You might notice that your computer is slower after you have had it for a while. There are some things you can do to speed up your computer so it feels new again.
This article applies to Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
Why is my computer so slow?
As you use your computer to download files, search the internet, delete programs, open applications, and do other things on it, junk builds up and can cause behind-the scenes problems that are difficult to spot.
File fragmentation can be a major problem. A cluttered desktop, full HD, slow Hardware and other problems are all signs of file fragmentation.
Your computer may not be slow. Your slow internet connection could be caused by a faulty router or a poor connection. You may only need to speed your internet access.
Clear Junk Files and Programs
It is possible to speed up your computer by getting rid of junk files, applications and other junk.
- To remove unnecessary junk files from the Windows OS, the Windows Registry and third-party applications like your web browsers that like to collect cache files, you can use a free system cleaner such as CCleaner.
These temporary internet files or other unimportant items can cause programs to hang, become unresponsive, and slow down, and also eat up valuable hard drive space.
- Clean up your desktop if it’s cluttered. Having File Explorer load these icons and folders every time your desktop refreshes can cause unnecessary load on your computer. This could lead to system resources being taken away.
- Get rid of unwanted programs that may be lingering on your computer. These programs are not only taking up hard disk space, but they may open automatically in Windows and run in the background all day, eating away at your processor or memory. This is possible with several uninstaller tools.
- Junk files are any files that you don’t need or use anymore. You can delete the video files you downloaded last year and backup all data you don’t use like vacation photos.
You should be able to use more of your hard drive space for important files once you have cleared out junk and temporary files. Performance is also improved by having more space available on your hard drive.
Defrag Your Hard Drive
You can defragment your hard drive by consolidating all empty spaces you create in the structure of the files system . This is done as you add or remove files. This makes your hard drive slow to think which causes folders and files to take longer to open.
There are many free defrag tool available, but you can also use one that is built into Windows.
Spyware, Malware, Viruses and Adware can be removed.
Malware can infect any Windows computer, but the risk of getting infected is very low if you use anti-malware software regularly.
The virus usually takes over the system memory and slows down everything once it is installed. Malicious programs may pop up and trick you into purchasing their “antivirus software,” which is even more reason to get rid of them.
To get rid of these memory hogs, you should regularly scan your computer for malware .
Fix Windows System Errors
You can make errors in the Windows system files by installing and uninstalling software, or rebooting your computer while you are updating.
These errors can lock things up, stop program updates and installs, and generally make it difficult to have a smooth experience with your computer. To repair your system files, run SFC/Scannow.
Adjust visual effects
Windows offers many interesting visual effects, including animated windows or fading menus. These extras can be useful, but only if there is enough memory.
To speed things up , you can disable these visual effects .
Make sure to clean, replace or upgrade your hardware
Software problems can be the root cause of slow computers. However, it is only so far that you can address the hardware.
If your computer won’t allow you to open more than two programs at once, or you can’t watch HD movies on it, then you might have either a very small amount of RAM, or an outdated videocard. Sometimes, you may just have dirty hardware.
It is a good idea to clean your hardware parts regularly. Fans and other parts under the case can collect hair and dirt over time. It’s possible to get too much dirt on your hardware before you purchase new hardware.
To view the specifications of your hardware, you can use a no cost system information utility. These tools can be useful if you are looking to replace hardware.
You can, for example, use a system information tool to verify the type and amount of RAM you have, so that you can purchase the correct kind.
Reinstall Windows Operating System in its entirety
To speed up your computer, delete all files and software, then remove Windows OS. This can be done with a clean installation of Windows.
This is a great way to have a brand new computer without years of software, registry changes, or errors you didn’t know you had. This is an irreversible decision that will affect your computer’s speed and should be considered carefully.
Reinstalling Windows is permanent. Make sure you back up all your files and keep track of any programs that you wish to reinstall.
How to speed up a laptop: Find out more
FAQ
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How can I speed up my computer’s video?
You can adjust the playback speed of Windows Media Player video and audio files. Adobe Premiere Pro and similar video editing programs can permanently speed up a video. -
What is the speed of a processor on a computer?
A processor speed between 1.3 and 1.4 GHz, with 2-4GB RAM, is sufficient for browsing the internet and watching Bluray movies. For CPU-intensive gaming, a 3.5GHz processor with at minimum 8GB RAM is recommended. -
How can I increase the speed of my computer’s startup?
To speed up startup, you should disable any programs that aren’t necessary. After this, run an antivirus scan and disable any hardware that you don’t need, upgrade your RAM or switch to an SSD.
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How can I speed up my computer to play games?
You can optimize your computer for gaming by disabling unnecessary processes, updating your graphics drivers, defragmenting your hard drive and configuring your graphics card settings. You should consider upgrading your hardware, including the RAM, CPU and graphics card.
