This will be a long reply. Before doing any of the suggestions mentioned here, BE SURE you know what you’re doing. Most programs have some kind of help available – read through it, check for feedback about the program on the internet, and use caution as you can easily make your computer to where Windows WILL NOT START.
Slow is probably the most common problem. It can be due to a number of causes. One thing to remember is slow is a relative term - if you get used to a very fast computer with a very fast connection at work, and come home to your two year old computer with average connection speed, everything will seem slow. However, computers do slow down due to some, or all, of the following reasons, and explanations and cures will follow the list, which is in no particular order:
1) Fragmented files
2) Not enough ram
3) Programs not clearing themselves from memory when you close it out
4) Virus, malware, Trojans, etc.
5) Too many fonts
6) Registry trouble
7) Too many programs running at the same time
8) Too many programs loading when you start the computer
9) Too many icons on your desktop
(1A) <Fragmented files> are just that – your computer stores information on the hard drive in the first available space. For instance, say you have alot of pictures on your hard drive, and then delete some, but not all, of them. There will be space available between the pictures. When you store a large file, the computer takes the first available space and puts part of the big file there. Then in the next available space, in goes some more. You can see where this is going – the large file is now fragmented, or brokenp into several smaller pieces. When you want to do something with the big file, the computer has to get the file from several places before it can do anything with it. Running defrag occasionally will make a big difference.
(2A) <Not enough ram> This is one of the more expensive things to cure, but makes a big difference. Look on this forum for answers of how to tell how much ram you have and how to upgrade, if needed.
(3A) <Programs not clearing themselves from memory> Once again, this is not easy to fix. If you use your computer and it seems OK until you use one particular program, and then it seems slow, you might have a program that is not releasing memory. Probably the easiest solution is to reboot after using that program.
(4A) <Viruses, etc> There are several really good free antivirus, anti-spam, anti-malware, and other programs available. Do a little research on the Internet and use one that will suit your needs. There are place on the Internet that will scan your system and tell you if you have problems like these, too.
(5A) <Too many fonts> Many people like tons of fonts. Unfortunately, Windows slows down when you have tons installed. If you look through yours, you will probably find many that are virtually identical to others, as well as some you added or that installed with some program that you never use. Get rid of some of them.
(6A) <Registry trouble> About the same advice as 4A above – there are lots of free registry cleaners out there. Do some research, look at reviews, and choose one that suits your needs. Most of these have several settings, and you need to be sure you know what you are doing or you can get yourself in trouble rather quickly. FAIR WARNING – you can do some seemingly simple things that will keep Windows from starting. Some of these programs are set to automatically delete passwords and cookies. If you need these, and they’re deleted, you will not have them, so be sure to study the settings, know what will happen if you change something – before you click “ok” for anything. Run the program weekly, and you will see a difference.
(7A) <Too many programs running at the same time> Most people seem to like to start something, minimize it, start something else, and keep on doing this. We all do this to a degree, but everything you have running takes resources and helps in slowing your computer down.
(8A) <Too many programs starting when you start the computer> Lots of programs put themselves in your startup, so when you boot your computer, that particular program is ready to be run. Most of the time, you can start the program normally and will notice little, if any difference in startup time. You can get yourself in trouble
quickly by changing things in your startup, so if you don’t know for sure don’t change anything. In the 6A answer above I mentioned registry cleaners. Many of these also have a place to check and see what all is starting when you start the computer. One thing in particular I will mention is some of the PDF readers put themselves in your startup group, and really have no need to be there. They start automatically when you double click a PDF file, so why have it in your startup?
(9A) <Too many icons on your desktop> Icons look neat, and are useful, but too many can cause slowdown. Look at your desktop icons – probably 99% of them can be started, or run, from <start – all programs – then the program in question>. It is OK to have some, but I will pick on a PDF reader again – why would you need an icon on your desktop to start it, if all you have to do is double click on a PDF file and it will start automatically?
If you want to put it back to factory fresh, you will need to format the drive and install Windows, along with all your software. Hopefully you have all the software disks, cd keys, etc. Please remember to backup all your files, your Internet Explorer favorites, email settings, and any other special things you will need - just like moving to a brand new computer.
