what to do when computer is slow

What to Do When Your Computer Is Slow

A lot of people have complained about their computer running slow. You click to open a folder, but nothing happens, your browser always freezes, and your apps take forever to load. We all have been there. In this article, I will be sharing clear and simple solutions for everyone to understand and apply to quickly fix this issue, even if you are not tech-savvy.

Some common reasons why computers slow down

Too Many Programs Running at Once

I want you to think of your computer like your brain. If you read a book, watch a movie, and at the same time solve math problems, you will eventually get overwhelmed.

Not Enough Storage Space

If you have an SSD that is almost full, it will affect the performance of your PC and make it slow because your PC will struggle to find space to work.

Low RAM

I want you to understand that your PC RAM is like a short-term memory, and if it runs out, it will drastically slow down everything.

Old or Failing Hard Drive

We all know that traditional hard drives (HDDs) are always slower than SSDs, and having one that is failing makes everything very slow and sluggish.

Background Apps

Some apps would always want to auto-start and run in the background when you are not using them. These apps eat up resources silently. I would be sharing a YouTube video on how to stop background apps from running silently on your PC below.

Malware or Viruses

Many people do not know that viruses can actually steal resources and eventually slow down PC performance. Scan your computer for any virus or malware using Windows Defender or any reliable antivirus software.

Outdated Software or Drivers

Using outdated drivers with newer updates might cause your computer to slow down because old drivers don’t work well with newer updates or software.

Bad Windows Updates

This particular thing rarely happens, but it can still happen at times; sometimes Windows Update can cause problems.

Initial Fix You Can Do While Still Reading This Post

Restart Your Computer
Check Task Manager
Check Storage

Go to Settings > System > Storage

Look at how much space is used. It shouldn't be more than 90% full.

Basic Fixes That Work for Everyone

Uninstall Unused Programs

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

Remove anything you don’t use.

Scan for Malware

Use Windows Security or download Malwarebytes (free)

Disable Startup Programs

To do this, open Task Manager and click the Startup tab. Right-click and disable programs you don’t need when your PC boots up.

System Cleanup and Optimization

Go to Settings > Storage > Storage Sense

Turn it ON; it deletes temp files and clears space.

To Delete Temporary Files Manually, press Windows + R and type temp

Empty Your Recycle Bin

Emptying your Recycle Bin can recover GBs of space.

Update Your Drivers

To do this, open Device Manager, right-click each device, and select Update Driver.

Pro Fixes to Consider

Consider adding more RAM, check if you have an extra RAM slot, and see if your PC RAM is upgradable. I will drop a video below

Upgrade to SSD

If you're using an HDD, switching to an SSD will make your PC up to 5x faster.

Clean Your PC Internally

It will interest you to know that dust can cause heat buildup, which slows performance. So carefully open your case and clean it with compressed air.

Final Thoughts

A slow computer can be very frustrating, but with the right tools and steps, you can speed it up without buying a new one.

Start simple
Clean up your system
Disable what you don't use