Is your computer running slooooooowwwww??? After surfing the Internet from top to bottom and left to right, your computer collects temporary files. These files are supposed to speed up the time it takes to load webpages, but after a while, too many files are collected. When surfing the web, files which you do not intend to have saved on your computer can automatically be saved whether you like it or not. Some of these files, also known as malware, can cause your computer to slow down and possibly cause other problems. Also, when you save files on your computer, and then move them to different locations or folders, your hard drive becomes fragmented, which can also cause your computer to run slow. Microsoft releases updates for their operating system to prevent hackers from gaining access and controlling your computer, so you should keep your PC updated.
Delete Temporary Files
Disk Cleanup
Remove Malware
Download Windows Updates
Disable Programs From Automatic Start Up
Remove Unwanted Programs
Defragment Your Hard Drive
Reinstall Windows
Upgrade RAM
Get A New PC
Step 1: Delete Temporary Files -
- Click 'START'
- Click 'CONTROL PANEL'
- Double-click 'INTERNET OPTIONS'
- Under "Browsing History", click 'DELETE'
- You can choose to delete temporary files, cookies, history, or form data, passwords, or everything. (You probably should just choose to 'DELETE ALL'.)
- Restart your computer after temporary internet files are deleted
Temporary Internet Files can be manually deleted by:
- Clicking 'START'
- Click 'RUN'
- Type " c:\documents and settings\ (*Your Computer Username*) \local settings\temporary internet files "
- Click 'OK'
More files can also be found at:
" c:\documents and settings\ (*Your Computer Username*) \local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5 "
* Replace "Your Computer Username" with the username you use to login to Windows. The username can be seen at the top of the Start Menu. If multiple users use the computer, you probably want to delete all of the files under each username.
Step 2: Run Disk Cleanup -
- Click 'START'
- Click 'Programs'
- Click 'Accessories'
- Click 'System Tools'
- Click 'Disk Cleanup'
- Select the drive which contains Windows (Which is usually c:\ )
- Click 'OK'
- Disk Cleanup will search for more temporary files which can all be deleted
- Select which files you would like to delete (All can be selected safely)
- Click 'OK' and the Click 'YES' to start deleting
- Restart your computer
Step 3: Delete Malware -
- Download a program to remove Malware (I use MalwareBytes)
- Install the program
- Download updates if applicable
- Scan and remove any malware that is found
- Restart your computer
- Scan again
Step 4: Download Windows Update -
FOR WINDOWS XP:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click 'Tools' (On the menu bar)
- Click 'Windows Update'
- When two buttons appear that say "Express" or "Custom", choose "Express" (To download all critical updates) OR "Custom" (To choose which updates you wish to download)
- After the updates are downloaded, restart your computer
- Repeat the process until no updates are displayed
FOR WINDOWS VISTA AND WINDOWS 7
- Click 'START'
- Click 'ALL PROGRAMS'
- Click 'WINDOWS UPDATES'
- Install the important updates
- Restart the computer
- Repeat the process until no updates are displayed
Step 5: Disable unwanted programs from automatically starting when the computer is turned on -
- Click 'START'
- Click 'RUN'
- Type "msconfig" and click 'OK'
- Click the "Startup" tab at the top of the window that opens
- The programs that are set to open when Windows starts has a checkmark next to them. To disable that program from starting with Windows, unselect the checkbox.
- Services can also be disabled under the "Services" tab.
- Click 'OK'
- Click 'Restart' if you want to restart your computer now, or "Exit Without Restart" to restart the computer later.
***** TAKE CAUTION WHEN DISABLING PROGRAMS AS IT COULD
AFFECT OTHER PROGRAMS NOT TO WORK*****
Step 6: Remove Unwanted Programs
- Click 'START'
- Click 'Control Panel'
- Click 'Add Or Remove Programs'
- Select the program you wish to remove
- Click 'Remove' to the right of your selection
- After the program is uninstalled, restart your computer
Step 7: Defragment Your Hard Drive -
- Click 'START'
- Click 'Programs'
- Click 'Accessories'
- Click 'System Tools'
- Click 'Disk Defragmenter'
- Select your hard drive (usually "c:")
- Click 'Analyze'
- An information box will then pop up saying whether or not you should defragement your hard drive
- Choose 'Defragement' or 'Close'
- Restart your computer if you chose to defragment it and after the defragmenting is completed
Step 8: Reinstall Windows -
If you did all of the following steps, and your computer is still slooooowwwwww....try reinstalling your operating system
Step 9: Upgrade your computer RAM -
If your operating system is still slow after reinstalling it, upgrade your RAM
Step 10: Get a new computer -
If your computer is still slow after all of these steps, your computer may be outdated. If you purchased it roughly 10 years ago...then YES IT IS OUTDATED. Do yourself a favor and purchase a new one. Computers are fairly cheap these days due to the fact that almost everybody needs a computer for something or another. Ask somebody in your family that is computer savvy which computer is best for you. They should be able to lead you in the right direction.