4 Easy Ways to Speed Up Your Slow Computer

We’ve all struggled with a slow computer at one point or another. Whether we’re sitting at said-offender right now or can picture our first PC, a slow computer can cause untold frustration.

Many times, the computer isn’t the only issue. Networks, infrastructure, and other technical reasons (switches, routers, modems, etc.) can cause slow-as-molasses performance. Only a qualified technology company can truly diagnose those issues.

But if the challenge IS just your computer, here are four easy ways to boost that speed and relieve some stress.

Stop starting things that don’t need to be started.

When you turn on your computer, some programs are coded to run automatically. This could be anything from OneDrive and Spotify to Skype and Outlook. If you don’t actually need these programs to be running the moment you start your computer, then go into settings and disable the “Open on Start” function. By disabling them, you ease the initial workload your computer, making it faster for you to log in and actually get to work.

Get rid of any programs you do not use.

It’s perfectly normal to install apps and programs. Over time, though, you might stop using these apps altogether (if you ever even started using them to begin with). And once these unused apps and programs start to pile up, you might begin to feel the increasingly annoying effects of a slow computer.

So now is the time to go on an uninstalling spree. Get rid of all those apps and programs you don’t use or never used. This should help you free up space and get rid of unnecessary programs that may be running in the background and may be slowing down your computer in the process.

Run a quick scan on your computer.

A virus could very well be the cause of a slow computer. To determine whether or not this is the case for your PC, you should begin with a complete scan of your device. There are plenty of free options out there—some better than others—but you should really get on this ASAP.

In fact, if your computer ever starts to run slower, this should probably be the very first thing you do, even if you think it might just be that you’re running out of space. It’s better to cross this possibility off the list than to not know. And if anything seems out of the ordinary, contact a professional IT company. Malware has advanced to levels that free (or even paid) anti-virus software cannot handle.

Make sure everything is up-to-date.

This may sound like a broken record, but keeping everything updated (as annoying as it is) keeps you running smoothly. Whether it’s a driver, a program, or your browser, these things can cause a lot of problems if they’re severely out-of-date—like slowing down your computer. While small updates to these components won’t result in major speed improvements, it can add up over time. Do your very best to keep all facets of your PC up-to-date at all times. If it’s your browser or any programs you’ve downloaded, you can usually check to see if your version is up-to-date from the settings area.