General

It is annoying to watch your computer run slowly. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech expert to fix the problem yourself.
There are a few things you can do to speed up your computer today. It doesn’t require any expertise or special knowledge.

When you first buy a computer, one of the best things about it is that it starts up quickly and runs well. Over time, however, this changes as software applications are installed and viruses take their toll on system performance. I’m not sure if this has happened to you – but you can even experience more anxiety if your computer all of a sudden shuts off!

Steps you can take to troubleshoot a slow computer on your own.

1. Check to make sure the fan is not dusty.

At times the fan that cools the PC can be so covered in dust. That can cause real problems for your computer. Get a blower and gently blow it around the fan to clean off all the dust. You will be amazed at how well this simple fix can solve problems.

2. Free up disc space.

Quite often, the problem with a slow computer can be that too much disk space is being used for things you do not need. Here are a few things you can do to free up disc space and make your computer run faster: empty your recycling bin, remove installed programs that you are no longer using, and remove temporary Internet files.

3. Update your computer’s operating system.

This is a simple process that can make your computer run faster and more efficiently. To update your operating system: go to “Control Panel” (or System Preferences if you use Mac), then click on “Windows Update” or “Software Update” (Mac) in the left sidebar.

4. Perform a full scan with an antivirus program.

You should do this every month or so to make sure you don’t have any viruses on your computer. This will also help prevent viruses from slowing down your computer.

5. Uninstall programs that you no longer need or use. Go to “Control Panel” (or System Preferences if using Mac), then click on “Programs and Features” in the left sidebar.

6. Clean up your hard drive or check for disk errors.

This is important because as your computer gets older, there are more programs and files on it that can slow down its performance or cause the disk to fail. This is particularly true for computers that have many user accounts set up on them. To clean up your hard drive: open “Disk Cleanup” in the Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac), then check the boxes next to temporary Internet files, cookies, and other website data, previous Windows installation(s), etc., and click OK when done.

7. Update your computer’s drivers.

Drivers are small programs that tell your computer how to communicate with specific hardware, like your mouse or graphics card. If your computer doesn’t have the latest version of a driver installed, it may not be able to run certain applications as well as it could otherwise. You can update drivers using Windows Update or by visiting the website of your device manufacturer. eg., Intel. Click on Check for Updates, and allow it to finish. Restart your computer after this process is done.

8. Decrease the number of open programs and tabs.

Too many things running at once can cause your computer to run slower than usual or even crash completely!

These are some simple ways that are often overlooked but once executed can help to speed up a slow computer. If you are still experiencing problems, it may be time to bring your computer to a professional for diagnostics and repairs.

By: Stephen Adzasu