If the computer is slow, every time you try to click the icon to open a program, every time you try to save a job and also when you open several websites together, you have to wait for a certain period of time which in most cases severe can also be several tens of seconds. In some cases the PC seems to remain immobile as if nothing had been done, in other cases it can be seen that the intermittent light on the front of the computer, the one that shows the activities on the disk, remains lit almost permanently as if it were in continuous loading.
In this article we will see all the causes of a slow computer, both in the case in which the problem occurred overnight, and in the event that the performance progressively slows down, after a certain period of use, until until you notice that the uploads are endless.
Fortunately, unless we are talking about a very old computer, slowness problems with Windows (and especially with Windows 10) can be solved and get the PC back fast with a mix of good maintenance and use of the resolution tools problems and cleanliness. As we will see, it is also possible to give a nice boost to the speed of any PC by updating one or more internal hardware.
To solve this problem, you need to reduce the number of applications that load simultaneously on startup.
We talked about this in several articles, to control the startup of programs when the PC is turned on and to disable the automatic startup of programs in Windows. In a nutshell, this can be done in Windows 10 from the task manager, to the Startup tab. In Windows 7, however, startup is controlled by launching the MSconfig tool from the Start menu.
As for Windows 10, you also need to check out the apps that run automatically that stay in the background all the time. To do this, open Settings and then in the Privacy section, look for the Apps in the background on the left. In severe cases, it is possible to completely disable the background apps with a switch, otherwise you can choose the apps that can remain active, turning off those that are not needed (personally I always disable everything).
In other articles:
- turn off the computer faster
- What to do if the computer is slow to start or does not respond
If you are unable to open the task manager because the PC is locked, see how to force a program to close on Windows.
However, if the computer is used to do many things, the hard disk is filled with temporary files of different types and the PC slows down operations and performance. For this reason, programs such as Ccleaner have become popular, capable of locating and deleting these temporary files.
Without using external programs, you can delete all the temporary Windows files by going to the Start menu and looking for the% temp% folder. You can delete all the files inside Temp to empty it.
Another thing you can do to delete temporary files in Windows is to use the Disk Cleanup tool (look for Start Disk Cleanup menu and run it). In Windows 10, the same tools can be used by going to Settings> System> Storage and under Memory sensor press the link Free space now .
To check the disk status on Windows, simply open a folder and then, from the left side, press on This PC . From here, right click on the main disk and go to the properties to see the free space. In case it was 90% or more full, then it is better to delete bigger files (or move them to another disk) and useless ones.
In another article, the guide to free up disk space .
Fragmented means that the stored files are not contiguous with a situation whereby a part of the file is in one area of the disk, separate from the rest that is in another sector. In order to load that file, the computer must search for the various pieces on the hard disk.
To check that the disk is not fragmented, always remaining in the disk properties, go to the Tools tab and click on Optimize . Keep in mind that defragmentation is automatic in Windows 10 and that you should never defragment an SSD drive.
Still in the Tools menu in disk properties, you can run the scandisk to check for errors. Since this does not solve anything, we have seen in another article how to use scandisk to correct errors .
Keep in mind the guides:
- How to know if your computer is infected with a virus
- Things to do if your pc is affected by a virus
Also, if an external antivirus is installed, it may be heavy, take up too much memory, and slow down your computer's performance.
In the article on the top 10 free Antiviruses of the year in comparison, you can download a lighter anti-malware than the one currently installed. We also remember that on Windows 10 there is already Windows Defender as antivirus, so it is not necessary to install another one.
In this list of devices it is also possible that some are highlighted with a red X, which means not found, or with a question mark, which means not recognized.
See also how to identify Unknown devices on Windows 10, 7 and 8 PCs.
What is important in order not to make the computer slow is to keep the drivers updated, which in Windows 10 can be done directly from Windows Update (in Settings> Update and recovery), while in Windows 7 a program to update automatically can be useful the drivers.
In particular, incorrect references may remain in the Windows Registry which is, in simple terms, the central database with all the instructions of the operating system.
Although using a registry cleaner is not recommended, you can still use one of the most reliable registry cleaners.)
However, this point can be omitted because, in some cases, registry cleaners can cause more problems than benefits.
To solve these problems, you need to check that the wifi network is not problematic.
In several articles I have talked about how to make the wifi network faster and how you can have a faster connection and less network latency by reducing the connection time (Ping).
In this regard, we can refer to the guide on How to surf the Internet faster
The problem of seniority of a computer concerns above all two parts of the computer: the hard disk which is the hardware component most subject to wear and the memory if it is little.
Both parts can be replaced at a relatively low cost and without technical difficulties. You can buy an SSD to put in place of the traditional hard disk to make any PC significantly faster. Furthermore, it is possible to add RAM memory to the computer, reaching at least 8 GB, to make it possible to open multiple programs together without suffering lag or slowdowns.
If the dust or location of the PC prevents air from cooling the processor and other internal components, the high temperature can be fatal.
It is therefore important to clean the computer and the dust on the fans and cool the PC in hot weather
We talked about this and also indicated other important tricks in the guide on how to optimize the Intel Celeron or Atom laptop, which is also good with PCs equipped with different processors.
With Windows 10 this operation is really simple and fast, because in the Settings, in the Update and security> Restore section, there is a button that Reset the PC . In another article we talked about this function explaining how to reset Windows 10 and what it means.
In Windows 7 there is no tool of this type, but it is always possible, with a little more work, to reset Windows 7 returning to the initial settings.
In extreme cases, you can still format and install Windows from scratch.
There are also many other reasons why a computer can be slow, such as hardware acceleration, context menus that are too large and folders too full, paging files, missing Windows updates or anything else.
To continue reading, you can deepen the discussion with the summary of things to do to speed up your computer .
In this article we will see all the causes of a slow computer, both in the case in which the problem occurred overnight, and in the event that the performance progressively slows down, after a certain period of use, until until you notice that the uploads are endless.
Fortunately, unless we are talking about a very old computer, slowness problems with Windows (and especially with Windows 10) can be solved and get the PC back fast with a mix of good maintenance and use of the resolution tools problems and cleanliness. As we will see, it is also possible to give a nice boost to the speed of any PC by updating one or more internal hardware.
Article Index
- Autostart and background programs
- Too many active programs
- Temporary files
- Disc full or damaged
- Virus and malware
- Hardware problems
- Registry problems
- Slow network or slow web browser
- Hardware updates required
- High heat and insufficient ventilation
- Limited processor
- System reset required
1) Programs in automatic start and in the background
The start of Windows, in theory, should have an identical duration on each computer (with the same processor, memory and disk speed). The problem is therefore not the system itself but the software components and drivers that start automatically and simultaneously together with the operating system. If the programs that start when the computer boots become numerous and try to load all together, then not only does the PC start up slow, but also the general performance during its use will drop due to the background processes that these applications keep active all the time.To solve this problem, you need to reduce the number of applications that load simultaneously on startup.
We talked about this in several articles, to control the startup of programs when the PC is turned on and to disable the automatic startup of programs in Windows. In a nutshell, this can be done in Windows 10 from the task manager, to the Startup tab. In Windows 7, however, startup is controlled by launching the MSconfig tool from the Start menu.
As for Windows 10, you also need to check out the apps that run automatically that stay in the background all the time. To do this, open Settings and then in the Privacy section, look for the Apps in the background on the left. In severe cases, it is possible to completely disable the background apps with a switch, otherwise you can choose the apps that can remain active, turning off those that are not needed (personally I always disable everything).
In other articles:
- turn off the computer faster
- What to do if the computer is slow to start or does not respond
2) Too many programs running simultaneously
Even the most powerful PC is likely to get stuck with so many programs open together. The ability of your computer to run multiple programs simultaneously depends above all on its RAM which allows it to switch from one program to another with fluidity, but if the requests of open programs far exceed memory and processing power, there may be a slowdown which in extreme cases becomes a real block. When this happens, you can read the guide to unlock windows if the pc freezes or if the computer goes slow, using the task manager. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys together and use the processes tab you should be able to identify which applications are taking up more memory stably.If you are unable to open the task manager because the PC is locked, see how to force a program to close on Windows.
3) Temporary files
Temporary folders are created to store frequently requested data from Windows and the browser. In this way they are more easily and quickly accessible and the uploads are faster. Just think, for example, of the thumbnails of the image folders or the loading of a frequently visited site.However, if the computer is used to do many things, the hard disk is filled with temporary files of different types and the PC slows down operations and performance. For this reason, programs such as Ccleaner have become popular, capable of locating and deleting these temporary files.
Without using external programs, you can delete all the temporary Windows files by going to the Start menu and looking for the% temp% folder. You can delete all the files inside Temp to empty it.
Another thing you can do to delete temporary files in Windows is to use the Disk Cleanup tool (look for Start Disk Cleanup menu and run it). In Windows 10, the same tools can be used by going to Settings> System> Storage and under Memory sensor press the link Free space now .
4) Hard disk full, damaged or fragmented
One of the most common causes of a slow computer is related to disk performance, whether it is full, fragmented or with bad sectors.To check the disk status on Windows, simply open a folder and then, from the left side, press on This PC . From here, right click on the main disk and go to the properties to see the free space. In case it was 90% or more full, then it is better to delete bigger files (or move them to another disk) and useless ones.
In another article, the guide to free up disk space .
Fragmented means that the stored files are not contiguous with a situation whereby a part of the file is in one area of the disk, separate from the rest that is in another sector. In order to load that file, the computer must search for the various pieces on the hard disk.
To check that the disk is not fragmented, always remaining in the disk properties, go to the Tools tab and click on Optimize . Keep in mind that defragmentation is automatic in Windows 10 and that you should never defragment an SSD drive.
Still in the Tools menu in disk properties, you can run the scandisk to check for errors. Since this does not solve anything, we have seen in another article how to use scandisk to correct errors .
5) Virus and spyware
If the computer suddenly becomes slow, the fault may be a virus, malware or spyware, or even a poorly designed program that starts automatically. Unfortunately, even if you are using an antivirus, it may not be enough to keep your pc safe.Keep in mind the guides:
- How to know if your computer is infected with a virus
- Things to do if your pc is affected by a virus
Also, if an external antivirus is installed, it may be heavy, take up too much memory, and slow down your computer's performance.
In the article on the top 10 free Antiviruses of the year in comparison, you can download a lighter anti-malware than the one currently installed. We also remember that on Windows 10 there is already Windows Defender as antivirus, so it is not necessary to install another one.
6) Hardware conflicts, missing or unloaded devices
Sometimes the PC can be slow due to connected external devices that conflict, or that are detected but not found and not recognized. To verify that there are no hardware conflicts or problems with the internal and external devices connected to the PC, use the search bar in the Start menu and find device management . Windows shows any problems to various devices with an exclamation mark next to them. In this case, uninstall the device by pressing on it with the right button and remove it.In this list of devices it is also possible that some are highlighted with a red X, which means not found, or with a question mark, which means not recognized.
See also how to identify Unknown devices on Windows 10, 7 and 8 PCs.
What is important in order not to make the computer slow is to keep the drivers updated, which in Windows 10 can be done directly from Windows Update (in Settings> Update and recovery), while in Windows 7 a program to update automatically can be useful the drivers.
7) Windows registry with problems and full of obsolete references.
When you uninstall a program, due to programming errors, they may not be completely removed.In particular, incorrect references may remain in the Windows Registry which is, in simple terms, the central database with all the instructions of the operating system.
Although using a registry cleaner is not recommended, you can still use one of the most reliable registry cleaners.)
However, this point can be omitted because, in some cases, registry cleaners can cause more problems than benefits.
8) Slow network
Although network speed does not have a direct impact on computer performance, in many cases, uploads can be very slow if you are using cloud applications, online games or programs that require internet connection.To solve these problems, you need to check that the wifi network is not problematic.
In several articles I have talked about how to make the wifi network faster and how you can have a faster connection and less network latency by reducing the connection time (Ping).
8.1) Slow internet browser
If the web browser, Chrome or Firefox or Edge, has too many extensions installed, it can become slower to surf the internet.In this regard, we can refer to the guide on How to surf the Internet faster
9) Hardware updates: replace memory and hard disk
A computer becomes slow over time if maintenance is lacking and also following the installation of programs and software updates. The story I think is familiar to everyone: the computer purchased five years ago or so, today is slower than yesterday even though it has been well maintained and cared for. The problem is that programs today are heavier and some modern websites also require high minimum requirements to load quickly.The problem of seniority of a computer concerns above all two parts of the computer: the hard disk which is the hardware component most subject to wear and the memory if it is little.
Both parts can be replaced at a relatively low cost and without technical difficulties. You can buy an SSD to put in place of the traditional hard disk to make any PC significantly faster. Furthermore, it is possible to add RAM memory to the computer, reaching at least 8 GB, to make it possible to open multiple programs together without suffering lag or slowdowns.
10) Positioning, heat and ventilation
The dust itself should not cause harm to the computers, unless it is really a lot and causes an increase in the internal temperature of the PC. What can ruin the computer's performance, in fact, is the clogging of the air intakes and the heat too high.If the dust or location of the PC prevents air from cooling the processor and other internal components, the high temperature can be fatal.
It is therefore important to clean the computer and the dust on the fans and cool the PC in hot weather
11) The processor is set to be slower
On laptops, for reasons of energy saving, it is possible to make the processor slow down its speed by consuming less battery. This can be done by going to the Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Energy Saver Options and selecting the Energy Saver plan. Selecting " High Performance " instead will ensure that you use 100% of the CPU speed and automatically maximize your computer's performance.We talked about this and also indicated other important tricks in the guide on how to optimize the Intel Celeron or Atom laptop, which is also good with PCs equipped with different processors.
12) Reset and reset Windows to start over
If you really cannot understand the cause of the slow computer and if the situation would take too long and too much patience to be resolved, there is the possibility of putting things back in place with a reset or reset of the computer. We are not talking here about formatting the disk by deleting all personal files, but just about resetting the system so that it returns to its initial configuration and removing all installed programs at once.With Windows 10 this operation is really simple and fast, because in the Settings, in the Update and security> Restore section, there is a button that Reset the PC . In another article we talked about this function explaining how to reset Windows 10 and what it means.
In Windows 7 there is no tool of this type, but it is always possible, with a little more work, to reset Windows 7 returning to the initial settings.
In extreme cases, you can still format and install Windows from scratch.
There are also many other reasons why a computer can be slow, such as hardware acceleration, context menus that are too large and folders too full, paging files, missing Windows updates or anything else.
To continue reading, you can deepen the discussion with the summary of things to do to speed up your computer .
