My Computer is Slow – How to Fix a Slow Computer

Having a slow computer is very frustrating. Imagine having to rush a report while your computer struggles to keep up with your key presses and clicks. Therefore, users spend hundreds of dollars every year for repairing or replacing a slow computer. But rather than spending lots of cash on a brand new one, you can save precious time and money and improve system performance by following our simple steps on how to fix a slow computer.

my computer is slow

Question 1: Is it difficult to run multiple tasks at once?

If your computer is stuttering and having a difficult time operating efficiently when multiple programs are running, it is mostly because the RAM is being forced to store more information than it can hold.

The obvious remedy here is to close multiple windows in your internet browser. The more tabs and browsers you have open, the more memory you use. This stresses your computer and slows it down considerably. If you notice a difference in performance when you stop using your web browser the way you want to, it’s a clear sign that you need more memory.
my computer is slow

Question 2: When searching files and folders, do the results show very slowly?

Over time, files can be scattered over your PC’s hard drive which causes searches to be slower than usual.

Run the Disk Defragmenter Tool located on your computer’s control panel. The disk defragmenter reduces data access time and allows storage to be utilized more efficiently. Regularly defragmenting your hard drive is an integral part of PC maintenance.
Question 3: Is your security software of high quality and up to date?

A lot of security programs are bloated with software. Low quality security software demand a great deal of system resource and memory. Constant system surveillance of the software can cause your computer to get slow and sluggish.
Run and update your antivirus/security software at least once a month to get the latest enhancements to the app. Try deactivating the automatic monitoring and scanning of your computer and see if it speeds up your PC.

my computer is slow

Question 4: Is your computer startup and shutdown slow?

Your computer will have a very slow startup if you have numerous programs loading while your PC is booting up. A bloated or corrupted registry on the other hand could contribute to both slow startup and shutdown times.

Remove programs that you do not want or are not necessary to be starting at boot up. Perform a disk cleanup. Finally, perform a registry clean using an official software like WinCleaner as most free apps contain spyware and malware.
my computer is slow

Question 5: Is the fan functioning properly?

If heat gets high enough, PCs and laptops may fail to function, shift to snail speed, and suffer permanent damage. Many computers are now designed to automatically shut down at a certain temperature to prevent the CPU from suffering major damage.

Check from time to time if your computer is heating up after continued use. If it becomes extremely hot after about 3 hours of use, there may be a problem with your internal fan and may need to be replaced. You can also use external fans to decrease the heat.


If all else fails and your computer is still slow, it may be time to bury your old computer and purchase a new one.

how to fix a computer running slow

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