Is there anything quite as maddening as a slow computer? It can be incredibly frustrating when you have a computer that is creaking though even the simplest task. Over time you tend to build-up virtual detritus that can slow down your computer and impact its general performance. While it might feel like it is a lost cause, here are some examples why your PC might be running slow.
1. Too Many Start-Up Programs
Sometimes programs that have recently been downloaded find their way into your computer start-up menu or login items. If there are too many programs that are trying to start when your computer is booting up, then this could lead to it generally being slow. While certain programs, such as an anti-virus program, should always be running, most programs do not need to be open in the background.
2. Your Hard Drive Is Failing
Hard drives are comprised of multiple small parts which are constantly working whenever the computer is turned on. Therefore, after a few years of the computer being in use, it is quite common for the hard drive to suffer from wear and tear. Therefore, it might be an idea to replace the hard drive to speed up your computer.
3. Your Hard Drive Is (Almost) Full
Besides the natural wear and tear, the hard drive can slow down the computer up to 50% if it reaches 95% of its capacity. This is because there will not be enough space to store temporary files used to smoothly operate the computer system. Simple habits such as emptying the trash will free out significant amounts of space. Besides that, occasionally deep cleaning your hard drive and getting rid of unnecessary programs or download you never use can speed up the computer immensely.
4. Too Many Add-Ons in Your Browser
While browser extensions are used to enhance your experience on the internet, they can also lead to your computer being slow by using an overly excessive amount of processing power. Besides that, you also have to be very careful what kind of add-ons you install on your laptop as it could also be browser adware which downloads other apps or launch popups in the background.
5. Too Many Programs Are Running at Once
It is very easy to have multiple things happening at once when browsing or working on a computer. Nevertheless, the standard of your computer’s RAM (random access memory) will dictate how easily you can do this. Shifting back and forth between different programs and files might seem fluid, but if your computer’s processing power cannot keep up, it will slow down your general experience immensely.
6. Too Many Open Browser Tabs
Something similar that we are all guilty of is having too many tabs open in our browser. It can happen quite easily when doing research as we are constantly switching between different websites. Nevertheless, this activity can have a strain on your RAM leading your computer to slow down.
7. Rogue Program
Whenever you notice your computer slowing down significantly, it might be worth checking if there is a program which is currently running in the background as sometimes programs get stuck in a loop or have encountered an error which won’t let them close properly.
8. An Overzealous Antivirus Program
While anti-virus programs are very important, their background checks and updates which are often running in the background can be the reason your computer is too slow for you to continue your zoom meetings. It is advisable to do these scans, which can sometimes last a few hours, whenever you do not need to use the computer.
9. Your Computer Has A Virus
Havoc can be caused by viruses, spyware, and malware. Nowadays it is not uncommon for viruses to install malicious programs onto your computer which run ads randomly with the potential of generating income. This would have a significant impact on the speed of your computer.
10. Too Much Dust
Something a lot of people do not know is having too much dust in your room could prevent the ventilation that functions the cooling process of the computer. This could not only slow down the computer immensely but also lead to major malfunctions if the heat continues to build-up.
11. Computer Has Not Been Turned Off or Restarted
You would be surprised how often a quick reboot of the computer can increase its speed. Lots of programs and processes can get into a log jam and slow down the computer over time. Simply closing a program does not mean it is completely closed. Therefore, the first thing you should try when realising your computer is too slow to use is restarting it.
For more tips and tricks as well as important business support make sure to contact Astec IT now.