Computer running slow (causes, troubleshooting, fixes, desktop, laptop) (Windows)

Every activity you do on your computer leaves residues. The residues such as browsing history, temporary files, etc. accumulate and the computer becomes slower. In order to increase the computer's speed you need to do a system cleanup.

Windows offers a utility known as Disk Cleanup.

To access it:

1. Go to Start -> All programs -> Accessories -> System tools -> Disk Cleanup, or just type disk cleanup in the start menu search box.
   
   
2. Select the drive you want to clean up first by clicking the small arrow-> click OK
   
   

   
   
   

3.  Under Files to delete, select the file types to get rid of (by ticking the checkboxes next to them) -> Click OK

   
   *Repeat this for each drive separately ( "C:" "D:" "E:" and etc.).
   
   

   
   
   

A good communication between your computer's hardware components and the operating system is made possible thanks to the drivers. Installation and regular update of the drivers is a must, in order to fix a slow computer, and to be able to use your computer's full potential. 

To learn how to update drivers, check out the don't know how to update drivers solutions.

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. 

To clean the temp files, download and install software like Ccleaner, Advanced Systemcare (which are one of the best for the task according to users) and scan your computer on a weekly basis, which is easy thanks to the user-friendly interface.

One of the reasons why computer is slow, may be the amount of fragmented files. When you install and uninstall applications or when you move files, you leave behind leftovers known as fragmented files. Fragmented files can slow your computer down.

Windows has a easy-to-use built-in utility that defragments your hard drive called Disk Defragmenter (type Disk Defragmenter in the start menu search box or go to Start -> All programs -> Accessories -> System tools -> Disk Defragmenter -> right-click it and Run as Administrator), which helps you defragment your computer's HDD.

All you need to do is to select the partition you want to defragment ("C:" ; "D:" and etc.), click on Defragment Disk and wait until the defragmenting process is completed. Make sure to defragment all the drives on your computer ( "C:" "D:" "E:" and etc.) at least once per month.

If you wish, you can set it to defragment your computer automatically. Just click on Configure Schedule (in the Disk Defragmenter window) and pick a time (when your computer is always turned on).

Note: If you are using SSD (Solid-state Drive) DO NOT DEFRAGMENT IT, because if you do, you might damage it. SSDs store data in a sequential order (as opposed to random order).

Also, don't defragment the System Reserved partition, because it is meant only for system files, which are important for the computer.

This is a must-do. Remember: an update a day, keeps the repair guy and hackers away.

If you don't know how to check for updates and update your operating system, check out the don't know how to update the operating system solutions.

One 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.

Check out the viruses/spywares/malware solutions to learn how to scan for and remove viruses.

One slow computer fix would be asking your friend to help. Ask a friend who knows about IT matters - it may be a pleasure for him/her to help you.

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 will release more of the computer's RAM memory and increase its speed.

To learn how to close unnecessary programs, check out the don't know how to close (quit) programs.

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.