There are a million reasons why your computer is running slow. The good news is, you don’t need to know much about them to learn how to speed up your computer. Still, it’s wise to at least have a general understanding of what you’re up against, in order to minimize risk and to protect your security.
“Why is My Computer Running So Slow?”
Again, there are countless reasons why your PC could be slow, but they can typically be broken down into a few basic categories. The most common computer problems are listed below, along with what they can do, how to identify them, and once you do, how you can speed up your computer – fast and free.
Viruses and Other Malware
Viruses, which is just one type of malware. Malware is essentially a file created with the sole intent of causing harm to unprotected computers. The label malware encompasses infections like trojans, adware, spyware and a number of other nasty files that can wreak havoc on your system.
You typically get infected with computer viruses while you’re surfing the web. However, with a decent anti-virus program, it is pretty easy to protect yourself in the future. Limiting your web browsing to reputable websites goes a long way too.
From a privacy and security standpoint, viruses and other forms of malware are area for great concern. The other items mentioned in this article can be overlooked, but you absolutely want to get rid of viruses and trojans as soon as possible. Left untreated, they can infect every figurative corner of your computer, leaving your PC nearly unusable.
Registry Errors
Not many people even know what the Windows registry on a PC is, but it almost always responsible in part for sudden increases in errors, blue screens, crashes, sluggish start ups, and slow speeds in general.
Registry errors are the result of installing/uninstalling software and changing system settings. Entirely avoiding registry errors with regular use is impossible, though a quick scan and repair of registry errors from time to time will make a massive difference in the speed of your computer.
Fragmented Hard Drives
Much like registry errors, a fragmented hard drive comes with the territory of regular computer usage. The loading and uninstalling of programs, and moving around of files creates discrepancies in the reading of your hard disks. A heavily fragmented hard drive won’t have a massive impact on the performance of your PC, but a regular cleaning definitely shouldn’t be ignored. With the right software, all it takes to repair a fragmented hard drive is a a couple minutes and a few clicks of the mouse.
Unwanted System Processes
Background processes are always running in the background while your computer is on, and play a large part in making sure your PC is running properly. That said, the majority of system processes running in the background are unnecessary, and can be removed for a huge spike in memory and startup speeds.
The problem is that process names tend to be rather cryptic, and determining which processes are frivolous and which are vital is nearly impossible, short of a computer engineering degree. Luckily for you, there’s a program for that.
Under-Performing Hardware
All the issues listed above have focused on the software side of the problem. Although older computers can still be tweaked to run like new, sometimes the hardware found within your computer is simply to out of date to keep up with the requirements of modern computing. In 99% perfect of cases, it is either the hard drive, RAM, or processor that aren’t pulling their weight.
Computer hardware isn’t a topic that can be summed up in a single article. That said, you can check out how your hardware stacks up by running a Free Computer Speed Test.
My Computer is so Slow, What Do I Do?
Taking in all this technical jargon may make repairing your PC seem far more difficult than it actually is. On the contrary, making your computer faster is actually quite simple. When it comes down to it, there are two kinds of software that will solve nearly all of your computer problems.
As mentioned previously, viruses, trojans and other malware are best handled by a dedicated anti-virus program. There are many solutions, ranging from costly premium subscriptions to completely free. Unless you’re responsible for the security of an entire network of computers, a free solution will likely suffice. When it comes to free anti-virus software, programs like Avast! and AVG Anti-Virus will keep you well protected.
For practically all other computer problems, like slow startup speeds, frequent crashes, obnoxious errors, and overall slow performance, SpeedyPC is the best of the best. SpeedyPC is available for instant free download, and will equip your PC with the necessary tools to ensure it is running at peak performance at all times.
Speed Up My PC!
Speeding up your PC to run like it’s new again is covered in greater detail in your next article, How To Make Your Computer Faster, but here’s a quick primer on how to speed up your computer with the help of SpeedyPC.
How To Speed Up Your Computer
- Download your free copy of SpeedyPCSpeedyPC is a free PC Optimizer made for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and XP. Go download it now, no strings attached.
- Run the 1-Click Speed TestOnce you have SpeedyPC installed on your Windows computer, you can now run their handy Speed Test utility. This is essentially a free scan of all critical areas of your PC, from the registry to the background processes and everything in between.
- Backup Your SystemBefore you go ahead and optimize your computer for better speeds, you’ll want to make sure you have everything backed up. I’ve never experience any problems that required I use my backup, but it’s always best to play it safe.
- Speed Up My PCLastly, it is time to optimize your PC and make sure it is offering you the best experience it possibly can. Simply click the ‘start’ button and let it do its thing.
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