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Computer running slow? Taking forever to open a folder, documents, or any programs that you didn't have an issue with before? Here are a few steps to help speed it up.
Computer running slow? Taking forever to open a folder, documents, or any programs that you didn't have an issue with before? Here are a few steps to help speed it up.
The programs mentioned below ALL have free versions, you can buy them if you want, but I suggest using the free version in this case.
Antivirus
First step is to check, and clean up, any viruses / malware you might have installed on your computer. Any good antivirus will help with this. There are many out there, if you don’t have any currently installed, you should do this right away. Many of the big names have free 30 day trials to find one you like. There are also many free ones, but they may only give you a quarter of the feature or not have real-time scanning as an option. The only downside is this could slightly slow your computer as it will be running in the background at all times. However, it is very important you have an antivirus program installed to help prevent you from becoming infecting and losing personal information.
Once installed run a full system scan and clean up any viruses it may find.
One suggested antivirus program to run is MalwareBytes found at (www.malwarebytes.org). Use the free version (this does not do real time scans unless you buy it. However it is free to do on demand scans for this case. However, I highly recommend buying a antivirus program from your favorite antivirus vendor (or do some research and pick which one is best for you).
AntiSpyware
Next is a spyware cleaner. Similar to antivirus software there is antispyware software. The problem is, this could be another program running in the background. So I would suggest getting one you run on demand and run a scan at night when you are not using the computer on a regular basis. Maybe antivirus programs come with antispyware so this may not even be needed. Check your antivirus program for this feature.
One installed, run a full system scan and cleanup any spyware that may be found.
One suggestion, for home use is Spybot Search and Destroy, free for home use found at (https://www.safer-networking.org)
Cleanup / Registry Cleanup
Cleanup program. This is a program that will cleanup things such as file temporary files and other clutter you no longer need on your computer. There are many programs that do this but one of the one I use personally is CCleaner but there are many available. This will clean up junk files as well as registry fixes. After cleaning up your computer, run the registry cleanup and run that multiple times until it no longer files registry errors.
One installed, run a full system scan and registry cleanup
CCleaner I mentioned above can be found at (https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) use the free version
Update your Programs / OS and Drivers
Update your computer. Run Windows update and update your computer. Download the latest updates for all your programs to your computer. For example adobe and java should be updated and patched. See if there is a new version to your other programs and download any patches they may have. Also, go to the manufacture's website and download any new drivers for your computer.
Remove Unwanted Programs
Uninstall unwanted programs. Many time you may have several toolbars and other programs running you do not want running. The best way to take care of this is to uninstall them. To do this go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features (or Add / Remove Programs in earlier versions of Windows) and go through the list and uninstall anything you don’t need (like toolbars).
Upgrade your Hardware
Upgrade your computer. If you have an older computer perhaps you need to upgrade some components of your computer. For example, how much RAM do you have? You should have at least 2-4GB RAM minimum. This is a cheap upgrade that could provide a decent boost to your computer speed.
Check your Disk for Errors
Check to see if there are any errors with your Hard Disk. To do this run command prompt as administrator and run chkdsk /F it may make you restart to run that program. This will help clean up any errors you may have on your disks.
Defrag your computer
Run defrag on your computer which has been known to make computer run faster. To do this right click on your C: Drive and choose properties. Click Tools tab and click Defragment Now… and run the defragmentation.
Still Slow!
If you are still having issues I'd suggest looking into another (new) computer as it may be outdated hardware. If it is rather new hardware, reinstalling Windows fresh might help or upgrading components such as RAM, Hard Drive (SSD, Hybrid or faster RPM) and so on.
Closing notes
While I've mentioned a few programs, I advise you use the free version unless you really want to pro version. But I have a feeling you will just run this once in a while. The only thing I recommend is an antivirus program. They are generally cheap, but you need to do some research to as what you feel as the best as there is so many. Remember, if it's free, you could be getting what you paid for... a watered down product, I mean after all... would you work for free with your best work?
The programs mentioned below ALL have free versions, you can buy them if you want, but I suggest using the free version in this case.
Antivirus
First step is to check, and clean up, any viruses / malware you might have installed on your computer. Any good antivirus will help with this. There are many out there, if you don’t have any currently installed, you should do this right away. Many of the big names have free 30 day trials to find one you like. There are also many free ones, but they may only give you a quarter of the feature or not have real-time scanning as an option. The only downside is this could slightly slow your computer as it will be running in the background at all times. However, it is very important you have an antivirus program installed to help prevent you from becoming infecting and losing personal information.
Once installed run a full system scan and clean up any viruses it may find.
One suggested antivirus program to run is MalwareBytes found at (www.malwarebytes.org). Use the free version (this does not do real time scans unless you buy it. However it is free to do on demand scans for this case. However, I highly recommend buying a antivirus program from your favorite antivirus vendor (or do some research and pick which one is best for you).
AntiSpyware
Next is a spyware cleaner. Similar to antivirus software there is antispyware software. The problem is, this could be another program running in the background. So I would suggest getting one you run on demand and run a scan at night when you are not using the computer on a regular basis. Maybe antivirus programs come with antispyware so this may not even be needed. Check your antivirus program for this feature.
One installed, run a full system scan and cleanup any spyware that may be found.
One suggestion, for home use is Spybot Search and Destroy, free for home use found at (https://www.safer-networking.org)
Cleanup / Registry Cleanup
Cleanup program. This is a program that will cleanup things such as file temporary files and other clutter you no longer need on your computer. There are many programs that do this but one of the one I use personally is CCleaner but there are many available. This will clean up junk files as well as registry fixes. After cleaning up your computer, run the registry cleanup and run that multiple times until it no longer files registry errors.
One installed, run a full system scan and registry cleanup
CCleaner I mentioned above can be found at (https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) use the free version
Update your Programs / OS and Drivers
Update your computer. Run Windows update and update your computer. Download the latest updates for all your programs to your computer. For example adobe and java should be updated and patched. See if there is a new version to your other programs and download any patches they may have. Also, go to the manufacture's website and download any new drivers for your computer.
Remove Unwanted Programs
Uninstall unwanted programs. Many time you may have several toolbars and other programs running you do not want running. The best way to take care of this is to uninstall them. To do this go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features (or Add / Remove Programs in earlier versions of Windows) and go through the list and uninstall anything you don’t need (like toolbars).
Upgrade your Hardware
Upgrade your computer. If you have an older computer perhaps you need to upgrade some components of your computer. For example, how much RAM do you have? You should have at least 2-4GB RAM minimum. This is a cheap upgrade that could provide a decent boost to your computer speed.
Check your Disk for Errors
Check to see if there are any errors with your Hard Disk. To do this run command prompt as administrator and run chkdsk /F it may make you restart to run that program. This will help clean up any errors you may have on your disks.
Defrag your computer
Run defrag on your computer which has been known to make computer run faster. To do this right click on your C: Drive and choose properties. Click Tools tab and click Defragment Now… and run the defragmentation.
Still Slow!
If you are still having issues I'd suggest looking into another (new) computer as it may be outdated hardware. If it is rather new hardware, reinstalling Windows fresh might help or upgrading components such as RAM, Hard Drive (SSD, Hybrid or faster RPM) and so on.
Closing notes
While I've mentioned a few programs, I advise you use the free version unless you really want to pro version. But I have a feeling you will just run this once in a while. The only thing I recommend is an antivirus program. They are generally cheap, but you need to do some research to as what you feel as the best as there is so many. Remember, if it's free, you could be getting what you paid for... a watered down product, I mean after all... would you work for free with your best work?
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Comments (14)
Commented:
A mention of the Task Manager would have been helpful. Many people already know about this, but I suspect even more know about the apparent benefits of anti-malware tools.
Commented:
Commented:
I took my friend's computer from being basically non-functional to pristine and running like a top mostly by using Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials.
CCleaner is also my top go-to tool (again, free), and I use chkdsk /F and Disk Cleanup (Clean System Files) in the routine I use to help improve performance.
Commented:
Commented:
i installed and analyzed saw 9243 mb worth of files. now cleaning them.
when i open the windows explorer (windows key+E)it is closing by itself in few seconds saying 'windows enountered a problem..windows trying to find solution etc) not sure why
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