a message to remotely log into your computer. A very common scam is a fake phone call from someone pretending to be from Microsoft or
Never allow anyone who calls you on the phone or sends you a message to remotely log into your computer. A very common scam is someone pretending to be Microsoft or another company warning you that your computer has a problem and they must log in to fix it. This is never legitimate. Hang up the phone immediately if you receive this type of call.
Use strong passwords and change them a few times a year.
The Tech Minimalist 