From decade old hand-me-down laptops, through almost new gaming rigs, slow performance is a plague that can affect anyone. Usually you have done, or installed something to cause this slowdown. Before you call a support line that charges by the second, or pay hundreds of dollars to a technician, try a few simple fixes yourself.
The first step in almost any computer repair is to restart the machine first. Do that now, if you want you can time how long it takes the machine to start up to a useable state. This will let you see how well your improvements work.
Once your computer is back on check for windows updates, even if you just installed them. This can be done via the control panel, and choosing automatic updates. If you have any updates pending, install them. Most of the time this will require another computer restart, do it.
Now there are two types of slow computer, the kind where the machine is the issue, and the kind where the internet is at fault. If programs open slowly, function slow or freeze often then chances are it is your machine. If your videos are low, Facebook is not loading or flash games will not play, chances are it is your internet that is slow.
I Think My Internet is Slow.
Speedtest.net is the unified go-to source in internet speed tests. Go to their site and follow the instructions. Your results maybe confusing if you are not tech practical understanding, first find out what your internet provider advertises their speed as, call them if you need to. Now look at your speed test results. Upload speed for the most part is irrelevant, download however, should be at least half of what your internet service provider (ISP) says they provide. Ping should be around 100ms, lower is better though.
Now if your speeds are okay check that nothing is being up, or downloaded. Torrent programs often minimize to the system tray rather than closing. Check your network card for updates, they are rare but do happen, contact your network cards maker for help with this.
If things are still sketchy then reset your router and modem. Most routers have reset buttons, but no one uses them. Simply unplug your router and modem for 2-5 seconds, longer and it may reset to factory defaults.
If things are still not working right call your ISP. They can tell you remotely if the issue is on your end or not. Sometimes the issue is with their wire into your home rather than you PC.
My Computer is the Issue.
First up is to check if you have free space on your computer, especially where your operating system is installed, generally drive C:.
If you C: drive is stuffed full, or nearly full remove some programs and files, or invest in an external hard drive to store files on.
Next check your computer for automatically starting programs, these can really bog down power up times, and in some cases last well into your user experience. Hold down your windows key and press ‘R’. This is the run window, in here type ‘msconfig’, without quotes, and then press enter. In this program, look at the start up item list. Trim it down, use the manufacturer column as a guideline. Programs like AdobeAAMUpdater, Google Update, Pando Media Booster, Spotify, and Steam Client can all be stopped harmlessly. Microsoft programs should be left untouched. Usually if you do not know what a program does leave it running.
Once all your changes are close the program and open up your internet browser, in the tolls menu there should be an option to clear out cookies and other temporary files, do this.
Now restart your computer, if you too a timer test in the beginning, take one again now. If the problem is resolved, great, if not you may need a professional to help.
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