Until recently, the main cause of a computer's slowness was RAM. On PCs there was always little RAM and after opening two or more programs together the computer ran out of memory and began to use the virtual memory of the paging file, slowing down performance drastically and terribly.
Modern PCs hardly have this problem anymore and always have enough RAM memory to support the simultaneous use of even heavy programs.
In addition, buying additional RAM costs very little and with a 64-bit PC you can add as much as you need.
The problem has become the disk, which if it is a mechanical hard disk remains the slowest component of a computer .
When Windows uses the disk too much and you see it loading and loading endlessly (for example when trying to search for files), all operations slow down, even if there is enough free memory.
Speaking specifically of Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 let's see how to minimize the use of the disk, be it a hard disk or SSD, by Windows to not create that bottleneck that prevents the rest of the resources (RAM, CPU and video card) to run at full speed.
1) Meanwhile, let's start by saying that you can have the most expensive PC in the world, but that if there is a mechanical hard disk (which works like a turntable) there will always be a slowdown.
The only real way to solve the problem is to move Windows to SSD which being a chip, receives and transmits data as fast as RAM.
In one case or another, however, you must optimize the use of the disk so that it is not damaged (in the case of the SSD) and so that it is not 100% busy slowing down the computer (which is rare for SSDs but very common if a traditional hard disk is used).
2) To check how Windows uses the disk and if it uses it 100% or almost, open the task manager by pressing the CTRL + Shift + Esc keys together and go to the Performance tab.
From here you can see, in real time, the use of the disc or discs if there are more than one.
The one used by Windows is usually the C: drive.
From the processes tab you can also check which of these the disk occupies by clicking on the header of the Disk column.
In Windows 7 the task manager is much more limited than in Windows 8 and 10 and it is better to install an alternative program to check processes and performance.
3) The most common cause of a disk occupied by the system is malware .
It is therefore advisable, if the problem is frequent, to check with the antivirus and proceed with the antimalware scan with programs such as Malwarebytes.
If infections are found, remove them and restart the system.
4) Too much use of the disk that slows down the PC can also be the fault of the antivirus itself, which makes continuous background scans.
This is easily verifiable by the task manager and, if he was found to be the culprit himself, perhaps it is better to uninstall it and change it for a lighter one.
Consider that in Windows 8 and Windows 10 the antivirus is integrated and not needed while for Windows 7 you can install a light antivirus like Qihoo 360 Total Security
5) Another cause of slowness typical of a Windows PC that strictly concerns the use of the disk is the search fiel .
Disabling the search and indexing of files in Windows is always one of the tips to optimize Windows and have a fast PC.
To disable the search for Windows, open the list of services (from the Run box or search the Start menu, type services.msc ), find Windows Search from the list, press on it and stop it with the Stop key.
You can also stop the service from the command prompt (as administrator) by running the command:
NET STOP "Windows Search"
Check from the task manager if the disk usage situation has improved or not.
If you want to disable the search forever, set that service as disabled and no longer automatic.
The search for files in Windows 10 has improved but there seems to be a bug that loops it and does not make it work as it should.
If so, disable it.
You can replace Windows search with faster programs to search for files on your PC.
READ ALSO: Optimize file search in Windows 10
6) If you are using a normal hard disk, it is recommended to defragment and clean the disk to optimize the computer .
In Windows 8 and 10, disk defragmentation is automatic.
If you use an SSD drive, you must never defragment it because it is useless and harmful.
7) Check disk errors
Using the scandisk to check and repair disk errors is an operation that is worth doing if you notice 100% disk usage in the task manager.
8) It is also worth checking the health status of the hard disk and measuring the performance and speed of the disk, especially if old.
It must be taken into account that a disk, both hard disk and SSD, can be damaged over time more quickly than other computer components and is often the cause of failures and breakages.
To avoid losing data in case the disk breaks permanently, it is advisable to check it and eventually change it in time.
I then refer you to the guide on things to do if the computer hard disk is broken or damaged
9) Uninstall Flash from the browser and see if it goes better
Flash is the most well-known browser plugin, one of the worst software ever made, which would be to be uninstalled forever if it were not yet indispensable to watch streaming videos from some sites.
Sometimes it could be Flash that occupies the use of the computer disk at 100% so you can try to see if the situation improves by turning off flash on the browser.
10) Optimize the SSD
We said in point 1 that to solve any disk problem that slows down the PC just install an SSD.
Disk usage in the case of the SSD is always very low and it is unlikely to see it 100% in the task manager.
Conversely, however, the SSD requires you to change some computer settings and pay attention to certain operations.
We therefore explained in other articles:
- How to keep the SSD fast and make it last longer
- Things you should never do on a computer with an SSD drive.
- Programs to optimize and manage SSDs of every brand and model
Bear in mind, however, that the SSD also ages quickly and can slow down after a certain period of time
READ ALSO: Causes and solutions of a slow computer
