Computer running slow (causes, troubleshooting, fixes, desktop, laptop) (Mac OS)

If you own an Apple computer (Mac, Macbook, etc), desktop or laptop, you can contact their technical support on 1-800-275-2273, 24/7, and explain them the situation. They will help you resolve the issue as soon as possible.

If you're not from the United States you can find the correct support hotline on their website.

Everything you do on your computer leaves residues known as temp files. A small amount of temp files doesn't pose a threat. However, a greater amount of temp files can slow down your computer.

Mac OS tries to clean them by itself. However, a dedicated application like CCleaner for Mac, MacBooster (which have a user-friendly interface which are one of the best, according to users), will be more efficient. Make sure to clean the temp files on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, not even Mac OS is 100% safe from viruses. Hackers manage to find weaknesses in every operating system. Therefore, it's crucial that you keep your Mac updated. Aside from security, with every update you receive new performance updates, and bug fixes. To update Mac to the latest version, follow the steps below:

1. Click on the Apple icon and select System Preferences;
2. Click on Software Update;
3. Click on the install button, if an update is available.

iBoostUp is a system optimizer that monitors and corrects system performance problems.

iBoostUp tunes up and optimizes your Mac by purging unneeded files, fixing your hard disk, giving you performance recommendations, protecting your privacy by removing cookies, displaying system information and much more!

Download it from the official website, install it and use it regularly.

While you are browsing the Internet, you might accidentally (or deliberately) install extensions. They usually change your homepage and offer you various games, programs, music, and other content you are not interested in. But, they can also slow down your browser and computer, because the extensions will require more of your computer's resources. To resolve computer speed issues while browsing the net, the best solution is to remove the extensions.

To remove browser extensions if you use Google Chrome:

1. Click on the three-dot icon, select More tools and click on Extensions;
2. Click on the activate/deactivate toggle in the extension box;
3. Click on the Remove button.
   
   

   
   
   

To learn how to remove browser extensions from other web browsers, check out the how to remove browser extensions solutions.

Sometimes, the answer to "why my computer is running slow and freezes?" is an unresponsive piece of software running in the background, and draining the computer's resources is the reason. Restarting can help if your computer gets slow, because it will close software which are running in the background (and using your computer's resources) even though they're not needed anymore, or if a software has become unresponsive. Also, restarting the computer should help if you haven't shut your computer down for some time and it performs tasks slowly.

Another reason for the computer running slow issue can be the presence of virus(es) and other types of malicious software. Viruses can make your computer very slow, as they are designed to harm you in every possible way (e.g. they can prevent you from browsing the net with the speed you pay for, to play games, videos, etc.). The solution is to remove them, however, there are some viruses which may bypass your antivirus scanner, which is why it's imperative that you choose a trustworthy solution. Removing the virus is just one small step. What you should really focus on reducing the risk of viruses entering your computer again, by following the tips below:

• Don't open emails from senders that aren't trustworthy;
• Don't install programs from other websites than the developer ones;
• Update your computer's operating system regularly;
• Update the antivirus software regularly;
• Avoid websites whose content doesn't seem right (e.g. websites offering you a free trip).
  
  

Learn more about how to protect your computer and how to clean it from viruses and other forms of malicious software through the easy-to-follow computer virus protection guide.

Asking a tech-savvy friend for assistance with speeding up your computer is a good way to fix this issue, as maybe it would take your friend 5 minutes to isolate the issues, as opposed to the 1+ hours that could take you, if you do research.

Every program you install (or uninstall) in your computer, modifies the registry. The registry is a vast library of system settings - settings that can sometimes lead to blue screens and other instabilities. Even when programs are uninstalled, their registry settings can stay behind.

The settings are useless to the daily operation of your PC, but they can cause conflicts and errors. Your computer continues scanning these error-ridden registry entries, thus slowing everything down. As a result of this, your computer crashes.

Cleaning the registry manually is not an easy task. Luckily, software which can clean the registry instead of you and fix a slow computer do exist.

Ccleaner - for Windows users or Ccleaner for Mac users is one of the best for this task. Other software include Advanced SystemCare (MacBooster - Mac OS), Wise Cleaner (Windows only) etc.

All you have to do is to install one of them, follow the user-friendly instructions and leave the rest to them. Make sure to scan your computer regularly (at least once per week).

One of the reasons why computer is slow is the number of programs running in the background. Some programs installed in your computer run in the background without your knowledge, and they occupy significant amount of the computer's RAM memory, which is one of the main reasons why your computer is running slowly. By closing some programs you don't need at the moment, you will free up more of the computer's RAM memory and increase your computer's speed.

To learn how to close unnecessary programs, check out the how to close (quit) programs guide.

Animated pointers and high-resolution images may look nice, but they can also slow down your computer. The animations and images occupy the computer's RAM every time you start your PC and as a result there is less processing power available for other more important tasks.

So, if your desktop computer or laptop is running really slow, try to avoid using animated pointers, animated backgrounds and other third-party widgets so that you have more available memory for other more important tasks.

Maybe it's not your computer which is slow, but your Internet connection. In this case, it's either your Internet connection itself, or the router itself, or the computer's distance from it.

To improve the Internet connection, you may do the following:

• Bring your computer closer to the router;
• Use a signal booster;
• Buy a stronger router;
• Lift the router off the ground;
• Connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable.
  
  

Note: For more solutions on how to improve the Internet speed, check out the solutions for slow internet connection. 

If your desktop computer or laptop is running slow and you've been using it for a long time (e.g. over 2 years), consider upgrading its hardware components, such as the CPU (Processor), RAM, Hard drive/SSD, etc, provided that your computer will support the new ones (feel free to consult the manufacturer's website for more information on the specifications).

If you are using weak or obsolete hardware components, it will be almost impossible to browse the net with a good speed, watch a movie and install new programs, etc., because developers create new websites and programs which consume more memory and which can work properly only on computers that have the latest, or not-too-old hardware components installed.

Your computer needs free space so that the operating system can function properly, and execute the necessary tasks. Maybe your computer is slow due to a lack of free storage space. So if you don't have enough space in the hard drive, and your desktop computer or laptop is running really slow, consider removing the files you don't need, in order to free up hard drive space. Files you can remove, aside from temp and cache files are:

• Unnecessary photos;
• Unnecessary videos;
• Unnecessary music;
• Unnecessary programs;
• Unnecessary documents.

You can purchase external hard drive, too, and store data there, too, while removing it from the computer.

Check out the running out of disk space / no space left solutions to learn how to free up hard drive space.

Starting up a computer is like one climbing a mountain and setting up a picnic table near the top. If too many programs start when operating system starts (e.g. Skype, WhatsApp, etc.), they can slow your computer down. It would be like the man climbing a mountain took more and heavier bags, which makes it difficult for them to climb To fix a slow laptop or desktop computer, you should start with disabling startup programs you don't need opened automatically when you turn on your computer.

For more detailed information on how to disable startup programs, check out the how to disable startup programs guide.

If your desktop computer or laptop started running slow after you have installed new programs or games, it is possible that one of them is slowing down your computer. Uninstalling the recently installed programs and installing them one by one, to identify the culprit, should fix the problem.

To learn how to uninstall programs, check out the don't know how to uninstall a program / application solutions.

Too many background system processes can slow down your computer.

If you wonder how to speed up a slow laptop or desktop computer, consider closing any background running programs you don't need while you are on battery power, and disable automatic updates, scheduled tasks and other unnecessary processes.

Also, disable or uninstall any program running in the system tray that you don't actually need.

To learn how to end background processes, check out the don't know how to close (quit) programs/applications solutions.