Why is My Computer So Slow?

You may notice that your computer doesn’t accomplish tasks as efficiently as it did when you first bought it. Sluggish performance is a common problem in older computers. There are a number of reasons for this issue.

The most common issue is a virus, spyware or other malware. It is essential that you delete Trojans, adware and other malicious software. Run an extensive, full system scan with a quality antivirus program. It may be necessary to also use an anti-spyware program. Although they are essential to safeguard your files and personal information, antivirus programs can slow down your computer’s processing speed. Many of these security programs emphasize protection over performance. Your computer will operate slower based upon the amount of computing power that is required to run the antivirus program in the background. You must find the balance between processor speed and system security.

If the scan results show that your computer is infection-free, there are a number of other issues that can cause slow processor speeds. A cluttered hard drive can take the wind out of your computer’s sails. You may have programs and files on your computer that you no longer use or need. These items take up space and sometimes run unnoticed in the background. You can solve this problem by deleting old files and unwanted programs. Run “Disk Cleanup” to remove unwanted files. Once this is done, defragment your hard drive. You should also limit the programs that automatically open during start up. This will prevent the issue of unnecessary programs continuously running in the background. Your computer will start slower and perform functions less efficiently if it doesn’t have enough system memory.

Besides a cluttered hard drive, you may have outdated hardware. As technology advances, so do programs, graphics and other software. Your current CPU, graphics card and other hardware may not be capable of handling new software designs. Another hardware consideration is your network adapter. Check to verify that your Internet service provider and router can deliver the Internet speed that you require.

The available RAM on your computer is an important issue. RAM enables your computer to run multiple applications at one time. If the programs that you are trying to run require more than your available RAM. Your system will run slow. You may need to upgrade the RAM on your system to handle your computing requirements.